Volunteer
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More than a few days at VDS, this is where your crew begins
Experience VDS from the inside
Become part of the team that makes the event possible and see how an international tech event works behind the scenes, experiencing VDS from a unique perspective up close.
Build real connections
Work alongside people from different universities, cities and professional backgrounds. You will be surrounded by founders, startups, investors and professionals from around the world, creating connections beyond the event.
Learn by doing
Develop practical skills in teamwork, communication, organisation, problem-solving and working with the public. It is real experience that can also add value to your CV and future professional path.
What you get as a VDS volunteer
GET READY
Receive training before the event and all the information you need to understand your role and responsibilities.
MEET THE CREW
Join a meetup with the other volunteers before VDS, get to know the team and start building connections before the event begins.
VOLUNTEER PERKS
Receive your official volunteer T-shirt, meals during your shifts and the possibility of accessing selected VDS activities.
KEEP MOVING
Receive a certificate confirming your participation and stay connected through NextTalent Crew with year-round opportunities and activities.
Volunteer at VDS. Stay for what comes next
To join the VDS volunteer team, you first need to become part of NextTalent Crew.
We made this change because volunteering should not last just a few days or end when the event does. NextTalent Crew keeps the people, connections and opportunities going throughout the year.
DAY ZERO
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NextTalent: DAY ZERO
On May 14, from 5:45 to 8:00 PM, NextTalent officially kicks off, in collaboration with València Innovation Capital, an initiative of the Valencia City Council.
A space to meet people like you, connect for real and start moving inside the tech ecosystem. Through dynamics, challenges and real networking, you won’t just listen — you’ll take part, meet the Crew and start building your place in it.
Where it all begins
Hosted at La Harinera, one of Valencia’s key tech hubs.
NextTalent DAY ZERO turns this space into a starting point where ideas meet action, talent meets opportunity and your path into tech begins to take shape.
This is DAY ZERO
5:45 PM | Check-in
Doors open. Time to arrive, get settled and start meeting the people around you.
6:00 PM | Welcome to NextTalent
6:10 PM | Youth on the Move Dynamics
6:40 PM | From Zero to Startup Founder — Victor Mollá, Founder & CEO at GuruSup
7:00 PM | Networking
8:00 PM | The end… for now 😏
Backed by leading academic institutions
The Challenge
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The VDS hackathon that brings out the best in tech talent. Now in its fifth edition, taking place on Oct 21-22, The Challenge welcomes over 70 carefully selected participants to tackle real-world challenges, explore the latest hiring trends, receive specialised training and connect with companies looking for new talent. Join the real talent movement!
The Challenge 2026
On October 21-22, The Challenge lands at VDS 2026, one of Europe’s leading tech events, at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. As part of NextTalent, the talent platform of VDS powered by Startup Valencia, it brings young talent into the heart of the tech ecosystem to tackle real challenges, connect with companies and turn potential into proof.
Ready for 6 real challenges?
Innovation and climate tech set the stage for six challenges built to test how you think, collaborate and turn ideas into action. The companies and full challenges will be revealed soon, so keep an eye out.
Take on real challenges
Prizes & perks
The challenge doesn’t end when the clock stops. Take away fast-track training, a VDS Certified badge for LinkedIn, access to NextTalent Jobs, a final celebration at NextTalent Fest and much more.
Previous edition
Watch the recap of The Challenge and experience how selected participants come together to solve real-world challenges, work in multidisciplinary teams and connect directly with companies. A hands-on experience where you test your skills, learn by doing and turn potential into real opportunities inside the tech ecosystem.
Faqs
Everything you need before taking on The Challenge
Got questions before applying? Here’s the important stuff, without the small print.
No. Places are limited, and applications will be reviewed to select the profiles that best fit the experience. We’ll contact you once the selection process is complete.
Yes. Applying and taking part in The Challenge is free for selected participants.
No. Places are limited, and applications will be reviewed to select the profiles that best fit the experience. We’ll contact you once the selection process is complete.
No. You can apply on your own. Selected participants will receive more information about the teams and how the challenges will work before the event.
The Challenge takes place on October 21-22 at VDS 2026, at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
Applications close on September 20. Don’t leave it until the last tab open on your browser.
You’ll tackle real challenges proposed by companies across innovation and climate tech. The participating companies and full challenges will be revealed soon.
