BEST Valencia

What BEST Valencia does

BEST Valencia is a non-profit, student-led Local BEST Group (LBG) operating at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain, and part of the wider BEST (Board of European Students of Technology) network founded in 1989, which spans 86 LBGs across 30 European countries. The chapter runs a portfolio of recurring educational events for STEM students: VIEW (Valencian Innovative Engineering Week, an annual engineering competition launched in 2014), BEST Courses (short technical courses hosting 22 European students per edition, including CiS in summer and SPC in spring), Hackathons in partnership with VIEWNext (an IBM Group company in Spain), and from 2024 onward the Winter International Projects Forum (wIPF) and BEST Conference Day (BCD). Participants pay a symbolic fee that covers lodging, meals, transport and activities, and the gap is subsidized by corporate sponsors (VIEWNext/IBM, HP Cátedra, Acciona, Edwards, Ascires, Red Bull, Velarte) and by public co-financing from the European Union and Spain's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation.

The organization's value proposition addresses three constituencies: engineering students seeking technical and soft-skill development plus international exposure; technology companies seeking direct access to motivated STEM talent for recruitment and employer branding; and universities (primarily UPV) seeking international student-exchange and engineering-education feedback. Distribution relies on organic social (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok), UPV campus channels, and the broader BEST network for inbound European participants. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations are run by approximately five volunteer organizers cycling through defined functional roles (Main Organiser, Logistics, PAX, Food, Social, Corporate Relations), with corporate relationships managed by a dedicated Corporate Relations Responsible and a VP of External Relations. The organization is governed as part of the BEST International framework rather than as a standalone legal entity, and revenue is intentionally kept low through symbolic pricing — making BEST Valencia structurally a community-and-events non-profit rather than a commercial venture.

Name

BEST Valencia

Legal name

BEST Valencia

Website

https://bestvalencia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BEST Valencia is a non-profit, student-led Local BEST Group at the Universitat Politècnica de València that organizes engineering courses, hackathons, and international events for European STEM students, funded by symbolic fees, corporate sponsors, and EU/Spanish public co-financing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Educational Events and Programs

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHAJAE

Engineering & Technology Congresses

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Association, Government & Academic Congresses

SECONDARYTHAHABAE

Technology & Innovation Expos Organizers

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Exhibition & Trade Show Organizers

SECONDARYTHAHACAE

Academic & Education Conference Organizers

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

Keywords

• STEM student events
• Engineering education programs
• International student exchange
• Hackathon competitions
• Technical training courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Valencia

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Participation Fees: Participants in BEST Courses pay a symbolic/reduced fee that covers lodging, meals, transportation, and activities. The fee is subsidized by university support and sponsorships.
2. Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships: Companies such as VIEWNext, HP Cátedra, Acciona, Edwards, and Ascires sponsor events and participate in sessions, providing financial and in-kind support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BEST Valencia organizes educational events and short-duration courses for STEM students at the Universitat Politècnica de València, including an annual engineering week, hackathons, international project forums, and themed summer courses. The organization is part of the broader BEST (Board of European Students of Technology) network and connects students with corporate partners for talent development and recruitment. Participants pay a symbolic fee subsidized by sponsorships and grants.

Product overview

BEST Valencia is a student organization (Local BEST Group) that offers a portfolio of educational programs and events for STEM students at the Universitat Politècnica de València. The portfolio includes: VIEW (Valencian Innovative Engineering Week) - an annual engineering competition and technology week since 2014; BEST Courses - short technical courses for 22 European students; Hackathon - programming competitions in partnership with VIEWNext (IBM group); wIPF (Winter International Projects Forum) - biannual international project coordination events; BCD (BEST Conference Day) - sustainability-focused symposia connecting students with companies; and CiS (Course in Summer) - summer programs including AI-Enhanced Project Management. These offerings collectively aim to develop students' international mindset and professional skills through technical, cultural, and networking experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VIEW (Valencian Innovative Engineering Week) Annual engineering and technology week featuring talks, activities, and an engineering competition with two categories designed to challenge STEM students and promote organization and teamwork skills.
• BEST Courses Short-duration courses enabling students to develop technically in their field of study or acquire skills for their future professional career. BEST Valencia organizes courses for 22 European students who travel to Valencia.
• Hackathon Programming competition where participants solve problems posed by VIEWNext (IBM Group company) by developing software tools. Includes pre-competition training sessions to ensure all participants have equal knowledge base.
• wIPF (Winter International Projects Forum) Biannual international event bringing together students from universities across Europe to coordinate, develop, and follow up on projects of international scope within the BEST network.
• BCD (BEST Conference Day) One-day European symposium focused on sustainability, innovation and professional development that brings together STEM students, companies and institutions through presentations, workshops, networking, and case study competitions.
• CiS (Course in Summer)

