VDS opens the call for its eighth international startup competition in Valencia

The VDS Startup Competition, part of the international tech event organized by Startup Valencia, has officially opened its 2025 call. The initiative seeks to identify and showcase the most innovative startups worldwide, offering them the opportunity to present their projects in front of more than 12,000 professionals from 120 countries and 800 investors expected to attend on October 22–23 at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.

Organized in collaboration with Sesamers—a global platform connecting founders, investors, corporates, and tech events across Europe—the competition is open to startups from any part of the world and is divided into two tracks. The Early Stage track targets tech startups that are self-funded or have raised up to Series A, founded between 2020 and 2025, with fewer than 50 employees and focused on the development or commercialization of software or hardware products. The Growth Stage track is designed for growing startups with external funding between Series A and C, founded between 2010 and 2025, with fewer than 100 employees and also focused on software or hardware products.

Startups may select up to two subcategories that align with the sectors they operate in and the technologies they develop. The five verticals are: Digital Transformation & Business Solutions, Consumer Technologies & Services, Social Impact & Sustainability, Media & Entertainment, and Deep Tech & Emerging Technologies. The application period will remain open until June 27, 2025.

After the selection process, the 50 semi-finalists will be notified in early July. A prestigious international jury will then select ten finalists—five from each track—who will pitch their projects live on the main stage of VDS 2025. The two winning startups will receive an exhibition space at the next edition of VDS, international media coverage, and access to key investors.

The VDS Startup Competition has become a key platform for tech startups looking to scale and connect with the global innovation ecosystem. For this edition, Startup Valencia aims to surpass the more than 800 applications from 65 countries submitted in 2024, when HULO.ai (Netherlands) and Smart Point (Spain) were named winners in the Early Stage and Growth Stage categories, respectively.

As Juan Luis Hortelano, President of Startup Valencia, explains: “The VDS Startup Competition is much more than a contest. In this eighth edition, we reaffirm our commitment to entrepreneurship and technology as drivers of economic transformation. VDS has become a strategic meeting point where the world’s most disruptive startups connect with investors, corporates, and international leaders. We want Valencia to play an active role in the global growth of tech entrepreneurship.”

VDS 2025

VDS 2025 is set to inspire the world with its theme of ‘Symbiosis’, exploring how collaboration and connection between entrepreneurs, technology, and innovation can generate transformative impact for the future. The theme was born from the unprecedented solidarity shown in the aftermath of the floods that hit Valencia in October 2024. The coordinated response from society demonstrated how collaboration can accelerate the recovery of affected areas. Within this context, VDS 2025 will launch the Tech for Resilience Program, a Startup Valencia initiative to drive tech-based solutions that prevent and mitigate the impact of natural disasters, showing how innovation can make a difference when it matters most.

The event will also delve into trends and advancements in deep tech and emerging technologies reshaping how we interact with the world, ranging from artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity, to virtual and augmented reality, quantum computing, nanotechnology, and photonics. In addition, VDS 2025 will address key challenges such as sustainability, the future of cities, consumer tech, talent, and health, offering a comprehensive view of how technology is shaping the society and future we are building.

About VDS

VDS is one of Europe’s leading international tech events. Organized by Startup Valencia, it has positioned Valencia as a globally relevant tech hub since its first edition in 2018, attracting industry leaders, top startups, and visionary investors from around the world. Year after year, VDS drives innovation, fosters collaboration, and contributes to the development of a vibrant and sustainable tech ecosystem.

The latest edition, held in 2024, broke records for international attendance. Of the 12,000 professionals who participated, over 4,000 came from 110 different countries. The event gathered investors managing more than €250 billion in private capital and attracted over 3,000 startups, consolidating VDS as a global benchmark in innovation and tech entrepreneurship.

Speakers included 600 global leaders such as Steve Chen (Co-founder of YouTube), Randi Zuckerberg (Founder & CEO of Zuckerberg Media and HUG), Juan Antonio Samaranch (Vice President, International Olympic Committee), Constantijn van Oranje (Prince of the Netherlands and Special Envoy at Techleap), and Diana Morant (Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities).

About Startup Valencia

Startup Valencia is the leading association for startups and scaleups in the Valencian Community and one of the largest entrepreneurial communities in Spain, with over 35,000 members. It connects founders at similar growth stages, offering a shared space and a strong sense of belonging. Its mission is to boost tech entrepreneurship, support the growth of startups, and foster a knowledge-based economy with positive, sustainable impact.

Startup Valencia collaborates with key players in the ecosystem including GoHub Ventures (Global Omnium), BStartup (Banco Sabadell), Wayra (Telefónica Group), Elewit (Redeia/Red Eléctrica), Zeus, Plug and Play, HP, BBVA Spark, Marina de Empresas, Banco Santander, Innsomnia, CaixaBank DayOne, Naturgy, Sesame, RCD, Damm, Aktion, Google for Startups, Zubi Group, OVHcloud, Opentop (Valenciaport Innovation Hub), Internxt, Tbig Finance, Next Tier Ventures, and Across Legal, among others.