Tag: economy

Barcelona’s Newest Economy – Sharing!

To claim that technology brings us together has become somewhat of a cliché. But recent years have seen the growth of the sharing economy, in where technology has — literally — brought people together.

Barcelona has never been a city to shy away from innovation, and its got hundreds of startups to prove it. It is fair to say that Barcelona is a testing grounds for this new way of life, where any two people can be connected by a smartphone.

Lets look at some of the coolest startups in Barcelona that are making the sharing economy a tangible way of life:

Continue reading “Barcelona’s Newest Economy – Sharing!”

The Culture of a Collaborative Economy

When I decided to live and work in Barcelona this summer, I had no idea what the concept of “collaborative economy” was. After just a few days in the city, I soon realized that this type of business practice has emerged as a very significant part of the culture and the economy of not just Barcelona, but many cities across the world.

A collaborative economy is one in which businesses are based on horizontal practices and the participation of the community. This type of model runs on trust and closer relationships between the producer and the consumer.

The collaboration is often virtual, interacting with online networks and building communities of people from around the world. However, many cities also utilize in-person, peer-to-peer networking and interaction between companies based in the same area. Continue reading “The Culture of a Collaborative Economy”