The main economic stakeholders of the Valencian Community officially formed the Institutional Committee of VDS today, the international technology event organized by Startup Valencia, which will hold its seventh edition on October 23 and 24 at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
The meeting, held at the Science Museum, was attended by Felipe Carrasco, Regional Secretary for Industry, Trade, and Consumer Affairs; Paula Llobet, Councilor for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction; Rosa Donat, Vice-Rector of the University of Valencia; José Capilla, Rector of the Polytechnic University of Valencia; Antonio Torregrosa, General Director of the Valenciaport Foundation; José Vicente Morata, President of the Valencia Chamber of Commerce; Fernando Saludes, President of REDIT, and Enrique Soto, Director of the LAB Foundation; along with Juan Luis Hortelano and Nacho Mas, President and CEO of Startup Valencia, respectively.
The objective of this committee is to create a space to share the balance and impact of VDS on the valencian economy, as well as to share the perspective of the main institutional agents of the Valencian Community who share the goal of developing a knowledge-based economy in the region, retaining and attracting qualified talent, and achieving investment through the international promotion of the innovative ecosystem.
Juan Luis Hortelano, President of Startup Valencia, stated that “VDS is the technology event that best returns investment to the local economy and has significantly contributed to positioning the Valencian Community as an international technology destination. Analyzing its evolution and cooperating with various institutional agents to continue promoting its values is key to the competitiveness of our region.”
The committee positively assessed the involvement of universities, public administrations, technological institutes, and business associations, as well as the economic impact of 12.3 million euros from the previous edition. The growing internationalization of the event was also highlighted, with challenges including enhancing the involvement of traditional businesses to explore open innovation with startups, which more and more companies are successfully experiencing.
The Institutional Committee is composed of Juan Luis Hortelano, President of Startup Valencia; Patricia Pastor, President of VDS; Nuria Montes, Regional Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade, and Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana; Juan Ramón Adsuara, Deputy of Innovation of the Provincial Council of Valencia; Paula Llobet, Councilor for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction; Santiago Lumbreras, President of the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia; Mavi Mestre, Rector of the University of Valencia; José Capilla, Rector of the Polytechnic University of Valencia; Mar Chao, President of the Port of Valencia; José Vicente Morata, President of the Valencia Chamber of Commerce; Fernando Saludes, President of REDIT, Héctor Dominguis, President of the LAB Mediterranean Foundation, and Nacho Mas, CEO of Startup Valencia.
The group is expected to meet periodically, and its members will participate in the delegation, along with authorities, attending the inaugural session by the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, the President of the Provincial Council, and the Mayor of Valencia. They will also visit the main projects in the exhibition area.
