MONDRAGON strengthens its strategic participation in South Summit Madrid 2025

South Summit has something special. It has achieved a rare balance, connecting over 7,500 entrepreneurs and startups, 2,100 investors from 130 different countries, and around 20,000 attendees from top-level corporations and SMEs. Also invited were the 100 finalists of the Startup Competition, representing 22 different countries.

All of this is centered around a clear focus: the creation of business opportunities. It is a three-day gathering packed with conferences, themed panels featuring global experts, product exhibition areas, training workshops, and one-to-one meetings among investors, startups, corporations, and institutions.

MONDRAGON present as Innovation and Fostering Partners
The MONDRAGON Corporation, through MONDRAGON Ventures, maintains its presence and positioning as an Innovation Partner, in collaboration with Mondragon Unibertsitatea Enpresagintza and MTA – Mondragon Team Academy, which acts as a Fostering Partner.

Joseba Sagastigordia: "Our goal is to position our brand as a leader in innovation, relevant within the entrepreneurial ecosystem"

MONDRAGON continues its role as sponsor, jury member for the selection of finalist startups out of 400 candidates analyzed, and as an active partner in the event’s dynamics.

"Our goal is to position our brand as a leader in innovation, relevant within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. An event like this gives us access to emerging technologies and innovative business models, as well as the opportunity to form strategic alliances with pioneering companies to identify new business opportunities. It’s also an ideal space to spot talent and entrepreneurial minds, and to connect with leading companies, investors, and other actors in the ecosystem", emphasized Joseba Sagastigordia Ugalde, Director of MONDRAGON Ventures.

Sagastigordia participated in the roundtable The Global Investment Landscape: Trends shaping the future, where he shared experiences in private investment in emerging business opportunities.

Active Participation from Mondragon Unibertsitatea
Mondragon Unibertsitatea was represented by more than 50 team entrepreneurs from the Mondragon Team Academy community. Graduates and participants from the Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation (LEINN) had the opportunity to connect with ecosystem stakeholders present at La Nave in Madrid.

Aitor Lizartza Martin, Director of the entrepreneurship unit at Mondragon Team Academy, took part in the panel titled The Nomad Economy: Work, Connection & Impact, aimed at sharing the experiences of the leinners, particularly through the learning journeys carried out in the LEINN program.

“Beyond the presentations and panels, we had the chance to meet and speak with several graduates present at the startup booths, alongside various corporations and institutions. It was an excellent opportunity to exchange learning experiences and see how the leinners, are shaping their professional and life paths,” said Lizartza.

Startups and Recognition
At the PITCH Session by UP! Euskadi – Basque Startup Ecosystem, three out of nine presentations were delivered by leinners:

• Lola Uriarte from MAIRU
• Sara Rekalde from YORSIO
• Ander Maiztegi from ZERU Drones

Finally, TRAK was the finalist in the HEALTH category.