Madrid

Madrid’s startup scene has matured rapidly into Spain’s largest, anchored by corporate headquarters, major universities, and a growing venture community around Malasaña and Gran Vía. The city combines the stability of a capital with the informality of a barrio: founders meet in coworking spaces and tech hubs during the day and continue conversations on rooftops at night. Strengths include SaaS, marketplaces, fintech, and a fast-growing AI scene, with strong ties to Latin America that make Madrid a natural bridge for Spanish-speaking founders. Formats include founder breakfasts, pitch evenings, demo days, and industry happy hours that rotate between converted bank halls and startup cafés. The scene is genuinely international — English is common in meetups, while Spanish remains the default for many local groups. The city’s later rhythm shapes events: dinners run long, and networking often continues at a terrace. Starting a startup Origin in Madrid works best with a narrow vertical and a regular rhythm — a monthly SaaS founders table or an AI builders night builds a loyal following faster than a generalist group.