Following a successful promotional visit to Miami during eMerge Americas in May, the Gateway Summit is gearing up for its 2026 edition, scheduled for October 1-2 at the Málaga Cruise Terminal. The summit aims to foster concrete connections between entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and innovation ecosystems on both sides of the Atlantic, positioning Málaga as a rising hub for capital and innovation.
In an exclusive interview with Hispanic Target Magazine, César Caballero, Coordinator of Gateway Summit, shared insights into the event's strategy and expected outcomes. Caballero noted that the reception in Miami was "extraordinarily positive," with significant interest from U.S. and Latin American investors in exploring new innovation hubs beyond traditional markets. The trip yielded strategic collaboration agreements and commitments from numerous investors and companies to join the summit in October.
The summit's disruptive, airport-inspired concept includes spaces like the "Pitching Runway" and "Takeoff Talks," reflecting its philosophy as a connecting hub where ideas take flight and capital meets high-impact projects. The agenda for this edition balances top-tier content, investment, networking, and immersive experiences. Key formats include the Pitching Runway, where 10 finalist startups pitch to investors, and specialized workshops. Thematic priorities span Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech, SpaceTech, Smart Cities, Connected Mobility, Tokenization, Bitcoin, Real Estate, Tourism, and Impact Investing.
Investment is a central pillar. A new initiative will bring together around 20 investors to build a live, practical guide on startup evaluation and investment decisions, demystifying the process. The summit aims to empower attendees to understand market trends, connect with leaders, and unlock tangible business opportunities.
Prominent speakers already announced include executives from Mastercard, Renault, Indra, Quirón, PLD Space, Metricool, and Markus Gotthard, who will discuss topics ranging from connected vehicles and tokenization to healthcare innovation and drone technology. Representatives from Cisco, Reental, and Bolt will also participate, with more announcements expected. The investor lineup includes angel investors, venture capital funds, and family offices from the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, reinforcing the transatlantic bridge.
The summit is tailored for startups, scaleups, corporations, venture funds, angel investors, family offices, institutions, universities, and tech hubs. For international participants, Gateway serves as a concentrated entry point into Spanish and European ecosystems. Investors can discover deals via the Pitching Runway, participate in dedicated investment rooms, and arrange one-on-one meetings. Corporations can source technologies and identify partners, while founders can connect with investors and clients. Advanced networking and matchmaking tools will facilitate pre-arranged meetings, emphasizing the summit's goal of generating deals rather than just presentations.
Beyond traditional sessions, the summit offers practical workshops and immersive labs. A venture funding masterclass led by Iván García Berjano will involve approximately 20 investors discussing what they look for in startups. Sessions by Reental will focus on accessible alternative investments, and "Tres en Forma" will feature investors Jesús Alonso Gallo, Rodolfo Carpintier, and Néstor Salvador Boichenco on growth strategies. The interactive Experience Zone will include live tech demos and Web3/gaming showcases.
Gateway Summit 2026 operates on three core dimensions: understanding trends, mastering implementation, and experiencing innovation. This combination of knowledge, action, and strategic networking aims to provide tangible ROI for all attendees crossing the Atlantic.
