VDS

⚽ Beyond the pitch, into purpose. Sol Campbell, the former Premier League champion and England national team captain offered the audience a raw, human perspective on what it takes to keep performing at the highest level, both on and off the field. At #VDS2025, Sol delivered one of the most powerful talks of the summit, not about glory, but about resilience, reinvention, and the mindset behind lasting success 💪 🗣 Speaking to an audience of founders and innovators, Campbell shared a raw perspective on pressure, self-doubt, and the emotional cost of performance, lessons every entrepreneur can relate to. “Pressure is universal,” he said 💬 “Whether you’re trying to win a final or keep your company alive, it’s the same energy, it’s survival.” From teamwork 👥 and trust to failure and purpose, his message was clear: greatness isn’t built in moments of victory, but in the discipline to rise after every fall. 👉 Read the full story on our blog: https://lnkd.in/dY9JasxE 

🔥 Save the Date! Still buzzing from VDS? Then get ready — the next chapter is coming 😎 🗓 October 21–22, 2026 📍 City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia The 9th edition of VDS will once again bring together the startups, corporates and investors who are shaping the future of tech innovation 🌁 More ideas. More connections. More energy at #VDS2026. ⚡ Pre-register now and be part of the global tech movement: https://lnkd.in/dAGSpHSq 

📸 Wrapping up #VDS2025 the Valencian way ✨ After two unforgettable days of innovation, ideas, and inspiration, we said goodbye with a spectacular mascletà — a burst of sound, color, and energy celebrating the spirit of Valencia 🔝 🎆 The perfect finale to an edition that reminded us why this city is the beating heart of tech and creativity in southern Europe.

📌 Valencia strengthens its position as Europe’s leading hub for innovation. Organised by Startup Valencia, #VDS2025 showcased how collaboration, purpose, and technology can drive positive impact across industries and borders 🌇 This year’s summit set a new milestone for international participation, with 45% of attendees coming from abroad, a 41% increase compared to 2024. More than 3,000 startups, 1,500 corporations, and 800 investors managing over €300 billion in assets joined a program that featured 600 speakers across seven themed stages. From DeepTech and AI to sustainability, health, and space innovation, the sessions explored how Europe can lead the next decade of technological progress. 🏅 Innovation and collaboration took centre stage at the VDS international startup competition, where Spacebackend from Luxembourg and Zibra AI from Ukraine were named winners in the Early and Growth Stage categories. Read more at Tech.eu 📂 https://lnkd.in/eNbZVXx2

🎥 During those unforgettable days, #VDS2025 transformed Valencia into the beating heart of global tech innovation. Over 12,000 founders, investors, and industry leaders from 120+ countries filled the City of Arts and Sciences with ideas, ambition, and energy 🪩 Across seven stages, 600+ speakers explored how technology can tackle real-world challenges — from AI and deeptech to green energy, health, and space. 💡 Your energy and participation made this edition truly special. The feedback we received from attendees highlighted the authenticity and depth of the conversations, as well as the power of collaboration that defines the tech event. Each of you helped make Valencia the place where ideas come alive and turn into action. 🚀 Ready for what’s next? #VDS2026 returns on October 21–22, 2026, continuing to drive the global conversation on technology, innovation, and the power of collaboration from Valencia to the world.

💥 Valencia became the European capital of tech innovation at #VDS2025. Record-breaking attendance, global collaboration, and a powerful message of transformation defined the 8th edition of VDS, held on October 22–23 at the City of Arts and Sciences 🌍 and organized by Startup Valencia. Over two days, more than 12,000 global leaders, investors, and founders from 120 countries gathered to shape the future of technology and innovation. With 45% of attendees from abroad, over 3,000 startups, 1,500 corporations, and 800 investors managing €300B in assets, VDS confirmed its place among Europe’s top tech gatherings ✨ 🔝 The theme “Collaborate Today. Transform Tomorrow.” inspired discussions across seven stages and 600 speakers, exploring how technology and human purpose can work together to tackle challenges like climate change, AI governance, and sustainable cities. Diversity and inclusion were central, with more than a third of speakers being women. Highlights included talks by the top speakers Kelly Rutherford, Sol Campbell, and unicorn founders from Glovo, Remote, letgo, Mews, Qonto, and ElevenLabs, as well as deep dives into AI, DeepTech, and scalability. The Valencian Startup Observatory 2025 revealed strong ecosystem growth: 1,689 startups (+11%) and €160M raised (+66%) this year 🏅 🥳 As Spain’s Minister of Science, Diana Morant Ripoll, closed the event, one message resonated: collaboration drives transformation. #VDS2025 proved that technology, guided by purpose and community, can transform the world, starting from Valencia. Read the full article at Tech.eu 📰 https://lnkd.in/eTZ7uzJX

A year of solidarity. On October 29th, 2024, the DANA storm hit Valencia with force. But amid the mud and destruction, the best of us emerged: solidarity. Companies, institutions, and citizens came together to help, showing that innovation can also mean empathy , and that technology without humanity means nothing 🫂 Thanks to that collective spirit, the Valencian tech ecosystem launched multiple initiatives, such as Alcem-se by Marina de Empresas, which provided €35 million in non-repayable aid, benefiting 4,600 businesses affected by the 2024 DANA and helping to reactivate Valencia’s economic fabric. This project was recognized at #VDS2025 with the “Innovative Initiative for DANA Recovery Award” by the Regional Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana. From Startup Valencia, we also wanted to contribute to the recovery with initiatives such as 👉 Startup Valencia DANA Help and Adopta Un Colegio, coordinated by Juan Luis Hortelano, President of Startup Valencia. Through them, we managed to raise, directly and indirectly, one million euros, entirely dedicated to those affected. ✨ That spirit of collaboration inspired the theme of the 8th edition of VDS: “Collaborate Today. Transform Tomorrow.” Because what we experienced then reminded us that the future is built together, and that the alliances born in difficult times are the ones that truly transform. This recovery was written by many hands. Thank you for all your support 🧡

🌍 Estonia & Valencia, united by technology and innovation As the Sister Country of #VDS2025, e-Residency showcased its pioneering digital nation model in Valencia, strengthening collaboration between two ecosystems that are shaping the future of entrepreneurship and tech in Europe. Thank you for being part of our 8th edition! 🚀

Still processing everything that happened at #VDS2025 💭 After two incredible days diving deep into the latest trends in global #tech and innovation, we wrapped up this 8th edition with an unforgettable Closing Party at the City of Arts and Sciences in #Valencia 🌟 So much talent, energy, and connection in one place, how do you even come down from that? 🚀 Who else is feeling that post-VDS glow (or emotional hangover)? 😅

💡 Thanks to our Host Partner, València Innovation Capital, for being part of #VDS2025! We’re proud to collaborate with an initiative of the Ajuntament de València that champions technological progress and innovation across our city 🌆