- For organizational reasons and to ensure that event registrations meet the necessary criteria, they will be subject to a review process by the organizers. If necessary, the organizers may contact the registrant to request additional information before confirming their registration.
- Registration
The VIC Defense, Security, and Emergency Conference is a forum for networking, dialogue, and collaboration that brings together public administrations, companies, startups, institutions, professionals, and investors to address new challenges in the areas of defense, security, emergencies, and urban resilience.
Over the course of two days, the event will explore opportunities related to defence and dual-use technologies, featuring a mix of presentations, panel discussions, success stories, demonstrations, pitching sessions, and professional networking opportunities.
The conference reflects the Defense, Security, and Emergency Services Department’s commitment to fostering public-private partnerships, connecting talent and expertise with the business community, and promoting new opportunities for innovation, investment, and business. Through this initiative, Valencia is strengthening its position as a resilient, innovative city that is prepared to face current and future challenges in the areas of security, defense, and emergencies.
Matchday 1 · October 1
RESILIENT CITIES AND DEFENSE
A conference dedicated to analyzing the role of cities in addressing new security and defense challenges, with a focus on innovation, institutional cooperation, and the development of more resilient urban and business ecosystems.
Schedule
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. · Welcome and Registration
Reception for attendees, registration, and welcome coffee.
9:30–10:00 · Institutional Opening
Official opening of the conference by representatives of the Valencia City Council and the Valencian Regional Government.
10:00–10:50 · Panel: Presentation of the UNBROKEN Cities Network
Keynote: “Cities on the Frontline: How Urban Innovation Builds European Resilience”
Remarks by the Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, followed by a roundtable of mayors titled:
“Cities Supporting Cities: Building Urban Resilience Together”
The event, held as part of the UNBROKEN Cities Network, will conclude with the official signing ceremony marking Valencia’s accession to the network.
Participants:
- Mayor of Lviv
- Mayor of Rzeszów
- Arturo Castelló, Director of València Innovation Capital
10:50–11:35 · Keynote: Defense Industrial Strategy in the Valencian Community
- Spanish Defense Industrial Strategy.
- Industrial Defense Strategy for the Valencian Community.
11:35 – 12:00 · Networking coffee break
12:00–12:50 · Dialogue Panel: The Ecosystem with a Focus on Industry
A forum for dialogue and collaboration on the development and opportunities of the Valencian defense ecosystem, with the participation of representatives from:
- Manuel Monzó, APOLO Cluster
- Antonio Bedmar, Vice President of Espai Aero CV
- Javier Martí, Head of the Strategy and Innovation Office at DAS Photonics
- José Ruiz Cristina, Director of Business Development at IndraMind
- Jose Luis Calle, CEO of Casva Seguridad – Simetría Grupo
- Moderator: Jose Almenar, Coordinator of the Emergency, Security, and Defense Division at València Innovation Capital
12:50–13:40 · Dialogue Panel: The Valencian Ecosystem from a Research Perspective
A meeting to analyze the development and opportunities of the Valencian defense ecosystem, focusing on research lines from R&D centers and universities that are boosting the sector, with the participation of representatives from:
- Samuel Félix Vicente, Deputy Director of AIDIMME
- Jose Solaz Sanahuja, Director of Innovation at IBV
- Jose Ramón Serrano Cruz, Director of the CMT Institute, UPV Representative to the European Defense Agency
- Salvador Ivorra-Chorro, UA Vice Rector, Head of the Defense Division
- Moderator: Vicente Enrique Boria Esbert, Professor at the UPV and President of the Val-Space Consortium
1:45–2:55 PM · Networking Lunch
DEFENSE BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM
The second part of the conference will focus on the business sector, innovation, and investment and growth opportunities related to security, defense, and dual-use technologies.
3:00 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. · Urban Resilience: INDRAMind Presentation
Overview of the national situation and context of the defense sector and presentation of the INDRAMind resilience and security application. José Ruiz Cristina, Director of Business Development and Comprehensive Security.
3:40–4:30 PM · Real-world Success Stories in Security and Defense
- Nerva Technologies
- Orbotix
- Internxt
- Valyra Aerospace
- Amper Group
4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. · Panel: Defense Investment Funds
Analysis of Financing and Investment Opportunities in the Defense and Dual-Use Technologies Sector.
- Luz Adell, CFO of Draper B1
- Moderator: Pablo García-Manzano, Head of the Defense and Security Practice at BDO
5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. · Pitch Session: Defense Startups
A platform for startups and innovative projects to present themselves to potential investors, institutions, and companies in the industry.
- Abionica
- Voltrac
- Synaptyx Dendrite Technologies
Day 2 · October 2
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DEFENSE ECOSYSTEM: PUBLIC PROCUREMENT, CYBERSECURITY AND FUNDING
The second day will focus on facilitating access for companies and startups to the defense ecosystem, addressing opportunities in public procurement, cybersecurity, funding, and the future of the sector.
Schedule
9:30–10:30 AM · Panel: Public Procurement in Defense
Analysis of public procurement mechanisms and opportunities in the defense sector, with a particular focus on domestic and international procurement.
- National Procurement: Lt. Col. Julia García Marsilla, Chief of Procurement, JAECGTAD
- International Procurement: Mr. Luis Carlos Frago Pérez, Colonel, Head of the International Contracts Division of the DGAM (Deputy Directorate General of Procurement)
- Moderator: Javier Gómez-Ferrer Senent, partner at BDO and director of the Valencia office, state attorney on leave of absence
10:30–11:30 AM · Panel: Cybersecurity and Digital Sovereignty
A discussion on the challenges and opportunities related to cybersecurity, technological sovereignty, and the protection of digital infrastructure and services.
Participants:
- Carmen Serrano Durbá, Deputy Director General of Cybersecurity, GVA – Talaia Center
- Manuel Herrero Mas, Head of the Innovation and Digital Agenda Division, City of Valencia
- Fernando Seco García de Ceca, Global Security & Intelligence Office, S2 Grupo
- Alejandro Aliaga, Advisor on Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity
- Moderator: Marina Fontcuberta, Director of the Digital Law Practice Group, BDO
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. · Networking coffee break
12:00–12:50 PM · Panel: Public Funding in Defense
Presentation of the main sources of public funding for defense and innovation projects, featuring:
- Raúl García Esparza, Technical Engineer, CDTI
- Roberto Navarro, Full Professor at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and researcher at the CMT Institute (Clean Mobility and Thermofluids)
- Pedro Quintero is a tenured professor at the UPV and a researcher in computational aerodynamics at the CMT Institute
The session will also include the presentation of a success story.
12:50–1:40 PM · Keynote: “How to Participate in a Public Tender“
Hands-on session on public procurement and collaboration opportunities for companies and startups.
The session will cover how to submit a bid for a public tender and how a startup can offer its services to Laberit to participate in projects and awarded tenders.
- Miguel Portalés, Head of E-Government, Laberit
- Juan Carlos Martínez, CEO, Atribus
DualTech Prototype Demonstrations · La Harinera
A space dedicated to the exhibition and demonstration of dual-use technology (DualTech) prototypes and solutions, with the ability to set up multiple demonstration stations simultaneously.
The demonstrations will be located in the La Harinera area.
1:40–1:50 PM · Closing and Farewell
Closing remarks by Arturo Castelló, Director of València Innovation Capital