Bilbao has been chosen as the world headquarters to host the GEM Entrepreneurship Monitor Global 2025 conference. This event is of great importance in the world of entrepreneurship. The announcement was made in the context of the presentation of the general report of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) in Morocco in 2023/2024. This meeting has the support of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the City of Bilbao and the Basque Government, through SPRI.

The Basque Observatory of EEB-OVE Entrepreneurship (GEM Euskadi) presented the candidacy of the city, and highlighted the key points that led to the selection of Bilbao: the Basque Country is an excellent ecosystem for entrepreneurship, it is the leader of the State ranking, exceeds the average of the European Union and is similar to that of the United States.

With 20 years of experience, EEB-OVE's research team has made a strong career in the activity of measuring the phenomenon of entrepreneurship in the Basque Country, with the help of three Basque universities: the University of Euskal Herriko, the University of Deusto and the University of Mondragon. Furthermore, Bilbao is in the top 10 European cities for foreign investment. The attractiveness of foreign investment makes Bilbao one of the best cities in Europe for this purpose.

Bilbao, having become the headquarters of the event that is a global reference on entrepreneurship, will be the epicenter of entrepreneurship in the global area. The conference will include distinguished academics and experts from more than 50 countries, which will significantly enrich what we know about the phenomenon of entrepreneurship. This general exchange of ideas will not only lead to a deeper understanding; moreover, it will create valuable opportunities for international cooperation for Bilbao, Bizkaia and the Basque Country.

The conference will bring entrepreneurial talent from many corners of the world to the territory. This ripple effect will undoubtedly benefit the local community, and position Bilbao, Bizkaia and the Basque Country as a key territory for entrepreneurship in the world. Designating Bilbao, Bizkaia and Euskadi as the venue for the GEM Global event underlines the importance of Bilbao, Bizkaia and Euskadi as the epicenter of entrepreneurship, and gives it an international impetus, attracts talent and strengthens its position as a key territory for entrepreneurship on a global level.

What is GEM Global?

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor is a consortium that collaborates with groups from countries around the world. It highlights the importance of international cooperation when it comes to understanding the dynamics of entrepreneurship. More than 24 years of data show that GEM is a beacon in global research on entrepreneurship. The active participation of the Basque GEM working group (and others) is very important, as they play a key role in understanding the global business world.