Agreement Between Thematic Projects Community and AlicanTEC
In a strong move to unify technology champions across the Valencian Community, AlicanTEC and Startup Valencia have formalized a cooperation agreement that marks the first collaboration between these two influential organizations. The partnership brings together AlicanTEC’s broad base of technology firms and startup-friendly communities with Startup Valencia’s long-standing effort to accelerate innovation. The goal is clear: to intensify the development of the digital economy across Alicante, Valencia, and Castellón, while elevating the region as a magnet for companies, organizations, entrepreneurs, startups, and top talent from Canada, the United States, and beyond.
AlicanTEC serves as a cross-cutting association focused on promoting technology and the information society within Alicante. Its membership spans established companies of varying sizes, driven entrepreneurs, and allied associations. The alliance emphasizes advancing the digital economy and cultivating future industries powered by technology, aligning with global shifts toward digitization and tech-enabled growth.
Startup Valencia is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the region’s innovative and technological ecosystem since 2017. Its mission has consistently been to position Valencia as a premier technological reference on the international stage, attracting investment, talent, and collaborations that benefit the broader community. The new agreement with AlicanTEC reinforces this mission by widening opportunities for joint initiatives that cross provincial boundaries and enhance regional competitiveness.
Both organizations anticipate a variety of joint activities designed to promote a vibrant digital economy and a robust tech culture. Projects may include shared events, mentorship programs for startups, talent pipelines for international companies seeking a foothold in Spain, and collaborative research that highlights the Valencian Community as an attractive destination for innovation. This cooperative model is intended to boost visibility for the region as a technology hub and to provide concrete pathways for international partners to engage with local ecosystems, including prospective collaborators from North America.
Antonio Sánchez Zaplana, president of AlicanTEC, notes that the engagement of a reference association like Startup Valencia fosters common goals that strengthen the Valencian technological ecosystem. The leadership level commitment signals a strategic intent to create enduring value for companies already operating in the area and for newcomers exploring opportunities in the region. The emphasis is on practical outcomes, from shared best practices to scalable programs that can be replicated in other markets, including Canada and the United States, where similar technology clusters are expanding rapidly.
Nacho Mas, CEO of Startup Valencia, remarks that the alliance deepens the region’s capacity to showcase its innovative ecosystem. He highlights the partnership as a vehicle to position the Valencian Community as a leading international technology reference throughout Alicante, Valencia, and Castellón. Beyond regional impact, the collaboration aspires to attract global attention, inviting foreign investors, tech talent, and international startups to consider Valencia as a strategic base for growth and experimentation. This broader vision aligns with the global demand for regional tech ecosystems that offer favorable conditions for scaleups and cross-border collaboration.
The joint initiative is designed with an eye toward long-term sustainability. It seeks to create enduring collaborations and a steady pipeline of opportunities that benefit local businesses while inviting international players to participate in innovation programs, pilot projects, and knowledge exchanges. The expected outcomes include enhanced visibility for the Valencian technology landscape, expanded access to funding and mentorship, and a more integrated ecosystem that supports talent development, research partnerships, and commercial deployment of digital solutions across industries such as smart city technologies, fintech, health tech, and green tech. For audiences in Canada and the United States, the alliance signals a concrete model of regional collaboration that leverages public-private partnerships, associations, and cross-border networks to accelerate tech growth and talent migration.
In summary, the collaboration between AlicanTEC and Startup Valencia represents a meaningful step toward a more cohesive and internationally connected technology region. By combining resources, expertise, and networks, the two organizations aim to transform the Valencian Community into a reference point for innovation, while offering meaningful entry points for global partners seeking to engage with Europe’s southern tech corridor. The partnership stands as a blueprint for how regional tech ecosystems can amplify impact through strategic alliances, shared objectives, and a clear commitment to advancing the digital economy across borders.