Barcelona, 11 March 2026 — GLOBALS successfully concluded another edition of GLOBALS Tech Festival 2026 (GSTF26) on 1 March 2026 at The Social Hub Barcelona Poblenou. As the annual festival of the GLOBALS ecosystem, #GSTF26 brought together founders, investors, corporate leaders, media voices, public-sector representatives and innovation ecosystem builders for a full day of high-value conversations, strategic networking and growth-focused programming ahead of MWC Barcelona and 4YFN.
Built around this year’s theme, “Celebrating Growth,” GSTF26 was designed as a high-trust meeting point before one of the most important weeks in global tech. More than a warm-up to MWC, the festival created a space for meaningful dialogue, practical insight and relationship-building across the international startup and innovation ecosystem.
Highlights of GSTF26
This year’s edition featured more than 60 speakers across two stages and workshop formats, with sessions exploring the themes shaping growth in 2026: artificial intelligence, investor strategy, media and visibility, corporate innovation, scaling, international expansion, and the evolving relationship between technology and business leadership.
Throughout the day, GSTF26 brought together a diverse mix of founders, investors, executives, operators, institutions and ecosystem enablers. The program combined stage content with matchmaking, side meetings and community-driven networking, creating an environment where conversations could move beyond inspiration and into real collaboration.
Among the voices featured across the festival were Maria Jesus Guirado, Natalia Olson-Urtecho, Catherine Carlton, Lakshmi Karan, Mike Butcher, Thomas Ohr, Elena Poughia, Lars Hinrichs, José Luis Cordeiro, Limor Schweitzer, and Simon Schaefer, alongside more than 50 other top contributors who helped shape the discussion around what sustainable, international growth looks like in today’s market.
GLOBALS Tech Festival 2026 also reflected the increasingly international character of the GLOBALS community. Delegations and participants from multiple ecosystems joined the event in Barcelona, including a notable presence from Argentina, represented by Dario Genua, Secretary of Innovation, Science and Technology, reinforcing the city’s role as a bridge for global innovation, cross-border relationships and strategic opportunity during MWC week.
“GLOBALS Tech Festival is about creating the right connections before the week begins,” said Mario Paladini, CEO and Co-Founder of Club GLOBALS. “We brought together people who are not only building companies, but building ecosystems, partnerships and long-term value. Those are exactly the conversations we want to make happen in Barcelona.”
“When companies enter a growth phase, the challenges become very concrete,” said Nicolás Ventura, COO and Co-Founder of Club GLOBALS. “Our role is to bring the right people together in the right context and create enough trust to move from conversation to action. That has always been the intention behind GSTF26. We are deeply grateful to every speaker, partner, attendee and community member who made this edition so special.”
He continued: “GLOBALS Tech Festival is the annual festival of the GLOBALS ecosystem. It is a reflection of the community around GLOBALS and of the relationships, trust and ambition that have been built over time.”
The GLOBALS team extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, moderators, sponsors, exhibitors, partners, delegates, media representatives and attendees who contributed to the success of GSTF26. The organization also thanks The Social Hub Barcelona Poblenou for hosting the festival over the past three editions and helping create the atmosphere for a day defined by openness, ambition and real connection.
As Club GLOBALS continues its 2026 agenda with GLOBALS On Tour, the 5th edition is already set for 28 February 2027. #GSTF26 also offered a first look at what comes next with the unveiling of the trailer for next year’s edition. Under the concept Bull Awakening, the next chapter points toward broader international reach, stronger intent and a renewed appetite to build. More information will be shared at gstfestival.com as Club GLOBALS continues advancing its mission to empower global tech founders and ecosystem leaders through networking, visibility and action.
Huge thanks to the organizations who made this edition possible
Are you ready to start GLOBALS on Tour?
GLOBALS on Tour is a global networking series designed to connect startups, investors, and industry pioneers ahead of the GLOBALS Tech Festival in Barcelona. The journey kicked off in Porto Alegre as the first stop in a series of networking events leading up to the festival on February 28, 2027, in Barcelona! Now we are continuing our journey in Miami joining Startup Olé, eMerge and Mana Tech!
📍 Miami – April 20-28, 2026
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🔎 Explore More Events: GLOBALS Event Agenda
Hop on the tour — See you in Miami!
