Barcelona capital of technology

Barcelona consolidates its position as a technological hub with the arrival of more global firms

Barcelona consolidates, even more, as a technological and innovation hub. The arrival or expansion of activities of up to ten international firms in the last four months gives the Catalan capital a power that has allowed it to attract giants such as Facebook, Lidl or Mediamarkt. They are joined by Amazon‘s biggest bet, which was already present, or the arrival of reference startups in their sectors such as N26 or Chartboost.

Access to talent, quality of life and lower costs are some of the keys that push companies to install their innovation centers in the city.
MediaMarkt, the last example

The last to announce the installation of an innovation center was MediaMarkt. The German trade giant announced earlier this month that it will launch an international technology center in El Prat de Llobregat (Barcelona) this year. This tech hub will aim to develop technological solutions for the retail trade.

In June, the German fintech N26 announced that in September it will open its second European headquarters in Barcelona. From these offices, about one hundred engineers will work on the development of the product and the technology of the company. In two or three years, the workforce could double.

May, key month

Looking back a little, May was another key month for business investments in Catalan territory. Several large movements are counted. The first, that of the Argentine satellite company  Satellogic which opened its offices in Barcelona. These offices will be the European headquarters of the company, which plans to create 100 jobs by 2020.

Another great announcement was that of Lidl, who will install its European center of excellence in Plaza Catalunya, right in the center of Barcelona. From there he will provide e-commerce and customer relationship management services at regional level in Europe and will employ 250 people.,
The Australian Moodle will also disembark in the Catalan capital. The company that aims to revolutionize education with its software, intends to create 40 jobs (it will start with ten) and has opted for Barcelona to open its first office outside its country of origin.

Although smaller, the American Chartboost, founded by two Catalans, opened an engineering office in Barcelona at the end of May. Currently, they employ 20 people.

The bet of Facebook

At the beginning of the month, the most mediatic announcement was that of Facebook. The social network made public the opening of a fake news control center that will run the Austrian company Competence Call Center (CCC). The offices will be located in the Torre Glòries, entrance door to 22 @, and will employ 500 people.

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Barcelona Global

The ingredients for Barcelona to be a leading ‘hub’ in technological innovation and research

Barcelona Global

How many times have we read good news about research agreements in Barcelona and its surroundings: there is no lack of initiative. But how many are sustainable in the long term? How many are truly independent and self-financed? And in how many of them does the University play a fundamental role, not only as a teaching center, but as a talent incubator and solid work platform for new professionals?

In any field of science and new technologies, ideas, talent or separate funding will never guarantee success. The formula of the magic potion needs all the ingredients in a perfect combination. Together and with the hand of an expert in Druids “there are no Romans to stop him”.

How many times have we read good news about research agreements in Barcelona and its surroundings: there is no lack of initiative. But how many are sustainable in the long term? How many are truly independent and self-financed? And in how many of them does the University play a fundamental role, not only as a teaching center, but as a talent incubator and solid work platform for new professionals?

I have been able to know the reality of doctoral students at the University of Linköping or the University of Zurich and see the almost natural interrelation between university, business and society in these countries and I am convinced that we still lack something. We lack “the druid” and we also lack the “ladle”.

A year ago, I wrote some lines in this forum about what it meant for my family to move to live in Basel. It was shortly before when our eldest son, Alex, the only one who had not accompanied us in the Swiss adventure for career reasons, decided to join the University of Linköping (Sweden) to start his PhD in Analytical Sociology.

Alex has been working and living in Norköping for more than a year. The department where Alex is trained and works is rooted in a strategic line of sound and innovative public research that seeks social impact, not only in the short term but also in the long term. An environment where opportunities and resources are available and in favor of ideas, equipment and talent. A university and work environment, yes, work, in constant renovation that allows young researchers to grow intellectually but also professionally and socially.

