The VDS Startup Competition, part of the international tech event organized by Startup Valencia, has officially opened its 2025 call, in collaboration with Sesamers.
Startups that apply through the application process powered by Sesamers will compete for a chance to present their projects in front of more than 12,000 professionals expected to attend VDS 2025 on October 22–23 at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia — including 800 investors.
“VDS has become a strategic meeting point where the world’s most disruptive startups connect with investors, corporates, and international leaders,” said Juan Luis Hortelano, President of Startup Valencia. “In this eighth edition, we reaffirm our commitment to entrepreneurship and technology as drivers of economic transformation.”
While VDS is not new to driving change, its 2025 edition will be special, as summed up by this year’s theme, ‘Symbiosis’ — in which the VDS Startup Competition will play a key role.
In the aftermath of the 2024 floods that hit Spain shortly after the previous VDS edition, it is more important than ever to bring startups from all over the world that can truly contribute to resilience. “There’s a lot of greenwashing out there, but events can have a true impact, aligning stakeholders and converging interests,” said Sesamers CEO, Ben Costantini.
Not coincidentally, VDS 2025 will once again take place in the City of Arts and Sciences, the iconic venue that also became the epicenter of the unprecedented wave of solidarity shown by thousands of Valencians in the aftermath of the floods that took a particularly tragic toll in the Valencia community.
For VDS’ organizers, this coordinated response from society demonstrated how collaboration can accelerate the recovery of affected areas. Hence VDS 2025’s launch of the Tech for Resilience Program, a Startup Valencia initiative to drive tech-based solutions that prevent and mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
With a decade of experience in the event industry, Sesamers is no stranger to running startup competitions — nor to partnering with VDS. But this renewed collaboration is about more than just rekindling a partnership: It is about exploring how collaboration and connection between entrepreneurs, technology, and innovation can generate transformative impact for the future.
For this 2025 edition, and with Sesamers’ help, Startup Valencia aims to surpass the more than 800 applications from 65 countries submitted in 2024. “We are looking forward to leveraging our network and technology to attract global startups that can innovate where it matters most,” Ben said, adding that Sesamers is also looking for sponsors and competition judges.
Startups have until June 27, 2025 to apply for either of the competition’s two tracks:
- The Early Stage track, which targets tech startups that are self-funded or have raised up to Series A, founded between 2020 and 2025, with fewer than 50 employees and focused on the development or commercialization of software or hardware products;
- The Growth Stage track, designed for growing startups with external funding between Series A and C, founded between 2010 and 2025, with fewer than 100 employees and also focused on software or hardware products.
This distinction aside, startups may select up to two subcategories that align with the sectors they operate in and the technologies they develop. The five verticals are the following:
- Digital Transformation & Business Solutions;
- Consumer Technologies & Services;
- Social Impact & Sustainability;
- Media & Entertainment;
- DeepTech & Emerging Technologies.
After the selection process, the 50 semi-finalists will be notified in early July. An international jury will then select five finalists from each track who will pitch their projects live on the main stage of VDS 2025. The two winning startups will be rewarded with an exhibition space at the next edition of VDS, international media coverage, and access to investors.
By participating, startups not only gain access to invaluable resources and connections but also contribute to a collective effort that drives meaningful change,” Ben said. “We invite innovators from around the globe to join us by applying before June 27, 2025, and be part of the transformative impact that VDS 2025 will bring.”