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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for VDS
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T100000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20241003T144719Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070305Z
UID:34879-1761125400-1761127200@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Welcome & Opening VDS 2025
DESCRIPTION:Kick off your VDS 2025 experience with an inspiring Welcome & Opening session that sets the tone for two days of innovation\, technology\, and impact. \nHear from the key figures behind VDS as they unveil this year’s vision\, themes\, and ambitions — highlighting how tech and entrepreneurship are driving real change from Valencia to the world. \nThis session will feature opening remarks from public and private leaders\, giving attendees an inside look at the goals of VDS2025 and the power of collaboration between startups\, investors\, corporations\, and institutions. \nLet the energy of the community guide you into a summit full of bold ideas\, meaningful connections\, and global opportunities.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/welcome-opening-vds-2025/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Mounia Berrada-Gouzi":MAILTO:info@mouniabg.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T102000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20250929T124342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070059Z
UID:49791-1761127200-1761128400@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Stories from the Next Generation of Founders
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an intimate conversation with Sigma Squared Fellows Haz Hubble (Co-Founder\, Pally) and Samuel Frey (Co-Founder\, Aeon) to learn more about their entrepreneurial journeys as young founders. Pally is an AI Executive Assistant that helps you manage your network and achieve your goals\, and Aeon is the first multi-modal preventive health platform designed to transform healthcare from reactive to proactive. The Sigma Squared Society is a global community of 1\,000+ entrepreneurs in their early 20s who have collectively raised more than $2.5 billion.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/stories-from-the-next-generation-of-founders/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Haz Hubble":MAILTO:haz@pally.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T102000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T104000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20250828T111523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070122Z
UID:45275-1761128400-1761129600@vds.tech
SUMMARY:The Real Road to Unicorn: Grit\, Chaos and Everything in Between
DESCRIPTION:Behind every unicorn success story lies a path far messier than the headlines suggest. In this honest and unfiltered fireside chat\, two unicorn founders — Enrique Linares (founder of Letgo) and Sacha Michaud (co-founder of Glovo) — sit down to share what it really takes to build and scale a billion-dollar company. \nFrom near-failures and chaotic pivots to the relentless personal pressure of leading fast-growing teams\, they’ll unpack the grit\, sacrifices\, and uncomfortable truths that often go untold. This is not a highlight reel — it’s a candid conversation about the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship\, the myths of startup culture\, and the difference between chasing hype and building lasting value.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/the-real-road-to-unicorn-grit-chaos-and-everything-in-between/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Sacha Michaud":MAILTO:alvaro.jimenez@glovoapp.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T104000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T110000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20250919T072731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070121Z
UID:47536-1761129600-1761130800@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Dream Big\, Scale Fast & Reinvest Your Success
DESCRIPTION:This session brings together two standout entrepreneurs who not only built hugely successful companies\, but also embody the spirit of giving back. We’ll dive into their journeys of dreaming big and scaling fast\, but more importantly\, into the multiplier effect of their success. \nPablo Fernández and Sergio Furio  are not only visionary founders—they are also active mentors and investors with a deep commitment to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. \nWe’ll explore how success becomes even more powerful when it’s reinvested into the ecosystem\, and what it means to be a founder who lifts others while continuing to build.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/dream-big-scale-fast-reinvest-your-success/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Sergio Furio":MAILTO:sergio.furio@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T112000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20240930T121813Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070016Z
UID:33260-1761130800-1761132000@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Retail & AI: The Evolution of Social Commerce & Consumer Engagement
DESCRIPTION:Commerce no longer happens within fixed boundaries\, a store\, a website\, or a marketplace\, but has evolved into a seamless experience embedded within algorithm-driven social platforms.  \nSocial commerce today is a digitally native model where content\, community\, and conversion coexist in real time.\nArtificial intelligence acts as the invisible engine orchestrating this experience: it detects implicit buying intent\, personalizes user journeys\, auto-generates descriptions and visuals\, and triggers emotional decisions in seconds. \nOn platforms like TikTok Shop\, Douyin\, or Instagram\, the feed is no longer just entertainment\, it’s a continuous stream of products contextualized by lifestyle\, cultural affinity\, or aspirational identity.  \nBrands now compete not only for attention\, but also for algorithmic relevance\, as commercial storytelling merges with social storytelling.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/retail-ai-the-evolution-of-social-commerce-consumer-engagement/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Luciano Giavedoni":MAILTO:luciano.giavedoni@commercetools.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T112000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T122000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20250919T072824Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070231Z
