TNW Valencia has arrived! Here are some highlights from Day 1
TNW Valencia is finally here! Founders, investors, business leaders and tech enthusiasts descended on the Valencia Marina this morning to discover the next in tech, now. Before long, the location – nestled between the historic downtown area and the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean – was buzzing with talks, deals, pitches and a whole lot of fun.
TNW Valencia is officially open! Are #Time4Valencia and you are all invited to enjoy the @Financial times #technical festival and to discover the Valencian innovative ecosystem.
Let the future of technology surprise you! ???????? pic.twitter.com/e1oAse7yEF
— VLC Tech City (@VLCTechCity) March 29, 2023
The conversations covered everything from funding secrets to industry spotlights, keynote speeches, startup battles, panel discussions, workshops, fireside chats and much more. Actually too many to attend it all – but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Read on for a few highlights.
Our MC for the event, the award-winning Oison Lunny, kicked off with a call for connections in Valencia’s tech sector. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. If you want to go fast AND far, go as part of an ecosystem,” he said.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. If you want to go fast AND far, go as part of an ecosystem.
The opening speech was followed by a battle between the most promising startups in Valencia. There were some seriously impressive pitches and the winners will face each other in the final tomorrow.
On the first day, the role of ecosystems was a recurring theme. Phill Robinson, the CEO of Boardwave, explained how Europe can replicate Silicon Valley’s famous network effects, while Erwin Verstraelen, Digital Head of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, revealed why he founded ‘The Beacon’, an IOT ecosystem of startups , scale-ups, and researchers to stimulate innovation.
Many of the startups present have plans for global expansion, but the conference speakers emphasized that they need local roots. Speaking at a talk titled “Going global: a VC’s guide to Preparation for International Investment,” CaixaBank DayOne’s Vanessa Palmer said startups need people “who work locally in that country and understand that market.”
We’re here at ‘Going global: a VC’s guide to Preparation for International Investment’ #TNWValencia. For startups to succeed abroad, says @vpalmerbcnthey need to have people “who work locally in that country and understand that market”. pic.twitter.com/UEY39dsY3Z
— TNW (@australiabusinessblog.com) March 30, 2023
The balance was concisely summarized by one of the contenders in the startup pitch battle.“Our base is in Spain, but our focus is global,” said Mario García-Granero, CEO and co-founder of To feed.
Amid the rush to innovate and grow, event attendees often spoke of the importance of technology for good, particularly in the area of sustainability. “We need to accelerate,” said Raquel Espada, sustainability leader at Schneider Electric in Spain. We don’t have time. There’s climate change going on, there’s a forest fire near here and it’s 30 degrees [centrigrade] in March.”
Arguably one of the most inspiring moments of the day was when endurance athlete and Barcelona ambassador Alex Roca took the stage to share his unique take on perseverance against all odds.
We could go on and on about the highlights of Day 1, but you won’t have time to enjoy tonight’s festivities and side events. See you tomorrow for another day at TNW València. Click here to discover what’s on the agenda.
