Valencia’s innovation ecosystem continues to show signs of maturity, international reach, and growth potential. In recent weeks, Valencia has achieved new institutional milestones, completed investment deals, made strides in artificial intelligence, garnered international recognition for local startups, and launched new calls for proposals targeting talent, companies, and technology projects.
The picture that emerges from this period confirms an increasingly clear trend: Valencia is no longer competing merely to attract attention, but to build capacity. The ecosystem is growing in terms of investment, sector-specific specialization, connections to international markets, and the diversity of projects being developed locally.
VDS, Recognized as an Event of Exceptional Public Interest
One of the most significant milestones has been the designation of VDS as an Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Council of Ministers. This recognition reinforces the economic, social, and strategic importance of the international technology event organized by Startup Valencia since 2018 and places VDS among the initiatives considered to be of special interest to Spain.
The declaration will allow for the implementation of a specific tax regime for collaborating entities, facilitating private-sector involvement through tax incentives linked to sponsorship of the event. It also provides institutional support for an event that has established itself as one of Europe’s major international technology conferences and as a key platform for connecting startups, investors, corporations, and institutions.
The next edition of VDS will be held on October 21 and 22, 2026, at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia and is expected to bring together more than 12,000 professionals from over 120 countries, 3,000 startups, 1,500 corporations, and 800 investors with more than 300,000 million euros in assets under management.
Valencia Posts Its Best Year Ever for Startup Investment
Analysis of the Spain Tech Ecosystem Report 2026, prepared by Dealroom, also confirms the strong performance of the Valencian ecosystem. Spain’s tech ecosystem now has an aggregate valuation of 125,000 millones de euros, a 2.3-fold increase since 2020, and has established itself as the eighth-largest tech ecosystem in Europe.
In this context, Valencia has had its best year ever in terms of startup investment, raising 229 million euros in 2025 and reinforcing its position as Spain’s third-largest technology hub. This figure reflects a sustained growth in the region’s ability to attract capital, generate competitive startups, and consolidate projects with international ambitions.
Investment has also put Valencia back on the national radar in recent months. The April analysis published by El Referente reported more than 300 million euros in startup investment in Spain, with two major deals accounting for a significant portion of that total. In Valencia, PLD Space’s 30 million euro loan played a prominent role, alongside deals involving companies such as BigBuy, GuruSup, Golden Owl, and Eaship, which reflect the diversity of sectors and growth stages within the ecosystem.
New Initiatives in AI, Talent, and Real Estate
Investment in projects related to artificial intelligence and new business models has also yielded significant results. First Drop announced its largest investment to date: one million euros in eVoost AI, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence applied to real estate marketing. The deal reinforces the role of Spanish venture capital in transforming the real estate market through data, automation, and smart construction.
Also noteworthy is the 2.6 million euros raised by Fresh People, led by Inveready and Archipiélago Next. The capital injection will accelerate the development of Booster, its artificial intelligence system for managers, at a time when technology is also beginning to transform team management, organizational culture, and leadership within companies.
In the field of talent, Hirevoice closed a €900,000 funding round led by Draper B1. The funding will enable the company to accelerate the development of its AI-powered automated interview technology and expand its commercial presence in the Spanish and European markets.
Quibim Brings Valencian Medical AI to New York
The ecosystem’s international reach has also seen a prominent player in healthtech. Quibim has been selected for the NYC AI International Landing Pad, a strategic artificial intelligence program based in New York designed to support international companies with advanced AI solutions.
The Valencian healthtech company, which specializes in artificial intelligence applied to medical imaging, has been selected as the only Spanish company in the program. Over the course of twelve months, it will receive mentoring, specialized support, access to investors and clients, and an international network to accelerate its expansion into the U.S. market.
The Quibim case reinforces one of the strongest aspects of the Valencian ecosystem: its ability to foster technology companies in complex sectors—ones with a scientific foundation, an international reach, and direct applications in high-impact fields such as healthcare.
Robotics, Defense, and Industry: Valencian Technology with Real-World Applications
Innovation in Valencia has also garnered recognition and made significant strides in robotics, dual-use technologies, and advanced manufacturing.
