Now Boarding Gateway: the event that boosted the entrepreneurial ecosystem

On 19 November 2025, Málaga once again showed why it is one of the most dynamic territories in Southern Europe for entrepreneurship, innovation and technology. Gateway Summit landed at IAT Metaverso, at Polo Nacional de Contenidos Digitales, with a very clear goal: to put entrepreneurs at the centre and spark strategic conversations that drive the future of the ecosystem.

Throughout the day there were talks, round tables, pitch competitions, hands-on training and networking dynamics that left their mark on entrepreneurs, investors, institutions and corporates. Thank you, passengers, for choosing Gateway for this unforgettable flight. From early morning, Estefanía Nusio, our captain, set the pace, connecting each session and bringing an energy that stayed with the audience from start to finish.

An opening ceremony that set the tone for the day

The event began with institutional representatives highlighting Málaga’s role as a tech hub and a strategic destination for innovative companies.

• Alicia Izquierdo, Councillor for Innovation, Urban Digitalisation, Tech Investment Promotion and Business Investment Attraction, Málaga City Council
• Miguel Briones, Territorial Delegate for Educational Development and Vocational Training and for University, Research and Innovation in Málaga (Junta de Andalucía)
• Ricardo Nandwani, Full Council Member and Chair of the Economy Committee, Málaga Chamber of Commerce
• Gerardo Pérez, President of the Spanish Association of HR Management Centres (AECDR)

The speeches underscored the importance of attracting talent, creating real opportunities and continuing to build a solid, sustainable entrepreneurial fabric.

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Pitching Runway: entrepreneurial talent centre stage

The Pitching Runway was a major highlight. Split into two blocks, it brought together more than 15 startups at different stages presenting their solutions to investors, corporates and experts.

Projects spanned sectors as diverse as artificial intelligence, mobility, sustainability, industry, robotics, sport, retail, gamification and audiovisual platforms. The variety showed that Spain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is in a phase of growth and maturity, with talent ready to scale at home and abroad.

First Pitching Runway

Startups: Joan Paul Pozuelos (Neuromindset), Francisco Montenegro (Conibrani), Fran Salvatierra (Sherpapp), Daniel Martínez (ProaFlex), Nicolas Bignú (GEO METRICS), Raúl Gambero / Michell Poey (PlayMovieAi), Álvaro Alonso López (Enjoy the Club).

Jury: Enrique Penichet (Draper B1), Marc Meca (Devy Málaga), Alfons Mengual (Conector), Guillermo Soto (Pinama Capital).

Second Pitching Runway

Startups: Daniel Cucharero (Tifcloactiva Innovación), Clara M. Torres (Translating The World), Antonio M. Moret (MuMa Bat Company), Álvaro Torrent (Host Helper AI), Javier Ray + Javier Ruiz (Defcon8), María Lunz (Suelo Firme), Gian Franco Mercado (Brickly).

Jury: Andrea Alonso-Bernaola (Draper B1), Olimpia Carabel (Faraday Ventures), David De Miguel, Tom Horsey.

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Gate Discussions: strategic conversations on the future of the ecosystem

Round tables or Gate Discussions explored key challenges and opportunities for the future of innovation. These sessions delivered high-value content for entrepreneurs, investors and institutions, positioning Gateway as a reference space for strategic thinking. Our pilots took the controls and filled the room with experience, wisdom and honesty.

Smart Cities and the role of AI in the city of the future

Speakers: Jorge Reus (Advisory Board, Madrid BigData AI Cluster), David Pedroche (Director Hospitality Industry Spain & Portugal, Huawei), Gregorio Serrano (Senior Consultant, EY), Javier Goikoetxea (CEO, Next Solutions).

A clear message emerged: data no longer describe the city—they anticipate it. Connected mobility, public-private collaboration and aligned regulation will be key to building safer, smoother and more inclusive cities.

Frontier: technologies reshaping what is possible

Speakers: Victor Alonso (Director Manufacturing & Digital Transformation, CTAG), Beatriz Fernández de Sevilla (Brand Director, Macco Robotics), Carlos Javier Martín (CEO, OBA Space), Álvaro Martínez (CEO GEA Group).

This discussion showed how sectors as different as humanoid robotics, space and the food industry share the same technological challenges. The key is finding real synergies that speed up adoption of new technologies and reduce risks in industrial transformation.

Mobility: global innovation for a sector in revolution

Speakers: Uliana Torkunova (CEO LetMecharge), Will Judge (Global Partnerships, Mastercard), Manuel María Salazar (Open Innovation, Renault Group), Blanca Almendro (Open Innovation, Valoriza).

The Mobility panel showed that interoperability, data and smart infrastructure will drive more efficient, frictionless mobility. Collaboration between technology, the city and people will shape the transition to a connected ecosystem that transforms the user experience.

