The startups in the Logistics 4.0 Incubator by CZFB will surpass €46 million in turnover this year

• The incubator dedicated to Logistics 4.0 at the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona marks two years of activity with a very positive record: 59 startups incubated, 457 jobs created, over 1,500 clients, and a total of 111 awards and recognitions.

• The survival rate of the incubated projects is 88.1%, and success stories abound, such as one company with over 60 employees and another exceeding €5 million in turnover, among other examples.

Barcelona, 9 July 2025 – The Logistics 4.0 Incubator, the incubator dedicated to Logistics 4.0 driven by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) in collaboration with the Fundación Incyde de las Cámaras de Comercio de España, has just reached its second anniversary. The balance of these first two years of activity of the Logistics 4.0 Incubator is very positive after having incubated a total of 59 projects, 33 of which are still within the programme. To date, the results are very positive, with a survival rate of 88.1%, as only 7 startups have ceased activity so far.

In total, all the projects that have passed through the CZFB’s Logistics 4.0 Incubator have employed 457 professionals and closed last year with a turnover of €29.091.545. Moreover, the 59 startups from the Logistics 4.0 Incubator expect to end 2025 with a turnover of €46.568.000, an increase of 60% compared to the previous year.

Of the 59 startups incubated, 20 are international, representing 33.9% of the total. The Logistics 4.0 Incubator of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona has hosted projects over the past two years from Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Denmark, Iran, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Russia, Venezuela, the United States, Nicaragua, Argentina, India, Croatia, Mexico, and France.

The Spanish Government Delegate at the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, Pere Navarro, gave a very positive assessment of these two years of activity. “The excellent results of the Logistics 4.0 Incubator are yet another example that demonstrates the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors, which in this case has enabled us to drive a logistics hub in Barcelona that is open to innovation, digitalisation, digital talent and sustainability. At the CZFB, we will continue to support the consolidation of this sector in order to increase economic impact, creating high-quality business fabric with a positive return for society and industry.” Navarro also recalled that “in these two years of activity we have helped 59 initiatives that are offering added-value services to the business, scientific and technological communities, to design innovative products and processes that are transforming the logistics industry. Together, we are helping the logistics sector become more digital, connected and efficient, and to firmly and decisively commit to innovation and sustainability.”

Only 8 startups founded by women

The Logistics 4.0 Incubator is a clear example of the low female presence in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, as only 8 out of the 59 startups that have been in the Logistics 4.0 Incubator have been founded by women. This figure represents 13.6% of the total and is slightly below the European entrepreneurial ecosystem average, which has 17% female startup founders, according to data from the entrepreneurship observatory. Likewise, 36.5% of the employees at startups incubated in the Logistics 4.0 Incubator are women, compared to 63.5% who are men.

In this regard, Blanca Sorigué, CZFB’s general director, explained that “female presence continues to be underrepresented in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, in technology sectors and in STEM professions, significantly so. That is why, at the CZFB, we are promoting initiatives such as the Feel the ZF Power programme – which brings girls and adolescents closer to Zona Franca companies to encourage technical vocations – the Barcelona Woman Acceleration Week – which we hold around 8 March – or the Zona Franca Women’s Council – where we give visibility to female talent in our environment.” The CZFB’s general director also highlighted that “the Logistics 4.0 Incubator promotes the development of the most innovative technologies applied to logistics, but also its sustainable character, since all approved projects meet environmental care and protection requirements; and in fact, many of them are based on sustainability, following the guidelines of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.”

Success stories

During the event celebrating the second anniversary of the Logistics 4.0 Incubator, several of the many success stories of projects incubated in the Zona Franca de Barcelona were presented, which have gone on to become established companies with innovative activities stories. There are many examples, such as a company that last year generated nearly 5 million euros in revenue through the implementation of Click & Collect solutions, offering a smart pick-up point with a locker system that allows the management of delivery, collection and returns of any refrigerated purchase and parcels. This company now has over 155 clients worldwide. In this respect, another smart locker company also stands out, now present in 1.000 locations and expecting to end this year with a turnover of 6 million euros.

There is also a notable candidate recruitment platform that generates a professional CV for all applicants. This platform enables candidates to access training courses in IT tools, SaaS, specialist courses, and more. In addition to verifying completion of these courses, it also conducts a follow-up interview using AI and asks candidates questions, making it easier for HR departments to pre-screen applicants. At this platform, which was created less than three years ago, 10 people are now employed, they have more than 60 clients, and they expect to exceed 3 million euros in turnover over the course of this year.

Another success story is a software company for land transport, which incorporates AI-based features for the prevention of traffic accidents, theft prevention, and improved communication with freelance drivers. It was founded in 2021 and now has 60 employees, more than 100 clients, and expects to reach a turnover of three and a half million euros in 2025.

Another case worth highlighting is a tech web platform that connects exporting and importing companies with transport firms, achieving better pricing through its supplier network. This platform, which has 70 clients and invoiced 2 million euros last year, is another of the many success stories driven by the 4.0 logistics incubator of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona.

Technological milestones achieved by emerging companies

It is important to remember that this incubation programme has different focuses on emerging technologies within logistics 4.0, such as 3D printing, robotics and automated warehouses to optimise processes, the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data to turn data into business insights, last mile delivery (a key element in e-commerce), as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and green logistics. One of the essential characteristics of the Logistics 4.0 Incubator is the promotion of the development of the most innovative technologies applied to logistics, but also its sustainable character, as all the approved projects meet requirements for environmental respect and care, and many of them have sustainability as their core purpose, following the guidelines of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.