Barcelona must significantly increase public investment to support its most innovative start-ups, according to Alberto Pascual, president of the technology association @aslan and executive director at Ingram Micro. He warned that without stronger financial backing from local, regional, and national governments, risky but transformative tech projects risk being abandoned.

Aslan, which represents over 200 technology companies including Dell, HP, Huawei, and Cisco, recently held its 20th Tour Tecnològic in Barcelona. The event brought together sector leaders and public officials from the Barcelona City Council, the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency, and the Generalitat's Telecommunications and Information Technology Center (CTTI).

We need public funds, significant capital injection, and infrastructure development for the riskiest projects. This is what has differentiated economies like China or the United States.

Pascual highlighted Barcelona’s growing reputation as a global magnet for senior tech talent, attributing this to its climate, culture, and strong university research environment. He noted the city’s data-intensive pharmaceutical industry as a key driver of innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence applications.

While the 22@ district has long been the symbolic heart of Barcelona’s tech sector, Pascual said technological activity is now spreading across the city. Companies are increasingly integrating with established industries such as healthcare and leveraging emerging innovation hubs that attract international talent.

Connectivity and Infrastructure Advantages

Barcelona benefits from its proximity to France, a major clean energy provider, and key logistical assets like the Port of Barcelona and Zona Franca. Pascual pointed to developments beyond the city limits, including data centers in Cerdanyola and the submarine cable station in Sant Adrià de Besòs, as critical enablers of digital economic growth.

He dismissed concerns about data centers consuming large amounts of energy while creating few jobs, stressing they are foundational to the digital economy. “If you want to develop a strong artificial intelligence industry linked to biotechnology and research, you need these tools,” he said.

Call for Coordinated Public Investment

Pascual urged all levels of government to act together, citing successful models where local, regional, and national budgets jointly fund innovation. He noted that European venture capital remains underdeveloped and private investors often avoid high-risk projects, leaving public funding as the essential catalyst.

This push aligns with broader trends: in 2024 alone, tech hubs in Catalonia created 6,191 new jobs, bringing total employment in the sector to 34,869, a 22% increase from the previous year. Health and technological product development sectors led growth, accounting for 43% of new roles.

International confidence in the region remains strong. Sony AI established its new artificial intelligence centre in Barcelona with support from Catalonia Trade & Investment, citing the region’s research universities and tech organisations as key factors.

Primary sources: enviaments.accio.gencat.cat, accio.gencat.cat. Reported by metropoliabierta.cat, Metrópoli Abierta (CA).