Valencia positions itself as a global innovation hub ahead of a two-day gathering that concentrates tech deal flow and investor attention. The program combines competitive pitching, focused meetings and sector tracks at the City of Arts and Sciences.
Dates and venue for VDS 2026
VDS 2026 takes place from October 21 to 22, 2026 at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. The venue hosts stages, demo areas and one to one meeting spaces designed for a dense business schedule.
Key numbers for this edition
This edition mobilizes significant volumes. It brings together over 12,000 attendees from more than 120 countries and connects some 3,000 startups and scaleups with over 1,500 corporates. More than 800 investors attend and the event facilitates upwards of 2,500 meetings.
Sectors and company profiles on site
Tracks cover AI and deep tech, Climate & Energy, Defense & Aerospace, Health, Mobility & Logistics and Digital Wealth. The mix ranges from early-stage startups offering prototypes to scaleups pursuing Series A and beyond, alongside corporate teams scouting partnerships and pilots.
Programs and formats worth prioritizing
The program includes the VDS Startup Competition with Top 25 and Top 50 finalists, dedicated tracks such as VDS AI and VDS Defense and curated investor and business lounges. Pitch stages and a scheduling app enable targeted exposure and private meetings.
Making the most of pitch slots and one to one meetings
Book pitch slots with a concise value statement and three metrics showing traction. Use the official app to preselect matches and send a short objective message before each meeting. Aim for a clear next step per meeting such as a technical demo, pilot agreement or term sheet discussion.
Commercial outreach tactics
Approach outreach in three stages. First, segment prospects by vertical and decision role. Second, prioritize investors and corporate innovation leads aligned with your stage. Third, execute a structured post-event follow up with tailored proposals tied to in-person conversations.
Practical tools for field teams
- A 60-second pitch template tailored to corporates and investors.
- Hour-by-hour agenda to maximize meeting throughput.
- Contact cards with key indicators to speed post-event qualification.
Final reflection and next steps
VDS 2026 concentrates international startup-corporate-investor interactions into a compact timeline that supports dealmaking and pilot launches. Prepare focused messages, a tight meeting schedule and a clear follow-up plan to convert interactions into commitments. Official information, registration and participation options are available at https://vds.tech/ where you can secure tickets and check exhibitor and investor participation.
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