• The municipal initiative will be carried out throughout 2026 to anticipate, manage, and restore essential services in the event of physical or technological emergencies
• The project, part of the Valencia Innovation Capital strategy, will incorporate artificial intelligence tools to improve the predictive capabilities of the alert network and optimize decision-making in the event of incidents
• At the Web Summit in Lisbon—one of the most influential technology forums—Catalá highlighted that Valencia is “the European hub of innovation par excellence, with 40 million euros mobilized over two years in the Valencian ecosystem.”

The mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, was one of the speakers at the Web Summit Lisbon 2025, considered one of the world’s most influential technology forums, where she participated in the panel “Building the Cities of Tomorrow” alongside Poland’s Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs, Rafal Rosinski. During her remarks, the mayor announced that the City Council will expand its strategy to build a safer and more resilient Valencia with a new project: “A digital shield, a strategic initiative to be rolled out throughout 2026, with the goal of strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure and ensuring the continuity of essential services in the face of potential emergencies, whether physical or technological.”

“The storm and the power outage that affected the entire country have shown us how vulnerable our systems are. A responsible administration must seek solutions and tools to minimize the impact of these natural disasters or incidents on our citizens. And the Valencia City Council is a serious and responsible government that has implemented a comprehensive strategy to build a safer city and protect our citizens,” stated the mayor.

In this regard, the “digital shield” aims to build a resilient city, capable of continuing to function even in adverse situations—ranging from power or weather-related failures to technological disruptions.

The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Valencian innovation ecosystem, which includes universities, research centers, technology institutes, and specialized companies. This collaborative approach will make it possible to address urban resilience from a comprehensive perspective, combining science, technology, and public management.

The project will incorporate artificial intelligence tools to improve the predictive capabilities of the early warning network and optimize decision-making in the event of incidents. All of this is based on the principle that data management and technology must serve the public interest, contributing to a safer, more sustainable, and more reliable city.

Valencia Positions Itself at Web Summit Lisbon as a European Hub for Innovation

During her visit to the Valencia Innovation Capital booth, accompanied by Paula Llobet, Councilwoman for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction, and Nacho Mas, CEO of Startup Valencia, and by Invest Valencia, represented by Chamber President José Vicente Morata, the mayor was able to share experiences and engage in discussions with the 17 Valencian startups representing the city as they showcased their technological solutions at the Web Summit in Lisbon. “Our ecosystem is very strong. It ranks among the top 100 emerging ecosystems in the world, and we must be present alongside them at influential international forums like this one to promote Valencian talent,” said María José Catalá.

At the Web Summit in Lisbon—one of the most influential technology forums—the mayor highlighted the municipal strategy “Valencia Innovation Capital.” “We are the European hub of innovation par excellence. We have a strong ecosystem, excellent universities and business schools, and our innovation strategy is yielding great results. In two years, we have mobilized more than 40 million euros with a direct impact on the ecosystem, with a municipal investment of 10 million, and with one goal: to reach 100 million euros mobilized in three years,” she added.

“Valencia is in a good place right now in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship. We have regained the innovative leadership that is in our DNA, and we are already competing at the highest level. We are the European hub of innovation par excellence, and we’re going to keep moving forward,” concluded María José Catalá.