1. How do you assess the state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Catalonia?
The entrepreneurial ecosystem has matured significantly in the last decade, and Catalonia has established itself among the most attractive European territories for creating and growing a business. This is mainly due to the quality of local education and training, Catalonia’s global and multicultural vision, and Barcelona’s appeal in attracting international investors and talent. This is corroborated by the more than 2000 startups we already have, many of which have grown considerably in recent years. As for pending challenges, I would highlight the need to extend Barcelona’s potential throughout the territory by fostering greater collaboration and coordination, and also by achieving more success stories of entrepreneurs who manage to scale their businesses.
2. What actions does the Department of Business and Labour promote to encourage business creation?
We primarily promote the creation of businesses with a high innovative and technological component, through financial aid and advice in the very initial stages of these companies. Probably the most iconic program is Startup Capital, which grants aid of up to €100,000 for technology companies in the seed phase, i.e., when they simultaneously face high technological risk and high market risk. We also carry out other actions to foster innovation through collaboration between companies and research centers and universities, to help internationalize companies or to enable them to adapt more quickly to the challenges of digitalization and sustainability.
3. How do these actions adapt to the different needs of technology startups and self-employment projects?
Above all, we try to be useful in those phases where companies have less support, which is the very initial stage. The Catalan business ecosystem, especially for technology startups, still has some gaps, and companies find themselves without advisors, investors, and support, especially in the seed phase. This is already improving, and there is increasingly more culture, more success stories, and more investors who support companies in these phases of higher risk and uncertainty. That is why we emphasize being present during these times when the market is not yet mature enough.
4. What is your assessment of the Catalunya Emprèn program? What are the Department’s plans regarding its future?
The Catalunya Emprèn program has been very positive in maintaining a minimum of support and entrepreneurship promotion services throughout the Catalan territory. Catalonia must function as a network, avoiding excessive concentration in Barcelona, also at a business level. This means that there must be instruments to support the creation and growth of companies in at least all cities. For the coming years, the aim is to raise the level of services offered, to reward those services that have proven to have a greater impact, and to ensure that the program has a balanced impact across the territory.
5. Voluntary mentoring programs have proven effective in improving the survival rates of newly created businesses. What measures does the Department foresee to scale their impact?
We will strive to provide financial facilities through competitive grants so that organizations with the best mentoring programs can maximize their impact. Mentoring is undoubtedly one of the best tools to help businesses, and we are fervent advocates of it. Ultimately, it’s about increasing our society’s social capital, and this is achieved by creating bonds, trust between different actors, fostering collaboration… and mentoring has all these ingredients.
6. Autoocupació’s motto is ‘I am what I want to be.’ Are you?
Yes. I am comfortable with myself because I am satisfied with the objectives to which I dedicate my time, which, from my professional side, is to make the Catalan business fabric more innovative, prosperous, and sustainable. Therefore, I feel grateful because I perceive myself as having the freedom to do what I want, both professionally and personally.
