Spain climbs to 23rd in global startup ranking
Spain moved up three places in Opinium’s 2026 ranking of 50 countries for starting a business. It scored highest for human capital and lowest for governance and market potential.
Spain moved up three places in Opinium’s 2026 ranking of 50 countries for starting a business. It scored highest for human capital and lowest for governance and market potential.
José Miguel Olegario launched a mobile repair business in Australia six months after arriving. He now runs a workshop and a car sales operation, and points to one major difference from Spain: there is no fixed self-employed fee.
Ingredalia has won a FoodTech Emprende Award in Barcelona for its bioactive sulforaphane platform for functional foods. The Navarra startup received the prize in the health and wellbeing category.
Gregorio Jiménez is assembling a majority bloc for Restaurant Brands Europe. The proposed deal could value the group at up to €2.5 billion, including debt.
The Spanish model has created Smthelse after two decades in fashion. Its 14 products pair premium formulas with a scent inspired by Lanzarote.
Jencore has signed its first disclosed contract outside Audax: an agreement with Heliades Energy to develop around 5 MW in Italy. Four former OHLA executives will lead the expansion, which targets 150 MW for outside clients by 2027.
Manuel’s car wash in Spain generates up to 15000 euros a month before expenses, despite handling only a handful of vehicles each day. His approach centers on specialized detailing and subscription plans, not high volume.
By August 2026, BBVA was working with about 1,060 franchise brands in Spain, roughly eight out of ten in the market. The bank has mobilised €250 million for the entrepreneurs and small companies opening those local businesses.
MatriLink is a Spanish web app that lets drivers send anonymous messages to car owners using only a license plate. It offers a discreet way to address parking problems and other road issues without involving neighbors or police.
MicroBank will make €1 million available for business projects in Valladolid. The loans can cover the full investment without property or personal guarantees, although legal entities may need a guarantee from participating owners.
Anna Padilla has revealed the first of the two wedding dresses she chose for her ceremony. The Inuñez design pairs a romantic shape with hand-worked textures and a three-panel silk train.
Juan Duyos has become a defining force in Spanish couture, celebrated for his bespoke creations and prestigious awards. Yet while his designs command the runway, Duyos remains an enigma, fiercely guarding his private life. Here’s how he built his legacy, and why his story stands apart.
Ed Sheeran's US tour is facing backlash after Macklemore was removed from the bill, a move tied to Robert Kraft and his venues. The decision has sparked debate about artistic freedom and the influence of business interests in music.
Anthropic has opened its Madrid office, betting on Spain's fast-growing AI market and calling for regulation before risks escalate. The move highlights Spain's rising profile in Europe's AI sector.
José Antonio Campal, a leading figure in Salamanca’s agribusiness sector, died at 54 in a motorcycle accident near Vitoria-Gasteiz. His unexpected passing leaves a major void in the region’s economic and rural field.
Madrid now has 187 Mexican restaurants, as the local Mexican community doubles in a decade. Authentic cuisine and investment are changing the city's gastronomic field, while the Copil seal sets a new standard for quality and tradition.
José Antonio Campal, co-director of Bernabé Campal, died at 54 in a motorcycle accident near Vitoria. His sudden death has deeply affected Salamanca’s business and agricultural communities. The company is a major player in Spain’s agri-food sector.
At just 23, Mario Pérez left Valencia to open a bar in a village where rent is ten times lower. His move to Valdemoro-Sierra reveals the economic divide between city and rural life, along with the advantages of starting over far from urban centers.
A respected veterinarian in Marugán is closing her clinic after decades of service. Despite a profitable business and loyal clients, no one is willing to take it over. The closure will leave 500 rural pet owners without local care.
Traditional Afghan carpets now fill Madrid’s Rastro, connecting 250 families in Surkh Aqcha to Spanish buyers. The business adapts ancient weaving to modern tastes, reshaping livelihoods and interiors across continents.
Spanish businessman Alejandro Hamlyn was detained in Dubai after failing to appear at his major fraud trial. Authorities are seeking his extradition over a €154 million VAT case linked to Hafesa Energía. The case has drawn attention because of leaked audio involving Leire Díez.
Isabel Obreo left her engineering career to open a bespoke carpentry studio in Extremadura. She now makes solid wood furniture to order and faces challenges in pricing her work and valuing her time. Her story reflects the risks and rewards of starting over.
Juan José Mutilba disappeared after falling from his boat between Sicily and Greece. His wife spent three days adrift before raising the alarm. Italian authorities continue the search amid difficult conditions.
Juan José Mutilba Obregón vanished during a voyage from Sicily to Greece. His wife spent three days adrift before raising the alarm. Authorities from three countries are involved in the search.
Juan José Mutilba, 66, disappeared after falling from his boat between Sicily and Greece. His wife spent three days adrift before managing to call for help. Italian and Greek rescue teams continue the search.
Five billboards featuring Nayib Bukele’s image have appeared on Oviedo’s basic roads. Local businessman Tino Vidal says the campaign is a personal tribute. It has sparked political debate in the city.
Laura Olcina, head of ITI, has received Spain’s top new idea award for her leadership and nearly three decades of work. Her approach challenges traditional barriers in the tech sector and points to gaps in digital change.
Since becoming Inditex chair in 2022, Marta Ortega has drawn on her father Amancio Ortega’s advice to keep the company grounded and ambitious. Her approach pairs humility with steady effort and readiness for change, as revealed in a recent interview and the 2025 annual report.
Rocío Baselga manages dozens of rooms in Bilbao, transforming standard rentals into profitable shared flats. She invests around €3,000 per property and aims to recover the investment within seven months, but the model depends on careful contracts and constant management.
Two years after Isak Andic’s fatal accident near Montserrat, most hikers remain unaware of the high-profile case. The trail has changed, but the memory of the incident is fading among visitors.
Iván Macías and Félix Amador, known for hit musicals in Madrid, are launching an international platform to bring Spanish productions to Broadway. Their new project, ‘Carmen, a New York Story’, reimagines a classic for global audiences.
Mercedes Milá travels to Turégano for a new episode of 'Me meto en un jardín', interviewing Lucía Dominguín. The journey includes a stop at a glass factory and a flower farm, where they share personal stories and connections.
La Casa de las Carcasas has built a €300 million business by turning phone case purchases into multi-product sales. Its strategy pairs accessory cross-selling with a growing network of more than 1,100 stores across 13 countries.
Laureano Oubiña planned a paid tour retracing his smuggling routes in Galicia. The Xunta has opened sanctioning proceedings, calling the project illegal. The move highlights tensions over tourism and the region’s image.
Every week, María Luisa Díaz Gallego prepares 240 half-meter bocadillos at Bar La Revuelta in Zamora, drawing crowds with generous portions and simple fillings, while prices start at 7 euros. Her approach draws on experience and teamwork, with customer connection at its center.