Innovation Ecosystems in Catalonia: Exploring Location Patterns of High‐Tech Firms

ABSTRACT This paper analyses high‐tech firms' location determinants in Catalonia, Spain, using 2010–2019 firm data, and spatial models to assess spillover and industry‐specific factor effects. Results show that high‐tech firms, especially in services, are clustered in busy, wealthy cities with strong innovation hubs, while non‐high‐tech firms prefer lower‐density and lower‐cost areas. Income levels and nearby high‐tech activity influence firm location, highlighting the inter‐municipal dynamics. Labour availability, universities, and innovation hubs also play relevant roles, though effects vary by sector. This paper contributes to firm location literature by integrating innovation ecosystem components (e.g., universities, incubators, and technology parks) into a spatial econometric framework that captures inter‐municipal spillovers. These findings offer new insights into the literature on firm location choices and provide policymakers tools to promote innovation and regional balance.