Barcelona launches the seventh edition of the Barcelona New Economy Week. The fair for the so-called new economy runs until Wednesday at DFactory Barcelona and is being implemented by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona organised by the start-ups and institutions.
For this year, the CZFB announced 50 hands-on activities, around 270 speakers, more than 100 start-ups and 50 programme sessions. The programme is organised into eight thematic areas. The practical activities announced include flight simulations in the cockpit of an F-18, interactions with humanoid robots, an autonomous driving simulator and demonstrations of a surgical robot. According to the organiser, the aim is not just to discuss technological developments, but to make them directly accessible to experience.
The CZFB’s General Delegate, Pere Navarro, described Barcelona New Economy Week as a laboratory where businesses, founders and public bodies can observe the impact of new technologies across entire industries. Figures for the programme and participation come from the organiser. No information on potential business deals or investments is available before the panels and demonstrations begin.
Since its launch, BNEW has become an annual meeting point for players in technology, industry and services. Its approach is cross-sectoral: innovation, digitalisation and sustainability are linked to practical applications intended to foster collaboration between established companies and start-ups. The range of formats covers applications from robotics and mobility to medical technology, as demonstrated by the simulations and presentations on offer. Digital attendance allows those unable to be there in person to access talks and discussions without travelling.
The event is being held at DFactory Barcelona in the Free Zone industrial area. The venue is geared towards demonstrations, tests and presentations, supporting the focus on technology that can be experienced first-hand. The CZFB is coordinating the programme with partners from government and business. For Barcelona, the event strengthens the city’s role as a venue for technology and innovation fairs. Participating companies gain visibility for pilot projects, partnerships and customer acquisition; whether this produces measurable effects will only become clear after the event has ended. The fair ends on Wednesday evening.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).