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 European students per BEST Course edition
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AccionaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Acciona is a contributor/sponsor to the Winter International Projects Forum 2026, engaging with STEM students at the event.
• La FalleraminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026La Fallera restaurant is listed as a contributor to wIPF 2026.
• El Valle SnacksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026El Valle Snacks is listed as a contributor to wIPF 2026.
• European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The European Union co-finances the BEST Course in Summer 2024 (CiS 2024) through its funding programs, contributing to the event's international scope.
• Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Spain's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation supports CiS 2024 as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
• HP Cátedra (UPV)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024HP Cátedra at UPV is listed as a contributor to the Winter International Projects Forum 2026, supporting the event financially.
• BEST (International)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024BEST (Board of European Students of Technology) is the parent organization of BEST Valencia, operating 86 Local BEST Groups in 30 European countries since 1989 and providing the international framework for courses and events.
• Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación (UPV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Telecommunications Engineering School at UPV is listed as a partner of CiS 2024, providing academic support and venue access.
• Instituto de Ciencias de la Educación (UPV)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The ICE at UPV is listed as a partner for CiS 2024, contributing to the academic component of the course.
• Cátedra Consum (UPV)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Consum Chair at UPV is listed as a partner supporting CiS 2024.
• TelecoRentaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024TelecoRenta is listed as a partner for CiS 2024.
• Cátedra Stadler (UPV)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024The Stadler Chair at UPV is listed as a partner supporting CiS 2024.
• Red BullminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Red Bull is listed as a partner for CiS 2024, likely providing sponsorship and energy at social events.
• EdwardsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Edwards (vacuum equipment company) is listed as a collaborator for SPC 2023, providing sponsorship or support.
• AsciresminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Ascires (biomedical/technology company) is listed as a collaborator for SPC 2023.
• VIEWNext (IBM Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020VIEWNext, a company of the IBM group in Spain specialized in application and infrastructure management, partnered with BEST Valencia for the Hackathon. They provide real-world programming challenges, pre-competition training, and direct recruitment opportunities for participating students.
• Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPV is the host institution of BEST Valencia, providing facilities (Casa de l'Alumne), institutional support, and student access. The partnership enables BEST to operate on campus and co-organize events like VIEW with the university.
• Generación EspontáneacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneración Espontánea is a student organization at UPV that co-organizes events and shares resources with BEST Valencia, serving as a local campus partner.
• Casa del Alumno (UPV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Casa del Alumno student house at UPV serves as BEST Valencia's office location and event coordination hub.
• VelarteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVelarte is listed as a partner on the BEST Valencia website, providing sponsorship or support for events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AIESEC: AIESEC is a global youth-run nonprofit operating cross-border exchange programs and leadership events with corporate partners. While broader than engineering, it shares BEST Valencia's volunteer-led, event-driven, sponsorship-funded model for international student development.
• ESTIEM (European Students of Industrial Engineering and Management): ESTIEM is a Europe-wide student network offering events, exchanges, and corporate engagement for industrial engineering and management students. It mirrors BEST Valencia's combination of academic events, international mobility, and company sponsorship.
• EESTEC (Electrical Engineering Students' European assoCiation): EESTEC is a pan-European student-run nonprofit network of electrical engineering students organizing workshops, exchanges, and events across multiple countries. It is the most direct functional peer to BEST Valencia in terms of mission, structure, and event portfolio for European engineering students.
• IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience): IAESTE runs paid international technical internships and exchanges for STEM students across more than 80 countries. It is comparable to BEST Valencia on the international STEM mobility axis, though its core offering is internships rather than courses and congresses.
• ELSA (European Law Students' Association): ELSA is a pan-European, student-run nonprofit that organises academic events, moot courts, and conferences with corporate sponsorship. It shares BEST Valencia's federation-of-local-chapters structure and event-led model, though focused on law rather than engineering.

Emerging players

• Hult Prize Foundation: The Hult Prize runs a global student startup and case competition with regional events, university chapters, and corporate sponsorship. It is comparable to BEST Valencia's VIEW competition and BCD case study format for engaging students with corporate partners.
• Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC): GDSC is a Google-sponsored university chapter program for student developers to run tech workshops, hackathons, and solution challenges. It overlaps with BEST Valencia on technology hackathons and corporate-backed student learning events.
• Junior Achievement (JA Europe): JA Europe is a nonprofit running education and entrepreneurship programs for students, including company-sponsored case competitions and events. It shares BEST Valencia's nonprofit, event-based, sponsor-funded educational model but focuses on younger students and entrepreneurship rather than engineering.

Broad incumbents

• IEEE Student Branches: IEEE supports thousands of student branches worldwide, including at UPV, running technical talks, hackathons, and competitions. It overlaps with BEST Valencia on engineering-student events and corporate sponsorship but operates as part of a much larger professional society rather than a student-led nonprofit.
• ACM Student Chapters: ACM supports student chapters that run hackathons, workshops, and computing events at universities. It competes with BEST Valencia's Hackathon and programming events for STEM student attention and corporate sponsors, particularly in computing-focused activities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BESTValenciaUPV
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/best-valencia
• Instagraminstagram.com/bestvalenciaupv
• TikToktiktok.com/@best.valencia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BEST Valencia