In my imaginary, the ‘druid’ represents the long-term strategic vision committed to imagine, define and create for the genuine benefit of people. And, the ‘ladle’ is the individual and collective culture that is the determining factor to gather the perfect combination of ingredients that will give us that essential potion so that education, training, innovation and growth align and provide feedback in a endless sustainable cycle.

There is no ‘potion’ without ‘ladle’. Since there is no society without culture, Barcelona is a leading center for technological innovation and research in many areas. In addition, the ambition of these groups is to stay to stay. My question is, do we have ‘druid’? and more importantly, do we have ‘ladle’? Guille and Aitana, Alex’s brothers, are already there trampling. I do not resign myself to keep looking for the druid and his ladle. It goes for all of them and for all of them.

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United Airlines Barcelona-Washington

Today the first plane has taken off from the Catalan capital and is expected to last until the service on October 29

United Airlines Barcelona-Washington

United Airlines, the result of the union between Continental Airlines and United, has launched Thursday seasonal, daily, nonstop service between Barcelona and Washington, to mark the tenth anniversary of the company in the Catalan capital connection. The flights will be operated by Boeing 767-400 aircraft model, with a capacity of 242 seats and is expected to last until the service on 29 October. The US company started business in Barcelona on 18 May 2006. In these 10 years transported about 970,000 customers in more than 6,000 flights on the direct route between Barcelona and New York.

Thorsten Lettnin, director of United Airlines in Europe, and Sonia Corrochano, director of the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, presided over the opening ceremony, which took place in the airport terminal T1 Barcelona. During the event, Lettnin stressed the importance of this new route as it will connect Barcelona to anywhere in the United States in less time, thanks to the hub (airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to cover their destinations) that United Airlines has in the US capital.

Meanwhile, Corrochano stressed that Washington is a destination that has been working in recent years. “It’s very important to have this direct flight, originally scheduled for fewer months but that given the good acceptance, the company has extended until the end of October,” he said.

United Airlines operates in Spain since 1991. Currently, there are no stairs flights from Barcelona and Madrid to New York / Newark. Last May 6 was launched seasonal connection between Madrid and Washington / Dulles, also in daily frequency and nonstop. The commercial director of the company in Spain, Antonio de Toro, was pleased to offer, for the third consecutive year, US customers “further options” with this service between the two capitals, as well as the launch today of the new service without scales between Barcelona and Washington.

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Airport records

The El Prat airport sector maintained the upward trend thanks to the tourist positioning of Barcelona and the promotion of low cost airlines. And it has not peaked yet

Terminal 1 El Prat airport Barcelona

El Prat touch the sky. It will record on record. The Barcelona airport has six years winning passengers. A success story that does not seem to end. As recently said Kenny Jacobs, director of marketing for Ryanair, “it seems that everyone wants to come to Barcelona”.

How is possible? Xavier Fageda has worked in recent years side by side with the academic Germà Bel in airport issues. “The growth of El Prat in recent years has several explanations. The main capacity was expanded with the new runway in 2004 and the new terminal in 2009. The other key factor is the expansion of tourism in Barcelona and this has led to low cost to take positions. Also important has been the good management of the leading company in El Prat Vueling “.

Sonia Corrochano, director of the airport of El Prat de Barcelona highlights some oddities. “The city is among the four preferred destinations in Europe in social networks. Additionally statistics show that many people who come here for tourism repeated. And eight out of ten cruise passengers arriving by plane to embark on one of the cruises from the city. And this is a growing sector. ”

Spain as a whole is experiencing a sweet period from the tourist point of view because passenger traffic growing more than 25 months. The rise in international passenger traffic is driving, especially following the collapse of competitive markets such as Tunisia and Egypt. But it has also diversified its proposal.

