First-Ever Beach Edition of Startup OLÉ hits in Marbella
The latest edition of Startup OLÉ took place in Marbella from June 26 to 28, 2024, bringing together a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts. Held at the Andalucía Lab headquarters, the event featured forums on investment, cybersecurity, and acceleration, alongside a startup fair, pitch competitions, and networking activities.
Key supporters included major corporations like Iberdrola and Oracle, public institutions such as the Andalusian Regional Government, and notable investors. The event hosted around 1,000 attendees, with over 240 speakers and 100 startups showcasing their innovations across various sectors.
Startup OLÉ Marbella underscored its commitment to fostering international collaborations and innovation in a picturesque setting, further solidifying its reputation as a premier tech event
Startup OLÉ Partners
Notable Speakers
The event boasted an impressive lineup of speakers who brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Andreas Mihalovits, co-founder of Global Super Angels Club, kicked off the event with his insights into angel investing. Francisco Marín, Partner of GED Conexo Ventures, shared his expertise on venture capital and funding strategies. Borja Cabezón, CEO of Enisa, provided valuable perspectives on government support for startups. Ángeles Múñoz, Mayoress of Marbella, inspired attendees with her views on local government initiatives to foster innovation. Ramón Herrera de las Heras, General Secretary of Universities of Junta de Andalucía, discussed the role of academic institutions in the startup ecosystem. Pilar Carrato, CFO of CDTI, highlighted funding opportunities for tech innovation, while Javier Artiach, Founder and Partner of GED Conexo Ventures, shared his experience on building and scaling successful ventures.
Startup OLÉ Highlights
In the sunny setting of Marbella, some of best tech world’s innovators came together for a fast-paced event full of activities and networking. The hackathon, a 48-hour sprint, had developers and innovators working in teams to solve real-world problems. The intense atmosphere brought people together, showcasing the startup community’s creativity. Teams presented their solutions, revealing the endless possibilities of tech innovation. This energy carried over to the pitch competitions, where startups pitched their ideas to investors and industry leaders. With funding and valuable feedback on the line, winning startups gained awards and investment offers, boosting their growth and visibility in the tech scene.
The matchmaking arena was a hotspot for networking, with pre-scheduled meetings between startups, investors, and corporate reps. This setup ensured productive and goal-oriented connections. Travel discounts from Iberia and Renfe made it easy for attendees to get to Marbella, while special accommodation rates ensured a comfortable stay. These efforts brought a diverse, international crowd to the event, turning Marbella into a hub of tech innovation and collaboration.
Pitch Competition Winners
In addition, a pitch competition was held, in which EDTEK emerged as the big winner of this competition; COBIOMIC and PROSFY came second and third, respectively. These three winning startups received tickets to participate in a European event to be confirmed by CIBER-SHUBE; interviews on the national Startup OLÉ and international Startup OLÉ Iberoamérica radio programmes; and free access and stand tickets for Startup OLÉ Salamanca ’24, to be held from 8 to 10 October, and Startup OLÉ Miami ’25, to be held from 24 to 25 March. The first-place winner also received a direct pass to the pitch competitions at Startup OLÉ Salamanca and Startup OLÉ Miami ’25. Additionally, the initiative ‘BIODAIVERSE’, by Jesús Sancho, won the student pitch, receiving free access and a direct pass to the student pitch to be held at Startup OLÉ Salamanca ’24. It should be noted that, during the event, the startup FastStreaming, the first startup certified by ENISA from Costa del Sol, achieved a success story by signing an agreement with Ayuntamiento de Alhaurín el Grande for the Digitalisation of the Villages of Malaga.
Expert Contributions from Our Network at Startup OLÉ Marbella 2024
Among the many highlights of Startup OLÉ Marbella 2024 were the insightful contributions from key figures in our network. Miguel Ángel Del Pino, CEO of TECO Mobility, shared his expertise during the round table on “Tourism of the Future: Driven by Artificial Intelligence.” Andres Pulgarin, CEO of BotsLovers, took part in the round table on “Cybersecurity: Navigating the Challenges of the Digital Age” and delivered a compelling Plenary Talk on “Generative AI Applied to Customer Love.” Their participation underscored the event’s focus on innovative trends and cutting-edge technology.
Embark on an Exciting Journey with GSTF On Tour: Next Stop, Granada!
As GSTF On Tour continues to build momentum, we’re excited to announce our upcoming destinations across Europe. First up is the historic and vibrant city of Granada, followed by visits to Munich, Madrid, Lisbon, and Davos. Each city offers a unique blend of culture, innovation, and networking opportunities. Here’s a quick look at what’s in store.
Granada 🇪🇸 – Starting with a Bang at Alhambra Venture
Our next adventure takes us to Granada, a city where history and innovation collide. GSTF On Tour will be adding a stop at Alhambra Venture, one of Spain’s leading startup and investment forums. This is an incredible opportunity to network with top entrepreneurs and investors, all while soaking in the rich cultural ambiance of the Alhambra.
Make sure to apply for your ticket below!
