Barcelona is one of the main sports capitals in the world. No one doubts it since it was placed on the map in 1992, thanks to the Olympic Games, and for having some of the main sports entities in the world. Almost three decades have passed since then, and today the city has a new opportunity to become relevant again: to create the largest sports hub in the world. The center of attraction for projects and companies that, thanks to the application of technology, will transform the way we enjoy sports, for both users and spectators.
By maximizing our strengths, Barcelona potential to be a technological hub at an international level and in the world of sports, will grow exponentially.
I have been working in the technology sector since 1995 as an entrepreneur, an investor, and an executive; over the years I contributed to some of the great technology-sports projects, such as the creation of TradeINN, the largest Spanish sports e-commerce. As a Co-Founder of Galdana Ventures (a fund with more than 1,000 million dollars under management), I had the opportunity to learn about start-ups such as Peloton or Zwift; additionally, between 2010 and 2020, I was part of the FC Barcelona Board Member, specifically responsible for the digital area of the Club, without any doubt, the most relevant digital transformation project in the sports industry worldwide.
My job gives me the opportunity to spend long periods of time between Silicon Valley and China, two world´s epicenters of technology, where I have been able to get to know different ecosystems and learn from some of the best professionals in this sector, creators of some of the best technological hubs in the world. From what I saw and learned, I think a couple of reflections are needed when we talk about Barcelona: in Barcelona's entrepreneurial ecosystem, could we link technology and sport? What makes a powerful ecosystem and what made Silicon Valley so successful? The short answer is: the Valley is a combination of hardware and software.
In this circumstance, I consider ´hardware´ a series of structural elements, among which we could highlight the quality of life, especially now that teleworking proved that we can work from anywhere. I believe the year-round good weather is a big factor too, as it allows almost any sport to be practiced in Barcelona and its surroundings, from skiing to sailing. To this, we might want to add the credibility of the Barcelona brand since the 1992 Olympic Games and the fact that it is the headquarters of organizations such as Barça, Dorna Sports, or Euroleague, which enhance it in sporting terms and attract other stakeholders; finally we must add the relevance acquired thanks to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) and a growing entrepreneurial technological ecosystem. All these are structural advantages that other cities, for example, Paris, London, or Berlin, do not have.
In this context, I consider ´software ´ a state of mind and a way of living that creates a virtuous circle in which all stakeholders work together with a common goal: to conquer the market. Barcelona must seize the opportunity to establish itself as the largest sports tech ecosystem in Europe. I have had the opportunity to see how other capitals of the world have created their own Tech-Valleys, and there is no doubt that Barcelona has the necessary components and capacities to succeed.
Barcelona must build its own successful model and stop looking for comparison with other cities. Barcelona has many elements in its favor (climate, local talent, ability to attract international talent, etc.), and has the ability to develop the elements that are missing, such as a healthy ambition for a large market. Sports Tech has to be a fundamental pillar of the Barcelona model.
An additional piece of mind. Although the leadership must fall on the private sector, the involvement of the Administration can be decisive to ensure that the publicly-owned sports facilities become the most realistic laboratory that may exist to test technological changes. The best laboratory are the customers, and Barcelona has a network of facilities and clubs that would make the validation of products and services much easier. This may bring a change in the way cities look for this talent.
Should we get to work?
