Valencia’s video game industry is getting a boost from a couple of interesting initiatives and a strong global partner.
The Mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, welcomed Enrique Lores, the global President and CEO of tech giant Hewlett-Packard (HP), in a pivotal meeting held on Friday. Accompanying them was Paula Llobet, Deputy Councilor for Innovation, Technology, Digital Agenda, and Investment Attraction of Valencia City Council. During this significant encounter, Lores, an alumnus of the Technical School of Industrial Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), expressed HP’s keen interest in Valencia’s innovative initiatives, including ‘Valencia Game City,’ the ‘Makerspace’ project, and the city’s designation as the European Green Capital for 2024. This partnership signals a promising future for Valencia in the video game industry.
Valencia Emerges as a Video Game Industry Pioneer
The ‘Valencia Game City’ initiative, set to be housed in the historic La Farinera building, represents an innovative program with a bold vision – to position Valencia as a leading player in the video game and e-sports sector. On Friday, María José Catalá and Enrique Lores pledged to explore avenues of collaboration to make this vision a reality.
HP’s interest doesn’t stop there; they are also considering sponsoring the ‘Makerspace’ initiative, which could potentially find its home in La Farinera.
This early 20th-century industrial building, part of the warehouse complex on Joan Verdaguer Street, has recently undergone rehabilitation and offers over 5,500 square meters of space in El Grau, making it an ideal location for fostering technological co-creation and innovation.
Notably, Hewlett-Packard is already involved in the DFactory space in Barcelona, a dynamic hub where 30 leading companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and innovative startups collaborate on projects and support each other in corporate digital transformation endeavors.
The DFactory’s areas of focus encompass 3D printing, robotics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, sensors, and advanced manufacturing, illustrating HP’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
A Commitment to Sustainability
During the meeting, sustainability emerged as a pivotal topic of discussion. Enrique Lores conveyed HP’s ambitious goal of becoming the most sustainable technological company by 2030.
In response, María José Catalá highlighted Valencia’s forthcoming designation as the European Green Capital for 2024. Together, they explored avenues for collaboration with HP on sustainability initiatives, particularly in the realm of climate change mitigation.
Valencia has been steadily making its mark in the technology and innovation landscape. With its ambitious initiatives like ‘Valencia Game City’ and the ‘Makerspace’ project, the city is positioning itself as a hub for creative minds in the gaming industry. By collaborating with tech powerhouse Hewlett-Packard, Valencia is poised to accelerate its ascent and make a significant impact on the video game industry.
A Vision for ‘Valencia Game City’
‘Valencia Game City’ represents a forward-thinking vision that aims to propel the city into the forefront of the video game and e-sports sector.
Housed in the historic La Farinera building, this initiative seeks to create a dynamic ecosystem where developers, gamers, and industry leaders converge to innovate and collaborate.
María José Catalá, Mayor of Valencia, expressed her enthusiasm for this initiative, saying, “We believe that ‘Valencia Game City’ has the potential to not only boost our local economy but also position Valencia as a global center for video game development and e-sports events.”
Enrique Lores, the CEO of Hewlett-Packard, echoed this sentiment, stating, “HP has a long history of supporting innovation and technological advancement. We see great potential in ‘Valencia Game City’ and are eager to explore ways in which our expertise and resources can help make it a reality.”
Fostering Technological Co-Creation with ‘Makerspace’
In addition to ‘Valencia Game City,’ the partnership between Valencia City Council and HP is exploring the possibility of sponsoring the ‘Makerspace’ project.
This initiative aims to transform La Farinera, an iconic industrial building, into a collaborative space for technological innovation and co-creation.
Paula Llobet, Deputy Councilor for Innovation, Technology, Digital Agenda, and Investment Attraction of Valencia City Council, emphasized the significance of this endeavor, saying, “Makerspace represents an exciting opportunity to foster creativity, experimentation, and innovation in Valencia.
With the support of HP, we can transform this historic building into a vibrant hub for tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs.”
Hewlett-Packard’s interest in Valencia’s technological initiatives is rooted in its commitment to innovation. The company is already actively involved in the DFactory space in Barcelona, a thriving ecosystem where tech companies collaborate on cutting-edge projects and digital transformation processes.
The DFactory focuses on several key areas, including 3D printing, robotics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, sensors, and advanced manufacturing. By engaging with Valencia’s initiatives, HP aims to expand its influence in the Spanish tech landscape and contribute to the growth of innovative industries.
Pursuing Sustainability Goals
Sustainability is a core focus for both Valencia and Hewlett-Packard. During their meeting, Enrique Lores shared HP’s ambitious goal of becoming the most sustainable technological company by 2030.
María José Catalá highlighted Valencia’s designation as the European Green Capital for 2024, underscoring the city’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
The two leaders explored potential areas of collaboration to advance sustainability efforts, including initiatives to combat climate change.
As cities around the world seek solutions to address environmental challenges, the partnership between Valencia and HP holds promise for developing innovative solutions that benefit both the city and the planet.
The partnership between Valencia City Council and Hewlett-Packard marks a significant milestone in the city’s journey towards becoming a global hub for technology and innovation, particularly in the video game industry.
With ‘Valencia Game City’ and ‘Makerspace’ at the forefront, Valencia is poised to make a lasting impact on the gaming world.
As the collaboration between these two entities deepens, Valencia’s tech ecosystem will continue to flourish, fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. With Hewlett-Packard’s support, the city is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals and solidify its place on the global technology stage.
Valencia’s transformation into a video game industry benchmark is well underway, and the future looks promising for this vibrant Spanish city.
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© City Council and HP Partner to Transform Valencia into a Video Game Industry Hub – Valencian.es
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