• International reach: more than 70 applications in the open call, with startups selected from 12 countries: Chile, Singapore, Canada, the United States, Czechia, Norway, Finland, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom
• New for 2026: PEIC DEMO on the LAKE, showcasing innovations on the lake at the City of Arts and Sciences. More startups on a new, larger stage: Agora Stage, plus a space for port logistics innovation on the VDS Discovery Stage
• Three awards: the Public Award, the International Innovation Award selected by PIN, and the Best PEIC Startup Award, chosen by an expert jury

Valencia, September, 22, 2026.

Opentop, Valenciaport’s open innovation hub, an initiative led by Fundación Valenciaport with the support of the Port Authority of Valencia, announces the startups taking part in the fourth edition of PEIC (Port Entrepreneurship International Congress), the leading international congress on port entrepreneurship and innovation, which will be held in Valencia on 21 October, within the framework of VDS.

Following the open call launched in June, which received more than 70 applications, the selection committee has chosen startups from 12 countries, who will take part in different formats designed to showcase each innovative solution in the way that suits it best.

Different formats on stage: Agora Stage at the City of Arts and Sciences

The Innovation Lighthouse format allows selected startups to present their pitch and then take part in a round table with two industry experts. These are the startups in each thematic Lighthouse:

• Blue Economy: Ocean Visuals, Acústica Marina and Copsys.
• Supply Chain Efficiency: Seal Robotics, Fivecomm and ADLC.
• Safety and Resilience: Urban Alert, Floodlight,  and Angoka.
• Sustainability and Energy Transition: Methanol Reformer, Bluenewables and Halide Energy.

In the Demo sessions, startups have the opportunity to share their innovation with attendees in live, interactive, hands-on sessions:

• Demo 1: Marina Chain, Titanium Tec, Kliux and Meridian.
• Demo 2: H2Vector, Zaitra, Mediterranean Algae and Fjuel.

More news: PEIC DEMO on the LAKE and pitching at VDS

In addition, over the two days of VDS, attendees will be able to see and try out innovations on the lake at the City of Arts and Sciences, at PEIC DEMO on the LAKE, with the participation of Marine Robotics, Mesh Robots, Ocean Ecostructures, Oil Kontrol and Panssari.

On 22 October, as part of the VDS pitch competition, there will be a space dedicated to port logistics innovation on the Discovery Stage, featuring Waevair, Seven Sector, A4Radar, Sea Matter and Yuki Robotics.

Three awards for the startups taking part in PEIC

All the startups selected to take part in the Port Entrepreneurship International Congress 2026 will be eligible for the three awards of this edition: the Public Award, the International Innovation Award selected by PIN (Port Innovators Network), and the Best PEIC Startup Award, chosen by an expert jury.

Acknowledgements

Opentop would like to thank KIWA for its support as Strategic Partner, as well as the collaboration of Boluda Corporación Marítima, the Port of San Diego, Marina Port Valencia and PHAROS 39.0, whose participation helps make this global event possible.

Statements

Antonio Torregrosa, General Director of Fundación Valenciaport, said:

“This edition reflects international interest in port entrepreneurship: more than 70 applications from around the world, and startups from 12 countries coming to Valencia to showcase their technology to the port community.

In its fourth edition, PEIC introduces major new features, such as “PEIC Demo on the Lake” and the new, larger Agora Stage. All of this without losing the spirit that has defined previous editions: connecting startups, international port companies and institutions, and specialized venture capital. This event undoubtedly reinforces Valencia’s position as an international benchmark for port innovation.”

About Opentop                   
Opentop is Valenciaport’s Innovation Hub. This initiative, led by Fundación Valenciaport with the support of the Port Authority of Valencia, has as its main objective to bring open innovation closer to the companies and entities operating in the three ports managed by APV (Valencia, Sagunto and Gandía), in order to enhance their competitiveness.

About PEIC
The Port Entrepreneurship International Congress (PEIC) is the leading international congress on port entrepreneurship and innovation, organized by Opentop. It connects the global port innovation ecosystem and facilitates meetings between startups, port authorities, investors and industry experts.