Following a promotional visit to Miami during eMerge Americas, the Gateway Summit Málaga 2026 is set to take place on October 1 and 2 at the Málaga Cruise Terminal. The event aims to generate concrete connections between entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and innovation ecosystems on both sides of the Atlantic, according to César Caballero, Coordinator of Gateway Summit.
In an exclusive interview with Hispanic Target Magazine, Caballero highlighted the positive reception Málaga received in Miami, noting a massive interest in discovering new innovation hubs outside traditional markets. He emphasized that Málaga's blend of talent, high quality of life, international connectivity, and a rapidly maturing business ecosystem sparked curiosity. The summit is designed as a platform for real connections, not just a conference. Strategic collaboration agreements and commitments from numerous U.S. and Latin American investors and companies are expected to join in October to explore investment, expansion, and innovation opportunities.
The summit's unique airport-inspired concept includes spaces like the "Pitching Runway" and "Takeoff Talks," reflecting its core philosophy as a connecting hub where ideas take flight. The agenda will balance top-tier content, investment, networking, and immersive experiences. In addition to keynotes and panel discussions, the Pitching Runway will feature 10 finalist startups pitching directly to investors. Specialized workshops, deal-making meetings, and an Experience Zone with live demos will also be part of the event.
Thematically, the summit will cover major tech trends including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech, SpaceTech, Smart Cities, Connected Mobility, Tokenization, Bitcoin, Real Estate, Tourism, and Impact Investing. Investment will play a central role, with a new format bringing together around 20 investors to build a live, practical guide on startup evaluation and investment decisions. The goal is to demystify the investment process and share criteria that usually happen behind closed doors.
Caballero revealed several key speakers and companies already confirmed, including executives from Mastercard, Renault, Indra, Quirón, PLD Space, Metricool, Cisco, Reental, and Bolt. Markus Gotthard will deliver a keynote on how drones, AI, and energy resilience are transforming global security. The summit will feature strong representation from the United States, Latin America, and Europe, reinforcing the transatlantic bridge.
Gateway Summit is tailored for startups, scaleups, global corporations, venture capital funds, angel investors, family offices, institutions, universities, and tech hubs. For those traveling from the U.S. or Latin America, it serves as a concentrated entry point into the Spanish and broader European ecosystems. Investors can discover high-potential deals, participate in dedicated investment rooms, and arrange one-on-one meetings. Corporations can source cutting-edge technologies, and founders can connect with investors and strategic allies. Advanced networking and matchmaking tools will facilitate pre-arranged meetings, removing randomness from networking and ensuring the right decision-makers connect.
Beyond traditional sessions, the summit will offer practical, actionable learning. A unique format led by Iván García Berjano will gather approximately 20 investors for a live masterclass on startup investing, demystifying the investment "black box." Reental will host a workshop on alternative investments, and "Tres en Forma" will feature investors Jesús Alonso Gallo, Rodolfo Carpintier, and Néstor Salvador Boichenco. The Experience Zone will include live tech demonstrations and immersive experiences, allowing attendees to test emerging innovations.
The summit operates across three core dimensions: understanding industry trends, mastering practical implementation, and experiencing innovation firsthand. This combination of knowledge, action, and strategic networking is its defining value proposition, Caballero concluded.
