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The Invest in Valencia professional team is dedicated to the city’s development. Our commitment and care shine through in every project we undertake, celebrating each achievement of the companies we support as if they were our own. 

Recently, we have been particularly proud of two outstanding business achievements that have generated remarkable local and national impact, both for their size and innovation: UMIbeach, the smart robot designed for beach cleaning and developed by Umibots, and ShibataFenderTeam‘s new expansion initiative. 

UMIbeach: Cutting-Edge Technology from an Aftercare Event  

Effective networking is key to our work. Weekly, our team participates in numerous events, including those organized by our partners, specialized trainings, national and international technology and innovation congresses, trade fairs, and meetings with potential investors. Our agenda is always active, as seen on our social networks. 

As part of the AFTERCARE program, which we offer to foreign companies in Valencia, we organize quality networking events on a recurring basis, always with a touch of originality and interest. Doing business is not incompatible with having fun, and we know that in a relaxed atmosphere, the best conversations are held, revealing the needs of other companies in the ecosystem and creating successful synergies. 

 At one of these Aftercare events, Siemens Mobility and Umibots connected, leading to the creation of UMIbeach, an intelligent robot for cleaning beaches that a few months ago we already advanced in Invest in Valencia. This innovation premiered in the Urban Sandbox of Valencia, a pillar of the Valencia Innovation Capital strategy. This ordinance, a pioneer in Spain and Europe launched by the Valencia City Council, allows the entire city to be used as a real scenario to test new products and services, aiming for market succes. 

 During a live demonstration, UMIbeach,  affectionately known as the Roomba of the beach, showcased its capabilities. Local and national media covered the event, which was attended by the city Mayor María José Catalá and Councilor for Tourism, Innovation and Investment Attraction Paula Llobet. They praised UMIbeach for its role in maintaining clean beaches, aligning with the Green Capital 2024 initiative. 

ShibataFenderTeam: €7 Million Investment in the Province

At Invest in Valencia we continue supporting national and international companies established in our city with all our office services. A notable example is ShibataFenderTeam, a world leader producer of marine foam fenders based in Germany, which decided to take the leap and go from having a small team in Valencia to building the fourth factory in its portfolio.  

We provided them with all the necessary support to define their real estate strategy. To this end, we put them in contact with the most cutting-edge professionals. Inmoking, as real estate experts, successfully identified the ideal location, and construction began in June in Sollana, 25 km from the port of Valencia.

 This operation translates to 10,000 square meters of facilities, a €7 million investment, and 30 new jobs. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by government representatives such as the regional secretary of Industry and Trade, Felipe Carrasco, who highlighted the “dragging effect of the establishment of companies of this entity in our territory, which undoubtedly results in excellent investment figures”, and Ester Olivas, Generalitat Valenciana general director of Entrepreneurship and Internationalization. 

 The Importance of a Strong Collaborative Network  

The successes of Umibots with Siemens Mobility and ShibataFenderTeam illustrate the vital role of collaboration within Valencia’s vibrant technological and innovative ecosystem. These partnerships showcase how effective networking and cooperation drive significant advancements and economic growth. 

At Invest in Valencia, we strive to be the key facilitator, promoting our companies, fostering synergies, and attracting new success stories to our city. We build bridges to business success and remain a driving force for innovation and collaboration in Valencia. 

The Italian startup Thimus, a pioneer in the use of cultural neuroscience applied to food, has settled in La Harinera, the innovation center of the City of Valencia, with the support and advice of Invest in Valencia, the investment office of the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce of Valencia.

The founder and CEO of Thimus, Mario Ubiali, presented his project and gave a live demonstration of his technology, which allows obtaining and analyzing brain data in real time to transform it into knowledge about the behavior and preferences of consumers. The company defines itself as a unique tool that helps the world to better understand the human experience with food through neuroscience.

This innovative technology makes it possible to scientifically understand how humans perceive the texture, fragrance and taste of food, and to use this data to better understand the complex relationship between the brain, culture and behavior in the gastronomic field.

The presentation ceremony was attended by the Councilor for Tourism, Innovation and Investment Attraction of the City of Valencia, Paula Llobet, who explained that “this is the type of company we want to attract to Valencia, with talent and innovative technology that will help us solve the challenges we have as a city. The data obtained with this technology will allow companies in the agri-food sector, a very important sector for our territory, to make more efficient and effective decisions and improve the consumer’s gastronomic experience”.

