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27 de June de 2024

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“Valencia Game City will position the city as a leader in the Spanish gaming industry”

“Valencia Game City will position the city as a leader in the Spanish gaming industry” 0

Our June partner is Valencia Game City, the initiative launched by the Valencia City Council as part of the Valencia Innovation Capital initiative to boost the local video game and esports industry and position Valencia as a leader in the sector. Already 30 companies have joined the project, and it is expected to double the number next year. It counts on an investment of 150,000 € and the direction of Arturo Castelló, CEO of Encom, with an extensive experience organizing events and competitions in the gaming industry, hardware and technology. His resume includes the celebration of more than 10 editions of the successful DreamHack in the city, the largest digital festival in the world, which this year gives a twist in Valencia. 

Hello Arturo, can you give us an overview of Valencia Game City and its main objectives? 

Valencia Game City is a public-private initiative aimed at consolidating Valencia as a leading hub for the video game and esports industry. Its main objectives include strengthening the local industry, fostering innovation and education, promoting tourism and culture, boosting technological development, and using video games and esports as tools for social inclusion. 

What inspired the creation of this project? 

The need to structure a local video game and esports industry with little structure, avoid talent drain, and take advantage of lost opportunities due to the lack of consolidation of previous associative trials. In addition, the social recognition and maturation of the industry together with a tangible and real political will motivated this initiative. 

How does this initiative fit into the city’s broader innovation and economic development strategy? 

Valencia Game City promotes the integration of technology and digital culture in various areas, including health, sports, education, tourism and art. It also fosters public-private collaboration and the creation of a dynamic ecosystem that attracts investment and talent, in line with the Valencia Innovation Capital framework project.   

What are the key milestones and timelines for the development of Valencia Game City? 

Part of the key milestones would be the creation of a corporate identity and the launch of a communication plan, the implementation and dynamization of the Valencia Game City space in La Harinera or the creation of the Chair of Esports and Active Gaming. Other highlights would be the organization of trade missions to international fairs in the sector, the organization of networking and outreach events and meetings here in Valencia. 

What resources and partnerships are being used to support this initiative? 

We have resources such as the La Harinera Innovation Center, which serves as a work and networking space, an economical line for the development of the program and a network of professionals, industry experts, business associations and collaborating entities. 

How are local companies and startups being involved in this initiative? 

Local companies and startups can participate through collaboration networks, events, and networking opportunities. Valencia Game City also promotes group participation in international fairs and events, the launch of awards and challenges related to video game development, and inclusion in training programs and seminars. 

What impact do you expect it to have on the local economy and the work market? 

Valencia Game City is expected to boost the local economy by attracting investment and creating employment opportunities in the video game and esports sector. In addition, it will foster the training of highly competitive professionals and promote the development of emerging technologies, which will contribute to economic growth and job creation in the region. 

How will this initiative enhance Valencia’s reputation nationally and internationally? 

Valencia Game City will enhance Valencia’s reputation by positioning it as a leader in the video game and esports industry, promoting the city as an attractive destination for large-scale events and festivals, fostering collaboration with similar hubs in other cities and countries, and attracting companies and professionals who choose Valencia as a destination to locate. 

How do you see the gaming industry in Valencia in the next 5-10 years? 

It is expected to be even more consolidated, with significant growth in the training of talent, the development of new technologies, and the attraction of investments. Valencia could become an international benchmark, not only in terms of video game and esports production, but also in technological innovation and cultural development. 

What are the biggest challenges ahead of you? 

Promoting the creation of sustainable companies in the video games and esports sector, attracting companies to settle in Valencia, raising awareness in Valencian society about the relevance of this industry, and connecting local talent and gaming companies with the challenges of the city. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the initiative. 

 

Talent retention  

As Arturo Castelló mention in the interview, one of the objectives of Valencia Game City is to retain the talent trained in our city. We are not only talking about quantity, but also quality. Have a look to some facts about these two international schools in Valencia:  

– Escuela Superior de Arte y Tecnología (ESAT):

This private school has positioned itself as the 1st video game school in Spain, 4th in Europe and 7th worldwide, according to the ranking prepared by the American GAMEducation. Focused on art, design and technology, this university trains professionals in Graphic Design, Video Game Programming, Computer Game Animation, Interactive Digital Graphic Design, Architecture and Building and Landscape Architecture. It is in great demand internationally and has a large practical component.  

– Universal Arts School:

International animation and design school with campuses in Valencia and Hollywood that offers masters, double masters and degrees. It specializes in Animation, Video Games, Digital Cinema and Art. With a clear practical approach, several sources rank it as the 15th best animation school in the world, and the first in Spain.  

 

OWN Valencia, the gaming event of the summer    

As part of the Valencia Game City initiative, this major gaming event is set to debut in the city this summer. Inspired by DreamHack, the objective is putting gamers at the forefront again, while delivering an even more immersive and memorable experiences with cutting-edge technology. This event is not only a delight for fans but also a hub for the local and international gaming ecosystem and innovation. It will serve as a catalyst for industry development, fostering connections and driving growth. 

