Lleida, in western Catalonia, has been named among Spain’s top 10 startup hubs in StartupBlink’s 2026 report. Mayor Fèlix Larrosa announced the result at the first Lleida Fes Talent entrepreneurship meeting on 28 May 2026, where he also presented the inaugural Nexe Awards.
Larrosa was joined by City Promotion Councillor Pilar Bosch, Youth, Education and Employment Councillor Xavier Blanco, and University of Lleida Rector Maria Àngels Balsells. He said Lleida stands out in innovation and entrepreneurship and can compete with large cities.
According to the report, Lleida ranks 128th in Europe and 439th globally, out of more than 1,500 cities analysed. It is also the fastest-growing hub among Spain’s top 10, with an 82.3% rise in one year. The city currently has 63 active startups.
The council says this growth is supported by work with Agrobiotech Park, the University of Lleida and other public and private partners. The support includes acceleration programmes such as APTenisa, pre-acceleration schemes such as EmprenBio 4.0, investment networks, funding rounds, training, mentoring and coworking spaces such as Casa de la Fusta. For more local business coverage, see our news tag page.
Bosch said each business project helps drive regional change and build more opportunities. She also stressed the need to connect talent with the city’s identity.
The Nexe Awards, Ciutat de Lleida al Talent, recognised three local businesses. Bonavista Taller SCP, founded by Glòria Esteve and Júlia Badia, won for technology and innovation. Laura Garcia Arrufat’s Vibra-Espai de Salut won for women-led business. Alba Vall-Llebrera Panadés was recognised for sustainable development.
Larrosa also visited a green roof project by Big4Life, Building-integrated greenery, at Agrobiotech Park’s H3 Building. The project, led by the University of Lleida, is designed to reduce building energy use and is also being used at EBM Ronda-La Mercè in Lleida, El Prat de Llobregat and Barcelona. More on the university’s work is available from the University of Lleida and StartupBlink.
