Innovative Solutions in Key Sectors

BNEW 2026 consolidates itself as a showcase for innovative solutions from key sectors of the new economy

Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW), organised by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), concluded today its seventh edition, further consolidating its position as a benchmark event for the new economy, with strong participation from industry professionals. Over the course of the three-day event, more than 12,000 professionals, from 96 countries around the world, took part in the various sessions, panels and debates addressing the new socioeconomic and technological challenges faced by companies, large corporations and startups operating across the eight sectors featured in this edition: Agrofood, AI, Science, Talent, Health, Aviation & Space, Gaming and Energy. In addition, this latest edition of BNEW generated more than 11,753 networking connections among attendees, many of them facilitated through the BNEW Platform, the digital networking platform developed by the CZFB.

Innovation has been one of the main highlights of virtually all the sessions, as well as the programme of experiential activities, but especially this morning at the BNEW Talent stage, where the pitches of the 40 finalist projects of the BNEW 2026 Startup Innovation Hub took place. Gamified medical experience tools for children, autonomous energy-independent devices that enable communication with AI without the need for mobile phones or computers, the development of innovative therapies to treat rare diseases lacking effective treatments, the detection of tumour cells through advanced techniques, technological ecosystems that allow the design of tailor-made AI applications for companies, solutions for the reuse of agri-food packaging, and hydrogen-powered propulsion systems for professional drones are just some examples of the innovations presented this morning by the startups participating in the event.

Pere Navarro, Executive Delegate of the Barcelona Free Zone Consortium (CZFB), highlighted, as the final assessment of this sixth edition, that: “We are very satisfied with the outcome of BNEW 2026. Once again, we have demonstrated that the new economy is not an abstract concept, but a reality that is already transforming the way we work, produce and live. BNEW has once again become the global meeting point where sectors such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, mobility, logistics, sustainability and Industry 4.0 come together, share knowledge and create new partnerships”. Navarro also emphasized that “more than 50 immersive experiences have enabled people to engage with innovation in a tangible way. We are closing this edition with more opportunities, greater collaboration and the certainty that the future is already part of our present. We look forward to seeing you in 2027 to continue building the new economy together”.

 For her part, Blanca Sorigué, CEO of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), stated that “the 7th edition of Barcelona New Economy Week has once again demonstrated that innovation is far more powerful when it can be experienced firsthand. Over the course of three days, attendees have been able to see, touch, taste and feel how technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced mobility are transforming key industries and improving people’s lives”. Sorigué added that “BNEW has consolidated its unique experiential model, connecting innovation, business and citizens in a direct and educational way. Since its creation in 2020, the event has served as a driver of transformation and a bridge between different ecosystems. Today, it is a European benchmark for the new economy and a showcase for the talent and innovations that will shape the future”.

Today’s content programme focused the debate on the new Gaming and Energy verticals.

Gaming: An Entire Industry Beyond Entertainment

The BNEW Gaming stage brought together experts and professionals from one of the most influential industries in the new economy. Discussions explored, among other topics, the sector’s growth opportunities, the contribution of artificial intelligence to video game development and transformation, the changing business landscape, and the real impact of the gaming industry on society beyond entertainment. Particular attention was also given to the ecosystems supporting this industry, highlighting the case of Spain, with Barcelona at the forefront as a hub for competitiveness, talent and growth in a sector that already generates more than €2.2 billion in revenue and is supported by around 23 million gamers nationwide. This means that nearly half of Spain’s population (47.5%) has some form of connection to gaming, underlining the industry’s growing economic and social relevance.

Among the organisations and experts contributing to the discussions within this vertical were: Joan Francesc Bañó, Executive Director of GameBCN; Raúl Enrique Orrego, General Manager of Gameloft Barcelona; Ivan Zaguirre, Head of Studio Socialpoint; Aïda Figuerola, Founder of Gamex; Joan Arnedo, Associate Professor at the (UOC); Fernando Fernández-Aranda, Head of the Clinical Psychology Department at the Bellvitge University Hospital and Professor of Psychology at the University of Barcelona (UB); Oscar Garcia Pañella, Director of Serious Games Lab; María Sánchez Leiva, Creative and Artistic Director at Mediapro Exhibitions; Marina Espin, Vice President of Business at Tilting Point; Marisol López Vicente, Director General for Innovation and Digital Culture at the Government of Catalonia; Montserrat Puig, CEO of Barcelona & Partners; and Daniela Tost, CEO of Virmidex Virtual Experience, among others.

Focus on the Energy Transition

For its part, BNEW Energy brought together companies, public administrations, SMEs and startups to explore in depth the challenges and opportunities facing a sector undergoing profound transformation, with sustainability firmly at the centre of the debate. Discussions on this stage focused on energy innovation, data centres, hydrogen and alternative fuels, the challenges and opportunities of new energy storage systems, the importance of data, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, the decarbonisation of the tourism sector, and the emergence of the energy-smart enterprise, among other key topics.

The seventh edition of the Barcelona New Economy Week was supported by more than 50 partners and media partners, as well as by the backing and sponsorship of various institutions and organizations, including the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya), Barcelona City Council, Barcelona Provincial Council (Diputació de Barcelona), Merlin Properties, Loom, the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), BBVA, CaixaBank, Ibercaja, Aena, the Port of Barcelona, Veolia, and La Vanguardia.

The Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona has confirmed that the eighth edition of Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW) will take place in October 2027 at DFactory Barcelona. One of the event’s main new developments will be driven by the expansion of the facilities and the continued development of the DFactory Barcelona District.

About the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona :

The Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona is a public company that acts as a driver of technological and industrial development by supporting companies in their transition towards the digital era, because of CZFB’s strategic vision to lead Industry 4.0.

It promotes District 4.0 by driving the transformation of Industry 4.0 from the DFactory Barcelona technological ecosystem, champions innovation through the 3D Incubator and the Logistics 4.0 Incubator and connects the new economy and its key socioeconomic sectors. It organises congresses of economic interest for Barcelona, such as Spain’s and southern Europe’s largest logistics fair, SIL, as well as major flagship events in an innovative format such as Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW) and Barcelona Woman Acceleration Week (BWAW).

Its plenary includes representatives from the Spanish government, the Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council, and the city’s main economic institutions.

CZFB Can be contacted at :

FaceBook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X | YouTube | BKSY

For more information:

Lluís López Yuste
Director – Departament de Comunicació
Department of Corporate Communication of CZFB

Av. del Parc Logístic, 2-10
Pol. Ind. Zona Franca – 08040 Barcelona

Lluís López Yuste can be contacted at :

LinkedIn | E-mail | Website | Tel: +34 609 358 475 | Tlf. 932 638 111

ABOUT Barcelona New Economy Week – BNEW 2026

Barcelona New Economy Week – BNEW is a physical and digital B2B event that gathers unique events of the sectors of AGROFOOD, AI, AVIATION & SPACE, ENERGY, GAMING, HEALTH, SCIENCE and TALENT. They all share a common denominator: New Economy.

BNEW 2026 Can be contacted at :

LinkedIn | Website | Twitter | YouTube Channel | Instagram

Earlier Articles :