According to the hotel association CEHAT, the supply of sun and sand has risen from more than 90% of Spanish tourism at 72%. “Few European countries have an airport network as extensive quality and quality as in Spain that connects so many different cities,” said Albert Grau and Bruno Hallé are responsible for tourism consultant Magma

Barcelona takes advantage of this situation because it offers everything at once: vacation tourism destination and insurance business and convention town. The current improvement in the economy is the icing on the cake. From Magma stress that, for example, “people company values the urban tourism and leisure. In a context of economic recovery, this group of travelers, less seasonality, it becomes crucial. ” These experts also stand out as the launch of El Prat “it is the reflection of a successful tourism promotion policy on the part of local institutions in recent years.”

“The surveys we conduct among our customers indicate that Barcelona is one of the (if not the) favorite destinations. Therefore, next year will transport more than 6.3 million people in El Prat, 500,000 more than last year, “José Espartero, director of marketing for Ryanair Spain, the company that transports passengers in Spanish skies. “Historically, the city has recorded more incoming flights, but we are seeing that departing flights are growing very significantly. Next summer we will increase our network of routes from Barcelona, with 3 new destinations to Berlin, Hamburg and Marrakech, “said Espartero.

In 2012 EasyJet had a base in Barajas. Now they have just installed in Barcelona. “Twenty years ago El Prat airport was the first in which we operate outside the UK for what is happening is not surprising at all,” recalls Javier Gandara, CEO of EasyJet to Spain and Portugal. “Behind the success of El Prat she is the fact that it is a destination in itself. And the low cost airlines, which previously flew from secondary airports, which have assumed and positioned themselves here, “Gandara said. There is a temporary factor that also plays into the Barcelona airport right now says this executive of EasyJet. “With the drop in oil prices, many low cost to them would not come before the accounts have decided to operate again. And this means that there is more supply, more competition and therefore more traffic. ”

Given these figures, Aena rubs his hands. Because the Barcelona airport, living an uptrend, is very profitable. In 2014 El Prat won twelve times Barajas and represents more than half of the benefits of airport management. “The reform of the commercial offer of the T2 and increased traffic generated higher revenues,” said airport sources.

The growth of the Barcelona terminal those years has gone hand in hand with Vueling. Fernando Estrada, Director of Strategy and Alliances of this airline believes “this pace is sustained, steady and it has nothing to bubble. Their bases are solid. Now after years we have created a hub in Barcelona, with passengers throughout the year and put the city in place in the airport market. The proof is that now more and more long-haul airlines have decided to come here. ”

Indeed, one of the common criticisms is that Barcelona has yet to lead in the long haul. But this aspect is also changing. Since 2006 the number of intercontinental routes has doubled. This week Emirates, announced that it will operate two daily flights between Barcelona and Dubai with the A380, the world’s largest aircraft. This introduction involves increasing the capacity by 32% over the current long-haul offer this airline.

“This reflects our confidence and commitment to the market in Barcelona,” explains Fernando Suarez de Gongora, CEO of Emirates. “We see potential both for those traveling to Barcelona from Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East as well as for travel to these regions, whether for business or tourist purposes”. Xavier Fageda states that “in relation to long-haul flights, the improvement on the growing presence of Asian and American airlines in the European market also tend to be positioned outside the major European hubs that are highly saturated, for example in Barcelona”.

Does El Prat ability to make this leap ?. Technically, yes. Corrochano recalls that current facilities can manage to reach 55 million passengers, ie 35% more than the current traffic. “You may add a level comparable to other T2 volume,” he says. You can also increase to 25% the number of operations per hour. The skies are clear.

 

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Autodesk in Barcelona

The US multinational software Autodesk has introduced its new European sales office in Barcelona

Autodesk Barcelona

Technology continues to promote Barcelona and Catalonia. The US multinational Autodesk, a world leader in 3D software, presented on Wednesday its European sales office in Barcelona, a kind of ‘hub’ or sales center that will employ up to 100 people until the mid-year come.

