Spring is nearly here and with it come all the leading technology events that make Barcelona such a cutting-edge city. Today we will be looking at a relative newcomer, 4YFN. A three-day event for start-ups, 4YFN will take place over three days (February 26-28 2018) within the framework of the Mobile World Congress. Now in its 5th year, the event is a groundbreaking startup business platform that allows startup entrepreneurs, investors, corporations and public bodies to get to know one another, create and launch new ventures together. 4YFN offers unique opportunities to connect with others in the field including custom networking activities, technical skills workshops, conferences, community outreach and open innovation programmes. It is yet another example of how Barcelona is successfully positioning itself as a global tech hub that is ideal for creation and development (it was recently ranked 5th place in Europe in a highly competitive field).
The event itself is held in the futuristic Media-TIC building that is located at the heart of the burgeoning 22@ district, or to give it its full name, 22@Barcelona. The latter is the name given to the rapidly growing urban renewal area located in Barcelona’s formerly industrial zone of Poblenou in the Sant Martí district. Given its proximity to the city’s bustling port and the nearby up and coming gastronomic enclave known as elBarri, 4YFN is perfectly located for anyone wishing to sample haute cuisine, ideally in the company of one (or two!) of the city’s famed luxury escorts. With respect to the latter, there’s no better place to start than at Barcelonaescorts, the city’s most prestigious escort agency, where the director, Laura, will ensure you have the kind of sensual, stylish experience that should top off any visit to the Catalan metropolis.
As Barcelona’s startup ecosystem has evolved, 4YFN has grown to the point where it now sees upwards of 20,000 attendees from all over the world. For fans of technology, it’s an absolute must with a panoply of activities that include meet the press, meet the investor, mentoring sessions, panels, workshops, a pitching area and various awards ceremonies. In total, over 600 cutting-edge companies will be there showcasing projects that shed light on the paths society will take in coming decades. Particular emphasis is placed on sectors such as traditional industry, education and communications. At the same time, the event seeks to reach out to other, more traditional sectors that are still somewhat cautious when it comes to adopting the latest in technology.
Over the past four years, 4YFN has grown exponentially in size. In keeping with this, the event has witnessed a notable change in the people attending—corporations, investors, venture capitalists, business associations, city councils and more—all in search of the next big thing in startup tech to see how it might benefit what they do. Access to the event is via the website, www.4yfn.com. Entrance prices range from 299€ for a standard three-day visitor pass which includes the first day of the Mobile World Congress on March 1st, to VIP passes and an Investor’s Only Pass that costs 399€. Those on a Visitor’s Pass will also be delighted to learn that the entrance includes free drinks from 6 pm to 8 pm each day in the Placa Major area as well as entry to the High Five event from 8 pm to midnight on Tuesday 27 February, where they can enjoy a selection of music, food, drinks and more. I think you’ll agree that it’s a small price to pay for attending what is in the process of becoming one of Europe’s standout tech events set amid the endless attractions and facilities of one of its most alluring cities.