ITEM 1: SUBJECT
VDS 2025 Competition is set up by VDS (organised by Startup Valencia) notably, in collaboration with third parties from the Tech Industry (hereafter the “Partner(s)”).
VDS 2025 Competition encompasses applications and participation options for startups to exhibit, pitch, and/or have meetings during the VDS event (to be held, ab initio, 22 and 23 October 2025) at the City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain. The main purpose of facilitating application information, including personal data, is to be able to offer a platform at the event to boost awareness for shortlisted startups.
Submissions for the VDS Pitch Competition will be reviewed by VDS and Startup Valencia team members, jury members, and third-party collaborators/sponsors, to select the most relevant startups to showcase and participate at VDS 2025. Pitch Competition finalists will pitch to a jury of venture capitals, potential business partners, industry experts, and VDS audience.
VDS/Startup Valencia is to organise the VDS event and to facilitate professional gatherings and opportunities between the applicants and the Partners. However, VDS/Startup Valencia shall not be held liable regarding decisions taken by the jury. VDS/Startup Valencia is not liable for the undertakings of each Partner vis-à-vis of the Applicant(s) and/or the Finalist(s) and/or the Winner(s), nor concerned or bearing any possible liability for the future or possible contractual or not contractual relationship(s) between the jury, including Partner(s), sponsors, third party collaborators and the Applicant(s) and/or the Finalist(s) and/or the Winner(s) (as these are later defined in this document). It is specified that the number of Partners collaborating on the competition is subject to change, as well as the categories or the themes of the categories of the competition.
These terms and conditions can be superseded by a new version, at any time, for legal or regulatory reasons, or to reflect any changes applicable. Updated versions will be available on the website, including “version date” at the top.
ITEM 2: CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION AND APPLICATION FOR PRE-SELECTION
VDS 2025 Competition is open to all startups from around the world. VDS/Startup Valencia reserves the right to request justificatory documents. There is no additional cost for entering the startup competition.
VDS 2025 Competition is divided into two separate tracks:
Competition tracks:
EARLY STAGE TRACK: your company must be between bootstrapped to seed stage funding, i.e. self-funded or at your first formal round of external funding
Startup Description:
Stage: up until Series A.
Founding year: between 2020-2025
Number of employees: under 50 people
Type of activity: to build or to market software or hardware products
GROWTH STAGE TRACK: your company must have raised external funding and can be within Series A > B/C, i.e. at or beyond your first significant round of venture capital financing.
Startup Description:
Stage: between Series A and C
Founding year: between 2010-2025
Number of employees: under 100 people
Type of activity: to build or to market software or hardware products.
In each track, the startups can choose up to two categories to compete in (there is a total of 5 categories). Each category will have its own technologies.
Categories:
Digital Transformation & Enterprise Solutions:
- Software
- Enterprise / Business
- Industry 4.0
- Logistics / Mobility / Automotive
- Talent / Recruiting / HR
- Cybersecurity
- Hardware
- Future Cities
Consumer Technologies & Services:
- Mobile / App
- Fintech / Insurtech
- E-commerce
- Proptech / Real Estate
- Legal / Legaltech
Social Impact & Sustainability:
- Social Impact
- Cleantech / Energy / Sustainability
- Health / Wellbeing / Medtech
- Education / Edtech
- Agrotech
- Foodtech
- Fashion / Textile / Design
Media & Entertainment:
- Advertising / Marketing
- Media / Content
- Traveltech / Tourism
- Gaming / Entertainment / eSports
- SportsTech
- Hospitality
Emerging Technologies:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning / Big Data
- Blockchain / Web 3.0
- Internet of Things
- Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
- Quantum Computing
Applications should be submitted online at https://vds.tech/vds-competition-application/ until Friday, 27th of June 2025 (this day included) at 18:00 CET. After this date, no further applications will be considered. VDS/Startup Valencia cannot accept responsibility for lost applications due to internet and/or technical problems related to the use of the internet or the FTP site. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt.
By applying, (as “Applicant”) you agree that:
You are legally authorized to do so on behalf of the company or entity you represent, with sufficient faculties to such end.
You guarantee that you are the sole initiator together with possible co-authors and warrant that you hold all the rights for the presented company/entity/project and the information related to them, and that you do not harm any potentially involved third party’s rights or anyone’s private life or likeness, and that the particular project/idea does not infringe any law, especially copyright laws.
