For years, Slush conference has been a beacon for European startups, world-class investors, and forward-thinking tech journalists. With 5,500 startups and 3,300 investors under one roof – and over $3 trillion in assets represented – it’s impossible not to feel the pulse of transformation everywhere you look.

In November 2024, I was fortunate to step into the buzzing halls of Slush Helsinki, dubbed "the most founder-focused event on Earth." The conference exceeded all my expectations. What impressed me most was its emphasis on impact. Whether in renewable energy, cybersecurity, or quantum computing, every conversation centered on creating meaningful, sustainable change and collaboration.

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During Slush 2024, one topic – for sure, not planned by the organizing committee – stole everyone’s attention: two undersea cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea. I can perfectly recall we had internet issues those days in Helsinki.

This case was a stark reminder of our interconnected world’s fragility. One of the damaged cables, C-Lion1, links Finland and Central Europe. The second cable, the BCS East West Interlink, connects Lithuania and Sweden.

Undersea cables are massive fiber-optic networks along the ocean floor, transmitting 99% of the world’s intercontinental data – from emails and video calls to entire corporate operations. These cables form the backbone of global communication and are part of critical national infrastructure.

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THE SIGN for Bilbao Slush’D

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At THE SIGN.MEDIA, we are committed to safeguarding the interface between terrestrial and spatial infrastructure, particularly in the context of space cybersecurity. However, incidents like those in the Baltic Sea – whether the result of sabotage or accident – emphasize the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities in undersea and other communication systems.

We are going to raise this important topic at Bilbao Slush’D, taking place on February 20, 2025. As the official communication partner for the event, THE SIGN.MEDIA aims to contribute to meaningful dialogue and partnerships for European and global security.

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Why Bilbao, Why Now?

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‍Bilbao Slush’D event embodies a unique fusion of Finland’s renowned innovation culture and Spain’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, highlighting Slush’s global vision of connecting innovation hubs across Europe.

Over the past decade, Spain’s startup ecosystem has experienced meteoric growth, with cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and now Bilbao proving their strength as global innovation hubs. Bilbao’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge industries makes it an ideal host for Slush’D.

At THE SIGN.MEDIA, we’ve seen firsthand the energy of Spain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through initiatives like the Women4Cyber School. Powered by Tetuan Valley and Google for Startups, this program has reinforced our mission to make Europe and the world safer.

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Bilbao Slush’D: High-Caliber Lineup

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‍Bilbao Slush’D promises a high-caliber lineup of speakers and topics addressing cutting-edge advancements in AI, quantum technologies, space, and defense industries. We are particularly excited to engage with thought leaders such as:

1. Luis Llorens (Plug and Play): Champion of aerospace and defense innovation.

2. Edgar Vicente (ENZO Ventures): Driving scalable startup investments.

3. Amelie Mariage (AKKA): Advocate for digital transformation in engineering.

4. Jaime Trainor (Futuro Perfecto): Visionary in aligning technology with societal impact.

5. Carlos Kuchkovsky (QCentroid): Pioneering breakthroughs in quantum innovation.

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Scaling New Heights Together

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The main topic of Bilbao Slush’D 2025, “Scaling New Heights,” mirrors Spain’s rise as a key player in Europe’s innovation landscape. This perfectly aligns with the ambitions and goals of THE SIGN.MEDIA.

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Join us in Bilbao on February 20, 2025: www.bilbaoslushd.com

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‍_{Author: Tatiana Skydan, Co-founder of THE SIGN.MEDIA}

_{Photo: Eduardo Kenji Amorim}