• The 11th edition of the VLC Startup Awards gala will take place on December 14 at La Mutant (Juan Verdeguer, 22)
• Organized by the City of Valencia, through Valencia Innovation Capital, and in collaboration with Startup Valencia, the event has established itself as Valencia’s premier awards ceremony recognizing the city’s most innovative projects.

Ten categories have been established, and a prize will be awarded to the winning startup in each category:

• Special Category: Best Startup 2026. Award for the best startup in the city of Valencia. The award includes a cash prize of 10,000€.
• Special Category: Best Seed-Stage Startup 2026. Award for the best seed-stage startup in the city of Valencia. The award includes a cash prize of €10,000
• 2026 Industry Categories. Awards for the best startups in the city of Valencia, by industry category. The award includes a cash prize of €5,000 for each winner in the following industry categories, listed below:
  • Best Sustainability Startup 2026 (Startups focused on solutions for the circular economy, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, green spaces, and biodiversity, as well as other solutions aimed at improving global sustainability)
  • Best AI Startup 2026 (Startups focused on advancing enabling technologies such as AI for economic and social development, with an emphasis on improving citizens’ quality of life and developing ethical AI)
  • Best Health & Well-being Startup 2026 (Startups focused on innovative technological solutions that improve people’s quality of life in the areas of health and well-being)
  • Best Gaming / Entertainment / eSports Startup 2026 (Startups focused on the development of video games and esports; projects in the gambling sector are not eligible)
  • Best Innovative & Sustainable Tourism Startup 2026(Startups focused on developing solutions aimed at fostering more innovative and sustainable tourism)
  • Best Startup Diversity 2026 (startups focused on social inclusion, promoting the participation of all members of society, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic)
  • Best GovTech/Smart City Startup 2026 (startups focused on improving the relationship between government and citizens through disruptive technologies that solve real problems facing cities and municipal services)
  • Best Talent/Edtech Startup 2026 (startups focused on fostering digital, innovative, entrepreneurial, and technological talent as the driving force behind the new economy)