September has been a particularly significant month for Valencia’s innovation and technology ecosystem. Major investment deals in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and biotechnology, along with the progress made by companies in strategic sectors, reflect the region’s ability to develop technology and attract international capital.
The activities of the ecosystem’s key players have also given rise to new acceleration programs, public innovation initiatives, industry gatherings, and opportunities for entrepreneurial talent. All of this has taken place in a month marked by preparations for VDS 2026, which will once again place Valencia at the center of the international technology conversation.
Below, we review the main developments from September.
Investment and Financing: Major Transactions Driving Technological Growth
Financing has been the focus of some of the month’s most prominent headlines, with deals that reflect international investors’ interest in Valencian technology companies.
One of the major milestones comes from iPronics, which has raised $125 million with NVIDIA among its investors. The company, which emerged from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), develops optical switches to improve communications in artificial intelligence data centers and reduce the size of current equipment by up to twenty times. This deal strengthens Valencia’s presence in the development of infrastructure for the next generation of AI systems.
In biotechnology, iPremom has secured 15 million euros to advance the early molecular diagnosis of pregnancy complications. The Valencia-based startup will use the funding to develop MaiRa, a platform that combines molecular diagnostics and artificial intelligence to identify risks such as preeclampsia as early as the first trimester.
The proptech company Cubicup has closed a €2 million funding round led by Suma Capital. The funding will enable the company to develop Cubicup OS and its artificial intelligence agents, drive its growth in Spain, and prepare for its expansion into Southern Europe.
It has also been in the news Aniwa, which has raised more than 500,000 euros to boost its digital insurance management platform. The Valencia-based insurtech company, which already has more than 1,200 users, will allocate the funds to technological development, expanding its team, and strengthening its partnerships with the insurance industry.
On the national front, this month has seen another major deal: Fever has raised 218 million euros and reached a valuation of 4.5 billion. The funding round, led by EQT, will enable the platform to expand its international presence and strengthen its technology for the live entertainment industry, amid growing activity in large funding rounds within the Spanish startup ecosystem.
Deep tech, space, and health: Valencian technology with an international reach
Beyond funding, Valencian companies continue to make progress in strategic technologies with applications in industry, healthcare, and aerospace.
In the space industry, one notable development is the recent contract worth 158.9 million euros awarded by the European Space Agency (ESA) to PLD Space. The award, announced in late August, represents a boost for the development of European private launch vehicles and will enable progress on the capabilities of Miura 5, improve its orbital performance, and accelerate the development of technologies that will be incorporated into Miura Next. The project reinforces the role of the Elche-based company in developing European space access capabilities.
Artificial intelligence applied to medicine has also made international strides. Canada has approved QP-Prostate, Quibim’s AI-based tool for prostate cancer detection. The solution analyzes MRI scans, identifies suspicious areas, and provides quantitative information to assist radiologists in making a diagnosis, thereby expanding the international reach of the healthcare technology developed in Valencia.
In the semiconductor sector, September also marked the start of activities at Valencia Semicon Startup Lab, an initiative by Valencia Innovation Capital and IDEAS UPV that connects university talent, training, and entrepreneurship in semiconductors, microelectronics, and photonics. The program aims to foster the development of new business projects in an industry that is strategic for European technological autonomy.
Acceleration, talent, and business collaboration: ecosystem stakeholders expand opportunities
September has also been a month of intense activity for organizations that support the growth of startups and connect talent with the business community.
Lanzadera has added 124 new startups to its acceleration program. The new cohort brings together projects from sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and operations optimization, with one particularly significant statistic: 88% of the selected companies were already generating revenue before joining the program. The initiative expands growth and support opportunities for innovative startups.
From the university community, IDEAS UPV has confirmed its participation in VDS 2026 as a Community Partner. The Polytechnic University of Valencia will have its own space and a delegation of six startups and spin-offs that will be able to present their projects and connect with investors, companies, and other players in the international ecosystem.
The link between education and technology jobs has once again taken center stage at Valencia Tech Talent Connect, held on September 30 at La Mutant. Organized by Valencia Innovation Capital and NextTalent, the event brought together students, young professionals, startups, tech companies, and recruitment specialists to highlight job opportunities in the sector and facilitate direct contact between companies and talent.
On the international stage, Startup Valencia has strengthened its ties with Medellín’s innovation ecosystem, building on the partnership launched in 2025 alongside Valencia Innovation Capital. The initiative, whose progress was announced in September following a series of meetings held in August, aims to create new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and international expansion between the two regions, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and smart cities.
Public Innovation: Valencia Transforms the City into a Space for Experimentation
Collaboration between startups, technology companies, and the government has been at the heart of several significant initiatives in September, with new programs aimed at translating innovation into services that address the city’s real needs.
One of the major milestones has been the second anniversary of the Valencia Urban Sandbox, which has already facilitated the development of 48 innovative projects. Led by Valencia Innovation Capital, this initiative has received 75 applications and has made more than 150 urban resources available to the ecosystem for testing technological solutions in real-world environments. The initiatives span areas such as mobility, sustainability, digitalization, health, and safety.
