The startups of the CZFB’s Logistics Incubator 4.0 raise 13.6 million euros in 2023

• The 29 startups in this project, led by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, are closing or have already closed this amount in investment rounds and/or capital increases, open rounds of capital requests, raising public funds and/or aid both at European and national level, and investments in R+D

• This year, the startups have hired more than 50 people, closed 324 new clients and received or are in the process of receiving 45 recognitions and awards

Barcelona, December 13, 2023.– The Consorci de Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) and the Incyde Foundation of the Chambers of Commerce presented today the financial results and technological milestones of the first incubator in Spain dedicated to Logistics 4.0, highlighting the 13.6 million euros that are in the process of closing or have already closed the startups in 2023. The project, led by the CZFB with the support of the Incyde Foundation and the European FEDER Funds, has welcomed 29 startups that develop the most cutting-edge technologies and offer innovative solutions, services and products, focused on the value chain of the logistics sector.

Specifically, the Logistics 4.0 Incubator has made 2 international calls where 60 applications have been submitted. The 29 startups that are incubated have raised €2.42M in investment rounds, capital increases closed in 2023 or open rounds of capital requests, in addition to a Series A round to raise €5 million.

Likewise, the companies of the Logistics Incubator 4.0 have closed the collection of public funds or grants raised, both European and national, worth €4.47M and €1.7M to invest in research processes.

55 jobs have been created

On the other hand, during this year, the several start-ups have hired more than 55 people, closed 324 new clients and received or are in the process of receiving 45 recognitions and awards, including the SIL 2023 Award for the Best Logistics Initiative. Finally, it is worth highlighting the more than 1.000 visits that they have received at the incubator from companies and entities, as well as the participation in 7 congresses and tradeshows (Tech Spirit 2022 and 2023, 4YFN 2022, SIL BARCELONA, BNEW, SMART CITY, DEEP TECH SUMMIT).

From the CZFB they accompany the startups, in addition to financing, in mentoring processes, collaborative and open innovation in more than 1,000m². In this sense, the industry 4.0 ecosystem of reference worldwide, DFactory Barcelona, offers them an ideal space to share, create synergies, generate quality networking and develop new technologies with social and economic impact.

Javier Collado, CEO of the Incyde Foundation, explained that “we are proud to have contributed to these outstanding successes. The INCYDE Foundation’s participation in the DFactory Barcelona ecosystem reinforces our commitment to providing an environment conducive to collaboration and the generation of new technologies”.

“The excellent results of the Logistics 4.0 Incubator are yet another example of the great work being done in all spheres to promote a logistics hub in Barcelona open to innovation, digitalisation, digital talent and sustainability. From the CZFB we have the ambition to continue consolidating this sector in order to increase the economic impact, creating a quality business fabric with a positive return to society and industry” said Pere Navarro, special delegate of the State in the CZFB.

For her part, Blanca Sorigué, general director of the CZFB, added that “this platform offers value-added services to the business, scientific and technological community, to design innovative products and processes that transform the logistics industry towards a more digital, connected and efficient sector”. The main challenges faced by this program are to improve the efficiency and versatility of production processes, encourage innovation and develop specialized talent, reorient and diversify some of the logistics subsectors; as well as promoting and internationalizing the incubated initiatives.

Technology milestones developed by start-ups

This incubation program has different focuses on emerging technologies within logistics 4.0, such as 3D printing, robotics and automated warehouses to optimize processes, the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data to turn data into business insights, the last mile (a key element in e-commerce); as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) or green logistics.