Located in vibrant Southern Europe, Barcelona and Catalonia offer a welcoming environment for companies looking to expand in a thriving innovation and technological advancement ecosystem. The region's appeal is highlighted by its distinction as home to half the world's top 50 innovative companies (BCG), reflecting Catalonia's commitment to pioneering advances and forward-thinking strategies.

Catalonia continues to push the boundaries of science and technology with its world-class scientific infrastructure represented by institutions such as the Alba Synchrotron and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. However, Catalonia's reputation extends beyond innovation to its business-friendly economy and substantial industrial base, making it a sought-after destination for global companies looking to establish operations in Europe. Diverse sectors such as chemicals, automotive, food and beverages, metallurgy, and life sciences collectively contribute significantly to Catalonia's GDP, highlighting its economic resilience.

Twelve universities and top-ranked institutions nurture a vibrant talent pool that drives the region's prosperity. Barcelona, in particular, serves as a magnet for multilingual professionals worldwide, earning it a place among the world's top 10 cities for international talent (Decoding Global Talent, Onsite and Virtual, Boston Consulting Group, 2020).

But Catalonia offers more than a robust business environment. It provides an extraordinary quality of life, with a diverse natural landscape, mild climate, and rich cultural heritage. High global city rankings, public healthcare, and work-life balance add to its appeal.

Catalonia is also well-connected, with three international airports, two major ports, and an extensive rail and road network. As Southern Europe's largest intermodal logistics hub, it has attracted global giants such as Amazon, Decathlon, and Volkswagen-SEAT. 

Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, has rapidly emerged as a top destination for AV & TECH business events. With its renowned international events, such as the Mobile World Congress and Smart City Expo, the region attracts large corporations and scale-ups. The upcoming America's Cup also adds to the excitement.

For all these reasons, we invite you to experience the spirit of the America's Cup and explore the business opportunities in Barcelona and Catalonia, where innovative ideas and collaboration turn into remarkable stories.

Barcelona and the America's Cup share a common trait - they both have an innovative mindset and understand that technology has a role to play in ensuring a sustainable future. For this reason, ACCIO-Catalonia Trade & Investment and the America's Cup have signed a partnership to promote the use of green hydrogen technology in the Barcelona 2024 regatta.

In this edition, one of the major changes will be the introduction of hydrogen-powered support boats. These boats will be equipped with cutting-edge technology that relies on the clean and efficient energy of hydrogen, reducing the environmental impact of the event.

By transferring the hydrogen boat technology to ACCIÓ- Catalonia Trade & Investment, the partnership will help create a new industry for green hydrogen boats and ensure that the new demand for hydrogen supply and infrastructure created by the America's Cup is met by local suppliers.

One such supplier is Air Products, through its local subsidiary Carburos Metálicos, a Barcelona-based industrial gas supplier, which has become the Official Hydrogen Supplier to the 37th America's Cup. It will be responsible for supplying all event and team hydrogen-powered chase boats with the green hydrogen required to power the zero-emission boats capable of speeds over 50 knots.