South Summit Madrid 2025: Netflix Co-Founder and 17 Unicorns Set to Transform Europe’s Startup Scene

Madrid is poised to become the epicentre of global innovation once again as South Summit Madrid 2025 prepares to welcome over 430 speakers, 140 investors, and 17 unicorns to La Nave from 4-6 June. This year’s fourteenth edition promises to be the most international yet, with a record-breaking startup competition featuring finalists from 22 countries.

Star-Studded Speaker Lineup Features Netflix Co-Founder

Leading the impressive roster of speakers is Marc Randolph, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, who transformed a small DVD-by-mail service into the global streaming giant we know today. Joining him is Greg Hoffman, the creative mastermind behind Nike’s global brand evolution, and Dennis Hong, the UCLA robotics professor dubbed “the Leonardo da Vinci of robots” by The Washington Post.

The event’s commitment to diversity shines through its prominent female entrepreneurs, including Marci Zaroff, who coined the term “ECOfashion” in 1995 and leads sustainable fashion initiatives, and Adriana Pereira, co-founder of The Fabricant, pioneering AI-powered digital fashion.

Four Revolutionary Content Pillars Drive Innovation Forward

South Summit Madrid 2025 has structured its content around four interconnected themes that address today’s most pressing entrepreneurial challenges:

Growth explores sustainable business scaling through collaborative ecosystems and talent acquisition in uncertain times. This track focuses on investment strategies, organisational culture, and team evolution.

Sustainable Action operates on the principle that lasting innovation must align with planetary rhythms. Expect deep dives into energy transition, Climate Tech, efficient resource management, and sustainable agriculture solutions.

Humanity 2.0 places people at innovation’s heart, examining technology’s social impact. Sessions will cover AI applications in daily life, digital education (edtech), fintech solutions, technological regulation, and building trust in the digital age.

Tech Horizons offers a glimpse into the future with emerging technologies transforming entire industries—from advanced AI and neurotechnology to quantum computing, biotechnology, and metaverse applications.

Record-Breaking International Participation

The startup competition has shattered participation records, featuring 100 finalist startups from 22 different countries. This unprecedented global representation reinforces Madrid’s position as a worldwide innovation capital and demonstrates the event’s growing international appeal.

Among the standout participants is Pedro Conrade, founder of Brazilian unicorn Neon, representing the thriving Latin American fintech ecosystem. Investment heavyweight Paul Murphy from Lightspeed Venture Partners, which manages an impressive $8 billion fund focused on artificial intelligence, will also share insights into the future of tech investing.

Unicorns and Investment Powerhouses Converge

With 17 unicorns confirmed to attend and 140 investors—68% of whom are international—South Summit Madrid 2025 represents an unparalleled networking opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking to scale globally. The event has historically been a launching pad for success, with its startup competition having produced nine unicorns over thirteen previous editions.

Alexandre Prot, co-founder and CEO of Qonto (Europe’s leading SME banking solution), and Mikayel Vardanyan, co-founder of Picsart (the creative platform with over 100 million users), exemplify the calibre of unicorn founders sharing their scaling secrets.

Institutional Support Strengthens European Innovation

South Summit Madrid 2025 enjoys robust institutional backing from the Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, the Community of Madrid, and Madrid City Council. Key partners include Mutua Madrileña, Google for Startups, BBVA Spark, Wayra—Telefónica Innovation, and BStartup by Banco Sabadell.

This support underscores the Spanish government’s commitment to fostering innovation and positioning Madrid as a global startup hub competing with London, Berlin, and Paris.

Global Impact Beyond Madrid

South Summit’s influence extends far beyond Spain’s borders. Following successful editions across Latin America—including Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina—the fourth Brazilian edition in April 2025 attracted over 23,000 attendees from 62 countries, featuring 3,000 startups and 900 investors with portfolios worth €215 billion.

Looking Ahead: The Future of European Innovation

As Europe navigates economic uncertainty and technological disruption, events like South Summit Madrid 2025 become increasingly vital for fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing. The “In Motion” theme perfectly captures the dynamic nature of today’s startup ecosystem, where agility and adaptability determine success.

For entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation enthusiasts, South Summit Madrid 2025 represents more than just another conference—it’s a glimpse into the future of European business and technology. With its impressive lineup of speakers, record international participation, and focus on sustainable, human-centred innovation, this year’s event promises to set new standards for startup conferences across the continent.