In a meeting with journalists, the vice president of global sales operations and Autodesk, Julie Sockley, and vice president of EMEA sales for the company, Roland Zelles, they have justified the choice of Barcelona as its attractive city, infrastructure and It is offering the ability to recruit talented staff. They have also influenced added that it is a “non-saturated” market of international companies, which believe that will change in the coming years because it believes many multinationals opt for the Catalan city.

By placing this sales offices in Barcelona, the multinational believes he can make the Catalan capital, which is already leader in mobile technologies, “the new European capital of 3D technologies,” said Autodesk.

Autodesk, which develops software used routinely designers, architects or engineers, and has contracted for this project about 50 people and expects to make another hundred contracts until the middle of next year, although it has not provided investment figures provided to this whole project. Zelles noted that the company is looking for qualified professionals with mastery of some of the languages of the countries to which they will serve, and that “no matter” of that country come from workers.

The Barcelona office will serve “to all countries of the euro zone as well as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland,” he explained Zelles, so Autodesk looking for a personal profile with extensive sales experience and language skills.

To locate all officers, Autodesk has rented a floor of about 1,200 square meters located in the Sea B building, next to the Diagonal Mar, but does not rule out expanding space in the same building if you need it.

Zelles said that Autodesk, owner of the popular AutoCAD design software, is changing its business model to provide software services also from the cloud.

Growing company

In addition to these 50 people already working in Barcelona and have been contracted for this ‘hub’ European sales, Autodesk has an office in Sant Just Desvern (Barcelona) with a score of people and Madrid with seven others.

Autodesk closed fiscal year 2014 with sales of over 2,500 million and more than 2.2 million users worldwide, and Europe accounts for 40% of these sales, he explained Zelles.

Sectors such as architecture, design, construction or the entertainment industry, from film to video games, use Autodesk software to design their ideas before taking them out.

 

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Gamification World Congress 2015 (November 10 – 13 BARCELONA-Spain)

Gamification World Congress 2015

Gamification World Congress was founded in 2011 by Sergio Jiménez, Jose Carlos Cortizo and Arturo Castelló as a meeting point for companies and professionals interested in using game in areas such as customer engagement, employee performance, education, innovation and health.

After three annual events, Gamification World Congress has established itself as the international reference point, insomuch as participant numbers, generating business opportunities, developing new market solutions, and sharing success stories and know-how.

Now, the organization at Gamification World Congress has taken onboard suggestions from its participants to create Gamification World, the largest international content hub that will now provide continuous online presence throughout the year and all around the world on this exciting trend.

Gamification World was born with a number of objectives, following requests from Gamification World Congress participants to build the largest international network of success stories, experiences and know-how surrounding gamification.

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Barcelona, the greatest ‘hub’ European low cost airlines

Barcelona surpasses John F. Kennedy airport and Gatwick in number of flights of low cost, the study OAG Megahubs Index

Barcelona airport ( El Prat )

The Barcelona-El Prat leading European hubs in number of flights of low cost airlines ahead of American John F. Kennedy, facilities and Gatwick British Indian capital of Delhi, the study OAG Megahubs Index.

In particular, the Barcelona airport is leading the European rankings and is in 15th place worldwide, being the only Spanish in the top 25 of the study, which analyzes the number of flights on the day of greater global activity of air operations. On the other hand, UK has two airports in the ranking, ranking 22 and 23 of the list, with facilities Gatwick and London-Stansted.

However, globally wins the battle United States, which accounts for the first three places and stands out from the rest by far the Midway airports in Chicago; the Baltimore-Washington in Maryland; and McCarran, in the state of Clark, Nevada, and eight kilometers from Las Vegas. Thus, 60% occupy the top ten airports whose operations are dominated by Southwest Airlines.

Also it notes, positioning within budget airlines airport in Southeast Asia. Specifically, Indonesia, Thailand, who manage some of the top ten.

Global Ranking

Globally, it is detected that 48% of interconnection hubs -center flights- are concentrated in the United States, 32% in Asia-Pacific and 10% in Europe, while Latin America covers 8% of the total, Middle East 2%.