Artificial intelligence has also taken center stage on the municipal agenda with the launch of the Valencia AI Demonstrator. The program aims to introduce the public administration to technological solutions already available on the market and to facilitate collaboration with startups and companies specializing in artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced analytics.
In the field of strategic technologies, Valencia Innovation Capital has launched the Valencia Dual Technologies Coworking Programprogram, developed in collaboration with the School of Industrial Organization. The initiative offers training, mentoring, and support for projects related to emergency response, security, critical infrastructure, aeronautics, and advanced communications.
These initiatives expand opportunities for technology companies to participate in solving urban challenges and to find in the city an environment where they can develop, test, and validate their solutions.
Food Innovation and Sustainability: KM ZERO Brings Together the International Foodtech Ecosystem
The food industry was another key sector this month, with the holding on September 16 of ftalks Food Summit 2026.
Organized by KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, in collaboration with Valencia Innovation Capital, the event brought together representatives from the agri-food industry, startups, investors, researchers, institutions, and professionals in Valencia to address the main challenges facing the food system.
The agenda focused on issues such as artificial intelligence applied to food, health, and longevity; food security; geopolitics; the blue economy; and biodiversity. The event combined content sessions, presentations of agrifoodtech solutions, and networking opportunities among companies, startups, and industry experts.
In addition to its Valencia edition, KM ZERO expanded its international activities in September with the ftalks Food Summit Mexico, strengthening the connections between the food innovation ecosystems of Europe and Latin America.
The event underscores Valencia’s role as a hub for the development of technological solutions related to food, sustainability, and the transformation of the agri-food industry.
VDS 2026: Valencia Prepares for Its Major International Technology Event
September has also been a pivotal month in the preparations for VDS 2026, which will hold its ninth edition on October 21 and 22 at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
VDS has unveiled its schedule for 2026, featuring more than 200 sessions and nearly 100 hours of content spread across eight stages. The event will bring together more than 600 speakers to address major technological and economic transformations, ranging from artificial intelligence and defense to healthcare, the future of work, investment, and the aerospace industry.
Carl Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist and recognized as the World Athlete of the Century, heads an international lineup that will include representatives from NVIDIA, Spotify, ClickUp, AstraZeneca, Rolls-Royce, LG Technology Ventures, IBM, Preply, Miro, and Plug and Play, among other companies.
The program will also bring together 17 unicorns, more than 20 scaleups, and more than 50 venture capital and investment funds that collectively manage more than 300,000 million euros in assets.
In the field of entrepreneurship, VDS has announced the 25 finalist startups for its 2026 Startup Competition, selected from 1,560 applications from 87 countries. The finalists will compete in October before investors, corporations, and international leaders, with proposals spanning fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, sustainability, mobility, and critical infrastructure.
The event has also received significant recognition. Endeavor Spain has honored VDS with the 2026 Ecosystem Builder Award, presented on September 25 during Endeavor Experience at the Teatro Real in Madrid. The award recognizes the contribution of the event—organized by Startup Valencia—to the growth, networking, and international visibility of the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Calls for Proposals and Opportunities for the Ecosystem
September has also brought new calls for proposals and opportunities for entrepreneurs, startups, and professionals looking to develop their projects or connect with the tech ecosystem.
In the field of local entrepreneurship, the 2026 VLC Startup Awards, organized by the Valencia City Council through Valencia Innovation Capital and in collaboration with Startup Valencia, offer a total prize pool of 60,000 euros distributed across ten categories to recognize and raise the profile of the city’s most innovative entrepreneurial projects.
Meanwhile, the VDS 2026 volunteer call offers students and young professionals the chance to join the NextTalent Crew, experience the event from the inside, gain practical experience, and connect with startups, investors, and international professionals.
In the area of economic recovery, the EMDANA 2026 program provides grants for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises that have reopened or launched a business in the municipalities affected by the DANA, with the goal of contributing to economic recovery and restoring business competitiveness.
The October schedule also includes the presentation sessions for the Emergency, Security, and Defense Division of Valencia Innovation Capital, scheduled for October 1, which will bring together companies, startups, and institutions interested in developing technological solutions for these sectors.
Finally, Valencia Real Estate Summit 2026, organized by PropHero, will bring together professionals, companies, and investors in the real estate sector to analyze new opportunities and market transformations.
Read of the Month: An Ecosystem Gaining Momentum and International Recognition
September has brought significant progress for Valencia’s innovation and technology ecosystem. Major investment deals, new developments in strategic sectors, and the consolidation of public innovation programs reflect the region’s ability to attract capital, generate knowledge, and turn technology into new business opportunities.
In addition to this activity, accelerators, universities, institutions, and business organizations are working to foster talent, facilitate funding, and strengthen connections among the key players in the ecosystem.
With VDS 2026 just around the corner, Valencia is heading into October with a tech community that is increasingly connected internationally and new opportunities to continue fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth.