Barcelona has swiftly emerged as a top startup hub in Southern Europe, renowned for its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and culture of innovation. Consistently ranked as Europe’s third most popular destination for entrepreneurs, the city is a magnet for those looking to launch and scale their ventures.
Currently home to over 2,100 startups across diverse sectors including health, biotech, and fintech/insurtech Barcelona offers diverse opportunities to innovate. Dive into Barcelona: The Past, Present, and Future of a European Startup Hub to explore the city’s evolution and discover how its dynamic environment draws both local talent and international startups alike. The presence of numerous accelerators, incubators, and co-working spaces further enhances the ecosystem, providing essential resources and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.
In this article, we spotlight 10 promising early-stage startups based in Barcelona, all founded post-2021. These innovative companies not only embody the city’s entrepreneurial spirit but also address pressing global challenges, positioning Barcelona as a leader in sustainable and technologically advanced solutions.
Cafler: Founded in 2021 and supported by €13.6 million in funding, Cafler offers a streamlined solution for vehicle services, allowing consumers to access options like fueling, delivery, and pickup directly through a user-friendly app. This innovative platform enables sellers, garages, and insurers to generate new revenue by outsourcing routine vehicle tasks, including fueling, maintenance, and transportation. With Cafler, automotive businesses can reduce operational costs, optimise service workflows, and minimise time spent on logistical procedures, all while delivering high-quality, convenient service to customers. The app is designed to support various sectors within the automotive industry, including fleet managers and insurers, ensuring vehicles are well-maintained and ready with minimal effort.
Deale: Founded in 2021, Deale is transforming the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering a platform that connects entrepreneurs directly with investors, streamlining a process traditionally dominated by large corporations. Recognising that over 90% of SMEs face significant obstacles in navigating M&A opportunities—such as limited networks and lack of resources—Deale simplifies these transactions and empowers advisors by expanding their global reach, making specialised M&A expertise accessible to a wider range of businesses. With nearly €3 million in funding, the company is advancing its mission to bring tailored M&A solutions to SMEs, fostering growth and supporting business continuity.
Emocional: Founded in 2021, Emocional is a cutting-edge human resources startup focused on enhancing employee mental health and emotional well-being. The company has secured €900k in funding to develop a software solution that integrates with video conferencing platforms. This tool aims to assess employees’ emotional states in real time by analysing non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions. By providing insights into emotional well-being, the software helps businesses better understand and support their employees during virtual interactions. Emocional offers resources and tools for both preventive care and ongoing support, enabling companies to foster a healthier work environment, improve productivity, and provide personalised support through tools like coaching and therapy.
Feeder: Founded in 2021, this innovative startup has raised €637k to develop a cutting-edge AI platform that uses facial recognition technology to analyse customer behaviour and predict the success of video content. The platform provides immediate evaluations across various formats, including videos, calls, and streaming, focusing on key metrics such as acceptance, impact, and engagement. By offering marketers and content creators deeper insights into audience reactions, it enables them to refine their strategies and effectively boost viewer engagement.
MiMARK: Founded in 2021, this innovative startup has successfully raised €7 million in funding to transform the diagnosis and management of gynaecological cancers, with a particular focus on endometrial cancer. The company is dedicated to developing accessible diagnostic solutions that utilise gynaecological fluids, leveraging advanced liquid biopsy technology to improve diagnostic accuracy. By providing healthcare professionals with enhanced tools for detecting and managing women’s health issues, MiMARK aims to improve patient outcomes and drive significant advancements in the field of gynaecological oncology.
Orikine Bio: Launched in 2022, this biotechnology company has successfully raised €5.5 million to pioneer the development of tailored cytokines designed specifically for treating immune-mediated disorders. Their research focuses on creating therapies that significantly enhance efficacy, addressing critical gaps in the current treatment landscape. By leveraging advanced scientific methods and a deep commitment to immunology, Orikine Bio aims to deliver solutions that not only improve patient outcomes but also pave the way for future advancements in immune health. This dedication to innovation reflects their broader mission to transform the management of immune-related conditions in clinical practice.
Piper: Founded in 2023, Piper is an AI-driven startup automating repetitive tasks for sales teams, helping to enhance productivity and streamline CRM management. With over €3 million in funding, Piper’s technology interprets sales conversations from calls, emails, and audio notes, automatically populating deal-related fields. This allows sales teams to focus more on closing deals, while sales managers gain valuable insights into pipeline performance, making Piper a standout in the sales tech space.
REVER: This SaaS platform is dedicated to enhancing the returns process for businesses, particularly within the B2B e-commerce sector. Founded in 2022 and backed by €8.4 million in funding, REVER aims to simplify the returns process, making it easy and efficient for customers to return products. For businesses, it reduces operational challenges by enabling automation and cost reduction. This innovative approach not only boosts customer satisfaction but also enhances companies’ competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market. With e-commerce continuing to expand, REVER’s emphasis on a sustainable and efficient returns solution is poised to attract interest from businesses focused on optimising logistics and customer service.
Unibo Neobank: Founded in 2021 and backed by €2.3 million in funding, Unibo is reshaping the financial landscape for real estate professionals. This startup offers a fully digital platform that streamlines property management and banking services, eliminating the need for in-person transactions. With an all-inclusive flat-rate pricing model based on the number of property owners, Unibo enables real estate professionals to handle financial tasks efficiently. This approach not only saves time but also provides personalised support, helping clients enhance operational effectiveness in a competitive market.
Vitaance: Vitaance is transforming employee well-being programs by allowing companies to offer customisable benefits tailored to individual preferences. Launched in 2021, the platform encourages collaboration and healthy habits through engaging physical challenges, fostering a positive workplace culture. It also streamlines HR operations by reducing administrative workloads, enabling a more efficient management of well-being initiatives. With €5.57 million in funding, the innovative startup is committed to maximising the impact of well-being programs while ensuring employees receive the necessary support to thrive both personally and professionally
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