CZFB and Esade Connect Talent and Knowledge to Drive Industrial Innovation

• The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to promote training, innovation, and knowledge transfer initiatives linked to the DFactory Barcelona ecosystem.

• The partnership will strengthen ties between academia and industry while creating new opportunities for students, alumni, professionals, and organizations.

Barcelona, September 14, 2026 ─ The Barcelona Free Zone Consortium (CZFB) and Esade have signed a collaboration agreement to connect academic talent and knowledge with the industrial innovation ecosystem of DFactory Barcelona. Signed by CZFB General Manager Blanca Sorigué and Esade Director General Daniel Traça, the agreement will promote initiatives that bring education and research closer to the real challenges faced by businesses, generating new opportunities for learning, innovation, and professional development.

Blanca Sorigué described the collaboration as strategic and essential, stating:“This represents another step in our commitment to connecting knowledge, talent, and innovation with the real needs of the business community. At CZFB, we want to continue building bridges between academia and industry to foster new opportunities for professional development, entrepreneurship, and knowledge transfer. Working with a leading institution such as Esade will allow us to strengthen the innovation ecosystem we promote through DFactory Barcelona and contribute to generating a positive impact on the competitiveness and economic progress of our environment”.

For his part, Daniel Traça stated: “The cities that will lead the future are those capable of connecting universities, companies, and institutions around a shared purpose. Barcelona has a unique opportunity to consolidate its position as an international hub for impact and innovation, and at Esade we want to contribute to that project by placing our knowledge, talent, and capacity to develop leadership at the service of the city and its economic and social development”.

The collaboration is based on a shared vision: innovation requires not only technology, but also talent, knowledge, and leadership capabilities. To this end, both institutions will promote initiatives that connect Esade’s academic expertise and research with companies and projects linked to DFactory Barcelona, while enabling the Esade community to gain first-hand insight into the challenges facing the industrial and business sectors.

The agreement includes the organization of conferences, seminars, training sessions, outreach activities, and professional networking events, as well as the creation of spaces for networking and knowledge exchange. These initiatives will connect students, alumni, and professionals with companies and institutions, fostering new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and applied innovation.

This framework will also enable the exploration of shared-interest projects in areas such as education, talent development, entrepreneurship, and knowledge transfer, as well as potential collaborations involving the use of facilities and infrastructure for joint activities.