VDS – Startup Competition 2026

Part of VDS – Valencia Digital Summit 2026

Competition · Valencia, Spain

Upcoming dates to be announced

Selected startups receive a booth at VDS, event tickets and a stage slot in front of the summit's 800+ investors. The Top 25 pitch live at the City of Arts and Sciences, and the winner gains access to Santander X 100, a global community for investment and business growth. Cheque

None Equity

50 Cohort

Valencia, Spain Where

The Startup Competition is run by Valencia Digital Summit. It draws international startups across artificial intelligence, health, biotechnology, sustainability, mobility, fintech, cybersecurity, Industry 4.0, logistics, education and next-generation digital infrastructure, judged on innovation, scalability and impact with Plug and Play as evaluation partner.

Around 50 selected companies get a booth at VDS, event tickets and a stage slot in front of the summit's 800-plus investors. A Top 25 pitch live at the City of Arts and Sciences, and the winner gains access to Santander X 100, a global community for investment and business growth. Participation is non-dilutive.

The 2026 call is closed. It drew 1,560 applications from 87 countries; the Top 50 were announced on 15 July 2026 and the Top 25 pitch at VDS on 21-22 October 2026.

What it actually costs you

ChequeSelected startups receive a booth at VDS, event tickets and a stage slot in front of the summit's 800+ investors. The Top 25 pitch live at the City of Arts and Sciences, and the winner gains access to Santander X 100, a global community for investment and business growth.

Equity takenNone

Market rate for the same chequeInternational startups across artificial intelligence, health, biotechnology, sustainability, mobility, fintech, cybersecurity, Industry 4.0, logistics, education and next-generation digital infrastructure. Entries are judged on innovation, scalability and impact, with Plug and Play as evaluation partner.

Valencia Digital Summit’s competition draws international startups across artificial intelligence, health, biotechnology, sustainability, mobility, fintech, cybersecurity, Industry 4.0, logistics, education and digital infrastructure, judged on innovation, scalability and impact with Plug and Play as evaluation partner. Around 50 selected companies get a booth, tickets and a stage slot before the summit’s 800-plus investors; a Top 25 pitch at the City of Arts and Sciences. The winner joins Santander X 100. Non-dilutive.