Spanish Pavilions: Boosting Startups on Global Stages

The Spain Pavilions are institutional spaces that facilitate the participation of startups and Spanish innovative companies in some of the leading international events in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Their goal is to provide a shared base from which companies can showcase their solutions, explore other ecosystems, and build professional connections in an international environment.

These pavilions are promoted by the Government of Spain, through Red.es and ICEX, and enable a coordinated presence of Spanish companies at strategic fairs and conferences. For startups, they provide a structured pathway to events that bring together investors, corporations, public-sector agents, and other key players in the innovation ecosystem.

Below are some of the international events where Spain has a pavilion, along with the types of opportunities they offer to participating startups and companies.

4YFN (4 Years From Now) – Barcelona, Spain

4YFN takes place within the Mobile World Congress and is specifically geared toward early-stage startups and technology projects. It is a particularly suitable environment for teams seeking visibility, validation of their value proposition, and first connections with investors and technology partners.

The Spain Pavilion, promoted by Red.es and ICEX, offers startups a shared space from which to engage with other projects, investors, and institutions, facilitating participation in event activities and access to an environment designed for early connection with the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Bits & Pretzels – Munich, Germany

Bits & Pretzels is one of the most relevant entrepreneurship events in the German and Central European ecosystem, with a clear focus on business growth, scaling, and the consolidation of startups.

Participation in this event allows Spanish companies to connect with a strongly business-oriented ecosystem, understand the dynamics of the German market, and build relationships with corporations, investors, and other European stakeholders, which is especially valuable for startups looking to structure their expansion across Europe.

Mobile World Congress (MWC) – Barcelona, Spain

MWC Barcelona is one of the world’s leading gatherings in technology, connectivity, and digital transformation, bringing together key public- and private-sector players at an international level.

The Spain Pavilion, organized by Red.es, serves as a showcase for the Spanish tech ecosystem, bringing innovative companies into an agenda that combines institutional visibility, networking, and participation in knowledge-sharing spaces, in a highly strategic setting.

Slush Helsinki – Helsinki, Finland

Slush is a flagship event in innovation, investment, and tech entrepreneurship, with strong ties to the Nordic ecosystem and technology-focused investment funds.

Spain’s presence through the Spain Pavilion enables startups and ecosystem stakeholders to access investment and acceleration networks in Northern Europe, as well as to understand the dynamics of an environment that is particularly demanding in terms of technological maturity and international scalability.

VivaTech – Paris, France

Viva Technology brings together startups, large corporations, investors, and public administrations at one of Europe’s leading events focused on open innovation and business collaboration.

Spain’s participation through the Spain Pavilion helps integrate startups into an environment where engagement with large companies and industrial players is key, offering opportunities to explore commercial agreements, pilots, and strategic partnerships in the European market.

Web Summit – Lisbon, Portugal

Web Summit is one of the most widely recognized technology events internationally, with a high concentration of startups, investors, corporations, and specialized media.

The Spain Pavilion, promoted by Red.es, ICEX, and the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Lisbon, enables companies to participate in a structured way in the event, accessing shared spaces, networking activities, and specialized content, tailored to different profiles and levels of business maturity.

Web Summit Qatar – Doha, Qatar

Web Summit Qatar expands the event’s reach into the Middle East, a growing environment with increasing interest in technology, innovation, and international investment.

The Spain Pavilion provides participating companies with an institutional framework to engage with the MENA ecosystem, identify emerging opportunities, and build relationships with key regional stakeholders, in a context that is relevant for market diversification and internationalization strategies.

Benefits for startups, corporations, investor stakeholders, and public bodies

Participation in the Spain Pavilions offers startups, innovative companies, corporations, investor stakeholders, and public bodies that support entrepreneurship the opportunity to join the Spanish delegation at international events, in line with the different calls for participation available.

Key benefits include:

1. Comprehensive service: a “turnkey” service that makes participation in fairs straightforward and satisfying.

2. International networking: meetings with delegations and companies from different countries, facilitating the presentation of products and services to potential clients and investor stakeholders.

3. Immersion in strategic ecosystems: engagement with public and private stakeholders in the destination country to establish relationships with potential clients, investors, and partners.

4. High-value content: carefully curated agendas featuring networking sessions, pitches, thematic panels, and meetings with sector experts.

5. Increased visibility: promotion through digital platforms, catalogs, promotional videos, social media, and the press.

6. Tailored support: support from Red.es and ICEX before, during, and after the fairs to maximize opportunities and develop effective strategies.

How to participate

Startups and innovative companies interested in joining the Spain Pavilions can find information and submit their application through the calls for participation managed by Red.es and ICEX. Each call specifies the requirements, selection criteria, and participation modalities for each event.

To learn all the details about the events, requirements, and how to take part, visit the International promotion section on the ONE Platform and access the full information. Don’t miss the opportunity to boost your business on the world’s leading stages!