The entrepreneurial sector continues to develop in Catalonia. According to data from Acció, the Generalitat’s corporate competitiveness agency, the number of startups has reached 2,022, 6.3% more than in 2021.

Despite the unfavorable macroeconomic situation, the amount of venture capital funds raised by new companies has also increased. According to Acció, it has reached 1.653 million euros, 4% higher than in 2021.

Regarding turnover and occupancy, the Generalitat did not update the data for 2022 and has already shared the results for 2021. Then, aggregate income is 1,720 million euros and employment is 19,100 people, which represents about 0.6% of the workforce employed in Catalonia.

in 2021

Employment reached 19,100 people, which is 0.6% of the workforce

Albert Castellanos, CEO of Acció, explains that employment has decreased slightly, by -0.8%, due to the distortion effect of startups that are no longer considered as such (sold to companies, beyond 10 years of age or other factors). “In recent years, recruitment has always increased and data on 19,100 workers shows that the self-employment sector is one of the top 10 employers in Catalonia”, he has relativized.

Another major conclusion from the report is that one in four workers in the self-employment sector come from abroad. In 44% of cases were from Western Europe, from countries such as France, Italy and the UK, followed by South America in 25% of cases, while 9% were from North America and 3% from Asia. As for startup founders, 19% also come from abroad. In fact, Barcelona is the second favorite European city for founders to launch startups, after Berlin.

Sector

Health technology, business services and software are the protagonists

“The digital sector is ripe in Catalonia”, the Minister for Business and Labor, Roger Torrent, held a press conference this morning. According to the report, other relevant data relates to the size startups have earned over the years. In 2022, 76% had fewer than 10 workers, whereas in 2019, before the pandemic, the percentage was 87%.

By sector, healthcare technology is increasingly prominent, representing 16% of the total, business services and software (12%), ICT and mobile (6%), food and finance, each at 5%. The tourism and leisure sector also stands out with another 5%.

Going forward, the Generalitat is optimistic and sees Catalonia being able to double the number of startups in five years. Although private initiatives are protagonists in the digital sector, the Government has strengthened the start-up support channels through two financing vehicles.