For his part, the CEO of Thimus, Mario Ubiali, said that “the opening of our House Of Humans in Valencia is incredibly exciting and represents the culmination of a long journey. For the past 5 years Thimus has explored the powerful ecosystem of Valencia and learned how the special energy around food innovation seems to be concentrated in this magical city. Having a point of presence here is just the beginning of successful growth in Spain and we look forward to continuing to join forces with like-minded innovators.”

Innovation and Technology in Valencia

At Thimus’ House of Humans in Valencia, food companies will be able to access advanced technology that provides a scientific understanding of how humans perceive the texture, fragrance and taste of food, as well as the impact of cultural influences on the sensory experience. This combination of neuroscience and data analysis provides a comprehensive framework for improving product creation, consumer research and food product reformulation.

The House of Humans in Valencia will be part of a wider network, which includes presence in Milan, Wageningen (The Netherlands), and Budapest (Hungary).

Thimus has been a prominent participant in ftalks, the international meeting on the future of food created by KM ZERO, since its first edition in Valencia. Invest in Valencia met Thimus in one of its investment attraction actions – during a side event organized in the framework of ftalks 2023. This relationship has been key in attracting Thimus to our city and establishing a solid foundation for its expansion. The startup continues to actively collaborate with KM ZERO and explore further synergies to continue to jointly bring value to the food industry.

“The arrival of Thimus in Valencia reinforces our position as a hub for technological innovation. This collaboration is a clear example of how Valencia is becoming a magnet for disruptive companies,” say Invest in Valencia officials.

At the beginning of 2024, Thimus closed a deal with Línea Verde, an Italian food company based in Valencia, reinforcing its decision to create a hub in the city. The startup has ambitious plans to actively integrate itself into Valencia’s innovative ecosystem. It has already prepared new actions with AINIA to explore new opportunities for collaboration and expansion. And it has received support from the Valencia Innovation Capital team to promote its development at La Harinera.

About Thimus

Thimus defines itself as a unique global player that helps the world better understand the human experience with food through neuroscience. With a qualitative and quantitative approach, the company offers support to other companies in the creation, research, quality review and reformulation of food products, using technology that acquires replicable and statistical data to support strategic decisions.

About Invest in Valencia

Invest in Valencia is the investment attraction office of the city of Valencia, the result of a collaboration agreement between the Valencia Chamber of Commerce and the Valencia City Council.

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. 

Our partner of the month for May, BDO, is a great ally for both foreign investors and Spanish companies seeking internationalization. Like Invest in Valencia, the key to their global success lies in collaboration. This spirit of cooperation is why we’re dedicating this space in our blog to them. 

BDO Valencia is led by Javier Gómez-Ferrer, partner and head of the Valencia office. He is joined by Lucía Segarra and Víctor Gisbert, forming a multidisciplinary, young, and dynamic team. Their strength? Adaptability, the great challenge of our times! They excel by constantly adapting to different sectors and environments, focusing on clients, their needs, and their growth to constructively face new challenges. And the formula is working—2024 is proving to be a particularly productive year for BDO Valencia. 

We spoke with Javier, Lucía, and Víctor to gain their professional insights on the keys to successfully investing and starting a business in our city. 

 1. Valencia as a magnet for foreign investment

According to Javier Gómez-Ferrer: “without a doubt, Valencia is a very attractive place for foreign investors. It is increasingly becoming a city where different industries, professionals, and talent converge. Its geographic location, climate, and quality of life significantly attract innovative talent.”

2. What investors need to know

“It is important for those who want to establish a stable project here to have the peace of mind that comes with quality legal advice. This allows them to focus on the business while relying on the legal security provided by a team like ours,” continues Javier.

3. Experience and globalization for goreign investors

“Helping foreign companies establish themselves in Valencia—either through the incorporation of subsidiaries or through M&A—is part of our daily work. Equally, we assist Valencian companies seeking internationalization. Knowledge of applicable regulations, previous experience, and a good relationship with BDO’s global network are fundamental to our success. Often, foreign clients need a liaison with local institutions. We understand their needs and strive to provide comprehensive services,” says Lucía Segarra Cobo, director of the legal department in Valencia.

4. The importance of business partners

“It’s about establishing a relationship of trust with the client and providing solutions to ensure the best possible user experience,” continues Lucía.

5. Avoid main obstacles for investors

For Víctor Gisbert, Director of the Tax and Outsourcing area, “any company implementation in Spain involves tax and accounting challenges, employee postings, payroll, etc. At BDO, we coordinate the various areas involved to ensure the process is as efficient as possible. This relieves clients of bureaucratic burdens and advises them on the best tax strategies for optimal resource utilization.”