You recognize that VDS/Startup Valencia may already have received similar ideas to those submitted and that these may be in development. VDS/Startup Valencia cannot be held liable towards the Applicants for infringement of any intellectual property submitted.
Your application information can be shared with VDS and Startup Valencia staff (who are responsible for the challenge you are aligned with), as well as with the jury members and third-party collaborators.
VDS and Startup Valencia staff may contact you independently.
You have read and accepted VDS/Startup Valencia Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
You will receive marketing or communication materials from VDS/Startup Valencia (can be opted out).
You will maintain the integrity of the event by providing truthful information and refraining from any non-genuine behaviour.
If selected, your conduct will keep with VDS/Startup Valencia’s intention to create a safe and respectful event.
All startups selected for the VDS Pitch Competition and/or the Expo Village (as these terms are defined below in this document), will be featured in VDS/Startup Valencia’s communication channels (website, email, social media, etc). Additionally, this information may be shared with interested investors and corporations attending VDS. This can include company name; company website; industry/vertical; one-liner; development stage and company HQ location. The purpose of this is to boost awareness of participating startups and help facilitate relevant connections between stakeholders.
VDS/Startup Valencia reserves the right to reject any written/visual idea or project should its content be perceived as deliberately interfering with honour, human dignity, with third parties’ rights, pornographic, racist, provocative, discriminatory or violent.
The submitted projects cannot be withdrawn from the competition once the application has been submitted, except in the case of force majeure.
ITEM 3: SELECTION PROCESS RULES
3.1 SELECTION
VDS/Startup Valencia will transmit all applications received to partners and sponsors supporting VDS (the “Sponsor(s)”) involved in the selection, depending on the participation option/s selected during the application process. The partners and sponsors are industry experts in the technology, entrepreneurship, or investment area.
Following a preliminary evaluation of applications, the best 100 startups will be chosen to narrow down the selection. This group of startups will continue in the competition to be selected as semi-finalists or TOP 50.
The TOP 50 startups will be selected as semi-finalists in the competition from a selected jury by taking into consideration the information on the application form and the deck that each startup shared with the organization.
This TOP 50 will have the following organization:
- 5 early-stage startups from each category
- 5 growth stage startups from each category
The “Top 50 Startups” will be notified of their selection from Friday, 4 July 2025 onwards.
The startups that receive the notification of being part of the TOP 50 must respond and confirm their attendance by replying to the email sent by the organization. If VDS/Startup Valencia does not receive a confirmation by the date and time specified on the notification sent by email, it is understood that the startup is not available to attend the event and their participation in the competition will be considered disqualified.
This group of 50 startups will be narrowed down to 10 finalists or TOP 10 of each track by a selected jury of experts. A selected jury will select the TOP 10 by considering the overall information they have of the startups at this phase of the selection process: the application form, the deck and they will have to answer the following question: Overall feel: Are you interested in learning more about the startup on the competition finale at VDS 2025?
The Finalist will have the following organization:
- 5 Early-Stage Startups
- 5 Growth Stage Startups
The Finalists of each track (hereinafter, “Finalists”)- will be invited to pitch on stage at the VDS Pitch Competition finale in front of a live audience that will include investors, business executives, entrepreneurs, government officials, and the general public.
The remaining startups of the TOP 50, that were not selected to be part of the TOP 10 will be invited to pitch on the Pitch Stage. This opportunity to pitch is not considered part of the ongoing competition as TOP 10, but it is an opportunity given by the organizer so the best 40 remaining startups of the TOP 50 showcase their project/product in front of investors, corporates, and general attendees leading to potential collaborations.
The winners (hereinafter, “Winners”) will be decided by live jury members and will be announced on stage.
Finalists will be notified of their selection in writing by VDS/Startup Valencia from Friday, 18 July 2025 onwards. Applicants can be selected to participate in one or more activities. The selection decisions are final and without appeal. By entering the competition, the applicant agrees not to challenge the selection decisions on any ground.
The startups that receive the notification of being part of the Finalists must respond and confirm their attendance by replying to the email sent by the organization. If VDS/Startup Valencia does not receive a confirmation by that date and time, it is understood that the startup is not available to attend the event and the participation in the Competition will be considered as disqualified.
The startups that are not selected to be part of the TOP 50 and therefore can not be selected to be part of the Finalists of the Competition will be notified of their non-selection from Friday, 11 July 2025 onwards.
