General Guidelines
Deadline: June 14, 2026
If you are a thought leader who shares our vision of inspiring and connecting the global tech community, and you are driven to help shape a technology-powered future that empowers creative minds, we would love to hear from you.
Your proposed session should tackle a pressing industry topic, exploring how technology can address the key social and economic challenges society will face in the near future.
If selected as a speaker, you will receive a Speaker Pass, exclusive access to the Business & Speaker Lounge, and dedicated social media visibility as part of the VDS 2026 speaker lineup.
To apply, please follow the process outlined below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of submissions, we encourage you to be clear and thorough when completing the form.
*Please carefully review the General Guidelines and Terms and Conditions before submitting your application. Participation in the Call for Speakers constitutes full acceptance of all terms outlined therein.
Who should apply?
C-level executives building and disrupting the global tech landscape
Forward-thinking investors driving innovation in the tech ecosystem
Eager minds challenging the role of technology in our society
Inspirational startup founders sharing insights on their tech journey
Business leaders impacting our lives through tech
C-level executives building and disrupting the tech landscape
Inspirational startup founders sharing insights on their tech journey
Forward-thinking investors driving innovation in the tech ecosystem
Business leaders impacting our lives through tech
Eager minds challenging the role of technology in our society
Submissions and Important Dates
Deadline: June 14, 2026
We are currently accepting submissions for VDS 2026, taking place on October 21-22 in Valencia, Spain. The deadline to submit proposals is June 14, 2026.
Notifications for selected proposals will begin on June 21.
*Please note that the VDS Content Team reserves the right to review and accept proposals at any time prior to the June 14 deadline. Only selected speakers will be notified of their session’s acceptance.
Shape your story into a great session
Do you want to encourage, influence, and enrich the restless minds of the tech ecosystem? Think about the value that your session will provide to the audience and what they will take away from it. Consider what you would like to learn from your session if you were an attendee.
As a speaker, we encourage you to share your insights and expertise on embracing evolution, and illustrate how technology, innovation, and digitalisation are impacting and reshaping every aspect of our lives and the challenges we face as a society in the near future.
If your proposed topic is not an exact fit for our agenda, but your expertise is, we can work together to bring out the best in your content. The VDS 2026 content team will have full editorial discretion over the agenda.
A number of sponsor-speaking roles are available. Let us know in the application if you would like to learn more.
Evaluation criteria
The VDS 2026 content team will select from among the proposals received those that it considers most suitable for the programme, using the following criteria:
Terms and conditions
1. Upon acceptance as a speaker, you will be granted a Speaker Pass, exclusive access to the Business & Speaker Lounge, and social media exposure as a VDS 2026 speaker.
2. You are available to speak. Should you be accepted, a person from the content team will get in touch to discuss further details.
3. VDS 2026 does not offer a speaking fee to selected speakers, and any costs related to logistics, such as travel and accommodation, are the responsibility of the speaker. However, we are open to bartering.
4. Content must be original or significantly updated and customised for the VDS 2026 audience and topics.
5. You are aware that the content team has editorial discretion over the format of the talk (keynote, fireside chat or panel).
6. Selected proposals are based on the proposed topic and suggested speakers. Any changes to the topic or speakers must be approved by the content team and may result in a change of session time or cancellation.
7. Due to limited availability, certain proposals may be granted a slot in an alternative format or stage to the one they originally applied for.
8. If your proposal is selected to be part of the VDS 2026 programme, you are granting permission to VDS 2026 to promote your participation as a speaker across our channels. After we have confirmed the session content and speaker details, we will add the session to the event agenda. Additionally, we may include your name as a confirmed speaker on the speaker page prior to finalising the details.
9. You agree to promote your participation in the event on your social networks; VDS 2026 will provide you with social assets.
10. In compliance with the provisions of the European General Data Protection Regulation 679/2016 of April 27 (GDPR), you are hereby informed that VDS/Startup Valencia is responsible for the treatment of the personal data that you voluntarily supply in order to manage your participation as a speaker in the event. By providing your personal data, you accept our Privacy Policy and expressly authorise its use in the communication materials related to the event, such as the Webpage and email communications, as well as video and photographs of the session. Please note that photographs and videos of the sessions may be communicated to third parties for publication and dissemination of the event. Additionally, we may forward your personal data, with a duty of confidentiality, to our partner companies at Startup Valencia. You have the right to access, correct, cancel, and object to the use of your personal data by sending an email to hello@startupvalencia.org.
Become a sponsor or exhibitor
Connect with the international tech ecosystem, increase your visibility and grow your business by meeting new partners, clients and hundreds of potential prospects.
Become a sponsor or exhibitor
Connect with the international tech ecosystem, increase your visibility and grow your business by meeting new partners, clients and hundreds of potential prospects.
