academyBarcelona Innovation Ecosystem Immersion Program
Innovation does not happen in isolation. Future innovators and entrepreneurs need exposure to different cultures, ecosystems, and approaches to problem solving in order to expand their perspective and challenge their assumptions.
As part of the Master's Degree Program in Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the School of Design of The College of Management Academic Studies, students traveled to Barcelona for an immersive study experience designed to explore how innovation is shaped by local culture, policy, entrepreneurship, technology, and urban development.
The objective was to provide participants with first hand exposure to one of Europe's leading innovation ecosystems while offering new perspectives on human centered innovation beyond the Israeli context.
Process
Seagull Innovation Studio designed and led a comprehensive learning journey that combined ecosystem exploration, professional encounters, academic visits, and cultural immersion.
Throughout the program, students met with entrepreneurs, innovation leaders, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders from both Spain and Israel. The itinerary included visits to key innovation and technology organizations, including Tech Barcelona, Barcelona Health Hub, IED Barcelona, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain's national supercomputing infrastructure at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, and the mobility innovation hub CARNET.
Students also attended the Smart City Expo World Congress, where they explored emerging technologies, urban innovation initiatives, and future city solutions from around the world.
In addition to professional visits, participants engaged in discussions with local entrepreneurs, Israeli founders operating in Barcelona, representatives of the Israeli business community in Spain, and investors from both countries. Seagull Innovation Studio also delivered dedicated sessions on "Barcelona as a Human Centered City", examining the city's approach to public space, mobility, citizen experience, and urban innovation. Students were also introduced to the studio's own journey and methodology for creating human centered innovation across sectors.
To complement the professional experience, the program included guided exploration of Barcelona's historic Gothic Quarter and El Born district, allowing participants to experience the cultural and social layers that influence the city's unique innovation identity.
Outcomes
The program provided students with direct access to one of Europe's most vibrant innovation ecosystems and exposed them to diverse models of entrepreneurship, design, technology, urban innovation, and ecosystem development.
By combining academic learning, professional networking, field visits, and cultural exploration, participants gained a deeper understanding of how innovation is shaped by context and how human centered approaches can be applied across industries and geographies.
The experience strengthened the students' ability to think globally, identify opportunities beyond their local environment, and develop a broader perspective on the role of design, innovation, and entrepreneurship in addressing complex challenges.