Barcelona Activa consolidates itself as a benchmark in supporting local start-ups

• Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, reinforces its positioning as a key player in the development of the local and European entrepreneurial ecosystem in recent decades
• The stand, of more than 200 m2, will focus on deep tech, with special attention to current challenges such as climate, health, finance and cybersecurity
• The start-up showroom will highlight the talent of local companies, which are using AI as one of the engines of change and technological innovation

Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, has consolidated itself as a relevant actor in promoting and supporting entrepreneurship in the city throughout the 20 years of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. In the next edition, which is held from 2 to 5 March, the council will once again participate in the benchmark event for the technology sector with its presence at 4YFN, the trade fair that brings together entrepreneurial talent and start-ups, investors, institutions and companies within the framework of the MWC.

Currently, Barcelona Activa has more than 840 start-ups. Of these, 299 companies are located in incubation or coworking spaces, and 48 specifically in incubators to receive continuous support in the growth and development of the business. But this is just a snapshot of the moment: in 20 years, nearly 450 companies have passed through the incubators. With this support, Barcelona City Council has contributed to the city's positioning as the 8th most attractive in the world for entrepreneurs in the World Best Cities classification.

Making the talent and challenges of entrepreneurship visible

With the aim of offering support to the entrepreneurial ecosystem adapted to the needs of the moment, the stand divides its more than 200 m2 into an agora space to present services to companies, proposals for access to financing and a showroom with experiences of companies that have received support from Barcelona City Council. In addition, the focus will be on disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence and on environments in the midst of a transformation phase such as climate, cybersecurity, fintech, health tech and video games.

The showroom will be the space to learn about and try first-hand the innovations of local entrepreneurship and the technology that is already responding to social challenges:

• MicaEco: A sensor installed in the meter monitors the consumption of each water point in the home in real time and sends the data to a mobile application. Through this application, the user can track consumption, receive personalised advice and be notified of leaks.
• The Balance Phone: Smartphone without access to addictive content. The device runs on Balance OS, a proprietary operating system that systematically blocks access to social networks, games, gambling, pornography, etc.
• Vrain: Advanced medical visualization platform that transforms images such as CT scans and MRIs into immersive digital twins to facilitate more precise anatomical exploration by professionals, a better understanding of the diagnostic and recovery process by patients.
• HoopSlam: Through technology integrated into an interactive, portable basket and a mobile application, the community of players organises matches, challenges and competitions in urban spaces that are accessible to all participants, regardless of their level.
• SafeHands: A device that, using artificial intelligence and ultraviolet light, instantly detects bacterial contamination and verifies proper hand hygiene in seconds. Designed for hospitals, food production, hospitality and high-risk environments..

In the Village Space, dedicated to highlighting international talent and facilitating contact with the ecosystem, Barcelona Activa will support 24 more start-ups: AgoraTechAI, Somia Solutions,Atleia, ArQ Quantum Technologies,Biyiud,CellFlow, ColorSensing, Chattyhiring AI, Cyberand Technology, Gia Robotics, Manina Medtech,Mediala Tech,Metascan, Metly, OndaLoop, Peimi, RacketyTV, RemottoTech, Salssa Enterprises, Seven Sector Technologies, Shoptimus, Squid Saas, Tauniqo AI and Zenit.

Deep tech, funding and female leadership

In addition to the stand's agora, Barcelona City Council will participate in the official stages of 4YFN with activities focused on deep tech, financing and entrepreneurial talent. On the first day at 4:20 p.m. at the fair's Agora Stage there will be a debate space about female leadership in high impact technology companies through the experience of the founder and CEO of Roka Furadada, Judit Camargo; the CEO of Sycai Medical, Sara Toledano; and the CEO of Tetrax, Marta Vizcaíno.

The next day, Tuesday the 3rd at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., it will be the turn of the pitching sessions of the start-ups, who will be able to explain first-hand what their value propositions are. On Wednesday 4th at 11am, at the Sabadell Stage, there will be the session Funding Deep Tech: Lessons from Both Sides of the Term Sheet, with the participation of investors and founders who will analyse the particularities of financing scientific and technologically based projects.