Marta Gironés

Jackie Sánchez-Molero (AVIA Automotive and Mobility Cluster): "VDS2023 offers an unparalleled framework to maximize the development of intelligent mobility"

For those who may still be unfamiliar, what is the Mobility Innovation Valencia event?

MIV 23 is the event dedicated to promoting sustainable and intelligent mobility. It was established in 2021 by the Automotive and Mobility Cluster (AVIA) of the Valencian Community. Its primary aim is to highlight the potential of the region’s innovative, technological, and productive ecosystem, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders such as companies, technology institutes, universities, and innovative entities.

Tell us a bit about the event's trajectory in recent years.

During its inaugural edition, the event received support from the Ministry of Productive Sectors and Sustainable Economy and featured a well-curated programme  that showcased projects related to sustainable and intelligent mobility. The inclusion of exhibition areas, presentation sessions, and a space for B2B meetings infused the event with a dynamic energy.

In the following year, the event underwent a significant transformation and was relocated to the City of Arts and Sciences. This served as a catalyst for the participation of over 40 companies, including prominent entities within the automotive sector, tech-based firms, and mobility startups.

Notably, the event featured presentations and pitches that allowed us to share innovations, ideas, and projects with over 1000 attendees. Theoverwhelming success of the second edition solidified commitments from various companies and institutions to participate in the third edition. Additionally, the collaborative efforts between AVIA and Startup Valencia resulted in the integration of a dedicated space for emerging companies within the mobility sector, further strengthening the symbiotic relationship between the two organizations.

What role does the innovation ecosystem play in this event?

It is crucial. The current state of the automotive and mobility sector cannot be imagined without innovation. With the anticipated disruptive changes now manifesting, the integration of innovative strategies has become a prerequisite for companies to avoid obsolescence. Within the Automotive and Mobility Cluster of the Valencian Community, we understand innovation in a broad sense, encompassing not only the optimisation of production processes and products to increase competitiveness and sustainability, but also the integration of cutting-edge technological applications that are reshaping the landscape of mobility. The Mobility Innovation Valencia event stands as a platform dedicated to showcasing the innovations of all stakeholders in this field.

Given the significant presence of startups in the Valencian mobility sector, what advantages are associated with hosting the event within the framework of VDS2023?

We believe it's a wise decision. Startups bring a sense of agility and versatility to established companies, and in turn, established companies contribute startups with their extensive experience and robust structures. Furthermore, the digital and technological setting provided by VDS2023 acts as an ideal catalyst, propelling the development of intelligent mobility towards its full potential.

In what ways do these events complement each other, and how can MIV 2023 capitalise on the strengths of Valencia Digital Summit?

Mobility Innovation Valencia was originally designed for companies and entities involved in sustainable mobility. By being held alongside VDS, we believe it opens up many opportunities for collaboration between companies from various complementary sectors, thereby fostering an environment conducive to generating fresh ideas and innovative projects.

Moreover, recognising the significant success of VDS last year in attracting over 10,000 attendees, we anticipate a sustained or increased turnout this year, which benefits all parties.

What type of content can attendees expect to see at the event?

AVIA is proud to present a diverse lineup of companies and institutions eager to showcase their developments in sustainable mobility. The event will feature presentations and keynotes covering a wide range of topics, from cybersecurity to plastronics, energy supply access points, and new advancements in battery technology. These sessions will be spread across two days, interspersed with scheduled meetings and interactions between the participating companies supported by AVIA. It's worth noting that on Wednesday the 25th, AVIA will host a meeting with an automotive and mobility cluster from Finland that will be attending the MIV Event.

The session, titled "Tech for mobility: AVIA International Matchmaking event", will take place at the Innovation Center of Las Naves Centre d'Innovació Social i Urbana.

Reflecting on your participation in past editions of Valencia Digital Summit, what has been your experience, and how would you describe its evolution since 2018?

At AVIA, we believe that Startup Valencia has done an exceptional job at managing this event, even amid the challenges posed by the pandemic. It has successfully positioned Valencia Digital Summit as an international benchmark in innovation, technology, and startups, and turned it into a domestically and globally renowned event. We are proud to be strategic partners for the upcoming sixth edition of VDS2023 and look forward to contributing to its continued success.

by Marta Gironés

How to get to VDS2023?

Valencia Digital Summit, the region's internationally recognised flagship tech event, is just around the corner, and it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss. A gathering point for startups, entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors, VDS2023 can pride itself on being exceptionally well-connected. 

Whether you choose to travel by land, sea, or air, we’ll guide you on how to reach Valencia Digital Summit, which takes place on the 26th and 27th of October at the City of Arts and Sciences. Along the way, you’ll also discover the exclusive benefits available to you as an attendee at one of Southern Europe’s most important tech events.

Valencia: a city open to the world

Valencia stands proudly among Spain's major regional capitals. Its Mediterranean location, industrial presence, and tourist appeal have forged strong connections for the city, both domestically and internationally.