Local Heroes: how Andalusia is creating global impact

Speakers: Basilio Marquínez (CEO, Seabery), Pedro Rosa (CEO, Todobarro), Curro Rodríguez (CEO, LY Holding Capital), José María Camacho (Alumni Director & Professor, San Telmo School).

Local Heroes proved that innovation does not depend on the size of a territory, but on the vision behind it. When local becomes conviction, companies emerge that can compete and stand out worldwide.

Investment: truths about the price of money and startup funding

Speakers: Antonio González (Partner, Aktion Legal Partners), Elisa Reyna (CEO, Solucionia), Enrique Penichet (Founding Partner, Draper B1), Iván García (CEO, Finanziaconnect).

The Investment panel addressed what many avoid saying. Enrique Penichet and Elisa Reyna, moderated by Antonio González Agredano, discussed the less comfortable realities of shareholder agreements—including liquidation preferences and their real impact on the founder-investor relationship.

One reflection stood out: a shareholder agreement only works when both sides win in a balanced way. Neither founder nor investor can take everything; what matters is building fair deals that let the project grow.

Healthcare innovation and new health models

Speakers: María Fe Paz (Chairwoman, Connect by Circular Lab), Carlos Moreno (Operations Director, healthcare sector), Teresa Ramos (Former Director of Digital Health), José Ángel Cano (CEO, Somos Peces Voladores).

This panel explored how innovation is transforming healthcare across care models, digitalisation, social impact and new approaches to delivery. Multisector collaboration between clinicians, technology and innovation ecosystems accelerates solutions to real needs.

EXPERIENCE: the economy of the new experience

Speakers: Stipe Maric (Director, Filmio Studios), Nacho Aguilar (CEO, PFC Costa del Sol), Luis Miguel Seguí (Actor and producer), Pablo Lago (Director, Best Impact).

The panel focused on how experiences are evolving towards more immersive, connected and emotionally meaningful models. Today’s economy competes not only on product, but on memorable experiences—what people remember, share and recommend.

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Our private hangar

Two major voices took the stage:

Alejandro Ruiz (CEO of Checktobuild and The Yesman Show) opened the morning with a direct, honest talk full of real lessons from the entrepreneurial journey. His message: “Those who make it are dreamers with the ability to execute.”

Cecilio Martínez shared a frank view of entrepreneurship from real experience—what rarely makes the headlines: mistakes, unexpected pivots and the need to adapt quickly when context changes. A clear reminder that building a company is not only about bright ideas, but persistence, continuous learning and the ability to reinvent yourself.

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Taking off in sales: the «Tres en Forma» masterclass

A practical session on “How to build a sales department with zero fixed costs”, designed to show entrepreneurs how to scale revenue without ballooning overhead.

Speakers: Jesús Alonso Gallo (business angel and serial entrepreneur), Rodolfo Carpintier (pioneer business angel in Spanish digital entrepreneurship), Néstor Salvador Boichenco (entrepreneur, consultant and author of Pon tu negocio en forma).

Key takeaways:

• Scaling sales does not always mean higher spend—smart structures enable profitable growth.
• Strategic automation and outsourcing can replace internal teams without losing commercial quality.
• A “do more with less” mindset is especially valuable for startups building traction.

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Flight Labs

Flight Labs were a pillar of Now Boarding: Gateway—training spaces offering entrepreneurs practical, actionable tools aligned with today’s startup challenges.

Public funding for innovative startups

Speaker: Iván García Berjano, CEO of Finanziaconnect.

A practical overview of ENISA loans and NEOTEC grants (CDTI): requirements, conditions and what founders should know before applying.

Investor deck: how to convince investors

Speaker: Iván García Berjano, CEO of Finanziaconnect.

The investor deck as a strategic tool to open conversations with investors, slide by slide.

Intellectual property and protecting innovation

Speaker: Manuel Campanero, Andalusia Regional Director at PONS IP.

Key concepts on IP, patents and protection strategies from the earliest project stages.

Applied artificial intelligence

Speakers: Ángel López, CEO of Voicepowered.ai; Juan Pablo Gallego, CTO of Voicepowered.ai.

Practical use of AI for voice, process automation and operational efficiency.

Branding and brand positioning

Speaker: Beatriz Fernández, Brand Director at Macco Robotics.

Branding as a strategic tool beyond the visual layer.

Pitch and communication

Speaker: Martina Guzmán, Best3Minutes.

Pitch practice: message clarity, structure and connecting with different audiences.

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Notworking Party: music, connections and a finale with its own identity

The day closed at Cortijo La Zafra—a meeting point where innovation, culture and people mixed without labels or formality.

The Notworking Party was more than a festive closing: a space where conversations continued naturally and entrepreneurs, investors, speakers and partners shared impressions from the day.

Music took centre stage with Joe Crepúsculo, alongside Inga Dau and Jay Luna. At Gateway we believe communities are built not only through content and talks, but through experiences that are remembered.

Thank you to everyone who was part of this journey.