UID:47645-1761132000-1761135600@vds.tech
SUMMARY:From Screen to Strategy: Purpose\, Passion and Investing in What Truly Matters
DESCRIPTION:Kelly Rutherford joins this powerful conversation about aligning personal purpose with professional ambition. From a celebrated career on screen to a growing role in business and impact-driven initiatives\, Kelly shares how passion and authenticity can shape not only personal choices but also meaningful investments. \nThis session explores the intersection of storytelling\, influence\, and conscious investing — highlighting how public figures and entrepreneurs alike can use their platforms to drive change\, support innovation\, and invest in what truly matters. \nA candid and inspiring discussion on how purpose can become strategy in a world that’s constantly evolving
URL:https://vds.tech/event/from-screen-to-strategy-purpose-passion-and-investing-in-what-truly-matters/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T122000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20240927T122825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070039Z
UID:32696-1761134400-1761135600@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Scaling People-First Companies: What Tech Leaders Must Rethink Now
DESCRIPTION:The former Chairwoman & CEO of Booking.com joins Ingrid Tappin for a bold conversation on scaling with humanity. From global complexity to culture design—this is a rare window into how top leaders make people strategy core to growth.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/scaling-people-first-companies-what-tech-leaders-must-rethink-now/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Gillian Tans":MAILTO:gillian.tans@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T122000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T124000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20240926T103820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070015Z
UID:31106-1761135600-1761136800@vds.tech
SUMMARY:No Plan\, All Passion: The Story Behind Counter Strike\, The Billion Dollar Game
DESCRIPTION:Minh Le\, creator of Counter-Strike and one of the most iconic figures in gaming history\, shares the unlikely story behind one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. What started as a passion project — a mod built without funding\, a business plan\, or commercial ambitions — evolved into a global phenomenon and a multi-billion-dollar franchise that reshaped the gaming industry.\nThis keynote goes beyond personal storytelling: it’s a powerful reflection on how authenticity\, community\, and creative vision can generate massive business value\, even without investors\, pitch decks\, or structured roadmaps.\nAn inspiring journey into how pure enthusiasm can create one of the most enduring legacies in gaming.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/no-plan-all-passion-the-story-behind-counter-strike-the-billion-dollar-game/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Minh Le":MAILTO:minh_le@telus.net
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T124000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20241003T173324Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070100Z
UID:35000-1761136800-1761138000@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Goodbye Smart City\, Hello Citiverse
DESCRIPTION:Over the past two decades\, smart city efforts produced valuable insights but also widespread “death by pilot\,” with stalled projects\, immature markets\, and solutions without real customers. Today\, urban innovation is shifting to citizen-centric strategies and leveraging emerging technologies that reach far beyond municipal efficiencies. The rise of the Citiverse is virtualizing cities and services end-to-end\, unlocking major business opportunities while demanding new partnerships and responsibilities. The key questions now are what comes next\, how to prepare\, and who will benefit.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/goodbye-smart-city-hello-citiverse/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Bas Boorsma":MAILTO:bas.boorsma@urbaninnovators.global
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T133000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20240927T112312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070246Z
UID:32578-1761138000-1761139800@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Progress\, Impact & The Future of Inclusive Tech
DESCRIPTION:Launch of the 2025 State of DEI in European Tech report. Executive leaders share how DEI metrics are driving product strategy\, talent retention\, and board-level decisions. Inclusion is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a business differentiator.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/progress-impact-the-future-of-inclusive-tech/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Ella McCann-Tomlin":MAILTO:ella.mccann-tomlin@mews.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20241001T163113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070211Z
UID:34112-1761139800-1761141600@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Valencia Forum & Award: Institutional Remarks
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://vds.tech/event/valencia-forum-award-institutional-remarks/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Mar%C3%ADa Jos%C3%A9 Catal%C3%A1":MAILTO:ismael+mjosecatala@startupvalencia.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T152000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20251017T195516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070010Z
UID:62227-1761145200-1761146400@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Beyond War: How Cities Lead the Future of Resilience and Recovery
