PHPro present at Valencia Digital Summit
Valencia Digital Summit (VDS) is a major international tech event organized by Startup Valencia. It takes place annually in the “City of Arts and Sciences” in Valencia, Spain, and brings together startups, companies and investors from around the world. The event focuses on showcasing the latest innovations and technological advances, fostering connections and exploring how technology can have a positive impact on society.
This year's theme was “Embracing Evolution: Invest in the Leaders of Tomorrow.” This event attracted more than 12,000 visitors, had 600 speakers and 3,000 startups. It is an important platform for networking and collaboration within the global tech ecosystem.
“Valencia is often seen as the southern European capital of technology.”
Centrally located on the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia has excellent connections to the rest of the world through a good road network, high-speed trains, an international airport and a major port. The city has a thriving ecosystem for startups and technology companies, and we also find the highest number of startups per capita in Spain. This is why Valencia is often seen as the Southern European capital of technology and why the city attracts entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world.
In addition, Valencia is a true university city with a long history of academic excellence. The city has several universities and research centers that contribute to technological progress and innovation. There are also numerous “incubators” in Valencia such as Lanzadera and Plug and Play, which help startups grow and develop.
Of course, it also goes without saying that with a pleasant Mediterranean climate, a high quality of life and a rich culture, Valencia is an attractive place for talent and companies to locate. We are therefore proud that PHPro has an office in this fantastic city!
Notable attendees
In addition to the many booths with interesting startups, VDS is best known for its engaging pitch sessions and speakers.
This year's attendees included Steve Chen, co-founder and former CTO of YouTube, Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media, and Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities.
Other notable attendees included Charlene Putney, COO and co-founder of Write with LAIKA, Tom Mason, former CTO of Stability AI and UnlikelyAI, and Ana Maiques, co-founder and CEO of Neuroelectrics. These are all interesting profiles with a lot of experience in the technology sector.
Did you know?
Did you know that VDS celebrated its seventh edition in 2024 and that the event has seen a 1,500% growth in attendance since its first edition in 2018? This year, the event attracted more than 12,000 professionals from 110 countries and brought together more than 700 investors with over €250 billion in assets under management!
“Inspiring and refreshing”
When we asked our Spanish colleagues what they thought of VDS, they all came to the same conclusion. It was very inspiring to see what is moving within not only the Spanish, but also the European market. There were also plenty of networking opportunities to make new connections for PHPro.