If you want to start a business, head to Spain, study finds

Budding entrepreneurs are better off studying in Spain than anywhere else, a new study by the Financial Times (FT) has found.

The research compiled data from full-time and executive MBA alumni (Master of Business) around the world and found that more leading, successful entrepreneurs had their business schooling in Spain than in any other country…

And while places like Singapore and the UAE were considered the best countries in which to launch a startup, the data also suggests that many business students stick around in Spain after finishing their studies, with the country placing sixth-best in the world for startups, ahead of Germany, the USA and the UK.

What is even more interesting is that Spaniards were the second-most represented nationality among the list of successful entrepreneurs – behind Mexicans – which also suggests that there really is something in the water in Spain in terms of business nous.

Of course, such a performance could also be related to the economic woes that have made finding full-time employment tough for many young Spaniards over the past few years.

However, it is the excellent performance of Spanish business schools that should be the main cause for celebration. Based on the FT’s criteria, Spain accounted for the highest proportion of students who set up their own company after graduation, beating Swiss and US schools into second and third place.

Setting up a company in Spain is relatively straightforward for both Spaniards and EU nationals, and even those from farther afield have comparatively little red tape awaiting them if they wish to become an entrepreneur in Spain.

Recent changes to the country’s labour laws have made it much easier to do business in Spain, with loosened employment laws that allow would-be business owners to take greater risks with their growth strategies.

Another survey carried out this week for BMC Software found that Spanish companies are among the best in Europe for nurturing a creative and innovative workplace.

The study found that 73% of people working in Spain felt they have a voice in driving change and innovation in their office, compared to just 42% in the UK. Spanish companies also performed well at making their employees feel inspired in their jobs, with 74% happy with how their employment makes them feel.

These datasets are a far cry from the stifling, nepotistic work environments of old in Spain, where who you knew was more important than what you knew. And things continue to change for the better, which can only be good news for Spain’s youngsters and – increasingly – expats with an eye on moving to the country for work.