Spain

Valencia

#81-90

Emerging Startup Ecosystem
Members: Valencia Innovation Capital

Top 35

European Ecosystem in Affordable Talent

Top 30

Europe Ecosystem in Performance
València looks to the future with ambition: we aim to establish ourselves as the Mediterranean hub of innovation, a vibrant city where ideas become impact, talent thrives, and investment drives startups that change the world.
Paula Llobet
Paula Llobet
Councillor for Innovation of València City Council

Highlights

Valencia's startup ecosystem is thriving, growing 15.45% to 1,517 startups and generating 20,022 jobs in 2024, compared to 2023. Strategically located on the Mediterranean, it offers strong connectivity and a business-friendly environment. With 21% of startups in AI, nanotechnology, and cybersecurity, Valencia is solidifying its status as a global tech hub.

The Invest in València Program, led by the City Council and Chamber of Commerce, attracted 24 companies in 2024, creating over 1,500 jobs and €149 million in economic impact over two years.

In December 2024, Valencia City Council, through Valencia Innovation Capital, boosted seed-stage startup funding by 50% to €600,000, reinforcing its commitment to entrepreneurship. In February 2025, Valencia approved NxN Data Centers' €60 million project in Vara de Quart, creating 100 direct and 500 indirect jobs.

Valenciaport launched its €6 million 5G network project in December, enhancing digital transformation and Smart Port development. Funded by European grants, it will provide secure connectivity for 25,000+ devices, including vehicles, sensors, and drones.

In March 2025, Startup Valencia and Estonia's e-Residency launched the Valencia DANA Project to support startups developing solutions for natural disasters and urban resilience.

Valencia is also making major progress in its Deeptech sector, with initiatives like Deeptech Workgroup by Startup Valencia. The Navantia Chair, a new position at the University of Polytechnic Valencia was created, which focuses on enabling development of photonics and deeptech technologies.

The Valencian Government will invest €2 billion in the 2025-2028 Reindustrialization Strategy, aiming to boost industry’s GDP share from 14.8% to 20% and attract over €10 billion in private investment.

Ecosystem by the Numbers

ECOSYSTEM VALUE

A measure of economic impact, calculated as the value of exits and startup valuations from H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$3.9 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $20.4 bn

NUMBER OF UNICORNS 

The number of startups that meet our definition and have been valued at more than $1 billion and have not exited.
(ACTIVE UNICORNS)
0
GLOBAL AVG. 4

SOFT. ENGINEER SALARY

Average software engineer salary informed by data from Glassdoor, Salary.com, and PayScale, as well as local sources when available.
(2024)
$41 K
GLOBAL AVG. $52 K

TIME TO EXIT

The average age at the time of exit in the ecosystem in 2020–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
14.4 YEARS
GLOBAL AVG. 11.2 years

TOTAL EARLY–STAGE FUNDING

The total seed and Series A funding in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$124 M
GLOBAL AVG. $514.8 m

MEDIAN SEED ROUND

The median of seed rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$437 K
GLOBAL AVG. $889 k

EARLY-STAGE FUNDING
GROWTH

Early-stage funding growth is based on number of seed and Series A rounds raised between 2021-20222 vs. 2023-2024 and calculated on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
(2021 - 22 VS. 2023 - 24)
5
Scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest)

EXIT AMOUNT

The total value of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
$3.8 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $8 bn

ECOSYSTEM VALUE GROWTH

Ecosystem Value growth (CAGR) is calculated based on companies founded in the ecosystem in H2 2020–H2 2022 vs. H2 2022–H2 2024.
(H2 2020 - H2 2022 VS H2 2022 - H2 2024)
-3%
GLOBAL AVG. -14%

MEDIAN SERIES A ROUND 

The median of Series A rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 – 2024)
$3.3 M
GLOBAL AVG. $6.8 m

TOTAL VC FUNDING

The total VC funding (seed, Series A, Series B+) in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
$1.4 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $5.2 bn

EXIT COUNT (#)

The number of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
46
5
2020
7
2021
12
2022
8
2023
14
2024
GLOBAL AVG. 86

Sub-Sector Strengths

AI & Big Data
AI & Big Data

Valencian startups are recognized for their technology focus, with 21% incorporating Artificial Intelligence. In February 2025, IBM returned to Valencia, opening a digital sales center in Marina with an aim of enhancing digitalization across sectors using AI and hybrid cloud tech. In July 2024, Kenmei Technologies secured €4 million in Series A funding to drive AI innovation in telecommunications. Startup Valencia and ValgrAI signed an agreement to enhance AI collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Life Sciences
Life Sciences

In October 2024, Edwards Lifesciences began building a heart valve facility in Moncada, Valencia, investing over €300 million. Set to open in 2027, it will create 1,700 direct and 8,600 indirect jobs. Quibim, a leader in imaging biomarkers for precision medicine, closed a $50 million Series A round in January 2025. In February, Valencia Technologies, a neuromodulation firm specializing in minimally invasive urinary incontinence treatment, secured up to $35 million in strategic investment.

Gaming
Gaming

In September 2024, Valencia Game City (VGC) opened at La Harinera as an innovation hub for video games and esports. Led by Mayor María José Catalá, it hosts 30 startups, aiming to reach 60 by 2025. ICEX-Invest in Spain, under the Ministry of Economy, drives foreign investment in Spain’s audiovisual and video game sectors. The Valencia Innovation Capital strategy promotes Valencia as a dynamic, diverse, and creative city and a top Mediterranean gaming hub.

Reasons to Move Your Startup to Valencia

Public-Private Collaboration

REDIT comprises 11 technology centers providing advanced R&D services. It mainly supports SMEs in innovation and unites and represents leading institutes, fostering public-private collaboration and driving business competitiveness. According to the Valencian Community Reindustrialization Strategy 2025-2028, the Valencian Government will collaborate with private Valencian companies to advance Valencian industry and boost competitiveness.

Inclusive Startup Community

Opened in October 2024, The Terminal Hub at the Port of Valencia is a 5,000m² innovation space with 550 workstations – already a benchmark for innovation, technology, and talent. Housing 81 companies at 80% occupancy, it fosters collaboration among entrepreneurs, businesses, and universities. The seventh edition of VDS, Startup Valencia’s international tech event, brought together 12,000+ professionals — including founders of companies like YouTube and Facebook — highlighting the city’s strong commitment to innovation.

International Talent

University of Valencia introduced its 2024-2025 International Mobility Program, supporting student exchanges with non-European universities. Polytechnical University of Valencia opened its first master's admissions phase to national and international students, streamlining global applications. Backed by the government, Startup Valencia’s 2025 goals to globalize tech projects and attract international talent build on 2024’s 150 events with 22,000 participants, with the ultimate goal of positioning València as the innovation hub of the Mediterranean.

Selected Startup Organizations

Startup Genome Members

MEMBER

València Innovation Capital is the city council initiative to promote a dynamic, diverse, and creative city, bringing together all the agents to work on the political and economic transformation towards a sustainable and technologically-advanced future through public-private collaboration. Valencia Innovation Capital focuses on innovative policies that promote the digitalization of the city and drive prosperous socio-economic development by the attraction and retention of talent to pursue the successes of the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem in Valencia. We are the local public entity promoting innovation and managing 10,000m2 dedicated to innovation and technological entrepreneurship in two buildings, Las Naves and La Harinera.

Work with us

If you are interested in working with us to drive global attention to your ecosystem, please get in touch with Marina Krizman, Director of Business Development.

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