Meet the challengers: Interview with Rafael Company, Security and Protection Director at Fundación Valenciaport, representing the Valenciaport Cluster Innovation Committee

Interview with Rafael Company, Security and Protection Director at Fundación Valenciaport, representing the Valenciaport Cluster Innovation Committee

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1. How did this challenge come about? What specific situation or moment led the Committee to define it and frame it as a Hackathon?

The challenge comes from an increasingly evident reality in modern ports: disruptions are no longer exceptions: they are recurring events, and they are growing in complexity. Recent episodes linked to extreme weather events, geopolitical tensions, global logistics congestion, cyber incidents and energy crises have shown that port operational continuity depends as much on anticipation as on coordination between multiple actors.

Within the Valenciaport Cluster Innovation Committee, we identified that many capabilities and data sources existed but were distributed, what was missing was an integrated vision capable of turning scattered signals into coordinated, agile decisions. That is precisely why this challenge fits so well within a Hackathon format: we need new approaches, technologies and collaborative models that can connect resilience, operational intelligence and real-time action.

2. What market scaling opportunities could a solution to this challenge unlock in the port logistics sector?

The scalability potential is very high. The challenges facing the Port of València are shared by virtually every major international port and logistics hub. Operational resilience has become a global strategic priority.

A solution capable of integrating monitoring, prediction and response coordination could evolve into a replicable platform for other ports, terminals, logistics corridors and even critical infrastructures such as airports or intermodal platforms. The market is also moving rapidly towards Smart Port and Digital Twin models, driven by both European regulations and real needs around sustainability, security and operational continuity.

Startups developing differentiated capabilities in areas such as predictive AI, IoT integration, GIS, cyber resilience or operational simulation will be positioning themselves in a market with growing international demand.

3. In your view, what separates a proposal that is "just good" from one that is "genuinely winning"?

A good proposal brings technology. A genuinely winning proposal understands port operations deeply, and how to facilitate shared decision-making among very different actors.

We will particularly value solutions that:

• Are realistic and deployable in complex operational environments
• Integrate heterogeneous data in a clear and useful way
• Generate actionable intelligence, not just visualisations
• Prioritise resilience by design, even in connectivity-loss scenarios
• Demonstrate scalability and modularity
• Support human and organisational coordination, not only technological automation

The ability to propose a concrete, measurable and viable pilot within a reasonable timeframe will also make a real difference.

4. What can a startup expect from the process that follows the hackathon if its proposal is convincing?

Selected startups will have the opportunity to continue working alongside the Valenciaport ecosystem to develop their proposal into a real Proof of Concept. This involves access to validation with port environment stakeholders, identification of priority integrations and the joint definition of high-impact use cases.

Beyond the potential development of pilots, the process offers something particularly valuable: visibility and connection with one of the leading port-logistics ecosystems in the Mediterranean, made up of operators, terminals, authorities and technology companies with genuine adoption and scaling capacity.

The goal is not simply to generate ideas: it is to accelerate solutions with real implementation potential.

5. Why would you encourage startups to apply?

Because it is a unique opportunity to work on a real, complex challenge with global strategic impact. Port logistics is undergoing a profound transformation, and there is a growing need for intelligent solutions focused on resilience, sustainability and operational continuity.

Participating allows startups to validate their technology in an environment of enormous international relevance, collaborate with leading sector players and explore scaling opportunities well beyond the Port of València.

We are also looking for diverse approaches: from comprehensive platforms to highly specialised solutions capable of solving one critical piece of the puzzle. If a startup has capabilities in AI, IoT, cybersecurity, predictive analytics, GIS, drones, computer vision or operational coordination, this challenge represents an ideal scenario to demonstrate real value.