Biscay Bay’s transformation from a former industrial and shipbuilding powerhouse to a modern, innovative startup hub continues. At the turn of the 20th century, Biscay was an economic and financial benchmark region in Europe, with growth based on shipbuilding and steel mills and one of the busiest ports in Europe. It has proved capable of transforming itself from an industrially based territory to an international reference point for business and tourism without losing sight of its roots.

Biscay pursues entrepreneurship and innovation as the mainstays of economic and social change through the Biscay Startup Bay strategy, with its B Accelerator Tower (BAT) as the guiding light of an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem that has become an international benchmark. BAT opened in September 2022 with the aim of welcoming a community of startups, investors, and training and support organizations. More than an entrepreneurship center, the BAT community is connected to more than 140 international hubs, allowing global leaders to interact to create solutions that will allow them to grow and lead new challenges.

The ecosystem has close ties with entrepreneurial hubs including Austin, Tel Aviv, Helsinki, Berlin and Fukuoka, global leaders in innovation and concentration of startups. It is also connected to Latin America via a partnership with the South Summit and with local players in Chile, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. This collaboration connects leading corporations and innovation systems and startups, thus helping to further innovation. Such connections provide access to ground-breaking technologies and talent, and enhance the reputation and brand positioning of all parties, among other values.