Valencia CF reach agreement with Startup Valencia

Valencia CF have reached an agreement with Startup Valencia, a non-profit entity that represents Valencian startups in the ecosystem of innovative technological companies. It currently brings together more than 600 companies in the technology and digital sectors, with the objective of fostering innovation and driving the technological entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Through this agreement, Valencia CF will act as a catalyst for joint initiatives in the fields of technology and digital, in addition to boosting their global projection and impact, as a result of having close to seven million fans on social networks and across five continents.

The club will also contribute to bolstering the synergy between local startups, the global startup community, the club and its members, with a focus on the exchange of ideas and knowledge and helping to generate new business and growth possibilities.

Anil Murthy, Valencia CF president: “Over the last three years, the club have been working extensively on digital innovation in order to get closer to the fans and introduce different things to the world of football. I am very happy to sign this agreement with Startup Valencia; in the Valencia region and in the city itself we have some very important universities, as well as small companies that can contribute many things to Valencia CF in terms of analysis, medical development, digital innovation and more. Within a short time we are going to see how these companies grow.”

Juan Luis Hortelano, Startup Valencia vice president: “Valencia CF arethe main ambassador for our region around the world, and this agreement will help to position Valencia as an international technology hub. The innovation ecosystems supported by large corporations and entities such as Valencia CF accelerate and multiply the impact and competitiveness of the local economy.”

With the agreement signed with Startup Valencia, the club are taking another step towards the launch of the 'VCF Innovation Hub' project, through which promising startups by young talents in Valencia will be supported, through initiatives and programs that allow them to take their business to the next level.

The club have signed collaboration agreements with: Bcoach, the most complete and intuitive app for soccer coaches, Blinkfire, the sponsorship analysis and evaluation platform, and the service startup Jeff.

The ‘VCF Innovation Hub,’ which will initially be located near Mestalla, will initially focus on two aspects for innovation: Sports and Technology. The Sports side will implement an innovation platform related to medicine and sports sciences at the VCF Academy. The Technology project will focus on the development of an infrastructure for a ‘smart stadium,’ as well as improving Fan Engagement.

Valencia is one of the six finalists chosen by the European Commission to be named European Capital of Innovation for 2020. The city is the only Spanish representative among the applicants.