Barcelona Circular, new project that strengthens MONDRAGON's roots in Catalonia

If MONDRAGON was already an important player in the daily life of Catalonia, now there is one more reason to affirm it. Barcelona Circular  is the new 3,400 square meter space that opened yesterday, open to young companies and the technological solutions they propose. The public-private initiative will be managed by Mondragon Unibertsitatea, TeamLabs, and Barcelona Activa.

Pello Rodríguez, president of MONDRAGON, emphasized that MONDRAGON is a consolidated project in the territory: "MONDRAGON is a project deeply rooted in Catalonia. More than 10,000 people work in our cooperatives and businesses, and they do so in very diverse sectors. Today we bring innovation and entrepreneurship projects with Mondragon Unibertsitatea, but we must also highlight Ausolan, Caprabo, Onnera Group or technology businesses such as Ribinerf or Sentinel; and, of course, the expansion of LABORAL Kutxa in Catalonia. Our commitment is truly solid."

The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, also expressed satisfaction with the strategic integration and contribution of Barcelona Circular to the city: "The facility we are opening today is the result of public-private collaboration to launch a permanent circular economy hub. This will allow us to fight against the causes of climate change, but also to create business and opportunities, both in the city and for all residents."

Barcelona Circular

Located in the Bon Pastor neighborhood (Sant Andreu), the new venture by Mondragon Unibertsitatea and TeamLabs in Catalonia is a space for training, innovation, and entrepreneurship. More than 100 students will occupy this 3,400 square meter space each academic year, where 15 companies are already working, following the example of other successful TeamLabs experiences in Bilbao, Madrid, Malaga, and Valencia. Barcelona Circular has the MONDRAGON seal, as it seeks the digital transformation of industry and the generation of more sustainable circular models, enhancing the positive impact on the environment. This new project will be key to attracting talent and creating quality jobs.

A Hub for Industrial and Sustainable Transformation in a Strategic Location

All spaces have been designed to meet the four strategic lines of the project:

• Talent and Training: The facility offers practical training connected to the reality of the sector and businesses, following the learning by doing methodology. The official university degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation (LEINN) is already underway, with more than 200 young people who have created 16 companies and more than 300 projects, as is the University Master's Degree in Strategic Management of People's Talent, both qualifications from Mondragon Unibertsitatea. The facility will also feature training programs adapted to the needs of the industrial fabric of Bon Pastor.

• Entrepreneurship and New Business Models: The BAC (Barcelona Circular) is positioned as a center for driving the transformation of industry in Barcelona through entrepreneurship, which is why it offers incubation and acceleration programs for projects, startups, and consolidated companies to boost the circular economy and the digital transformation of SMEs. The facility has 50 coworking spaces to house companies, a digital fabrication workshop, and a workshop for material optimization and waste reduction. Currently, the Catalonia Waste Cluster, the TechTourism cluster, the Precious Plastic Association, and the Eix Besòs Business Association have already set up there.

• Business Competitiveness and Innovation: The new hub includes an innovation laboratory to support industrial SMEs in tackling current challenges through innovation processes that allow new ideas and methodologies to be identified. The prototyping space within the facility will be at the service of these companies so they can create their solutions there. The BAC will also contribute to the incorporation of young talent into the industrial fabric to boost its competitiveness.

• Connection with the Community: The BAC offers a free program focused on innovation and the transformation of business models, leadership, entrepreneurship, the circular economy, and Industry 4.0. It is aimed at both sector leaders and young talent, with the goal of generating synergies and collaboration. The space is also available for holding ecosystem events that reinforce this community-building function.