Economic impact for Madrid.
South Summit Madrid 2026 will generate nearly €42 million in economic activity for the city, consolidating its role as one of the world’s leading drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment with a direct impact on Madrid. The event, co-organized by IE University, will celebrate its 15th edition from June 3 to 5 at La Nave.

10% growth compared to 2025.
According to the analysis prepared by PwC based on data from South Summit, the National Institute of Statistics and the Institute of Statistics of the Community of Madrid, the economic activity generated by South Summit Madrid 2026 will grow by 10% compared to the previous edition, to almost 42 million euros. This impact includes both the direct effects derived from the organization of the meeting and the indirect and induced impacts associated with the expenditure of suppliers, attendees and households.

A driver for the local economy.
South Summit Madrid continues to be, thus, an engine of activity for the local economy. For every euro spent by South Summit on the meeting, there is 4 euros of economic activity in Madrid. In addition, each visitor who attends South Summit generates around 2,042 euros of activity in the local economy, reinforcing the impact of the event on sectors such as services, hospitality, transport, suppliers and business activity linked to the innovative ecosystem.

Impact on employment.
The impact is also reflected in employment. The total contribution of South Summit Madrid 2026 will reach 3,798 equivalent jobs of monthly duration, 13% more than in 2025. This figure takes into account the direct, indirect and induced effects derived from both the organisation of the meeting and the expenditure made by the attendees during the days of celebration.

An essential event for Madrid.
During the presentation of the report, the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, valued in this regard "the indisputable figures that certify South Summit as an essential event and an inseparable brand of Madrid that has contributed to projecting the image of the city throughout the world". Martínez-Almeida added that "Madrid is experiencing today a moment of great maturity and growth, and these 15 years of South Summit have gone hand in hand with the economic and business evolution of the city. That is why we feel this project as something of our own and as one of the characteristics that best identify the capital."

Madrid as a technological hub.
For her part, Rocío Albert, Minister of Economy, Finance and Employment of the Community of Madrid, said that "Madrid is the most important technological hub in southern Europe, we are growing exponentially and our companies use AI 30% more than in the rest of Spain".

Four axes of impact.
The impact of South Summit is structured around four main strategic axes: economy and employment, image and reputation, entrepreneurial ecosystem and business innovation. Through these four areas, the meeting contributes not only to the economic activity of the city, but also to the positioning of Madrid as an international capital of entrepreneurship, investment and innovation.

Image, reputation and innovation.
In terms of image and reputation, South Summit reinforces Madrid's international visibility as a meeting point for startups, investors, corporations, institutions and leaders of the global ecosystem. At the same time, it boosts the entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting talent, capital and business opportunities, as well as promoting business innovation by bringing technological solutions, new business models and high-growth projects to large companies.

Madrid, an international hub.
Beyond the immediate economic impact, South Summit consolidates Madrid's role as an international hub for innovation and investment. In 2025, the meeting once again attracted more than 2,000 investors, of which more than 600 were international, reinforcing its ability to connect the Spanish ecosystem with global capital.

Startup Competition impact.
This positioning is in addition to the journey of the Startup Competition, one of the main gateways for high-potential startups within the South Summit ecosystem. Throughout its editions, more than 1,518 startups have reached the final phase of the competition, with a survival rate of more than 85%, nine international unicorns and more than 20,500 million euros in funding raised after their time at South Summit.

A platform for scaling innovation.
These data reinforce South Summit's role as a platform for identifying, connecting and scaling innovative projects. The evolution of the finalist startups shows how the meeting not only acts as an international showcase, but also as a space for real connection between startups, investors, corporations and institutions, with a cumulative impact on fundraising and business growth.

Real opportunities for Madrid.
"South Summit not only brings together the international innovation ecosystem: it generates economic activity, employment and real opportunities for Madrid. These data show that entrepreneurship and innovation have a tangible impact on the city, both in economic terms and in terms of international positioning, investment and business development," says María Benjumea, president and founder of South Summit.

A global innovation platform.
With these results, South Summit Madrid 2026 reinforces its role as one of the great international platforms for entrepreneurship and innovation, capable of attracting talent, capital and high-growth companies, while generating a positive and measurable impact on the local economy, employment and Madrid's reputation as a global innovation hub.