Specifically, the first eight megahubs airport facilities occupy Hartsfield-Jackson, south of Atlanta business district, followed by Chicago O’Hare, northwest of Chicago, the third largest city in population, and in third Instead, the Dallas-Fort Worth, the busiest airport in Texas.

In the case of US hubs, the study emphasized that most of these are controlled by a single carrier. Thus, Delta Airlines takes over 80% in Atlanta, American Airlines pilots 81% in Dallas / Fort worht; US Airways is made with up to 88% of flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, while United gets the 76% of operations in Houston.

In the following positions the Charlotte Douglas Airport is located in the state of North Carolina; the George Bush International Airport in Houston, Texas, and the largest in the state of Michigan Metro Detroit in Detroit,. On the other hand, the Denver airport achieved eighth place, while the Phoenix-Sky Harbor closes the top ten.

The only breaking the American leadership are Congonhas airport facilities / Sau Paulo, the second busiest in the country and the international airport of Mexico.

Among the 50 airports in the ranking there are only four Europeans who are Heathrow, London; Frankfurt; Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam, at number 13, 35, 43 and 44, respectively.

Rise of India and China

Latin America sneak into the list, in addition to the above two airports, one in Brazil and another in Mexico, the Sao Paulo-Guarulhos and Bogota, ranking 19 and 38 respectively, which add up total of four airports in the ranking.

Moreover, India and China have two three megahubs starting from number 20. Specifically, Mumbai ranks Delhi on 21 and 26, while the Asian giant stands out from the rest of the Shanghai-Pudong airport, Beijing and Kunming in the Chinese province of Yunnan, in positions 31, 47 and 48, respectively.

Thailand closes the list with two airports, as well as Malaysia and the Philippines, also in the tail of the ranking.

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Sao Paulo-Barcelona connection

Barcelona and the Brazilian city will be joined in October by a new direct flight: a BOEING 767, the airline TAM -of Group- Latam Airlines, made the trip three times a week | More than 30% of the passenger traffic between Spain and Brazil have their origin or destination airport Barcelona | intercontinental journey with the support of the Air Route Development Committee of Barcelona

Latam Airlines Group

Latam Airlines Group presented on 13th July its new direct flight between Barcelona and Sao Paulo: a Boeing 767 operated by TAM cover from October, three times a week, the journey between the two cities. The group of airlines in -líder Southamerica – reinforces the connectivity between Europe and its main hub, the airport of Guarulhos in Sao Paulo, one of the largest and most modern in the American continent and gateway to over 115 destinations the region-; while the Catalan capital is positioned as a strategic connection with South America, and the flight will allow passengers from anywhere in Europe to link Barcelona to Sao Paulo and vice versa.

More than 175,000 passengers fly each year between Barcelona and Brazil. More than 30% of traffic between Spain and the Latin American country in fact has its origin or its destination at Barcelona-El Prat Airport. The movements of travelers between the two countries have grown over the past five years 5% on average, and Barcelona have grown 8% annually in the same period. These figures place Barcelona airport over other Spanish airports and justifying the interest shown Latam Airlines Group by the potential of the new direct route between Barcelona and Sao Paulo.

“We are very proud to see that Barcelona will participate directly in this huge opportunity, from our perspective, we believe that South America represents for Europe, thanks to this new route linking Barcelona with Brazil and the continent South America “explained during the presentation, the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, Rodrigo Contreras, CEO of LATAM Airlines in Europe who, moreover, emphasized the” invaluable assistance of the Committee Routes Barcelona whose support has been crucial to the development of this project. ”

The Air Route Development Committee -the CDRA-, created in 2005 by the City Council, the Government, the Chamber of Commerce and AENA works for attracting direct intercontinental routes to Barcelona-El Prat Airport, a journeys tend to contribute to the economic recovery of the regions involved: not in vain, airports are among the facilities that have more capacity to channel international economic flows to their areas of influence.

