This week, Barcelona was named the European Capital of Innovation. The European Commission awarded the first-ever iCapital Award to Barcelona, Spain, “for introducing the use of new technologies to bring the city closer to citizens.” Barcelona was announced as the winner at the closing ceremony of the Innovation Convention 2014 in Brussels. We beat out Grenoble, France and … [Read more...]
Innovation in Barcelona (Part 2): Are We Ready To Be A Global Leader?
On January 27th, Innovation in Barcelona (Part 1) appeared on Barcinno. This article is a follow up and is based on interviews with Joan Marti Estevez (Acc1o), Jorge Juan Fernandez (Biocat & Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Sonia Mulero & Guillermo Marqueta-Siibert (Fundacion INLEA), Chelo Fernández (Barcelona City Council), Jesus Purroy (Parc Científic Barcelona), Marc … [Read more...]
The Barcelona startup ecosystem: a mapped overview
For a while now, we (and many others*) have been writing about the potential of the Barcelona ecosystem as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. The "potential" being characterized by elements such as entrepreneurial tools (e.g. universities and business schools), incubators programs**, co-working facilities with fast and cheap internet, mentor programs, angel investors, … [Read more...]
Heard@ Capside: How To Boost Innovation & Creativity In The Workplace
Looking over the square of Placa Catalunya, CAPSiDE is innovating the digital society. Not alone, but with everyone that shares their vision. On Wednesday, they held their first Capside Open Day telling the story of their evolution and how to nurture creativity & innovation across the organization. On the third floor above the FNAC center, you enter the Capside … [Read more...]
Barcelona Moving Up, Spain Lagging Behind In Global Innovation Index 2013
On Monday, the Global Innovation Index (GII) presented the 6th edition of its annual survey that is developed under the supervision of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell University and INSEAD. The prestigious GII reviews 142 economies around the world, using 84 indicators to measure the key role of innovation as a driver of economic growth, thereby … [Read more...]
Barcelona Global Unites ‘Barcelonians By Birth’ and ‘Barcelonians By Choice’
Last night, 400 of Barcelona’s most committed professionals gathered at the Palauet Albéniz on Montjuic for an “inspiring cocktail” to not only celebrate what this city has to offer, but more importantly, to identify Barcelona’s biggest weaknesses and set a course to improve them. The Barcel-Hola event was presented by Barcelona Global, the independent, not-for-profit civil … [Read more...]
Heard@ Update10: The Final Episode Of Infonomia’s Innovation Series
Yesterday in the Aribau Cinema in Barcelona, more than 600 people gathered for Update 10, Infonomia's bi-annual conference keeping pace with innovation and forward progress worldwide. In 300 slides, Alfons Cornella and Antonella Borglia presented a synthesis of their insights and discovered the newest and most powerful trends of the last 6 months. Alfons focused mostly on … [Read more...]
Sonar+D – A New Laboratory To Create The Future
Like SXSW and Burning Man before it, Sónar has added a new act to its annual throw-down in Barcelona. In it’s 20th year, Sónar becomes the next mega-festival to fuse innovation and technology to the beat of world-class musicians and DJs. Beginning today and running straight through the weekend, Sónar+D brings creativity, technology, mobility, innovation, and business to the … [Read more...]
Barcelona Design Festival 2013 Kicks Off Tonight
For the next 30 days, the latest in Barcelona innovation and design will be on display during the Barcelona Design Festival 2013. Co-organized by Barcelona Centre de Disseny (BCD) and Fostering Arts and Design in Catalonia (FAD), the 3rd annual Barcelona Design Festival “aims to situate Barcelona as a world capital of design and innovation internationally.” The month long … [Read more...]
Heard @ Growth Summit 2013: How To Build A Breakthrough Business
We know the answers, but are we asking ourselves the right questions? Verne Harish starts off yesterday's Growth Summit 2013 by posing three basic questions to assure your company keeps on growing and evolves into a breakthrough business: 1) What is the single story your entire company can focus on? 2) How will you get the crowd to help you to reach your goals? 3) Do you … [Read more...]