The center has attracted international technology companies, connected more than 1,000 industry executives, and enabled 61 startups to showcase their solutions to decision-makers from clubs, federations and sports organizations
València, September 4, 2026. – The GSIC Testing Lab Valencia, managed by the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft (GSIC) and promoted by the Generalitat Valenciana and València City Council through València Innovation Capital, has presented the results of its first year of activity at an event held at La Harinera. The event featured Paula Llobet, Councillor for Innovation at València City Council; Luis Cervera, Director General for Sport at the Generalitat Valenciana; Juan Fuentes, Director of the GSIC Testing Lab; and Iris Córdoba, Managing Director of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft.
The project has contributed to positioning Valencia as a leading environment for the validation and adoption of sports technology, facilitating the arrival of international companies and connecting local sports organizations with global opportunities.
During its first twelve months, the GSIC Testing Lab has engaged 34 organizations from more than 20 countries, collectively employing over 270 professionals. In addition, more than 1,000 executives have participated in events and initiatives organized by the center, while 61 startups have presented their solutions to clubs, federations, investors, companies and institutions.
During its first year, the project, led by Juan Fuentes from Valencia, has focused its activity on attracting and validating sports technologies, strengthening the local ecosystem and connecting it with international opportunities.
"When we launched the Testing Lab, our ambition was to make Valencia a place where sports innovation could be tested, validated and turned into real business opportunities. One year later, we are seeing international companies working with local organizations, startups gaining access to industry decision-makers and new collaborations emerging that probably would not have happened without this project. This confirms that the model works and has the potential to grow and be replicated in other markets," said Iris Córdoba, Managing Director of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft.
During this period, technology companies from markets including Taiwan, Argentina, Italy, Estonia, Germany and the United Kingdom have used Valencia as a location to test and validate their solutions. The Testing Lab has carried out six testing processes under real-world conditions, involving technologies applied to areas such as sports performance, artificial intelligence, biomarkers, facility management, digital access solutions and racquet sports, in collaboration with clubs, federations and other sports organizations across the Valencian Community.
“For València, having a space such as the GSIC Testing Lab means turning innovation into real opportunities for the city: attracting companies and talent, creating new connections across the sports and technology ecosystem, and providing an environment where solutions can be tested and validated under real-world conditions. We want València to be more than a place where companies come to develop their projects; we want it to be a city where they can experiment, demonstrate their impact and find the right conditions to grow and scale internationally,” said Paula Llobet, Councillor for Innovation and Investment Attraction at València City Council.
Developing and strengthening the capabilities of the local ecosystem has been another of the center’s main areas of work. More than 40 Valencian sports organizations have participated in programs or activities organized by the center, while GSIC has made 200 licenses available to the ecosystem for the AI in Sport program developed together with Founderz, providing specialized training in the application of artificial intelligence to sport.
Unlike programs focused exclusively on incubation or acceleration, the GSIC Testing Lab combines technology validation in real-world environments, access to sports organizations, international connections and the creation of commercial opportunities.
Another major milestone during the year was hosting the National Final of Red Bull Basement at La Harinera. The winning Valencia-based team, formed by students from the Universitat Politècnica de València, subsequently represented Spain in Silicon Valley and ranked among the top ten projects worldwide.
Luis Cervera, Director General for Sport, stated that “the Generalitat considers that the objective for which this center was created has been fully achieved: to become an international benchmark for technology and innovation applied to sports science, while also serving our sports ecosystem through the Development Plan for our sports federations, the sports industry cluster of the Valencian Community, and by strengthening top-level sporting events.”
The Testing Lab’s international reach completes its operating model. During its first year, the project participated in 23 international events, reaching more than 21,000 executives outside Spain and showcasing the ecosystem and capabilities developed in Valencia across markets in Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East. At the same time, startups and organizations connected to Valencia have gained access to international events, investors, sports organizations and opportunities within GSIC’s global network.
Following its first year, the GSIC Testing Lab is entering a new stage focused on expanding its testing and certification programs, attracting new technology companies and creating additional opportunities for the sports ecosystem. One of its upcoming milestones is the GSIC Summit Valencia 2026, which will take place on October 7–8 and will once again bring together sports organizations, technology companies, startups, investors and international institutions in the city.
Through this next phase, the GSIC Testing Lab aims to consolidate Valencia during its second year as one of the leading connection points between global sports innovation and sports organizations seeking to accelerate their technological transformation.
