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.
EXECUTIVE CHAUFFEUR BARCELONA 