Since then, Barcelona & Partners has established itself as a private, selective agency dedicated to attracting innovative companies and driving strategic projects with high added value. Its work contributes to strengthening the local economic ecosystem and enhancing the city’s international positioning.
Behind Barcelona & Partners is a network of public institutions and leading private companies that share a common ambition: attracting innovative companies and initiatives that contribute to Barcelona’s economic and social development. Our partners are at the heart of our model. They provide financial support, share their expertise, open doors and help build the connections that make our work possible. Their commitment enables us to offer our services free of charge to international companies looking to establish or expand their presence in Barcelona.
Public and private collaboration is in our DNA
Barcelona & Partners was created through collaboration between Barcelona Global, Barcelona City Council, the first public institution to join the initiative, and leading companies that believed in the project’s ambition. Among the organisations that supported its early development were Accenture, Deloitte, CaixaBank, Cuatrecasas, Banco Sabadell, the Puig Family Foundation, CBRE and Grupo Godó.
This founding alliance established the principle that continues to guide us today: bringing together the public and private sectors to attract investment, foster innovation and generate economic activity of high value.
Today, our network brings together public institutions like the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Diputació de Barcelona, Barcelona City Council and the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona and private partners from a wide range of sectors.
These organisations contribute complementary expertise across consulting and professional services (Accenture, Deloitte, Cuatrecasas, Toda & Nel·lo), banking (CaixaBank, Banco Sabadell), real estate and infrastructure (CBRE, Colonial, COMSA Corporación, Sorigué), talent (Eurofirms, Claire Joster), utilities and energy (Aigües de Barcelona, Naturgy), life sciences (Ferrer), media and culture (Grupo Godó, Grupo Planeta), events and entertainment (Fira de Barcelona, Oak View Group), mobility (RACC), innovation districts (SID), deep tech (Oxford Quantum Circuits) and philanthropy (Exea Impact).
Together, they reflect the breadth of knowledge, capabilities and connections that underpin Barcelona & Partners.
How our partners make a difference
- Opening doors. Our partners help connect international companies with local institutions, potential clients, suppliers and industry peers, making it easier to build meaningful relationships in Barcelona.
- Sharing expertise. Their knowledge spans a broad range of business needs, from legal and tax matters to real estate, talent, infrastructure and financing. This collective expertise helps us provide companies with a complete perspective as they explore opportunities in the city.
- Taking Barcelona to the world. Our partners join international missions and other initiatives in strategic markets, helping showcase Barcelona’s strengths and build relationships with companies and investors around the world.
- Making strategic projects happen. Transformative projects often require close coordination between multiple stakeholders. Our partners help bring together the knowledge, relationships and capabilities needed to turn opportunities into tangible outcomes.
Six years of results and success
Over the past six years, Barcelona & Partners has supported the arrival of 43 international companies, generating more than €1.7 billion in investment and over 4,500 highly qualified jobs. Many of these projects have focused on technology hubs, innovation centres and strategic business functions, strengthening Barcelona’s position as an international destination for economic activity of high value.
These achievements reflect the strength of the wider ecosystem and the importance of collaboration. By combining the commitment of public institutions with the expertise and international reach of private companies, we can help create opportunities that benefit Barcelona and its metropolitan area.
Stronger together
Looking ahead, collaboration remains an important part of our work to strengthen Barcelona’s international position and attract projects that contribute to its development in the long term.
Barcelona & Partners will continue working with organisations that share this ambition, fostering connections and identifying opportunities that create value for the city and its metropolitan area.
Interested in exploring opportunities to work together? Get in touch to learn more about partnering with Barcelona & Partners.