6. Advantages of Valencia compared to Other Spanish Cities

“Significant steps have been taken to make Valencia competitive from a fiscal standpoint, with key modifications to regional taxes, such as significant reductions in the Inheritance and Donations Tax, and interesting tax reductions by the City Council of Valencia. The more fiscally competitive we are, the easier it will be for Valencia to stand out as a prime location for business implementation,” Gisbert concludes.

7. Dialogue with Institutions

Finally, Javier Gómez-Ferrer stresses the importance of having the right allies. “Our relationship with Invest in Valencia is a significant asset to our services. It’s a great institutional initiative that offers our clients a direct dialogue with Valencian institutions, providing confidence and security for local implementation. We’re delighted to support Invest in Valencia with our legal and tax advice to potential investors in the city. This partnership not only aligns with our work but also contributes to making Valencia more open, dynamic, and innovative.” 

The German company Otto Group Solution Provider (OSP) has inaugurated its new office in Valencia. This significant event was organized by our office, represented by Project Manager Guillermo Sánchez, and chaired by OSP directors Leticia Vila-Coro and Viviana Troccoli. The ceremony was attended by key figures such as Ester Olivas, General Director of Entrepreneurship and Internationalization; Paula Llobet, Councilor of the City of Valencia; José Vicente Morata, President of Cámara Valencia; and Luz Martínez, Director of Cámara Internacional.

During the meeting, the company’s detailed expansion plans were discussed, highlighting OSP’s implementation in Valencia. Since opening their new headquarters, they have already employed 25 people and have new vacancies available.

Ester Olivas congratulated OSP for choosing Valencia, emphasizing the Generalitat’s efforts to position the Valencian Community as a premier destination for business development. She stated, “The Valencian Community is a first-class reference for the development of business projects, capable of hosting all kinds of projects.”

Headquartered in Dresden with seven other offices across Europe and Asia, OSP is more than just a technology company. It drives IT projects and software development for the Otto Group and other companies in omnichannel, e-commerce, mobile, and logistics fields.

Since its founding in 2018, OSP Spain has experienced steady growth, with offices in Madrid and Malaga, and now, a new hub in Valencia. Employing over 150 people, the company specializes in areas such as Software Engineering, Software Development, Business Intelligence, Business Analysis & PO, SAP, Agile Coaching, and UX/UI Design.

OSP Spain’s project in Valencia has received substantial support from Invest in Valencia, the city’s investment attraction office. This success story further consolidates Valencia as an attractive and competitive investment destination.

Valencia: A Commitment to Growth

OSP Spain’s recent expansion to Valencia has proven to be a strategic success, with the company now employing 25 people in the new hub. To sustain and encourage this growth, OSP Spain is implementing several strategies to expand its team in Valencia further. The new hub not only enhances the company’s regional presence but also underscores its commitment to innovation and excellence in IT services.

Leticia Vila-Coro, Managing Director of OSP Spain, commented, “We chose Valencia because of the quality of professionals, especially in the IT sector. Our next steps here are linked to growth and collaboration with OSP and other companies in the group.”

The project has been advised by Inmobiliaria Calatayud.

About Otto Group

The Otto Group, a German multinational, began as a catalog sales company in Hamburg and has evolved into an international conglomerate with 30 major companies, over 50,000 employees, and operations in more than 20 countries. The group operates in sectors such as retail, e-commerce, financing, logistics, and mail order, excelling in B2C e-commerce, particularly in fashion and wellness, with around 100 online stores worldwide. The group’s focus is on responsible e-commerce and innovation.

The first episode of our new podcast features Paula Montesa and Ximo Barrachina from MaibornWolff’s Valencia office, a German tech company that rapidly expanded to 45 employees in three years and one of Invest in Valencia’s Success Stories. 

David Valls, Invest in Valencia’s project manager, brilliantly engages in a very interesting conversation with Paula, who displays the office’s inception and challenges, while Ximo shares insights into the company culture and personal growth. They also outline future plans for growth and discuss Valencia’s potential as a tech hub. Overall, it offers valuable insights for those interested in international team building and Valencia’s appeal to tech companies.

You can also listen to it on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Don’t miss out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl4_MtODWoE

The Invest in Valencia Podcast is produced by the team at Spectral. If you’re a founder or investor who wants to create compelling content and build your personal brand, you can email Spectral’s founder Yash at yash@spectral.to

Platjabot, the device created by Invest in Valencia success story Umibots, is poised for testing in Las Arenas in April. The Urban Sandbox ordinance, recently greenlit, adopts a one-stop-shop model, facilitating real tests to boost innovative and technological projects in the city. The aim is offering companies the opportunity to test their products in real environments to ensure their success. 