Some of the highlights of the program that will take place in July (5 to 7th):  

– LVP-Liga de Videojuegos Profesional Superliga doubleheader. 

– VALORANT Finals 

– OWN Connect (B2B professional talks),  

– First edition of the Phygital Games in Spain. 

– Podcasts 

– Unreal Series Fornite 

– VR Masters Final 

– Open tournaments of Pokèmon, Tekken…  

– Women’s Gaming CUP,  

– SIM Racing…  

 

The video game industry has been shining for years in Valencia, and with the help of Valencia Game City the projection promises to be meteoric. 

 

21 de June de 2024

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The aerospace sector in the Valencian Community: a strategic hub of growing innovation

The aerospace sector in the Valencian Community: a strategic hub of growing innovation 0

The Valencian Community, known for its rich history, vibrant culture and stunning coastline, is emerging as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship in the aerospace sector. This sector is showing significant potential to become a relevant player within the Spanish aerospace landscape.

At the heart of this transformation is the city of Valencia, which is not only the capital of the community, but also the epicenter of a movement that seeks to position the region as a point of reference at national and international level.  All this with the support of institutions, universities and research centers, and the collaboration between companies.

The aerospace industry is a strategic sector that represents almost 7% of Spain’s industrial GDP, and from Espai Aero – the first aerospace association of the Valencian Community – is working to ensure that the Valencian Community represents a high percentage of that turnover and contributes significantly to the industrial and technological fabric of the region.

Regional business fabric: aerospace and aeronautics

The Valencian space sector is marked by the presence of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) covering a wide range of the value chain. Although each segment has a limited number of companies, this diversity is a potential strength, as it encourages specialization and collaboration.
PLD Space, based in this region, is a clear example of the dynamism of the space sector. The company has secured an investment of €120 million – of which €42 million from the PERTE of a Spanish space launcher, driven by the Government of Spain, which the company won at the end of January 2024. Such investment reflects confidence in its potential to make a significant contribution to the sector. With the successful launch of its Miura 1 rocket and the planning of the Miura 5, PLD Space is positioned as a driving force in the industry, supporting the vision of the Valencian Community to become an aerospace innovation hub.

In terms of the aeronautics sector, the region stands out for its competence in MRO (maintenance, repair and operations). Although there is a notable absence of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 tractor companies (TIER1), the Valencian Region sees a significant opportunity in the UAV/drone sector. With accumulated experience in MRO, Valencian companies are well positioned to take advantage of the growing drone market, especially in commercial and surveillance applications.

Aerospace cluster

In this evolving context of the aerospace industry, Espai Aero – the first aerospace association of the Valencian Community – is born, a clear example of the ambition and collaborative spirit that drives the sector. Its objective is clear: to develop a comprehensive strategy to boost the growth of the aerospace sector in the Valencian Community, working in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, from companies, cross-cutting entities, government agencies to educational institutions and research centers.

Based in the city of Valencia, where most of the entities are located, they have grown from 6 to 20 partners in a single year: 2 startups, 2 universities, 1 public institution, 2 technology centers and 13 companies. Expectations go much further, since in the mapping that they update regularly, there are 80 companies that could contribute to the sector (63% in Valencia).

One of the companies to join this Association has been Deimos Space, an Invest in Valencia success story. The company specializes in a wide range of activities within the aerospace and engineering sector. Its focus ranges from design, project and development to production, construction and assembly of aerospace systems.

The president of Espai Aero and CEO of Comet Ingeniería, Pepe Nieto, highlights the unprecedented growth of SMEs in the space sector in the Valencian Community and the importance of joining as an association to generate synergies and join efforts. This collaboration is key for industrial and technological development, as well as for the creation of high added value employment in the region.

Here is the complete list of partners: NAX, ARKADIA SPACE, COMET INGENIERIA, PLD SPACE, ORBITAL EOS, FENTISS, UPV, UJI, AIDIMME, AIMPLAS, WEITEC, LOGO 2, CALSENS, DEIMOS, FI GROUP, AEROCAS, ABIONICA, URJATO, BOLLORE LOGISTICS, EQUIP ELECTRONICS.

Universities

The universities of the Valencian Community are pillars of knowledge and experience in the aerospace sector. They offer specialized educational programs and host active research groups at the forefront of aerospace technology.

The city of Valencia is home to the School of Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design (ETSIADI) of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), where the aeronautical engineering degree has been taught since the 2005/2006 academic year. As well as the Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. This institution has been instrumental in the training of a hundred engineers annually, who are contributing to the growth and innovation of the sector.

An outstanding example of active research groups is the UPV’s drone group, which not only contributes to the development of drones in the region, but also drives innovation at a national level.

Valencia also boosts entrepreneurship, and in fact there are already several spin-offs in the sector that have emerged from the UPV, such as fentISS, which specializes in the development of system software for critical real-time systems onboard satellites, and DAS Photonics, which develops products based on photonic technology.

Conclusion

In summary, the Valencian Community, with Valencia at the forefront, is positioning itself as a center of excellence in the aerospace sector. Through education, innovation and collaboration, it is laying the foundations for a bright future in which the sky is not the limit, but the starting point towards new frontiers and opportunities.

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