The team GROMEP from the Polytechnic University of Valencia won the Innovation Award at Eurobot 2026, held in France, for the originality and effectiveness of the part-rotation system developed for its robots. This recognition highlights the talent of Valencian university students and the UPV’s ability to promote technological projects with practical applications and a high level of competitiveness.
In the field of defense and dual-use technology, Amper acquired Zeleros’ assets and technological capabilities for approximately one million euros. The transaction enables the company to incorporate capabilities in advanced electrification, energy storage, power electronics, electromagnetic systems, and embedded systems into its Defense and National Security division.
Meanwhile, MESbook introduced Sauco, its new technology spin-off specializing in automation, systems integration, and artificial intelligence applied to industrial operations. The initiative aims to connect data, processes, and systems to help industrial companies improve their operational efficiency and move toward more integrated digitalization.
Skills, technical talent, and new forms of employability
The relationship between technology, talent, and employment has also been highlighted through projects such as Kämpe, a Valencian startup that champions technical trades in the midst of the artificial intelligence era. Its approach focuses on training young people in professions such as electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, and building systems, linking hands-on training, employability, and the real needs of businesses.
At a time when much of the conversation revolves around automation and AI, Kämpe points out that technological transformation also requires qualified technical talent, up-to-date skills, and new training models aligned with the actual demands of the labor market.
AI Training to Improve Employability
Among the talent-focused initiatives, the following stands out: AI Skills for Employability, a program launched by the Valencia City Council, Microsoft, PUE Academy, and València Innovation Capital to offer free training in artificial intelligence to the public and improve digital skills related to employability.
The initiative is part of a broader agenda to democratize access to knowledge in artificial intelligence and prepare professionals, students, and workers for a job market increasingly shaped by digital skills.
Open Calls for Startups, Companies, and Innovative Projects
The ecosystem also maintains an active calendar of opportunities for startups, companies, and technology projects.
PowerUp Spain is a call for proposals launched by Glovo for startups and projects with growth potential that want to gain access to mentorship, visibility, and connections within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The initiative is aimed at projects with a product or service already on the market, particularly in fields such as logistics, artificial intelligence, fintech, sustainability, foodtech, and urban mobility.
The AITEX 2026 Business Awards are currently accepting applications from companies nationwide with outstanding projects in sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This year’s awards will distribute 100,000 euros in prize money, and the submission deadline is November 8, 2026.
The CDTI has launched the Science and Innovation Missions 2026, a grant program aimed at business consortia to develop collaborative R&D projects focused on strategic challenges. The call for proposals has a total budget of 60 million euros.
At the European level, EDF Partner Pool 2026 offers a collaboration platform powered by the Enterprise Europe Network for eligible participants in the European Defense Fund who are seeking partners, project opportunities, and consortia for European defense R&D calls for proposals. Registration will remain open until December 31, 2026.
The schedule of specialized events also continues. On June 11 and 12, the International Smart Business Conference: Innovation & Valueswill be held—a conference aimed at companies, startups, and professionals interested in the future of business, sustainable technology, and new models of innovation.
In addition, València Innovation Capital has kept the call for entries open for the València Innovation Capital 2026 Innovation Awards, which aims to recognize innovative projects that have an impact on the city, and supports the participation of Valencian startups in the Spanish Pavilion at Slush 2026, organized by ICEX and Red.es.
An ecosystem that is gaining depth
The milestones of recent weeks highlight an increasingly diverse and sophisticated Valencian ecosystem. Activity is no longer concentrated in a single industry sector or a single stage of development. The scene now features major international events, startups with investment activities, companies with global reach, industrial spin-offs, university talent, applied AI projects, employability initiatives, and calls for proposals aimed at accelerating innovation.
Valencia is establishing an increasingly prominent position on the European technology map. It is doing so by combining investment, talent, public-private partnerships, international connections, and an entrepreneurial community that is maturing. The challenge now is to continue channeling that momentum into stronger companies, better opportunities for talent, and a greater ability to attract capital, industry, and knowledge from Valencia to the rest of the world.