A historic moment for entrepreneurship in Spain
The Spanish Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 (Source: El Referente, Enisa) confirms what data and market reality were already showing us: Spanish tech entrepreneurship is experiencing its brightest moment yet.
With €1.95 billion invested in startups in just the first half of the year and projections to surpass €4 billion by year-end, we are seeing year-over-year growth of 102%. The more than 12,800 active startups, 400 scaleups, and 5 unicorns in operation demonstrate that Spain is no longer an emerging market but a consolidated ecosystem capable of generating significant economic impact (€14.8 billion annually) and quality jobs (more than 150,000 direct positions, 85% in STEM profiles).
However, behind this euphoria of numbers, structural challenges persist that, if not addressed, could slow the potential of this ecosystem. Among them: the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship and the lack of early-stage funding (equity gap).
Diagnosis: record capital and an expanding ecosystem
In just six months, Spanish startups attracted €1.95 billion in investment, with forecasts surpassing €4 billion by year-end. The 102% year-over-year growth proves that innovation is no longer a promise. It is an accelerating reality.
We have more than 12,800 startups, 400 scaleups, and 5 active unicorns, generating an economic impact of €14.8 billion and 150,000 direct jobs, 85% of them in STEM roles. In addition, Spain is the 3rd European and 5th global destination for attracting tech talent.
- 12,800+ startups, 400 scaleups, 5 unicorns in operation.
- €14.8 billion in economic impact and 150,000 direct jobs, 85% in STEM roles.
- Spain ranks 3rd in Europe and 5th worldwide in attracting tech talent.
Diagnosis: strengths and weaknesses of the ecosystem
Capital concentration: Madrid (48%) and Catalonia (35%) absorb 83% of total investment, leaving the rest of the country with just 17%.
Limited early-stage funding: only 4% of total investment goes to pre-seed phases, making it difficult for early ideas to secure the backing needed to validate and scale.
Gender gap: only 17% of Spanish startups have at least one female founder. Despite highly qualified female talent, women remain underrepresented in key entrepreneurial positions. Lack of role models and limited access to funding networks worsen this imbalance.
Trends shaping the future
Deep Tech and Artificial Intelligence
42% of total investment is directed toward AI, quantum computing, and advanced biotech. Generative AI is not a fad. It is transforming healthcare, sports, legaltech, and more.
Digital Health and Biotechnology
With 718 startups and €890M invested, HealthTech is the strongest sector. Cases like SpliceBio or Aortyx are examples of how Spanish innovation can lead globally.
Climate Tech
€650M invested in 2025 (+67% YoY) consolidates Spain as a key player in sustainability. Clean energy, water management, and green mobility are in the spotlight for major funds.
Emerging sectors
From SpaceTech to Web3, including SportsTech and PropTech, high-growth verticals continue to multiply and diversify.
Forecast 2026
More capital, more AI, and more specialization: projected investment growth of 15–20%, with strong potential in B2B software, traveltech, cybersecurity, digital health, and climate tech.
Break the Gap 2025: our commitment to purpose-driven innovation
At Goo Ventures, we don’t just identify opportunities, we turn them into real actions that transform the ecosystem. With Break the Gap: AI for Health & Sport Summit 2025, we aim to close the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship, ensuring women and men have equal opportunities to lead and create.
The program selects real challenges in health and sports, fosters diverse teams with women in strategic roles, offers expert mentorship, accelerates project development, and awards the best proposal with €50,000 in equity to launch to market.
Learn more at Break the Gap 2025 or GooApps.es.
How we turn opportunities into impactful startups
At Goo Ventures, we operate under a specialized venture building model that combines:
- Early-stage capital to give the first push to the most promising ideas.
- In-house technological development thanks to GooApps® expertise.
- Validation in real environments with hospitals, sports centers, and universities.
- Vertical focus on health, sports, and wellbeing to maximize impact.
- Cutting-edge technologies such as AI, data analytics, wearables, and virtual reality.
Now is the time
The Spanish ecosystem is at its peak, but also at its most competitive. Those who want to lead need partners with vision, resources, and execution capacity.
If you are an investor, senior entrepreneur, or corporate player with an interest in health, sports, or wellbeing, at Goo Ventures we want to hear from you. Let’s talk about how we can co-create the next success story of the Spanish startup ecosystem.