DESCRIPTION:War is not only fought on the front line — it is also fought in hospitals\, in communities\, in infrastructure\, and in the spirit of cities.\nFrom the heart of Ukraine\, the city of Lviv has become a global symbol of resilience\, innovation and hope. \nIn this keynote\, Serhii Kiral\, Deputy Mayor for International Cooperation of Lviv\, will present UNBROKEN\, an international network of cities and institutions working together to: \nRebuild lives through physical and psychological rehabilitation \nDevelop resilient urban infrastructure and services in times of crisis \nFoster international cooperation and knowledge sharing \nDrive innovation in health\, technology\, social support and governance \nDefend the values of freedom\, dignity and democracy through city leadership \nUNBROKEN is more than a recovery initiative — it is a new global movement where cities stand together\, support each other\, and build a future where no community faces disaster alone. \nThis is a call to action: join the alliance of cities shaping the future of resilience.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/beyond-war-how-cities-lead-the-future-of-resilience-and-recovery/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Serhii Kiral":MAILTO:kirall@yahoo.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T152000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T154000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20251021T181733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070222Z
UID:68012-1761146400-1761147600@vds.tech
SUMMARY:VDS: Sustainability as Strategy: What Businesses Get Wrong and Where the Real
DESCRIPTION:Biljana Braithwaite will explore how responsible governance and ESG principles can accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth in emerging economies. Drawing from her experience in the Western Balkans\, she will share actionable insights for governments\, businesses\, and investors seeking to balance impact with innovation. An inspiring session on leadership\, accountability\, and systemic transformation.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/vds-sustainability-as-strategy-what-businesses-get-wrong-and-where-the-real/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Biljana Braithwaite":MAILTO:biljana@sustineri-partners.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T154000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T160000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20251017T165638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070024Z
UID:61703-1761147600-1761148800@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Scaling Across Borders: How to Successfully Lead Diverse Growth Teams in Multiple Markets
DESCRIPTION:Expanding across European markets means dealing with fundamentally different cultures\, regulations\, and customer expectations—not just translating your product into new languages. \nHeidrun Luyt has been navigating this reality while scaling Qonto from four to eight markets and growing a team of nearly 300 people across multiple functions. The complexity isn’t just in the numbers—it’s in getting Sales\, Acquisition\, Client Development\, Brand\, and Operations teams aligned when they’re spread across different countries with different ways of working. \nIn this fireside chat\, she’ll share the practical challenges of cross-cultural team scaling: how to balance local market needs with global strategy\, what actually works (and doesn’t) when building cross-functional alignment across borders\, and how commercial transformation looks different in practice than in theory.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/scaling-across-borders-how-to-successfully-lead-diverse-growth-teams-in-multiple-markets/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Heidrun Luyt":MAILTO:robert.saborido@qonto.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T163000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20250919T072856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070255Z
UID:47699-1761148800-1761150600@vds.tech
SUMMARY:From Seed to Scale: VC Strategies Across Regions and Stages
DESCRIPTION:How are global venture capital firms navigating today’s dynamic tech landscape across geographies and funding stages? This panel brings together three top-tier investors\, each with a distinct model\, to uncover how capital is being deployed from the earliest startup moments to growth-stage scale-ups. \nJoin Jacky Abitbol (Managing Partner\, Cathay Innovation)\, Fridtjof Berge (Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer\, Antler)\, and Alejandro Rodríguez (Managing Partner\, IDC Ventures) as they explore how their firms approach sourcing\, backing\, and scaling innovation\, from Antler’s “day-zero” startup creation\, to Cathay’s cross-continental growth investments\, to IDC Ventures’ strategic Fund‑of‑Funds investing in top-performing VCs across the globe.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/from-seed-to-scale-vc-strategies-across-regions-and-stages/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T170000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20251006T151718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070219Z
UID:51387-1761150600-1761152400@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Lessons from Unicorn Builders
DESCRIPTION:A deep-dive into how Estonia’s unique digital-first environment\, supportive policies\, and collaborative ecosystem help startups scale into global success stories. Taavi Kotka and Martin Koiva will share first-hand insights on building unicorns\, the role of Estonia’s ecosystem\, and what’s next for ambitious founders.
URL:https://vds.tech/event/lessons-from-unicorn-builders/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Martin K%C3%B5iva":MAILTO:martin.koiva@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Madrid:20251022T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T051700
CREATED:20250919T072813Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T070216Z
UID:47610-1761152400-1761156000@vds.tech
SUMMARY:Top 10 | VDS Startup Competition Final
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://vds.tech/event/top-10-vds-startup-competition-final/
LOCATION:Main Stage
CATEGORIES:Main Stage
ORGANIZER;CN="Francho Garcia":MAILTO:francho.garcia@arkadiaspace.com
END:VEVENT
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