Valencia’s commitment to becoming an experimentation hub for prototypes and cutting-edge projects, addressing urban challenges, is evident in the ambitious Urban Sandbox initiative. Paula Llobet, Councillor for Innovation, Technology, Digital Agenda, and Investment, emphasizes Valencia’s pioneering role in Europe, stating, “the Urban Sandbox turns the city of Valencia into a real experimentation scenario and consolidates it as a leading city in innovation We are the first in Spain to launch such an ambitious Urban Sandbox.”

This initiative aligns with the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2030 while promoting business productivity and competitiveness, contributing to the knowledge society, enhancing public services to meet evolving citizen needs, and fostering an innovative ecosystem and culture. 

With the Living Lab and the Sandbox ready, Valencia now possesses two out of the three experimentation spaces prioritized by the European Commission to promote innovative experimentation policies among member states under public-private collaboration frameworks. 

PLATJABOT, one of the first projects to launch in the Sandbox 

Tests will take place in April at post 3 of the Malvarrosa beach, next to the Hotel Las Arenas. The Platjabot, designed to transform beach cleaning, features a sophisticated system for selecting, vacuuming, and accumulating debris from the sand. Like domestic robot hoovers, Plajtabot can be configured according to the time of day, weather conditions or beach saturation. Its advanced technology provides up to 19 hours of autonomy, covering around 4000m² per hour, with anti-vandalism measures and optimal sensors for triple security. While the initial tests focus on the beach, Platjabot’s applications extend to urban parks, recreational areas, golf courses, and various sandy terrains.

Valencia City Council has announced additional projects in the Urban Sandbox, including the adaptation of lampposts for electric vehicle charging and innovations in sports facilities to reduce energy consumption. 

About UMIBOTS 

UMIBOTS, having arrived in Valencia with the support of Invest In Valencia in May 2023, focuses on autonomous and electric robots for urban mobility. The company, with four employees, achieved a turnover of €200,000 last year. UMIBOTS boasts the UMI-MARKET project, an award-winning app-based purchasing system, and is currently developing the UMI-CLEAN, an automatic cleaning robot for indoors and outdoors.  

If you’ve been fortunate enough to experience Valencia during the Fallas festival, you’ve witnessed firsthand the grandeur of this quintessential Valencian celebration. Even if you’re from outside Spain, chances are you’re familiar with its significance. It’s no surprise that Las Fallas ranks as the most searched popular Spanish festival worldwide on Google, followed by the Sanfermines and the Feria de Abril. In 2023 alone, it garnered a staggering 1,355,620 searches, marking a 31% increase from the previous year. The search volume peaked in February and March, with 225,930 and 577,430 searches, respectively. 

These insights are derived from a report by the Cluster of Innovative Companies for Tourism in the Valencian Community (ADESTIC), which also highlights the festival’s international appeal. Italians (17.4%), Americans (16.5%), Mexicans (15.7%), and French (10.5%) exhibit the most interest in this iconic event outside Spain. 

Further data from the Economic Impact Study conducted by the Chair of Sustainable Economic Model València i Entorn at the University of Valencia underscores the Fallas’ significance. It reigns as Spain’s leading festival in terms of employment generation and economic impact, with a staggering 732.6 million euros contributing to the economy in 2023. This investment translates to 6,500 jobs and 180 million euros in income. 

On an individual scale, Fallas families contribute an average of €1,760, totaling €74 million, while commissions invest nearly €35 million. Visitors and residents collectively spend close to €269 million, with companies and public administrations investing €8 million and €11 million, respectively. This economic activity accounts for 0.29% of the province of Valencia’s GDP, 0.14% of the Comunitat Valenciana’s GDP, and 0.53% of employment in the province compared to 0.28% in the Comunitat.
 

Cost Breakdown: Creating a Fallas Monument 

As for the cost of constructing Fallas monuments, expenditures vary, with the 384 fallas commissions collectively spending 8.84 million euros in 2023. Notably, the Special Section Fallas, renowned for their size and spectacle, lead expenditures, with the Jerusalem-Matemático Marzal Convent investing €245,000 this year and the Falla del Ayuntamiento allocating €239,000, its largest budget to date. 

Additional fascinating Insights: 

– 353 traffic closures and 283 marquees set up in Valencia 

– Over 5,000 officers and 460 firefighters ensuring public safety 

– €2.74 million spent by the City Council on cleaning services 

– 133 stalls offering chocolate, churros, and buñuelos 

– Nearly 2 million visitors during the festival’s five main days, with hotel and turistic acommodation occupancy ranging between 75% and 90% 

– Over 100,000 falleros participating in the floral offering, presenting nearly 100,000 bouquets to the Virgen de los Desamparats.