It looks like N26 CEO Valentin Stalf had a good time at our EU-Startups Summit this April in Barcelona. He and his team certainly fell in love with the city! Because today, N26 announced that they will open a second European office in Barcelona – in order to accelerate the international growth while also better consolidating the company’s presence across the Eurozone.
N26 is Europe’s mobile banking pioneer and was founded in 2013. The initial product was launched in 2015. Today, N26 operates in 17 European countries and already employs over 400 people. The Berlin-based fintech heavyweight has raised more than $215 million in venture capital.
Valentin Stalf, founder and CEO of N26, stated: “Our teams are the key to our success. Opening a new location in Barcelona will help us to continue our growth as a world-class technology employer by reaching more talent and offering more international opportunities for a highly diverse workforce.”
Good choice! According to our annual research, Barcelona is Europe’s 5th biggest startup hub, and the end largest Spanish city – with Spain being one of N26’s main markets. Barcelona also attracts about 58% of all international investment in Spain. Events like the Mobile World Congress have also created a big ecosystem of tech companies, with mobile applications representing roughly 55% of the startups in the city.
On the companies blog, the N26 team wrote: “Add to that Barcelona’s undeniable quality of life. Its coastal location gives Barcelona a mild Mediterranean climate complete with beaches and stunning landscape. It also boasts some world-class accessibility (sixth most transited airport in Europe and first port for cruises), a healthy Mediterranean cuisine, and prominent creative scene all combined with unlimited cultural and leisure offerings and an open cosmopolitan character, making it more than an ideal location. We’ve fallen for it.”
The new Barcelona office will give N26 access to a high amount of local and international talented professionals – with two well-known tech universities and the third preferred European destination for MBA programs. Together with a superbly educated expat scene, 40% of which hold college degrees.
Barcelona opens up lots of possibilities to hire the great talent to further develop N26 products. The fast-growing fintech company plans to hire over 100 engineers and product experts by the end of 2019 for the Barcelona office.
Opening another central office in Barcelona also fits into N26’s employer vision of being one of the most flexible and personalized work experiences possible. Employees will have the opportunity to switch offices and enjoy life in Barcelona or participate in work tours at the new office.
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Is this article an advertorial?
Does the author of this article actually use N26?
I have been using N26 since end of 2015. The bank has not improved the app since. No major features have been added, no major requests have been handled. A lot of traditional and new banking apps have leaped passed the N26 app years ago. Compared to others it is mediocre at best (compare for yourself please!).
The only reason this bank is growing is because they are FREE, not because they have a great app or great service.
And it is free because of huge investments. For example from Pieter Thiel.