Experts say that there is a direct impact of new air routes in generating employment and creating economic activity for every million passengers receiving an airport generates 3,000 direct and indirect jobs. And in terms of value added, the economic importance of airports accounts for 2-3% of GDP in the corresponding region.

The offer of international flights is also a determining factor for location in a specific city of the corporate headquarters of companies with international focus: 10% increase in the supply of these flights increases to four % the number of corporate headquarters installed in a large urban area.

Quality tourism

Barcelona-Sao Paulo route should also help to consolidate a sustainable tourism model. Brazilians who visit the city often demanded quality: their motivation is cultural; not seeking sun and sand resources they already have plenty -of high quality- and without leaving home. Brazil also is the third country outside the EU average in terms of expenditure incurred by tourists.

Economic issues aside, the new route also promote good social and cultural relations between Barcelona and Sao Paulo -in throughout history, both cities have hosted major expatriate communities in the other-. To promote the route, Latam Airlines Group carried out actions such as the exclusive sponsorship of the Brazilian Day Festival, an event that took place on September 6th at the Forum in Barcelona and Brazilian culture approached the Catalan public.

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A week dedicated to the design in BCN

Until June 14th, Barcelona Design Week becomes Barcelona in its design, innovation and creativity

Barcelona Design Week

Conferences, exhibitions, workshops, presentations and circuits are some of the activities included in the program of the 10th edition of the Barcelona Design Week. Designed for professionals and citizens interested in the creative industries, the meeting aims to create business opportunities, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and approach design to the general public.

Headquartered in Barcelona Design Hub building, among the novelties of this year is the exhibition “Timeless Massimo Vignelli,” a collective tribute to the work of Vignelli made a selection of posters created by renowned graphic designers International. Also, for the first time, carried out the OFF BDW, which includes more than 30 multidisciplinary activities organized by organizations, companies and establishments of the city; the Food Event Design, Ecodesign or Day.

Unlike previous years, in which there was a guest country to mark the 10th anniversary of the BDW has invited 10 weeks of design from other countries will share their experiences with the public and actively participate in various events.

Circuit Design Poblenou

One of the activities designed to bring the citizens Circuit Design is the Poblenou. Participants of these routes have the opportunity to delve into the study of some of the designers and architects of the neighborhood, as Salasstudio and 4-id to discover the creative potential of the city.

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Marina Port Vell inaugurates ‘The Gallery’ first world hub for crew

‘The Gallery’ is a two-storey building annexed to dock with seating and ‘wellness’, gym and terrace

Marina Port Vell ‘The Gallery’, crew hub

The Marina Port Vell has launched ‘The Gallery’, the first ‘hub’ world specifically for the crew, with the aim of consolidating the Catalan capital as destination visited also by sea.

‘The Gallery’, two-story building with over 2,750 square meters, is part of the controversial project to transform Marina Port Vell, which since last year has 148 berths and capacity for large yachts. The building, designed by the architectural firm SCOB Barcelona has a ‘hub center’, seating and ‘wellness’, gym and terrace area designed for captains, ship owners and crew to go after work.

This space, according to its promoters, will become a meeting point for the nautical sector and service center for users of the Barcelona port. These services include providing transportation to moorings, boat rental or private storage areas.

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Torre Agbar becomes the Hyatt tower Barcelona

Grand Hyatt Tower hotel Barcelona

The Agbar Tower, one of the most iconic and well known city of Barcelona icons, will host the Grand Hyatt luxury hotel Barcelona in the coming months. The news has created great excitement, as the figures that revolve around the new openness are spectacular: is expected investment of 150 million euros, and a renovation of the building that will house almost five hundred rooms and about 1 5 visitors annually. The Hyatt Barcelona Torre wants to become one of the best hotels in Barcelona, as well as a new tourist hub for Barcelona.

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