Following a promotional visit to Miami during eMerge Americas in May, where César Caballero, coordinator of Gateway Summit, pitched Málaga as a rising hub for capital and innovation, the event is set to take place on October 1 and 2 at the Málaga Cruise Terminal. In an exclusive interview with Hispanic Target Magazine, Caballero detailed the summit's mission to transcend traditional tech conferences by generating tangible business opportunities across the Atlantic.
Caballero reported an "extraordinarily positive" reception in Miami, noting a "massive interest in discovering new innovation hubs outside traditional markets." He emphasized that Málaga's blend of talent, quality of life, connectivity, and a rapidly maturing business ecosystem resonated with U.S. investors and corporations. The trip yielded strategic collaboration agreements and commitments from numerous investors and companies to join the October summit, reinforcing the transatlantic bridge concept.
The summit's disruptive, airport-inspired format includes spaces like the "Pitching Runway" and "Takeoff Talks," reflecting its philosophy as a connecting hub. The agenda balances top-tier content, investment networking, and immersive experiences, with key thematic areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, healthtech, space tech, and smart cities. A novel initiative will bring together around 20 investors for a live, practical guide on startup evaluation and investment decision-making, demystifying processes typically closed to the public.
Caballero announced a cross-functional lineup featuring executives from Mastercard, Renault, Indra, Quirón, PLD Space, Metricool, Cisco, Reental, and Bolt, among others. Notably, Markus Gotthard will deliver a keynote on drones, AI, and energy resilience. The summit will also host a session led by Iván García Berjano with approximately 20 investors to construct a practical masterclass on startup investing. Additional workshops include Reental's session on accessible alternative investments and "Tres en Forma," featuring investors Jesús Alonso Gallo, Rodolfo Carpintier, and Néstor Salvador Boichenco.
Gateway Summit is tailored for startups, scaleups, corporations, venture funds, angel investors, family offices, and growth-minded companies. For international attendees, it serves as a concentrated entry point into Spanish and broader European ecosystems. Investors can engage in the Pitching Runway, dedicated investment rooms, and targeted one-on-one meetings, while founders can connect with investors and strategic allies. Advanced networking tools will facilitate pre-arranged meetings, ensuring that the right decision-makers connect seamlessly.
The summit emphasizes practical learning through interactive Experience Zones featuring live tech demonstrations, Web3/gaming showcases, and immersive experiences. Caballero stressed that the event's value proposition lies in combining knowledge, action, and networking, with the key question being "Who did you meet, and what deals will follow?" rather than which presentation was attended. This focus on ROI is designed to attract participants willing to cross the Atlantic for concrete business outcomes.