Beyond the experience, you’ll access fast-track training, a VDS Certified badge for LinkedIn, NextTalent Jobs, the closing experience at NextTalent Fest and more.
We’ll review your application and contact you with the result and next steps. Keep an eye on your inbox.
Still not registered for The Challenge?
Applications close on September 20. This is your chance to be part of the 2026 edition, step forward and prove you’re ready for what’s next. Make sure you’re in.
The Challenge Partner
Built with partners
Want to Propose a Challenge?
Propose a challenge to showcase your brand and identify high-potential candidates through real-world performance. Engage with our talent pool, find innovative solutions to your business needs, and showcase your company as a leader in talent development.
Fest
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NextTalent Fest is the in-person experience at VDS where students, early professionals and companies connect through talks, workshops and real interactions designed to open doors. Not a job fair, but a space built for action, where you move from curiosity to real opportunities inside the tech ecosystem.
NextTalent Fest 2026
On October 22 at VDS, NextTalent Fest brings together talent, companies and real opportunities in one place, where you learn by doing, connect for real and start shaping your path inside the tech ecosystem.
The place where it happens
Hosted at the City of Arts and Sciences, the perfect setting to think bigger, move faster and connect with what’s next. NextTalent Fest turns the iconic heart of Valencia into a space where ideas meet action, talent meets opportunity and your path into tech starts to take shape.
Jobs
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Access real startup and tech opportunities, plus tools and guidance to grow, understand your strengths, and make smarter career decisions. Discover curated roles, improve your profile, and start building your path in tech with clarity and direction.
This is where future talent meets real opportunity
Kickstart your career in tech
Move from learning to doing through real opportunities that give you hands-on experience from day one, helping you build skills, confidence and a clear path forward in the tech ecosystem.
Find your path and move faster
Understand your strengths, improve your profile and make smarter career decisions with real insights, so you can grow faster with clarity and move forward without second-guessing every step.
Access real opportunities in tech
Connect with companies looking for potential, not just experience, and start building your career inside the ecosystem through real opportunities designed to help you grow faster and move forward.
Hiring Next-Gen Talent?
Connect with students and early-career professionals ready to learn, grow and contribute from day one inside the tech ecosystem. Post opportunities, discover high-potential profiles and find candidates based on skills, mindset and trajectory, not just experience. We connect startups, scaleups and innovative companies with talent that moves fast and builds what’s next.
Crew
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We connect students and early-career talent with real opportunities in tech. From volunteering at VDS to startup roles and meeting founders, we help members learn by doing while growing their network. We also offer curated content, AI tools, interviews, and ecosystem updates, plus perks like discounted access to NextTalent Fest at VDS and monthly in-person meetups.
FOUNDERS & MAKERS COMMUNITY
Ideas, side projects, experiments, and the urge to see what happens when you actually try.
PROFESSIONALS IN MOTION
Growth, new challenges, real moves, and the drive to figure out what’s next by doing, not waiting.
STUDENTS & SELF-STARTERS
First steps, real exposure, early access, and the chance to start building before anyone expects you to.
Events, roles, job opportunities, hackathons, volunteering, and direct access to the tech ecosystem.
No fixed agenda. The crew moves with you.
Home
Curious minds spark change
Be part of a crew that learns, connects and takes the next step
Curious minds spark change
Be part of a crew that learns, connects and takes the next step
NextTalent is the talent platform of VDS, powered by Startup Valencia. A space for people with the ambition to grow, connect and build real opportunities within the tech ecosystem. It brings together emerging talent, professionals, tech leaders and educators to learn, collaborate and shape the future of digital talent. This is where future talent meets real opportunity.
Experience
Step into real opportunities inside the tech ecosystem
Connect with founders, companies and decision-makers, build your path with clarity and move faster inside a community designed for action.
One crew. Unlock different ways to step into the tech ecosystem.
CREW
A community for ambitious students and early professionals who want to get inside the tech ecosystem. Learn by doing, connect with founders and access real opportunities.
JOBS
A platform to discover curated opportunities in startups and tech companies. Build your path with clarity, improve your profile and make smarter career decisions from the start.
FEST
The in-person experience where talent meets the future. Not a job fair, but a space for talks, workshops and real connections between companies and the next generation of talent.
THE CHALLENGE
A format where next generation talent proves what it can do. Companies launch real challenges and identify high-potential profiles through action, not just CVs.
NextTalent Partner
