About the author 

The Neuro Business School (NEURO) in Barcelona integrates neuroscience, psychology, and business strategy to revolutionize education. Offering programs like NeuroMarketing, NeuroBusiness, and the Neuro MBA, NEURO enhances leadership, decision-making, and marketing strategies.

Beyond the Annual Event: A Sustained Support Ecosystem

4YFN’s impact extends beyond its annual event. Through its vibrant online community, it continues to fuel startups with year-round support, networking, and investment opportunities​​. Barcelona’s status as a startup-friendly city further amplifies the event’s influence, offering a fertile ground for entrepreneurial ventures​​. The community also witnessed and adapted to significant shifts in the startup-investor relationship. The focus has moved from just innovative ideas to sustainable business models and strong team dynamics. Additionally, there’s an increasing emphasis on startups with a social impact, resonating with broader market trends

As part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit, we encourage our network to join the 4YFN Mentorship Program. The deadline for mentor applications is rapidly approaching, with a cut-off date set for December 14th. Your expertise and insights could be invaluable in helping aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of the business world. By becoming a mentor, you not only contribute to the growth of budding entrepreneurs but also gain a fresh perspective and the satisfaction of giving back to the community. You can apply here.

The 2023 municipal elections in Barcelona sparked substantial shifts in the city’s political landscape. The changing power dynamics among the principal political parties not only echo the changing sentiments of Barcelona’s populace but also presage implications for the city’s future investment climate and trade potential.

Junts became the frontrunner in the elections, securing 11 seats, up from their previous five, underlining an increasing resonance of their political agenda among Barcelona’s citizens. They garnered 149,235 votes, accounting for 22.42% of the total vote share.

The PSOE party maintained their steady political influence, securing 10 seats, an increment from their previous eight. They amassed 131,735 votes, translating to 19.79% of the total votes, a testament to their continued relevance in the city’s political scenario.

Meanwhile, EN COMÚ secured the third spot with nine seats and a voter share of 19.77%, indicating a solid backing for the party. The ERC and PP parties acquired 5 and 4 seats respectively, while the VOX party managed to bag 2 seats.

The election witnessed a voter turnout of 60.57%, with a minor percentage of null and blank votes.

The recent 2023 Municipal Elections results show no clear majority party in Barcelona, necessitating the formation of a coalition government. Here are some possible paths to governance:

1. Junts and PSOE Coalition: The two top parties, Junts and PSOE, could join forces to form a coalition. This coalition would hold a slim majority in the council with 21 seats, just over the half-way mark. However, this would involve significant negotiation and compromises given their divergent political ideologies.

2. Broad Three-Party Coalition: A broader coalition involving three parties, such as Junts, ERC, and EN COMÚ, or PSOE, EN COMÚ, and ERC, could also be a viable option. These combinations would bring together parties with a shared focus on progressive policy-making, potentially leading to a more stable coalition. It would also result in a more substantial majority, increasing the likelihood of achieving legislative goals.

3. Minority Government: Alternatively, the leading party, Junts, could opt for a minority government, seeking support from other parties on a case-by-case basis. This approach would offer flexibility but could also lead to instability if agreements aren’t secured.

4. Cross-party Coalition: Finally, a cross-party coalition involving Junts, PSOE, and one of the smaller parties, such as ERC or EN COMÚ, could provide a substantial majority. Such a coalition would likely require considerable negotiation and compromise but could potentially lead to more balanced policy decisions.

The formation of the new government will largely depend on the post-election negotiations between these parties. Each party will be weighing their policy priorities, political strategies, and public mandate to decide on the most beneficial coalition arrangement.

Regardless of the path chosen, these elections have demonstrated the dynamic nature of Barcelona’s political landscape, and the chosen coalition will set the tone for the city’s governance in the coming years.

The electoral outcome could reshape Barcelona’s investment and trade dynamics. Factors such as political stability, policy direction, the stance on Catalan independence, European Union relations, and infrastructure development could all be influenced by these results and the subsequent government’s constitution.

As post-election developments unfold, investors and businesses will be keenly observing the trajectory of the new administration. The elected parties’ capability to form a stable coalition and implement business-friendly policies is vital for sustaining investor confidence and bolstering economic growth in Barcelona.

The 2023 Barcelona municipal elections have stirred the city’s political equation, and as the new government forms, the repercussions on the city’s investment and trade sectors will crystallize. The forthcoming years will be pivotal for Barcelona as it adapts to these shifts and reaffirms its stature as a crucial economic cornerstone within Spain and the European Union.

Club GLOBALS, as an integral part of Barcelona’s vibrant business community, embraces these political shifts. Irrespective of the final outcome, we stand prepared to collaborate with the new leadership. Our commitment to fostering innovation, enabling business growth, and nurturing a prosperous business environment remains unwavering. Together, let us shape a brighter, more prosperous future for Barcelona, catalyzing its growth as a global hub of trade, innovation, and excellence.

Money Talks: A roadmap to successfully fund your startup

Startup funding is essential for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses. Here you can find the different stages of startup funding and the key players involved in each stage. 

1. Idea Stage

At the idea stage, entrepreneurs are just starting to develop their business idea. They may have a rough business plan or prototype, but they need funding to move forward. At this stage, the entrepreneur is usually the only one involved in the business.

