The first edition of bizbarcelona, which took place on 16 and 17 June, closed its doors after receiving more than 12,000 visitors, consolidating Barcelona as a benchmark in entrepreneurial initiative and business growth both on a local and an international level. The Day of the Entrepreneur had nearly twice as many visitors as last year and 2,000 people participated in HIT Barcelona.

Over these two days, Fira de Barcelona on Montjuïc welcomed entrepreneurs, investors and companies that have had the opportunity to participate in more than 300 activities. In total, there were more than 500 speakers and experts and more than 1,400 advisory actions took place.

The bizbarcelona project decided to hold the different events focusing on entrepreneurialism and innovation in the city over the span of one week in order to consolidate Barcelona’s international leadership in these two areas. The initiative was led by the Barcelona City Council, the Government of Catalonia, the Government of Spain, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, the Barcelona County Government and “la Caixa”.

During this first edition the annual Day of the Entrepreneur events, which include the Entrepreneurs’ Fair, HIT Barcelona, EmprenedorXXI and the Tecnio Forum, joined forces and were held in the same space, the Barcelona Fairgrounds, on the same week.

Additionally, the Barcelona Entrepreneurship Capital Award has a new category: Ambassador to Barcelona Entrepreneurship Capital. This award is given as recognition of a person with an outstanding business career on an international level that has made a significant contribution to positioning Barcelona as an entrepreneuring city.

The next edition of bizbarcelona will consider increasing the number of activities and holding them over more days in order to consolidate internationalization of the events that make up the project and consolidate Barcelona as a leader of entrepreneurialism and innovation.