Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW), the business and innovation event organised by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, will hold its seventh edition from 5 to 7 October 2026 at DFactory Barcelona, with a refreshed programme that includes five new thematic areas.
Hybrid again
BNEW will keep its hybrid format. All talks and panels will be streamed live on a digital platform, so people can follow them from anywhere, while those attending in person will have dedicated spaces for networking.
Eight sectors
This year’s programme is organised around eight areas of the new economy:
- aviation and space;
- agri-food;
- gaming;
- talent;
- science;
- health;
- artificial intelligence;
- energy.
On the agenda
Among the issues to be discussed:
- how artificial intelligence is changing work and the economy;
- interdisciplinary science and open innovation;
- new materials, nanotechnology and space research;
- the energy transition and the use of data to improve efficiency;
- how geopolitical change is affecting the aerospace and defence industry;
- automation and surgical robotics in healthcare;
- smart water management and the future of food;
- the business of video games, from financing to launches.
Speakers and activities
Around 270 Spanish and international experts will take part in more than 50 panels, debates and sessions, alongside more than 30 hands-on activities showcasing developments in each sector.
Networking
A personalised online platform will allow participants to message each other, exchange contacts and book meetings, and a virtual assistant will answer questions about the programme.
Why it matters
BNEW is part of the Free Zone Consortium’s strategy to position Barcelona as a hub for innovation and new industries, from start-ups to advanced manufacturing. DFactory, the consortium’s industry 4.0 centre in the Zona Franca, hosts companies working in areas such as robotics, 3D printing and artificial intelligence, making it a fitting venue for an event focused on the economy of the future.
