Valencia will once again become a meeting point for the global sports innovation ecosystem on October 7–8, 2026, as the GSIC Summit Valencia brings together leading sports organizations, technology companies, startups, investors, institutions, and innovation leaders from around the world.
Organized from the GSIC Testing Lab and supported by València Innovation Capital, the event is expected to welcome more than 200 participants representing some of the most influential organizations shaping the future of sport.
Among the first confirmed speakers is Sameer Patel, Innovation Manager at FIFA, who will share his perspective on how one of the world's leading sports organizations approaches innovation, technology adoption, and the ongoing transformation of football on a global scale.
His participation reflects the increasing importance of innovation in modern sport and reinforces Valencia's position as a growing hub for the development, testing, and validation of new technologies that can create tangible impact across the sports industry.
Joining Patel on the agenda will be Danny Cortegade and his investment fund linked to NFL players, bringing an investor's perspective on the opportunities and trends reshaping the sports business landscape. The event will also feature Paco Borao from the Valencia Marathon organization, one of the world's most recognized endurance events.
By bringing together sports organizations, investors, startups, corporations, and technology providers in the same environment, the Summit aims to foster collaboration and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions across the industry.
Two Days Focused on the Future of Sport
The GSIC Summit Valencia 2026 has been designed as a two-day experience that combines strategic vision, innovation showcases, business development, and practical collaboration opportunities.
Day 1: Industry Vision, Innovation and Leadership
The first day will establish the strategic direction of the event through a high-level agenda featuring keynote presentations, expert panels, and startup innovation showcases from GSIC members.
International speakers and industry leaders will discuss the key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping sport's future. Sessions will explore topics ranging from digital transformation and fan engagement to emerging technologies, investment, venue innovation, data-driven decision-making, and new business models.
The objective is to provide attendees with both strategic insights and real-world examples of how organizations are leveraging technology and cross-industry collaboration to drive growth and generate impact.
With participation from organizations such as FIFA, international investment funds, major sporting events, technology companies, and innovation leaders, Day 1 will offer a unique opportunity to understand the forces transforming the global sports ecosystem.
Day 2: Collaboration, Testing and Startup Innovation
The second day will offer a more interactive and hands-on experience focused on practical collaboration.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, product demonstrations, testing showcases, networking activities, and collaborative sessions designed to connect sports organizations with technology providers, investors, startups, and ecosystem partners.
The agenda will focus on turning ideas into action, creating opportunities for technology validation, pilot programs, business development, and strategic partnerships.
This approach reflects GSIC's mission of connecting innovation supply with real industry demand, helping organizations identify solutions that address concrete challenges across sport, entertainment, media, and health.
Groundbreakers: Connecting Emerging Technologies with Real Industry Needs
One of the highlights of Day 2 will be the Groundbreakers Pitch Session, a dedicated startup showcase designed to provide visibility to emerging companies developing technologies with the potential to transform the sports industry.
Selected startups will pitch their solutions in front of a panel of sports organizations, investors, and innovation leaders acting as jury members. The session will create opportunities for direct feedback, business development conversations, investment discussions, partnership exploration, and potential pilot projects.
Rather than a traditional startup competition, Groundbreakers is designed as a practical platform for technology scouting and innovation discovery. It serves as a bridge between organizations seeking solutions and startups capable of addressing real-world industry challenges.
Through this format, GSIC continues its commitment to fostering collaboration between innovators and decision-makers, helping accelerate the adoption of technologies that improve performance, fan engagement, sustainability, operational efficiency, and business growth.
Valencia's Growing Role in Sports Innovation
The announcement of the first speakers comes at a particularly significant moment for the global sports industry, as major sporting events increasingly leverage technology to enhance operations, experiences, and performance.
This connection between sport and innovation has already been evident in previous editions of the GSIC Summit. During the last edition held in Valencia, representatives from Lenovo, FIFA's Official Technology Partner, delivered one of the event's keynote presentations, highlighting how technology is transforming the management and experience of major sporting competitions.
Building on that momentum, the 2026 edition will continue exploring how emerging technologies can help organizations address some of their most pressing challenges while generating new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
More Speakers and Sessions to Be Announced
Additional speakers, sessions, and industry leaders will be announced in the coming weeks as the agenda continues to take shape.
With participants spanning sports organizations, investors, startups, technology providers, and institutions, GSIC Summit Valencia 2026 is set to become one of the leading gatherings for sports innovation in Europe, providing a platform where ideas, technology, investment, and collaboration come together to shape the future of sport.
Learn more: https://gsic-summit.com
