As a pioneering tech company in Silicon Valley, what role does HP play in the digital revolution?
Since the beginning of the company, we have been strong advocates of innovation, with a particular focus on digitization. There are several examples throughout our history, such as being the first company to launch a PC in the market or developing inkjet technology for printers. Currently, we are investing in various areas such as 3D printing technology, virtual reality (VR) to enhance activities like product development, employee training, simulation of tours, and immersive experiences, as well as a robotic solution developed by the team in Valencia that automates the digital design process on the ground in construction projects easily.
One of HP’s main purposes is to accelerate innovation and create a positive impact through the development of technologies that improve people’s lives. What actions are you taking to achieve that goal?
At HP, we have several objectives in this regard. One is to democratize access to digitization by facilitating the connection between the digital and physical aspects of people’s lives. Another is to apply these technologies to provide solutions in hospital or pharmaceutical environments that accelerate research cycles. Finally, we innovate to reduce the climate impact of these products by ensuring high energy efficiency during their use and applying circular design principles to make them more sustainable.
VDS2023 has brought together over 12,000 professionals from 91 countries. How do events like VDS contribute to creating and strengthening synergies and relationships between companies?
The different sessions that take place in the main event and those happening simultaneously on specific topics greatly help in identifying companies with potential areas for collaboration.
What led you to collaborate with VDS2023? What are your impressions regarding this 6th edition?
The fact that we are repeating our collaboration confirms that we see it as a vehicle to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, which aligns perfectly with our open innovation strategy. It allows us to quickly access a large number of diverse companies. The organization maintained the impeccable level of the previous edition. We have seen significant growth in international startups and a more advanced state of maturity. We have already initiated contacts with several startups and corporations that we hope to solidify in the coming weeks.
What role do international technology events like Valencia Digital Summit play in fostering the innovative ecosystem?
Undoubtedly, they create a direct line for entrepreneurs and investors to collaborate. They also facilitate a more fluid exchange of experiences and the generation of new ideas, which is more challenging in a remote format. The international nature of the event greatly helps in identifying new trends or solutions that have not been identified yet.
The innovative and technological ecosystem in Valencia has positioned itself as a reference hub in southern Europe. Why do you think Valencia continues to grow exponentially year after year? What sets Valencia apart from other prominent hubs?
It’s a combination of several factors: there is a solid base of startups at different levels of maturity, a great pool of talent in local universities, and the attractiveness of the city with its quality of life. The main difference compared to other hubs is the unified focus of all the agents that help grow the ecosystem: the university, entrepreneurial hubs, government, large companies… Together, they create a positive dynamic that positions it as a highly attractive location.