A panel of high-profile professionals representing the industry, such as venture capitals, sponsors, potential business partners; industry executives, will determine the most convincing startups that will participate in different activities at VDS 2025, under criteria of innovation, scalability and impact.
The selection criteria that will be used to select the winning startups are:
Uniqueness: Is your startup invertible, or an interesting proposal for investors, financial institutions, and/or companies?
The problem: Is your startup strong on the business model? Is the project technically and commercially viable?
The Solution: Does your startup have an advantage over your competitors? Does your startup have the potential for scalability and internationalization?
Team: What does each team member bring to the table? Are they committed to the development and launch of your proposal?
Innovation: Do you have a disruptive technology, a novel business model, or an innovative solution to a common problem? What are the differential innovative aspects?
The final jury will rate the startups on a scale from 1 to 5 for each criterion, with 1 representing ‘The least’ or ‘The absence of’ and 5 representing ‘The most’ or ‘The highest degree of’.
The startup in each track (Early and Growth) that has the higher scores will be selected as Winners of each track at the VDS 2025 Competition on Thursday, 23 October 2025 during the Awards Ceremony.
3.2 PRESENTATION DURING VDS 2025
All participation forms (Pitch Competition, Meetings with Investors and/or Corporations and showcasing at the Expo Village) will take place at VDS 2025’s main venue, the Science Museum at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain on October 22-23, 2025. VDS/Startup Valencia reserves the right to change the dates of the event.
The Pitch Competition and other activities may be recorded. In that case, you agree that VDS/Startup Valencia owns this content and you expressly authorize that VDS/Startup Valencia may use it as video on demand or for commercial purposes after the event.
Finalists will need to attend VDS 2025 (or be able to send qualified representatives such as the founder, co-founder, or managing director of the project) to pitch their project in English during a public session or participate in the activity they have been selected for.
The Finalists will participate in the activities organised by VDS/Startup Valencia. Any and all costs related thereto will be the sole responsibility of the Finalists.
No remote pitching is allowed at the VDS Pitch Competition Finale. Finalists unable to send
a fluent English-speaking representative to VDS2024 will be disqualified.
ITEM 4: PITCH COMPETITION PRIZES
VDS designates prizes for the Winners, Finalists, and Top 50 startups of the VDS Pitch Competition. Prizes are subject to change at the discretion of the organiser. Any changes to prizes will be updated and available on the website.
Notwithstanding additional prizes or benefits provided from time to time by the organizer’s third-party collaborators, the organiser will provide the following prizes:
The startups included in the TOP 50 will receive the following:
- A free Pitcher Pass for the person doing the pitch
- 2 VDS 2025 Business Passes for free**
- Pitch Opportunity at VDS 2025 (Time and place TBC by the Organiser)
- Mentions on Social Media and Newsletter
- Mention on the VDS 2025 website as Top 50 of the competition and the category in which the startup was selected.
Each of the Pitch Competition Finalists will receive the following:
- A free Speaker Pass for the person doing the pitch
- Pitch opportunity on the Main Stage during the Competition Finale
- 4 VDS 2025 Business Passes for free**
- Invitation to the Guest Reception on the 21nd of October (Valencia, Spain)
- Access to the VIP/Business Lounges
- Media coverage: startups will have the opportunity to be interviewed by our media partners who will enhance their visibility before, during, and after the event.
- One highlight article on our blog previous to VDS 2025 featuring the finalists including their statements
- Networking opportunities through the VDS App
- Mention on the VDS 2025 website as a Finalist or TOP 10 of the Competition and the category in which the startup was selected.
- Mentions on Social Media and Newsletter
The Pitch Competition Winning startups will receive the following, in addition to the prizes specified above:
- Own exhibition space at VDS2026*
- 4 VDS 2025 Attendee Passes for free**
- Exclusive networking opportunities at VDS 2025
Meet international press for the promotion of the winning startup - Interview with both winners (Early and Growth) that will be published on our blog after VDS
- A dedicated article as a winner published on the VDS website and promoted across VDS marketing channels
- Mentions on VDS Social Media and Newsletter
- A VDS trophy
* Exhibition at VDS is subject to the acceptance of and compliance with the VDS standard exhibition terms and conditions, and all directions and requirements of the event organiser as may be provided from time to time.
