Deeptech technologies are on the rise in Catalonia. There are already 310 companies, 10% more than last year, that are dedicated to this type of technology. They offer products and services based on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, blockchain, robotics, semiconductors, sustainable materials, battery and clean energy, photonics, quantum and supercomputing.
The categories, as well as the data, come from a study prepared by Acció, the agency for business competitiveness of the Generalitat, called Analysis of the deeptech startup ecosystem in Catalonia 2023. Among its main results, the employment figure of these companies also stands out, which has grown by 35% in just one year, reaching 2,340 people. Regarding billing, the joint result stands at 160 million euros, which is 30% more than the previous year.
Catalonia’s deeptech ecosystem is made up of startups, of which 43% are spin-offs of universities or research centers, but also of incubators, accelerators, venture capital funds and research centers.
“Having this growing ecosystem is a highly strategic factor for our future. We must consolidate ourselves as an international benchmark in the sector, promote the transfer of science to the market and increase the capitalization of international funds,” says Albert Castellanos, Secretary of Business and Competitiveness and CEO of Acció. This public agency contributes to the sector with a line of subsidies of up to 100,000 euros per company and a three-year survival guarantee for the project. To date, Acció claims to have supported 152 deeptech companies.
