MWCapital and Barcelona Activa partner to boost deep tech spin-offs creation

The partnership will connect scientific and entrepreneurial talent, facilitate access to incubation facilities and strengthen technology transfer in Barcelona. 

The agreement has been signed by MWCapital’s managing director, Laia Corbella, and Barcelona Activa’s managing director, Lorenzo Di Pietro. 

23/July/26

Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital) and Barcelona Activa have signed a collaboration agreement to strengthen Barcelona’s science- and technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The agreement establishes a framework for joint action to foster technology transfer, support the creation of new deep tech spin-offs and accelerate the market adoption of innovations emerging from universities and research centres. 

The partnership brings together two key initiatives within Barcelona’s innovation ecosystem: The Collider, MWCapital’s technology transfer programme, which supports scientific projects in their journey to becoming technology-based companies, and Barcelona Activa’s Deep Tech entrepreneurship strategy, which includes programmes and services providing advice, incubation and funding for early-stage scientific and technology ventures and startups. 

Through this agreement, the two organisations will work together to identify opportunities, share knowledge and strengthen links between scientific and entrepreneurial talent, helping to consolidate Barcelona as one of Europe’s leading deep tech innovation hubs. 

The main areas of collaboration include providing spin-offs supported by The Collider with access to Startup Lab, Barcelona Activa’s incubation space located at the Glòries Campus, as well as jointly organising training and networking activities and promoting each other’s initiatives, events and opportunities aimed at the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

The agreement also provides for the referral of projects with technology transfer potential between the programmes run by both organisations, enabling entrepreneurial teams to receive support at different stages of development and maximise their growth opportunities. 

Laia Corbella, managing director of MWCapital, highlighted the importance of the partnership: “Europe’s future competitiveness will depend on its ability to transform scientific research into high-impact companies. Deep tech technologies are essential to achieving greater strategic autonomy and developing solutions to major social, industrial and environmental challenges. Our collaboration with Barcelona Activa enables us to identify more opportunities, mobilise entrepreneurial talent and help turn high-value technology projects into reality, generating impact in Barcelona and across Europe.” 

Raquel Gil, Fifth Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council and Chair of Barcelona Activa, said: “Through Barcelona Activa, Barcelona City Council is committed to supporting companies in key sectors with a threefold objective: creating quality employment, generating a positive impact on society while addressing global challenges, and strengthening the competitiveness of the city’s economic fabric. Deep tech sits at the intersection of these three priorities, which is why we have made it a strategic focus through specialised programmes, services and facilities. Aligning our objectives and resources with MWCapital will be key to scaling up our efforts and further expanding our ability to support high-value projects that benefit both the city and its citizens.” 

The partnership has an initial duration of four years and reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to promoting innovation, knowledge and technology transfer by supporting the creation of high value-added companies and strengthening Barcelona’s international competitiveness.