At a key moment for positioning the Valencian Community as one of Southern Europe’s main innovation and technology hubs, Startup Valencia has renewed and expanded its Board of Directors led by Juan Luis Hortelano with a composition that reinforces its commitment to plural, expert representation connected to the realities of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Since its foundation, the association has played a central role in energizing the regional startup environment, fostering connections among entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, universities, and institutions. In recent years, this role has intensified through the promotion of strategic initiatives such as VDS, now consolidated as one of the leading international tech events.
With this new stage, Startup Valencia strengthens its role as a strategic agent of the innovation ecosystem, focusing its action on six main goals: strengthening the active representation of founders in the design of public policies; projecting the Valencian Community internationally as a tech hub; attracting national and international investment; consolidating VDS as a reference event in Europe; promoting open innovation and technology transfer; and developing talent and diversity programs focused on young people, women founders, and high-potential tech profiles.
Juan Luis Hortelano, co-founder of Blinkfire Analytics, was unanimously re-elected yesterday as president of Startup Valencia at the association’s General Assembly. The new Board of Directors includes ten new high-level profiles, founders of tech and innovative startups, who join eleven returning members. This configuration responds to a long-term vision aimed at sustainable growth, internationalization, and the competitiveness of the Valencian ecosystem. The new leadership team reflects notable sectoral diversity, with strong representation in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, blockchain, fintech, health, sustainability, mobility, and deeptech.
Among the new members are David Pistoni (Zeleros), international reference in advanced mobility through Hyperloop; David Ortega (Bit2Me & Dekalabs), driver of the blockchain revolution from Spain and developer of high-impact digital solutions; Raquel Valero (PlayFilm), pioneer in interactive audiovisual technology applied to marketing; Antonio G. Asturiano (Aktion Legal), legal reference in the field of startups, investors, and corporations; Clara Fernández (Progevita), biotech entrepreneur focused on longevity and health; Marta Zaragozá (Declarando), leader in tax automation for freelancers; Reinerio Agüeria (Controliza), expert in industrial automation; Pilar Mateo (Women Paint Too), scientist and entrepreneur globally recognized for her social impact on public health; Vicente Ruiz (Tbig Finance), specialist in smart data analysis and financial strategy; and Nacho Mas (Startup Valencia), promoter of the Valencian startup ecosystem and VDS over the past decade.
As for the returning members, they include Fran Villalba (Internxt), reference in private cloud and decentralization; Juan M. Climent (Adian), agricultural technology entrepreneur with global experience in B2B SaaS; Javier Megias (Frenetic), investor and specialist in deeptech and venture capital; Juan Luis Hortelano (Blinkfire Analytics), key figure in the ecosystem with a broad trajectory in international scaling; Judith Saladrigas (RCD), lawyer with great experience in knowledge transfer and public-private collaboration; Juan Cartagena (RX Longevity), entrepreneur focused on innovative solutions for longevity; Hugo Mira (Mojito360), expert in traceability and logistics efficiency; Antonio Huerta (Secture), specialist in industrial cybersecurity and generative AI; Diego Moya (Vibex Ventures), investor focused on sustainable cities and lifestyle; Fernando Marzal (Zubi Labs), promoter of early-stage startups; and Víctor P. Armani (BigBuy), reference in scalable e-commerce and omnichannel strategies.
The organizational structure for the new term is defined with Juan Luis Hortelano as president, accompanied by five vice presidencies: Nacho Mas (executive vice president), Fran Villalba (vice president of founder relations), Javier Megias (vice president of investor relations), Pilar Mateo (vice president of impact), and Juan M. Climent (vice president of strategy). Judith Saladrigas continues as secretary and Vicente Ruiz joins as treasurer.
The 2025–2030 Board of Directors reflects the dynamism, global ambition, and transformative commitment of the Valencian tech ecosystem and marks the beginning of a new phase of consolidation and expansion toward a more competitive, digital, and sustainable economy.
A driving organization for the Valencian tech sector
The new composition of the Board of Directors was approved at the General Assembly of members held yesterday at the association’s new headquarters located in Base 2, La Marina de Valencia. Additionally, the members’ meeting served to present Startup Valencia’s strategic evolution. As a driving force in the Valencian tech sector, the entity brings together a community of more than 45,000 professionals, 360 members, and hosts over 200 events and activities annually.
With the aim of positioning the Valencian tech ecosystem globally, Startup Valencia has established numerous international alliances over the years. The organization currently has strategic agreements with innovation ecosystems in Amsterdam, Tallinn, Miami, Lisbon, Medellín, Munich, Copenhagen, and Rotterdam.
During the Assembly, the annual accounts were also approved, with revenues exceeding 3 million euros— a figure that, as highlighted by Juan Luis Hortelano, president of Startup Valencia, “establishes the organization as one of the main private business associations in the national landscape.”
Additionally, Hortelano shared with Startup Valencia members the initiatives and projects the association has developed to support those affected by the DANA, as well as the highlights of the eighth edition of VDS, to be held on October 22 and 23 at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. Under the theme Symbiosis, this international tech event will explore how collaboration and connection through technology and innovation can address and transform the major global challenges of our society.
