Barcelona, a world reference in economic and business competitiveness

Ease to balance work and personal life, both inside and outside the work space, is one of the main attractions for companies

Frequent technological changes make companies change and move around cities, developing their business in the most suitable environment without having to depend on a specific geographical venue.

An example of this path adopted by companies is applying models such as Flexi-working, which allow workers to combine more easily work and personal lives. This model already had an excellent reception in centers that are a reference in the workspaces sector, such as Gran Via Business & Meeting Center. What factors can therefore predetermine to choose one town or another?

Barcelona is amongst the best towns in the world to face future technology challenges in a secure manner, according to the latest Observatorio de Barcelona report. The city is well-positioned both in the European and in the world contexts, says the study, as it finds itself amongst the 25 most competitive cities in the world, at an economical and also at a business level.

The city positioning is therefore strengthened as a key factor in the engagement with companies that decide to expand in the area. “Private investments will be key in the years to come, considering that accounts of local and central governments are, most of the time, under too much pressure. Each part should be as committed with achieving external objectives as with the ones of their own”, explained in a recent interview Carsten Menke, Next Generation Research Responsible of private bank Julius Baer, who is studying sustainable options of future investments.

To support this approach, the main reasons that could justify that a company chooses Barcelona to expand or locate their workspace must also be considered, according to informations from the big data and artificial intelligence consulting firm Bismart:

• Internet of Things innovation: smart bus stops and LED technology public lighting that responds depending on the presence of pedestrians are two elements that allow to save 30 million euros a year in power.
• Public Wifi: it allows to sit and work in parks, libraries or city squares, as simple as that, with more than 250,000 users every month.
• Citizen connection: giving access to local services through an app, namely to help when parking your car, or to find the closest searched service.
• State-of-the-art technology: in Barcelona workspaces you can find some of the most groundbreaking companies and a vibrant number of startups. It is a way to encourage the combination of talent and creativity in spaces that aim for excellence in many different ways.
• Key tech events: some of the most important tech events in the world take place in Barcelona, such as the Mobile World Congress, IoT Solutions World Congress and Smart City Expo.

With this set of factors, the workspaces offer where companies can accommodate is diverse and varied, and can respond to the needs of every company that is interested in moving to one of the world business capitals.