Opening Ceremony and Cultural Tour

The adventure kicked off on July 10th, with a mix of history and modern-day entrepreneurship on a closed program for selected guests. We started at the Royal Chapel of Granada, where the Catholic Monarchs are buried. Father Manuel Reyes led us through this historic site, making us feel the weight of history as we began our journey into the future.

After the tour, we headed to the Hotel Santa Paula for the official welcome. This event was moderated by Mariló Sanchez-Fuentes and brought the invited key figures of the conference together. Mariló reminded us how this city was the launching point for Columbus’s expedition—a pitch that secured the funds from the kings for a venture that reshaped the world.

Quico Chirino from Diario Ideal emphasized the media’s role in boosting entrepreneurial efforts, stressing how vital it is for startups to get their stories out there. Then, Marifran Carazo, the Mayor of Granada, took the stage, saying, “Entrepreneurship must be the lever that propels our city forward.” She talked about how Granada is using AI to enhance tourism, aiming to blend the old with the new in exciting ways and the openness of the city to technology and business.

Kissy Chandiramani, the Mayor of Ceuta, gave a brief but powerful pitch on why startups should consider setting up in Ceuta, highlighting the city’s tax benefits and digital transformation initiatives. Her talk was a reminder of the regional advantages within Spain that startups can leverage.

The opening ceremony concluded with an outdoor cocktail on the hotel yard, offering snacks to facilitate networking conversations among attendees.

Takeaway from the Opening Ceremony

The event showcased a strong and aligned collaboration between the vertical Madrid, Andalucía, and Ceuta, demonstrating a singular unified commitment to supporting entrepreneurs across this regions. Various speakers highlighted the numerous government programs available to entrepreneurs, emphasizing the benefits and support structures in place to help startups and businesses thrive. The ceremony set an energetic first tone for the rest of the event, blending Granada’s historical heritage with its potential as a tech and innovation hub.

The Competition

One highlight of Alhambra Venture 2024 was the startup competition, featuring over thirty innovative companies from across Spain. The competition took place over three days, hosted at the Museo Memoria de Andalucía and with live streaming audience.

Alhambra Venture 2024 winner: Ringr

Led by Diego Cuadrado, Ringr was crowned the absolute winner. This startup uses artificial intelligence for telephone management, creating a system that “speaks, breathes, and behaves like us.” It can operate 24/7, handle multiple languages, and even adapt to various regional accents. The award was presented by Amelia Martínez from the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and European Funds of the Regional Government of Andalusia, and Ringr’s live demo of making a restaurant reservation impressed the audience.

Prize: Ringr will join a mission to Silicon Valley organized by Alhambra Venture and the Chamber of Commerce of Granada, scheduled for the last quarter of 2024. The main prize includes a travel grant of €3,000.

All Verticals Winners

Best Environmental and Social Impact Startup: Insect Biotech

• • Leader: Ignacio Gavilán
  • Award Presenter: Luis Guijarro, Commercial Director of IDEAL
  • Description: This startup focuses on transforming olive sector waste into high-value products using insect larvae.

Best Agriculture, Food, and Water Technology Startup: Groditech

• • Leader: Ana María Molina
  • Award Presenter: Antonio Carlos Castillo, Technical Director of IDEAL
  • Description: Groditech offers cutting-edge technology solutions for greenhouse agriculture.

Best Applied Technologies Startup: Paintec

• • Award Presenter: Antonio González, General Director of IDEAL
  • Description: Specializing in drone and satellite technology, Paintec provides services for agricultural and industrial applications.

Best Artificial Intelligence Startup: iUrban

• • Award Presenter: Antonio Castro, Director of Andalucía TRADE
  • Description: iUrban uses Chat GPT in tourism offices, offering services in 95 languages.

Best Health Startup: Cobiomic

• • Award Presenter: Quico Chirino, Director of IDEAL
  • Description: Cobiomic develops personalized medicine tools and identifies blood biomarkers.

Special Mention: KDPOF

• • Leader: Iván Martínez
  • Description: Recognized for its relevance and innovation.

Collaborator Award:

• • Recipient: Mariló Sanchez-Fuentes from Radio Intereconomía
  • Award Presenter: Ignacio Rodríguez, Director of Digital Business at IDEAL
  • Description: Honored for significant contributions to making the event possible.

All track finalists of the Startup Competition

GLOBAL Sales Tech Festival On Tour 2024 – Granada Experience

After the official dinner on the 11th, we took a group of entrepreneurs on an exciting night journey through the city with the GSTF On Tour experience, aimed to provide a unique blend of cultural immersion, networking, and pitching opportunities for participants.

