«Geneva: Innovation with capital, the value of long-term thinking» by Nuri Ribas i Gabarró

Switzerland leads the Global Innovation Index for the 14th consecutive year, standing out in university-business collaboration and scientific production, a context that directly boosts the city of Geneva. With barely 200,000 inhabitants (fewer than cities such as L’Hospitalet, Terrassa or Badalona), Geneva has created a unique ecosystem that combines finance, global diversity and science with a strategic focus that is key for innovation. Its strengths are fourfold: (1) Being one of the most important financial centres in the world, with a large concentration of private equity, wealth management and family offices that drive investments in innovation; (2) Hosting more than 200 international organisations, which turn the city into a living laboratory of global cooperation; (3) Having an extraordinary capacity to attract talent; and (4) Making a strong commitment to science and innovation in specific areas in which they are very good at an international level.

Barcelona has an innovative and dynamic ecosystem, driven by initiatives such as 22@, Mobile World Capital, hospitals of international reference in certain specialities, a growing number of promising start-ups and venture capital funds. Although Geneva starts from a very different reality, we can learn from its ability to prioritise and make strategic bets based on its differential strengths. Since resources are limited, dispersing them does not benefit us. I believe that in order to make a qualitative leap, it is key to specialise in the intersection of areas in which we are leading and which respond to scientific and market megatrends. It is essential to strengthen the local innovation ecosystem and connect it internationally to be visible and relevant worldwide in these areas. Barcelona has creativity and ambition. Now it needs to consolidate talent, align knowledge with major global challenges and consolidate stable structures that drive innovation with strategic vision and international relevance.