• COTEC’s recent innovation index ranks the Valencia functional area as the third most innovative in Spain, above the national average and with sustained growth in recent years
• The city is strengthening its internationalization strategy at South Summit through the participation of a public-private partnership comprising eight stakeholders from the ecosystem

València Innovation Capital is participating in South Summit Madrid, one of the leading international events for innovation and entrepreneurship, alongside Ideas UPV, Innsomnia, Marina de Empresas, Startup Valencia, CDTM, GSIC, Nealis Tech Hub, and Invest in València, as part of a public-private partnership that strengthens efforts to attract investment, talent, and new international companies. The City of Valencia’s presence at the launch of South Summit reinforces the internationalization strategy of the Valencian ecosystem at a time when the city continues to accelerate its growth as a technology hub in southern Europe.

COTEC’s recent innovation index ranks the Valencia metropolitan area as the third most innovative in Spain, above the national average and with sustained growth in recent years, which reinforces the city’s position as a well-established and expanding ecosystem.

The Councilor for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction for the City of Valencia, Paula Llobet, has emphasized that Valencia’s presence at South Summit “strengthens the city’s international standing as a rapidly growing innovative ecosystem,” stressing that collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders is “key to continuing to attract investment, talent, and new business opportunities.”

He also noted that the Valencian delegation “demonstrates the strength of a united ecosystem that is generating real results in terms of employment, investment, and competitiveness.”

An Expanding Ecosystem

Valencia has established itself as one of Spain’s most dynamic technology ecosystems, having attracted more than 200 million euros in investment in startups, with more than 1,689 active startups and more than 20,000 skilled jobs created in recent years. This growth confirms the maturity of the Valencian ecosystem, where innovation is no longer just a strategic driver but an economic reality that translates into investment, jobs, and the attraction of international talent.

The city has established an estimated ecosystem value of nearly 4,000 million euros, positioning itself among the most significant emerging hubs in Southern Europe. Participation in South Summit is focused on strengthening Valencia’s ability to attract investment, talent, and international companies in a highly competitive environment.

In 2025, the city set a new record by attracting 152 million euros in investment, welcoming 25 international companies, and creating more than 920 direct jobs, thereby solidifying its appeal as a destination for global technology companies. Invest in València’s work during the event is key to identifying new opportunities for companies to set up operations and to strengthen the city’s international profile.

Beyond attracting investment, Valencia is presenting its city model as an urban innovation laboratory at South Summit. Through Valencia Innovation Capital, the city promotes initiatives such as the Urban Sandbox, GovTech challenges, and Innovative Public Procurement, which allow solutions to be tested in real-world settings and accelerate their adoption in public administration. This approach makes Valencia a city where innovation is not only developed but also directly implemented to improve public services and citizens’ quality of life.

Strategy for Consolidating Technological Leadership

Valencia’s participation in South Summit is part of its strategy to position itself internationally as a European technology hub, strengthening its ties with investors, corporations, and global ecosystems.

The goal is to continue building a model city in which innovation serves as a catalyst for economic growth, talent attraction, and urban transformation, thereby strengthening Valencia’s position on the European innovation landscape.