Night Walking Tour

The tour began with a walking exploration of Granada, guided by Alain a private local expert from WalkInGranada, who shared fascinating insights into the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. This immersive experience not only allowed the entrepreneurs to bond over shared interests but also to draw inspiration from the historic surroundings. Amidst the lively atmosphere, entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas in front of their peers.

The pitch competition showcased a variety of innovative ideas, but three startups stood out:

• 1st Prize: Lucas Oliviella from Tokenized Green, whose project focuses on sustainable solutions through tokenization.

• 2nd Prize: Javier Perez from Bubbo.app, an app designed to optimize streaming reccomendations across all platforms.

• 3rd Prize: Pedro Berrios from Gobcity, which offers innovative solutions for urban management and governance.

The evening was a chance for these startups to gain recognition but also an opportunity for all participants to network, forge new connections in a relaxed and engaging setting, and celebrate achievements. The capacity of the tour was limited due to city restrictions for guided groups, and we meet with more participants in a renowed nightclub where VIP tables were reserved.

Interview with Antonio Romero advisor from Alhambra Venture

During Alhambra Venture 2024, we had the opportunity to talk with Antonio Romero, advisor of Alhambra Venture and General Partner of Sherry Ventures. Antonio shared his insights on the startup ecosystem in southern Spain and the future directions for Alhambra Venture.

Experience Alhambra Venture 2024 Live 🔴

As usual, we wanted to bring you the feeling and atmosphere of the conference, LIVE, no cuts no editions. Our livestream includes enhanced coverage with real-time interviews, giving you an immersive experience and a front-row seat to all the action.

Dive into the heart of the Alhambra Venture 2024 and explore the highlights by watching the livestream here:

Top things we liked

1. Intimate Setting: The smaller, more intimate setting allowed for deeper connections and more meaningful interactions. This is perfect for those who prefer a personal touch and the ability to network closely with other attendees, speakers, and investors. This also make it easier to get a first-hand approach to startups and their innovations, allowing for in-depth conversations and detailed feedback.

2. Familiar Environment and Good Vibes: The event had a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, making it easy for participants to feel comfortable and engaged. The positive vibes encouraged collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

3. Cultural Immersion: Activities were held in various historical places, offering a unique blend of cultural immersion. As you know, we love these kinds of experiences and are the first to promote them. We believe they add significant value beyond the usual conference experience by allowing participants to network and connect in a more engaging and unique way.

4. Plans for International Expansion: Despite the current limited international presence, Alhambra Venture is planning to create a bridge with Silicon Valley through their mission program with the chamber of commerce of Granada. This initiative aims to expand the global reach of participating startups and foster international collaborations.

Considerations

• Event Size: We find the size almost perfect, not too small not too big, but for those seeking the buzz and extensive networking opportunities of a larger conference, the smaller scale of Alhambra Venture might be a drawback. That being said, being in a more focused environment allows startups to receive more personalized attention from investors and mentors.

• Heat: Be prepared as Granada’s summer heat can be quite intense. This might be uncomfortable for some attendees, especially during outdoor activities.

• Language Barrier: While many participants spoke English, almost all sessions were held in Spanish. There are instances where non-Spanish speakers might face language barriers.

• Regional Government Insights: The event provided deep insights into the local startup ecosystem of southern Spain, which can be a significant advantage for those looking to invest or collaborate within the region.

Our take away is that the event has a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of local gatherings, but with a clear aim for international expansion. This blend offers a unique charm, combining the best of local traditions with a global perspective. It’s ideal for early-stage entrepreneurs with traction who are seeking angel investors, especially Spanish speakers. Additionally, it can be a very attractive for international investors to shop around. In top, the event provides a unique cultural immersion experience, going beyond the usual conference setting, allowing attendees to network and connect in a more engaging, fun and enriching way.

Embark on an Exciting Journey with GSTF On Tour: Next Stop, Munich!

As GSTF On Tour continues to build momentum, we’re excited to announce our upcoming destinations across Europe. Next up is the historic and vibrant city of Munich, followed by visits to 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!

Munich – Time for a Beer at Bits and Pretzels

Our next adventure takes us to Munich, a city where history and innovation collide. GSTF On Tour Munich will be adding a stop at Bits and Pretzels, one of Germany’s leading forums. This is an incredible opportunity to network with top entrepreneurs and investors, all while soaking in the rich cultural ambiance of the October Fest.

Make sure to apply for your ticket below!