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Barcelona: A Rising Innovation Hub and Strategic Home for GBSB Global Business School

29 May, 2025 — by Elizaveta Vakhoshina in Accelerator, Business

Barcelona’s ascent as a European innovation powerhouse continues to gain momentum. For the second consecutive year, the city has been ranked among the top five startup ecosystems within the European Union, according to the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index published by StartupBlink, a leading international consultancy. 

Positioned just behind Paris, Berlin, Stockholm and Amsterdam, Barcelona secured 33rd place globally, climbing five places from the previous year thanks to a 40.4% surge in its overall score.

This year’s index evaluated over 1,400 cities across 110 countries, assessing startup quantity and quality, business climate and sectoral specialisation. Notably, Barcelona holds the distinction of being Spain’s leading startup ecosystem — a rare case in which the national capital is surpassed. This achievement cements the city’s growing reputation as a hub for entrepreneurial ambition, investment, and innovation leadership.

An Ecosystem Designed for Growth

With over 2,285 start-ups, more than any other region in Spain, Barcelona is a thriving launchpad for new ventures. The city offers more than just a cultural and lifestyle destination. The city’s ecosystem thrives on cross-sector innovation and international connectivity, from fintech and cleantech to gaming and healthtech.

GBSB Global Business School is strategically located in the heart of this ecosystem. 

Our Barcelona campus provides students with unparalleled access to a dynamic network of coworking spaces, accelerators, venture capital firms, and multinational corporations. Students pursuing careers in digital strategy, entrepreneurship, marketing, or technology leadership are immersed in a real-time innovation laboratory at GBSB Global.

Sectoral Excellence that Mirrors Our Academic Vision

Barcelona’s rise is especially notable in sectors that align with GBSB Global’s academic focus. The city now ranks second worldwide in the video game industry and third in pharmaceuticals. Barcelona also leads Europe in healthtech and is a recognized global front-runner in smart city innovation, cleantech, and sustainable mobility.

These sectors align well with our programs in digital business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and management. Our curriculum reflects the evolving dynamics of the global economy by integrating experiential learning through guest lectures, startup collaborations, company visits, and capstone projects grounded in the local innovation ecosystem.

GBSB Global’s Unique Role in Barcelona Through the G-Accelerator Program

A cornerstone of GBSB Global’s commitment to entrepreneurship, the G-Accelerator Program is our flagship pre-acceleration initiative that supports students and alumni in transforming disruptive ideas into sustainable ventures. In partnership with UVic-UCC, the University of Northampton, and other innovation leaders, we deliver intensive training, expert mentoring, and up to €3,000 in post-program financial support through the G-Accelerator. Over six months, participants navigate business ideation, product development, market validation, and investor readiness, culminating in a Demo Day pitch to stakeholders.

With its focus on triple-impact businesses that are socially, economically, and environmentally responsible, the G-Accelerator embodies our belief that education must empower, not just inform. It also places GBSB Global at the epicenter of Barcelona’s startup and innovation ecosystem, where it actively shapes the future alongside the city’s most dynamic entrepreneurial forces.

A Global Talent Magnet with Real Career Impact

Barcelona’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is also a powerful attractor of global talent. According to ACCIÓ, the Catalan government’s agency for business competitiveness, the city has created more than 22,840 jobs within its startup ecosystem. This growth is supported by a 10.6% year-over-year increase in business volume.

For GBSB Global students, these metrics translate into tangible career advantages, including greater employment prospects, stronger international networks, and a direct bridge from academic learning to professional achievement.

Why It Matters

Barcelona’s success story is more than just a civic milestone—it is a strategic advantage for students who choose to study here. As the city redefines the boundaries of innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe, GBSB Global Business School is proud to be part of this transformation. We are committed to equipping the next generation of global business leaders at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystems.

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