We now know the 50 startup finalists of the VDS Startup Competition. This edition has broken participation records, consolidating itself as one of the most relevant international startup competitions in Europe. A total of 1,246 startups from 84 countries submitted their candidacy to take part in the eighth edition of VDS, the international tech event organised by Startup Valencia that will be held on 22 and 23 October at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
The VDS Startup Competition, organized in collaboration with Sesamers, a global platform that connects founders, investors, corporates, and tech events across Europe, aims to find the most disruptive and innovative startups in the world, those with outstanding potential that contribute to the positive impact of the technological revolution on society.
From all the applicants, the VDS international jury has selected the Top 50. 64% of the finalists come from outside Spain, representing 22 countries, with the United Kingdom, the United States, Portugal leading the way, followed by Ukraine, Italy, Estonia and Denmark.
Regarding development stages, 36% of the finalists are at the Seed stage, 34% at Series A, and 14% still at Pre-Seed, showing a balanced mix of emerging projects and established startups looking to scale.
Transformative technologies
Artificial Intelligence is the technology that tops the list in this Top 50, present in nearly 65% of the selected startups, followed by Big Data and Machine Learning and Cloud Computing. Also noteworthy is the presence of technologies applied to industry such as Systems Integration and Advanced Manufacturing.
The sectors in which these startups operate reflect the future challenges of society and the responses offered by the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Standout solutions include Cleantech / Energy / Sustainability (32%), Software Development (26%), and progress in Health, Wellness and Medtech (20%). The Hardware and Enterprise / Business sectors also hold a relevant presence.
The road to VDS 2025
From these Top 50 startups, the jury will select ten finalists, five Early Stage and five Growth Stage, to present their projects on VDS’s main stage on 22 October before more than 12,000 professionals attending the tech summit. After these presentations, the two winning startups—one early and one growth—will be designated and announced. They will receive various prizes, including an exhibition space for VDS 2026 and will benefit from the networking and business-promotion opportunities offered by an international event like VDS.
It will be a unique opportunity to boost visibility and foster the connection between talent, innovation and capital.
The 50 startup finalist
– ADBioplastics. Valencian startup dedicated to manufacturing additives and bioplastics to improve the mechanical properties of virgin PLA.
– Ainwater. Chilean startup combining AI and digital twins to optimise and save on industrial and wastewater treatment
– Altum Sequencing. Biotech company specialising in liquid biopsy and minimal residual disease assessment
– Arkadia Space. Startup that designs, develops and markets engines and propulsion systems based on green propellants.
– Bit&R. Educational platform for children based on AI to learn programming through play
– BloodFlow. AI-driven automation for healthcare
– Bluease. Enables companies to calculate their corporate carbon footprint, assess sustainability and prescribe an improvement plan
– Breakevent. Tech solution for event organisation
– CETO Innovation. Develops next-generation predictive-maintenance technology for district heating systems
– Ciudadela. First Service-as-a-Software model based on artificial intelligence for administrative firms
– Credefi. A DeFi platform bridging traditional finance and crypto through asset-backed loans, on-chain credit scoring, staking, and NFT bonds.
– Dana Assist. Platform designed to reduce administrative workload in healthcare, allowing professionals to focus on patient care
– Deliverance Enterprises. Startup that improves people’s quality of life by offering innovative tech solutions
– E3A HEALTHCARE PTE LTD. Aims to transform women’s health through innovative, non-invasive, AI-based medical devices
– EASHIP. Transport-management tool for manufacturers
– EVR Motors. Developed an electric motor that delivers superior power and performance while weighing less than half the latest-generation RFPM motors
– Exclusible. Innovative studio for videogames and immersive technology
– Fastfest. Designs and supplies innovative tech products to organisers of large-scale events
– FoodFix Tech Ltd. World’s first social platform designed to turn recipe inspiration into real meals effortlessly
– HEMFH. Startup building customised amphibious all-terrain flying vehicles
– Hoop Carpool. Mobility solution enabling efficient, sustainable car-sharing among company employees
– Hotel Treats. Allows the world’s most prestigious hotels to sell and distribute luxury gift vouchers and experiences online
– iPremom. FemTech medical company developing molecular tests for early diagnosis of gestational diseases
– IXON. Helps machinery manufacturers streamline operations and enhance services with secure gateways, remote access, customer portals and data dashboards.
– Key2enable. Company creating innovative multifunctional digital-accessibility tools enabling communication, learning and inclusion for people with physical, intellectual and learning disabilities and other conditions affecting movement, speech or understanding
– Kreios Space SL. Startup developing an electric-propulsion system for satellites
– Latitudo 40. Platform converting satellite images into geospatial information for daily decision-making
– Les Amis. An app that connects people through real-life experiences, encouraging authentic and meaningful interactions.
– LUDA Partners. Innovative neural network facilitating communication between pharmacies to locate medicines with supply issues
– Manie. Startup offering tools to optimise energy consumption and price, contributing to a more sustainable future
– MELT WATER. Social-listening solution to keep companies abreast of key conversations and optimise digital and marketing strategy
– Mlnetworks. Helps telecom companies design, operate and optimise their networks smarter through an all-in-one data platform
– Nampya Farmers Market. Digital platform organised for an efficient, fair, transparent and formal agri-food market in Nampya
– Oriane. Enables creators, brands and agencies to discover the true reach and value of their content.
– PowerUP Energy Technologies. Provides clean, portable power via hydrogen fuel-cell backup generators for industries including construction, telecoms, security & defence, healthcare and more
– Seenapse. Gives creatives hundreds of divergent ideas in minutes, combining human lateral thinking with AI speed
– Shouter ApS. Mobile app allowing users to post tasks and receive offers from verified Doers, making it easy to find help for a wide range of services
– simXAR LTD (trading as XARlabs). Cutting-edge mixed-reality simulations and platforms designed for medical professionals
– Sol Navitas. Designs and manufactures solar-powered ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality and reduce energy use with clean, innovative solutions
– Spacebackend. End-to-end cloud platform for satellite and payload companies, streamlining payload integration, testing and remote operations in LEO, on the Moon and beyond
– Spendbase. Expense-management platform designed to optimise your costs
– SPHERICAL. Semiconductor design to build electronic subsystems for the aerospace industry
– STIK. App for creating and transforming everyday objects on social media
– TaxDown. Spanish startup making life easier for all taxpayers by maximising tax optimisation
– TaxZap. Connects directly to users’ bank accounts via Open Banking, using AI to automatically identify and categorise business expenses
– TechnoCarbon. Thanks to its innovative Pierre-Carbone (CarbonFibreStone) technology, has developed and patented a family of high-performance materials
– Vermut. Easy-to-use platform for people aged 55+ to actively interact, join and create activities
– Zefi. Customer-analytics platform
– Zibra AI Inc. Ukrainian advanced-technology company developing AI-based solutions for visual effects and 3D creation for videogames, TV, film and more.
– &VOLUME. Develops AI agents that autonomously manage digital asset portfolios. No custody, full transparency, and a hands-off experience.
