British multinational software company Sage has officially inaugurated its new global hub in Barcelona, cementing the city’s reputation as a magnet for international technology talent. The new office, located in the burgeoning 22@ innovation district, will centralize the company’s more than 650 employees in Catalonia, who represent 40 different nationalities.
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This Barcelona hub is Sage’s third worldwide, joining established centers in Newcastle, UK, and California, USA. The move consolidates staff from previous offices in Barcelona and Sant Cugat into a single, state-of-the-art facility in the Poblenou neighborhood, an area transformed from its industrial past into a thriving center for technology and knowledge-based companies.
A Strategic Space for Innovation
The new Sage office occupies a spacious 3,600 square meters. It is designed to be a focal point for the development of new technologies, with a particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. Innovations developed at the Barcelona hub will be implemented not only in the local market but also across the Sage group’s global subsidiaries.
The inauguration event on Wednesday was attended by key figures from both the public and private sectors. Speaking at the ceremony, Derk Bleeker, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Sage, emphasized the company’s commitment to the city. “Our vision is to drive innovation and attract talent,” Bleeker stated. “This creates real opportunities for young people and professionals who choose to live and work in Barcelona and contribute to its economic and social development.”
Official Endorsements for a Growing Tech Ecosystem
Representatives from the regional and city governments welcomed the investment, highlighting its alignment with their strategic goals. Miquel Sàmper, the Catalan Government’s Minister for Business and Labour, stressed the importance of converting academic research into tangible business applications.
“The generation of quality employment is a social engine,” Sàmper said, as reported by Metrópoli Abierta. He urged an effort to ensure that “the research of our engineers, physicists, and mathematicians does not remain in a laboratory or in papers.”
Jordi Valls, the fourth deputy mayor for Economy at the Barcelona City Council, echoed this sentiment, framing Sage’s arrival as a crucial step in positioning the city as a premier digital hub in Europe.
“If we want to grow Barcelona’s digital ecosystem, we need companies like you,” Valls declared, addressing the Sage representatives. He noted that while Barcelona is known for tourism, the city’s objective is to attract companies that provide “quality economic, professional, and employment opportunities.”
Boosting Barcelona’s 22@ District
Sage’s investment is a significant vote of confidence in the 22@Barcelona project, which began in 2000 to revitalize Poblenou. The district has successfully attracted a mix of startups, research centers, and multinational corporations, creating a dynamic environment for innovation.
The arrival of a major player like Sage not only brings high-skilled jobs but also enhances the district’s international profile, potentially attracting further investment and talent to the region. The move comes as Barcelona’s office market shows signs of a strong recovery, with the 22@ district at the heart of this renewed activity.
