The event “Digital Transition and Future Perspectives on the 40th Anniversary of Spain’s EU Membership”, organized by Startup Valencia, in collaboration with Innsomnia and Disruptores and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, gathered today more than 150 professionals from the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Base 2 in La Marina de Valencia. Investors, startups, and institutional representatives discussed the future of digitalization in Europe.
The event featured experts from the European Commission, business leaders, and startup founders, who analyzed the challenges and opportunities of innovation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability in the context of the continent’s digital transformation. According to Nacho Mas “Europe has successfully built a citizen-centred model in which all players in the technological ecosystem play an essential role.”
The institutional opening featured Fernando Escobar, Deputy Director-General for Citizenship, Talent, and Digital Entrepreneurship at the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function, and Juan Luis Hortelano, President of Startup Valencia and founder of Blinkfire. Both emphasized the strategic role of Spain and the Valencia Community in building a common digital future within the European Union.
Throughout the event, Paula Sánchez, CEO of CoCircular; Helena Ortiz, Ecosystem Relation Manager at Opentop Valenciaport Innovation Hub; Javier Arnau, writer at Disruptores – El Español; and Judith Saladrigas, partner at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Area of RCD, discussed the role of startups in the digital and sustainable transition.
The achievements and challenges of Europe in digital matters over the last 40 years were also analyzed, with interventions from Fernando Garrido, Director of the Public Projects Area at EOI School of Industrial Organization, Ministry of Industry and Tourism; David Rosa, Director of Valencia Innovation Capital at the Valencia City Council; Fernando Escobar, Deputy Director-General for Citizenship, Talent, and Digital Entrepreneurship at the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function; and Jackie Sánchez-Molero, Director of AVIA.
Another debate focused on Europe’s position as a global innovation hub and the preparedness of the European entrepreneurial ecosystem to face international competition. The debate panel included Eva Blasco, President of CEV Valencia and CEO of Europa Travel; Miguel Ferrer, Co-founder of Dinamo.io and Senior Advisor at ADIGITAL; Agustín Baeza, Director of Programs and Communication at Fundación ESYS, and Ángela Castelló, CRO of Startup Valencia.
Artificial intelligence and digital transformation in the European economy were also featured in a dialogue between Sandra Figaredo, CEO of Innsomnia and Executive Secretary of AMETIC; Alejandro Valiente, Product Owner of Operations at Iris Global – Grupo Santa Lucía; Malcolm Bain, Partner at Across Legal, and Beatriz Aznar, writer at Disruptores – El Español.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Nacho Mas, CEO & Executive VP of Startup Valencia, who emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration and the role of startups in creating a more digital and competitive Europe.
