THE NEXT UNICORN
Ibiza Edition
May 18–22, 2026
GLOBAL STARTUP COMPETITION
&INNOVATION PROGRAM
The Next Unicorn is a professional program for high-potential startups that combines:
- •Business competition
- •Real investor evaluation
- •Global exposure
- •Pre- and post-event acceleration
The reality show is only the visible layer.
The real value is the full innovation program.
THE NEXT UNICORN 2026 TEASER
Our Ecosystem Partners:
HOW IT WORKS
COMPETITION PROCESS
UNTIL FEBRUARY 15
Complete your registration
MARCH
Jury Review & 30 finalists selection
APRIL
Open Innovation Program
MAY
The Next Unicorn: Startup Competition
JAN-DECEMBER
Softlanding & Incubation Programs
VERTICALS
6
FINALISTS
30
INVESTMENT
+5M€
THE NEXT UNICORN: IBIZA EDITION MAY 2026
WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN IN IBIZA?
18-19TH MAY
Romeos Hotel Ibiza
Two days of full immersion designed to elevate each startup to its maximum potential before facing global investors. During this phase, the 30 selected startups live together in an exclusive environment, combining high-level training, strategic mentoring and intensive pitch preparation — while generating premium audiovisual content in one of Ibiza's most iconic locations.
What happens during these days:
- •Founder convivencia to build connections, tension and shared experience
- •1:1 and group mentoring with experienced investors and operators
- •Masterclasses focused on fundraising, storytelling, metrics and scalability
- •Pitch refinement with direct feedback from real decision-makers
- •Content creation and filming throughout the Romeos Hotel experience
What's included:
- •Accommodation, meals and internal transportation fully covered
- •All program activities and private sessions included
- •Flights to Ibiza are the only cost not covered
20TH MAY
The Next Unicorn Stage
The moment where everything is on the line. Each startup steps onto the stage to pitch in front of hundreds of international investors and a world-class jury. This is not a demo day — it's a high-pressure, high-visibility evaluation where clarity, traction and vision are tested in real time.
Key elements:
- •3 to 5 minutes per startup to pitch their company
- •Live Q&A with a renowned jury of investors and industry experts
- •Audience formed by international VCs, business angels, corporates and media
- •Professional stage, production and global exposure
Focus of evaluation:
- •Business model and scalability
- •Market opportunity and differentiation
- •Team strength and execution capability
- •Clarity, confidence and strategic thinking
21ST MAY
Private Luxury Villa
An exclusive closing night that brings together the most influential players of the ecosystem in a private, high-end setting. This final stage celebrates excellence, connection and ambition — culminating in the announcement of the winners of The Next Unicorn: Ibiza Edition.
What happens:
- •Private gala dinner with top-tier investors, founders and industry leaders
- •Final selection of one finalist per vertical
- •Award for each vertical winner
- •Announcement of the overall winner of The Next Unicorn: Ibiza Edition
The outcome:
- •Recognition, prestige and visibility at an international level
- •Direct access to investors and strategic partners
- •Entry into the long-term ecosystem and post-program support of The Next Unicorn
- •Big Economic Prize
OUR CURATED TRACKS
AI & DATA
APPLIED AI, PREDICTIVE MODELS, AUTOMATION, DATA GOVERNANCE.
FINTECH & BLOCKCHAIN
PAYMENTS, TOKENIZATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, COMPLIANCE, FINANCIAL SCALABILITY.
SMART MOBILITY
ELECTRIC, CONNECTED, URBAN AND SMART LOGISTICS MOBILITY.
HEALTH & BIOTECH
DIGITAL HEALTH, ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS, DEVICES, APPLIED BIOTECHNOLOGY.
CLIMATE & ENERGY
RENEWABLES, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, DISTRIBUTED ENERGY, CO₂ TECH.
SMART CITIES & INFRA
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT, IOT SENSORS, DIGITAL TWINS AND URBAN DATA.
HOW IT WORKS
DO YOU NEED MORE INFO?
DOWNLOAD THE FULL BRIEFING HERE.
