Barcelona tech sector expands AI startup support and investment

The Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) has launched the first acceleration call for its BSC AI Factory, aiming to support up to 100 advanced-stage Spanish artificial intelligence startups. The 14-week program, funded by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, includes a 2.3 million euro budget. Selected companies will receive technical resources, specialized advisory, and access to the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer. The initiative will operate through physical locations in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, and Málaga, with a focus on strategic sectors such as health, finance, legal, media, and sustainability.

In a parallel development, Barcelona-based venture capital firm Masia VC has closed its first fund, raising 18 million euros. The firm intends to invest in early-stage startups specializing in artificial intelligence and frontier technologies. Masia VC has already entered 45 startups and plans to complete approximately 20 more operations through next year. The fund's capital is sourced from a community of investors, including business angels and founders, as well as the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT) and the Barcelona City Council.