Startup Valencia and Innovation Quarter, the economic development agency of Zuid-Holland province, which includes major cities such as The Haya and Rotterdam, have signed a collaboration agreement to boost startup expansion, provide access to cutting-edge infrastructure, and promote talent mobility between the two regions. This initiative highlights the importance of cross-border collaborations in the European innovation sector.
The agreement was signed during the seventh edition of VDS, recently held in Valencia, at the Netherlands TechConnect Breakfast event. Key attendees included Constantijn van Oranje, Special Envoy of Techleap; Roel Nieuwenkamp, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Spain; Chris van Voorden, Director of Foreign Investments & Trade at Innovation Quarter; Paula Llobet, Councilor for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction at Valencia City Council; Nacho Mas, CEO of Startup Valencia; Juan Luis Hortelano, President of Startup Valencia; and Krloos Rivera, Strategic Advisor and Director of Government Affairs at Startup Valencia.
This partnership aligns with the strategic growth of Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ second-largest city and home to Europe’s biggest port. Rotterdam has established itself as a hub for innovation and international trade. With over 1,600 active startups, the Rotterdam-The Hague business ecosystem employs more than 25,000 people and has developed leading clusters in advanced logistics, life sciences, and cleantech—key sectors for Europe’s transition to a digital and sustainable economy.
During the agreement signing, Nacho Mas emphasized “the crucial role this partnership can play for both regions.” He stated, “This alliance with Innovation Quarter is a key step in enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of our startups on the European stage. By connecting with such a well-established tech and innovation ecosystem as Rotterdam’s, we provide our startups with access to top-tier infrastructure, enabling not only their international growth but also their ability to attract talent and capital in a digitized and sustainable environment.”
Krloos Rivera added that for Startup Valencia, “this agreement is a springboard for fostering sustainable and adaptable collaboration that will benefit our communities as they face complex global challenges. Rotterdam’s innovation model is inspiring and showcases the power of alliances in building a resilient, future-ready economy.”