In our quest to make your journey, stay, and attendance at VDS2023 as hassle-free as possible, we’ve partnered with a trusted travel agency. Thanks to Consultia Travel, you can efficiently organise your trip and optimise your travel and accommodation choices. 

If you choose to fly to Valencia with Iberia, Iberia Express or Iberia Regional Air Nostrum,  Valencia Digital Summit has a special offer for you. You can enjoy discounted prices on all Iberia flights to and from Valencia for the seven days preceding and following the event by using the discount code "VDS2023".

For attendees travelling to Valencia Digital Summit by train, there’s a 5% discount available on Renfe's AVE – Larga Distancia service when arriving or departing from Valencia's Joaquín Sorolla train station. To take advantage of this discount, simply complete the form in the "Getting There" section of the VDS website.

To make your stay more comfortable and transform your attendance at Valencia Digital Summit into a unique experience, we’ve established a collaborative partnership with Stayingvalencia. This hotel chain boasts six hotels, five tourist apartment buildings, and five restaurants across Valencia. These spaces prioritise design and quality, offering you the perfect place to “recharge” between event days. You can enjoy a 25% discount by using the code "VDS2023"  when booking on their website, 

All roads lead to Valencia Digital Summit

Once you’ve arrived in the city, it's time to make your way to the heart of the action: the City of Arts and Sciences, the venue for Valencia Digital Summit. As we consistently emphasise, Valencia is an accessible and welcoming city, boasting a robust public transport network that makes getting around exceptionally easy.

Here's a crucial detail: VDS2023 is being held within the Science Museum, located inside the City of Arts and Sciences, at Avenida del Profesor López Piñero, 7. This is the address you should enter into your GPS if you’re driving or provide to the driver taking you there.

FREENOW is offering a generous 50% discount per person per trip, valid for up to four trips, to help you attend the event. Simply remember to apply the code "VDS2023XFN" when booking your ride through the app.

Additionally, Cabify is extending an even greater discount of 60%, with a cap of 10€ per trip, valid for up to four trips throughout the event’s two days. Enter the code "VDS2023" in the "CABIFY" app and/or the website to take advantage of this discount.

If you are more into cycling, you can also go by e-bike with the special Kleta discount.

If you’re arriving in your own vehicle, enjoy our exclusive rates at the City of Arts and Sciences car park: €5 for 3 hours, €7 for 12 hours, and €24 per day for stays exceeding 12 hours.

For those opting for public transport, EMT bus lines 13, 15, 19, 24, 25, 35, 40, 94, 95 and 99, as well as Metrovalencia line 10 (Ciudad Artes y Ciencias - Justicia station), will smoothly transport you to the Valencia Digital Summit venue. 

While they say all roads lead to Rome, it’s clear from this post that all roads are leading straight to Valencia Digital Summit. Make the most of these exclusive discounts and start planning your trip to ensure you won’t miss a single moment of VDS2023’s action-packed programme.

We look forward to seeing you there!

by Marta Gironés

Valencia Digital Summit fosters university talent with The Challenge

Valencia Digital Summit (VDS2023) will serve as a catalyst for fostering an innovative culture within the university landscape and talent through The Challenge. This project is a joint effort between UPV and Startup Valencia, with the support of HP, the Valencia City Council, Valencia Activa and VLC Tech City, and made possible by Curiosibot. The primary aims of the initiative are to empower participants to develop their skills by engaging in hackathon-style challenges, and to give them the opportunity to develop and present innovative products and services that provide solutions to contemporary issues.

The competition welcomes both professionals and undergraduate, postgraduate or PhD students from any public or private university within the Valencian Community. There are no age restrictions or prerequisites for prior experience. Registrations will remain open until the 2nd of October.

Selected participants will not only have the chance to showcase their projects with a pitch on one of the main stages of VDS2023 at the City of Arts and Sciences, but they will also be in the running for a financial prize, courtesy of HP’s collaboration. Additionally, they will have the valuable opportunity to network with startups and prestigious organisations present at the international tech event, set to take place on the 26th and 27th October.

The deadline for registrations is Monday, the 2nd of October. From the 3rd to the 10th of October, teams will be formed and the challenges assigned. The hackathon itself is scheduled for the 18th of October, during which participants will be able to engage with prominent organisations including HP, BStartup Banco Sabadell, GoHub Ventures, Fresh People, Marina de Empresas, Fundación ValenciaPort, Banco Santander, and the Valencia City Council.

The most recent edition of The Challenge brought together 46 students from various universities, forming 9 teams that each presented their innovative solutions to tackle the challenges outlined in the fifth edition of VDS: Ignition, Growth, Transformation and Sustainability.

The winning teams, Viejos Amigos, BlueChange and GreenCam, all designed projects aimed at improving people’s lives and creating value for society.

by Marta Gironés