Miguel Ángel Alcalá: "BBVA Spark has established itself as the benchmark bank for startups in Catalonia."

What is the current state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Catalonia, and what goals do you plan to achieve before the end of 2025?

— Catalonia is undoubtedly one of BBVA Spark's main focuses because it's where we concentrate 43% of our Spanish clients and 14% of our global base. It's a region with a very solid entrepreneurial ecosystem.

— We want to further strengthen our presence by expanding our reach to new companies and consolidating BBVA Spark as the reference bank for startups and the calls scale-ups –an innovative company that has already developed its product or service and that is scalable, expandable, and repeatable–. Our goal is for companies based in Catalonia to see BBVA Spark as a natural partner for growth and scale, and to continue financing local success stories that have a global impact.

What role does an event like BBVA Spark play in promoting entrepreneurship in Catalonia?

— BBVA Spark not only connects talent but also attracts capital to the city and generates new business opportunities for entrepreneurs in Catalonia. In this new edition, we brought together more than 350 leaders from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, 52% of which are startups. We also managed to attract 45 venture capital funds from eight countries. The confirmed funds represent a portfolio of more than €80 billion. Their presence in summit It is a great opportunity for those founders looking for new opportunities in Europe and the United States.

What is the role of banks in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem?

— Banking has a commitment to building long-term relationships with the companies it works with in its DNA. This relationship is key for fast-growing companies to scale sustainably.

— Financial institutions have a responsibility to support these companies from the initial stages, not only by providing financing, but also by providing knowledge, a network of contacts, and specialized advice. At BBVA Spark, we believe that banking must be an active agent that helps the ecosystem grow and mature, channeling capital, connecting talent and investors, and building long-term trust.

In just three years, BBVA Spark has accompanied more than 1,700 startupsWhat added value does it offer?

— At BBVA, we've put innovation and technology at the heart of our strategy for many years and supported the entrepreneurial ecosystem through various initiatives. But it's with BBVA Spark that we've found the best way to support entrepreneurs with a team that moves quickly, speaks their language, and understands the challenges they face when scaling their companies.

— BBVA Spark combines the best of both worlds: the strength of a large bank and the agility of a digitally native player. We offer a comprehensive offering that includes specialized bank financing, access to BBVA's international network to support expansion, connection with investors, funds, and corporations, and financial services tailored to each stage of growth.

— We also act as a strategic partner beyond financing. In fact, we've already mobilized more than €750 million in bank financing and invested more than €900 million from BBVA in private equity funds.

What recommendation would you make to those who are looking for financing for their start-up?

— First of all, choose your financial partners carefully. It's not just about raising capital, it's about finding the right one. partner who truly understands what the entrepreneur is building and their business model, in order to support them at every stage of growth. It's important for the entrepreneur to be clear about why they need financing and how it will impact their strategy: whether they're looking for capital to grow, consolidate, or expand internationally, the solutions will be different. It's also important to plan the capital structure from the outset, balancing the shareholdings (equity) with other alternatives such as debt or hybrid instruments. And finally, surround yourself with good advisors and never lose focus on profitability and long-term value creation.