The Government of Spain has declared VDS an Event of Exceptional Public Interest, one of the highest forms of institutional recognition granted to strategic initiatives in the country. This measure strengthens VDS’ positioning as an international technology benchmark and consolidates Valencia’s role as one of Europe’s most promising hubs for technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
VDS, the international tech event organised by Startup Valencia since 2018, has been declared an Event of Exceptional Public Interest following its approval by the Council of Ministers.
This declaration places the international tech event organised by Startup Valencia since 2018 within the framework of initiatives recognised for their special economic, social and strategic relevance. It will also enable the application of a specific tax regime for collaborating entities linked to the event. This measure is expected to encourage greater private-sector involvement in the development and international projection of the event.
The president of Startup Valencia, Juan Luis Hortelano, described this recognition as “extremely important news for VDS, for Startup Valencia and for the Valencian technological innovation ecosystem as a whole”.
“This declaration recognises the work carried out over recent years to consolidate VDS as an international platform connecting startups, investors, corporations and institutions. It also reinforces the public-private collaboration that has been key to Valencia gaining prominence as a technology hub in Europe,” Hortelano stated.
The president of Startup Valencia thanked the institutions that have contributed to making this recognition possible, including Valencia City Council, the Generalitat Valenciana and the Government of Spain, which ultimately approved the declaration through the Council of Ministers.
“From the very beginning, we have found a highly positive dialogue and a clear willingness to support a project that has an impact on both Valencia and Spain. The involvement of the administrations concerned has been decisive in enabling this declaration to move forward,” he added.
VDS has established itself as one of Europe’s leading international technology gatherings. Every year, it brings together high-potential startups and scaleups, leading corporations, international investors and global figures from the technology sector in Valencia. The event acts as a meeting point to generate business, investment and collaboration opportunities between Europe, the United States and Latin America.
Since its first edition in 2018, VDS has contributed to positioning Valencia as an international technology hub and to strengthening the entrepreneurial and technological innovation ecosystem of the Valencian Community. Its growth has been accompanied by an increasing presence of international startups, investment funds, major corporations, institutions and technology leaders.
The next edition of VDS will take place on October 21 and 22, 2026, at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. The event expects to bring together more than 12,000 professionals from over 120 countries, 3,000 startups, 1,500 corporations and 800 investors managing more than €300 billion in assets under management.
