Startups from the CZFB's Logistics 4.0 Incubator will boost their turnover to €46 million by 2025.

 

The Logistics 4.0 Incubator , a business incubator specializing in Logistics 4.0 at the Barcelona Free Zone Consortium ( CZFB ) , is celebrating its second year of successful operation with an exceptional track record. Since its launch, it has hosted 59 startups , 33 of which remain active in the program. This entrepreneurial ecosystem has achieved an impressive survival rate of 88,1% , with only seven projects having ceased operations to date.

 

The economic impact of these startups is remarkable. Last year, the startups incubated at the CZFB closed with a combined turnover of €29.091.545 . Projections for 2025 are even more ambitious, expecting to reach €46.568.000 , representing a 60% increase compared to the previous year.

 

The incubator's international focus is evident, with 20 of the 59 startups coming from various countries, representing 33,9% of the total . Projects from Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Denmark, Iran, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Russia, Venezuela, the United States, Nicaragua, Argentina, India, Croatia, Mexico, and France have found in the Logistics 4.0 Incubator a space to grow and develop their innovations.

 

Pere Navarro , the State's special delegate to the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium (CZFB), praised the results: “The excellent results of the Logistics 4.0 Incubator are further proof of the importance of public-private collaboration, which in this case has allowed us to promote a logistics hub in Barcelona open to innovation, digitalization, digital talent, and sustainability. At the CZFB, we will continue to focus on consolidating this sector in order to increase its economic impact, creating a high-quality business network with a positive return for society and industry.”

 

 

The survival rate of incubated projects is 88,1% and success stories follow one another, including a company with more than 60 employees and another with a turnover exceeding €5 million, among other examples.

 

 

Navarro also emphasized that "in these two years of activity, we have supported 59 initiatives that are offering value-added services to the business, scientific, and technological communities, helping them design innovative products and processes that are transforming the logistics industry. Together, we are helping to make the logistics sector more digital, connected, and efficient today, and to make a clear and decisive commitment to innovation and sustainability."

 

Despite the overall success, the report highlights an area for improvement in female representation . Only 8 of the 59 incubated startups were founded by women, representing 13,6% of the total, a figure slightly below the European average of 17%. Furthermore, 36,5% of employees in these startups are women.

 

Blanca Sorigué , CEO of the CZFB, addressed this disparity: “Women continue to be noticeably underrepresented in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, in the technology sectors, and in STEM professions. That's why, at the CZFB, we are promoting initiatives such as the Feel the ZF Power program—which connects girls and teenagers with companies in the Free Trade Zone to encourage technical careers—Barcelona Woman Acceleration Week—which we celebrate around March 8th—and the Free Trade Zone Women's Council—where we give visibility to the female talent in our community.” Sorigué also emphasized the commitment to sustainability: “The Logistics 4.0 Incubator fosters the development of the most innovative technologies applied to logistics, but also their sustainable nature, since all approved projects meet requirements of respect and care for the environment; and many of them even base their raison d'être on sustainability, following the guidelines of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

 

The anniversary celebration served as an opportunity to showcase several success stories . Among them was a company that generated nearly €5 million in revenue last year with Click & Collect solutions and a smart locker system for managing deliveries and returns, serving over 155 clients worldwide. Another leading smart locker company already operates in 1.000 locations and projects a turnover of €6 million this year.

 

In the human resources sector, a recruitment platform that generates professional CVs and offers AI-validated training courses has grown to employ 10 people, serve more than 60 clients, and expects to exceed €3 million in revenue this year. Similarly, a land transportation software company, founded in 2021, incorporates AI for accident and theft prevention, already has 60 employees, more than 100 clients, and expects to reach €3,5 million in revenue by 2025. Finally, a web platform that connects exporting and importing companies with carriers to optimize prices, with 70 clients and €2 million in revenue last year, is another example of the incubator's impact.

 

These projects focus on key emerging technologies for Logistics 4.0, including 3D printing , robotics , automated warehouses , the Internet of Things (IoT) , Big Data , last-mile delivery , Artificial Intelligence (AI) , and green logistics . All incubated projects meet rigorous environmental responsibility requirements , aligning with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.