Digital transformation policies to develop an effective startup ecosystem: the case of Barcelona

Purpose The role of government in the global digital transformation is to ensure that digital infrastructure is reliable and efficient enough to guarantee an entrepreneurial ecosystem for investment in innovation and startups. This paper presents a case study showing how local policies have been used to create an effective startup ecosystem in Barcelona. This paper aims to provide a detailed analysis of the key elements of the startup ecosystem, including the role of local government. Design/methodology/approach This study uses an exploratory case research approach and proposes a theoretical framework to study the Barcelona innovation ecosystem, drawing on interviews, research observations and an analysis of the literature. Findings By applying its conceptual framework tools, the research is able to identify the key elements making up the startup ecosystem and classify the impact of digital transformation policies into three stages: creating the ecosystem, fostering feedback within the ecosystem by encouraging the first generation of entrepreneurs to interact with the second and third and attracting foreign capital and talent to this innovation ecosystem. Originality/value The novelty of this work lies in its time frame and geographical scope, as it provides an analysis of the digital transformation policies in Barcelona’s local startup ecosystem over a 30-year period. This research offers deeper insight into the role of public policies in the startup ecosystem in Barcelona, as well as the impact of digital transformation policies on startup ecosystems in general.