** Passes/tickets cannot be reselled.
ITEM 5: APPLICANTS/FINALISTS OBLIGATIONS & BENEFITS
As specified in ITEM 3.2 above, selected Applicants will need to be physically present in Valencia, Spain on the 22rd and the 23th of October 2025 in order to participate in any of the opportunities available. It will be your sole responsibility to take care of any requirements (as example, visa requirements, if needed) to be physically present in Valencia.
The Finalists will be responsible for accommodation, flights, and expenses on-site and other costs and expenses of attending and participating in all aspects of the event.
It is recalled that VDS is a communication and promotion event for innovation professionals from the entrepreneurial and innovative technology ecosystem. The Finalists hereby authorises VDS/Startup Valencia and their representatives (and guarantees that it has been authorised to that end by possible co-authors or third parties) to record directly or indirectly the public sessions with the presentation of the project(s). For the same purposes, the Finalists and/or the Winners also authorises VDS/Startup Valencia to reproduce and communicate the same to the public by any means, and on all media for the purposes of communicating on VDS 2025 and/or the VDS Competition.
Information, including photographs, video, or audio, if required, that is requested from the Applicant/Finalist is essential for entering into this competition and for access to the events. This material will be forwarded to third parties, including those companies that VDS/Startup Valencia has contracted for the purposes of implementing the competition and may be used, in this regard, on any media for dissemination relating to the event in question, including on the Internet, unless, in this latter case, there is an objection from the Applicant/Finalist concerning photographs. Through VDS/Startup Valencia, and except where there is an objection by the Applicant/Finalist, the latter may receive commercial offers or proposals from VDS/Startup Valencia and from other companies that are contractually linked to VDS/Startup Valencia.
Registering and competing for the VDS 2025 Competition implies full acceptance of the present Terms and Conditions. No claims related to the pre-selection system, the selection of the winners, or any other aspects of the competition will be accepted.
Applicants expressly agree to defend, indemnify, and hold VDS, organizer, Partners, Sponsors, and any employees, contractors, agents, officers, and directors harmless from any and all claims, liability, damages, losses, costs, and expenses, including legal fees, that may arise to any breach of these terms and conditions by Applicants, or any other liabilities incurred by us arising from the attendance and/or participation in VDS.
ITEM 6: CANCELLATION
In the event of circumstances independent of VDS/Startup Valencia’s will, and resulting in the impossibility of organising VDS 2025 and the VDS 2025 Competition, the competition shall be cancelled without any indemnification whatsoever.
ITEM 7: DATA PROTECTION
All personal data submitted by Applicant in connection with VDS Competition is processed by the organiser (Asociación Valenciana de Startups) in accordance with the policies and practices described herein and Startup Valencia Privacy Policy (as may be amended from time to time).
Organiser will use personal data submitted by Applicant to: (i) confirm submissions for VDS Competition and evaluate Projects with jury members and third parties involved in the process; (ii) communicate with Applicant relevant information about VDS Competition and (iii) schedule meetings or sessions, when applicable (iv) introduce their profile to Partners and Sponsors.
Organiser does not sell Applicant’s personal data to anyone, and except as described in Startup Valencia Privacy Policy and herein, Organiser does not share or disclose Applicant’s personal data to third parties for their independent purposes.
By submitting a Project to participate in VDS Competition, Applicant represents and warrants that (i) Applicant has the authority to submit all details required in connection with the Competition, (ii) Applicant has communicated the rules described herein with Applicant’s team members and obtained the necessary authorizations to apply for VDS Competition; (iii) all details submitted for the purposes of VDS Competition are accurate; (iv) Applicant will inform the Organiser if there are any changes to any of the data submitted.
Applicant acknowledges that Organiser may publish a photograph of Applicant and certain information about Applicant on the VDS 2025 website and Startup Valencia and VDS media channels if Applicant is selected to participate in the VDS Competition. Such information might disclose Applicant’s: name, company, city of residence, or other relevant information.
By participating in the VDS 2025 Competition, Applicant agrees to the use of Applicant’s personal data in the ways described herein, provided that in the event of any conflict between these VDS Competition Rules and Regulations and Startup Valencia Privacy Policy the terms and conditions of these VDS Competition Rules and Regulations shall prevail.
ITEM 8: GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
The present Terms and Conditions are governed by Spanish Law.
For any dispute arising in connection with the construction and/or performance of the present terms, the courts having jurisdiction at the place of the registered office of VDS/Startup Valencia will solely be competent to rule on the matter, which is expressly acknowledged and agreed upon by the parties.