2. Co-founder Stage

Once the entrepreneur has developed their idea, they may need a co-founder to help them build the business. A co-founder typically has complementary skills and shares the entrepreneur’s vision for the company. Together, they can divide the work and responsibilities.

3. Friends and Family

Before seeking outside investment, entrepreneurs may turn to friends and family for funding. Friends and family are often willing to invest at a lower price than other investors and may not require as much documentation or due diligence.

4. Seed Round

The seed round is the first round of funding from external investors. These investors are often angel investors, who are high-net-worth individuals who invest their own money. They may invest anywhere from $10,000 to $500,000 in exchange for equity in the company.

5. Series A

After the seed round, if the company is doing well, it may seek a Series A round of funding. This round is typically led by venture capitalists, who invest larger sums of money, usually starting at $500,000. In exchange for their investment, they receive a portion of the company’s equity.

6. IPO

The IPO, or initial public offering, is the final stage of funding for most companies. At this stage, investment bankers help the company go public by selling shares of the company to the public. Anyone can buy shares in the company, making it possible for the company to raise a significant amount of money.

Key players involved in startup funding include:

• The entrepreneur: starts the company and drives the vision forward.
• Co-founder: shares the workload and responsibilities with the entrepreneur.
• Friends and family: invests before anyone else at a lower price than other investors.
• Angel investors: high-net-worth individuals who invest their own money in early-stage startups.
• Venture capitalists: invest in later-stage startups, starting at $500,000, and persuade others to invest in their funds.
• Early employees: gamble on the company by accepting a lower salary and stock options.
• Investment bankers: assist with IPO paperwork and sell shares of the company to the public.
• Anyone: after the IPO, anyone worldwide can invest in the company.

In conclusion, startup funding is a crucial part of building a successful business. Entrepreneurs must navigate various funding stages and work with different investors to secure the necessary capital to grow their businesses. We believe that understanding startup funding is essential for any entrepreneur looking to build a successful business.

The Barcelona React Festival has brought together people from all over the world to generate awareness about the future. Over the course of the event, attendees have explored the latest advancements on how to make cities smarter, closer, and more sustainable, as well as the challenges we must overcome in the future.

 

In this line, the festival opened with an outstanding inspirational talk, some very interesting insights from the Barcelona City authorities, and during the day, great speakers shared their thoughts on how cities can be designed to be more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. One of the main themes was the transformation of Barcelona by 2030, discussing how the city is evolving into a diverse economy, creating new opportunities for its residents. The focus was on developing a human-centric city with global ambition, where people can invest, live, and work.

 

Another key topic was new forms of leadership. As Barcelona evolves, it will require leaders who can inspire and motivate others to drive change. Speakers discussed the qualities that effective leaders possess and how they can be developed. They also talked about the role of technology in creating smarter cities and improving the quality of life for residents. During the day, attendees had the chance to network with other professionals in the industry, sharing ideas and experiences.

 

We attended the React festival on Tuesday the 28th of March, and it was fascinating to learn about the cities of the future and new forms of leadership. The festival has been a great success, bringing together an enthusiastic and diverse community to explore the future of European cities.

 

Interestingly, according to a report by the Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona, the city’s economy is projected to continue growing in the coming years, with an estimated 1.9% increase in GDP in 2022. The report highlights the importance of innovation, digitalization, and sustainability in driving economic growth in Barcelona. You can read more about it through this link.

 

Today, 30th of March, will be the last day of the three-day festival.

If you want to take a look at the talent map, you can use this link! You can find some cool information about the behaviour of Barcelona’s talent. the talent map is made in collaboration between Barcelona activa and LinkedIn. Presented by Sara Díaz Roig.

The GLOBAL Sales Tech Festival will assemble the largest gathering of sales leaders to share the experiences and challenges that arise when driving successful interactions across the customer journey. We are the 1st hybrid and bilingual GLOBAL Sales Tech Festival in Spain.

-Newest sales tech to grow your business
-Latest sales strategies
-Amazing jobs opportunities
-Boost your network

The event to meet the sales tech community. A platform empowering integration and growth.

The GLOBAL Sales Tech Festival will assemble the largest gathering of sales leaders to share the experiences and challenges that arise when driving successful interactions across the customer journey. We are the 1st hybrid and bilingual GLOBAL Sales Tech Festival in Spain.

-Newest sales tech to grow your business
-Latest sales strategies
-Amazing jobs opportunities
-Boost your network

The event to meet the sales tech community. A platform empowering integration and growth.

Introducing Elise

Hey there! I am happy to introduce myself as the newest member of Club GLOBALS. My name is Elise and I am following an internship in Marketing and Communication. I am following a bilingual education in Marketing and Communication in The Netherlands, I am now in the middle of my last year.

I moved to Barcelona because it is a great step toward independence. I am only 18 and was very curious about how a business operates outside of The Netherlands, the country I am used to. So when I found out I could follow my internship at Club GLOBALS I was very excited because I think you get to experience what it is like to use most things I learned in school put into practice

After I get my diploma I want to get my bachelor’s degree in communication or creative business (I haven’t decided yet).

In the future, I might want to start my own company or work for a big company in marketing and communications. But that is also something I haven’t decided on yet.

I look forward to spending the next four months at Club GLOBALS and working on upcoming events.