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Colectivo at South Summit 2025: Building a Regenerative Future Through Innovation
- Projects at Colectivo
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
Valentina Martingell, our Design Analyst and Coordinator, represented Colectivo at South Summit Madrid 2025. A gathering of founders, investors, corporates, and creatives shaping the future of business and sustainability. As a consultancy rooted in regenerative thinking, we were particularly interested in how panels addressed the intersection of climate, innovation, and social equity.
“Being at South Summit as a representative of Colectivo was a powerful reminder that sustainability is no longer a conversation happening on the sidelines, it's now at the core of innovation. Across panels and conversations, it was clear that businesses are rethinking what value truly means, not just profit, but impact, equity, and regeneration. It was inspiring to see so many people across industries committed to building a future that serves both the planet and people." - Valentina Martingell, Design Analyst and Coordinator
Here are some reflections from the panels attended:
Reshaping Sustainable Leadership
The day began with “The Next 35: Reshaping Sustainable Leadership”, where María Galdo Cora (PATIO Campus), Borja Santos (K Fund), Marta del Castillo (Social Nest Foundation), and Alba Bernardino (Pascual Innoventures) discussed how sustainability has moved from a side initiative to a strategic pillar across business sectors.
A recurring theme was that sustainability is no longer optional, it is integral to product design, operations, and investment decisions. The panel noted that startups today are tackling climate challenges head-on, particularly in materials, packaging, and AI-enabled process optimisation. What once sat in the innovation department now lives across all teams, a sign of how deeply climate consciousness is embedding itself into entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Building Resilient, Sustainable Cities in Europe
Next, “Boosting EU’s Resilience: Smart Resources, Stronger Cities” brought into focus the complex challenge of preparing cities for the future. Speakers including Luis Socias Uribe (Invest in Madrid), Diletta Livi (Alchimia Investments), Jesús Cabrero (Sacyr Agua), and Bruno Moraes (Telefónica) spoke about how urban resilience depends on collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities.
Sustainability was central to the conversation: how can we ensure clean water access, decarbonise infrastructure, and protect vulnerable populations in the face of climate shocks?
The discussion made it clear that fragmented governance, outdated infrastructure, and financial constraints continue to stall meaningful progress. Yet there was also a clear call to action: integrate data intelligently, fund innovation boldly, and prioritise equity in how resources are managed. Cities must evolve, not only to grow, but to thrive inclusively and sustainably.
Rethinking AI’s Role in Sustainability
Later in the day, “The AI Dividend: Measuring the ROI of AI” explored how artificial intelligence can serve both planetary and human well-being. Noelia Amoedo (NODEOM), Stephanie Griffiths (Dataiku), and Ikhlaq Sidhu (IE University) offered both optimism and caution around AI’s role in driving sustainable value.
The panel warned against focusing solely on financial return. Instead, they called for a broader definition of ROI, one that includes upskilling, accessibility, and emissions reductions. AI, they argued, can improve lives, but only when embedded with transparency, inclusivity, and ethical intent.
A particularly resonant insight was the reminder that technology should serve the mission, not replace it. At this stage, many AI systems are still too immature to show real environmental or social returns, especially within the public sector. But if used wisely, AI could help scale climate action, optimise resources, and deliver on SDG-aligned goals.
Travel Tech With a Social Impact Lens
The final session, “From Takeoff to Checkout: Reimagining Travel Tech”, spotlighted how the travel and hospitality industries are being reshaped not just for efficiency, but for equity and inclusion, especially through the use of emerging technologies like AI.
Panelists Carlos Alberto Bello Marcos (Ilunion Hotels), Ferran Garcia Rigau (Iberia), Andres Spitzer (Civitatis), and Emma Maggio (South Summit) explored the role of AI in creating more accessible, inclusive travel experiences, from the airport terminal to hotel check-in.
One of the most powerful takeaways was how AI is already supporting people with diverse needs in real, tangible ways. For visually impaired travelers, voice-activated assistants can help them navigate booking processes and on-site services more independently. Hotels are now integrating smart tools to automate room features or service requests, tailored to individual access needs. And behind the scenes, AI is helping companies identify gaps in service delivery, ultimately fostering more inclusive design.
Of course, with this progress comes responsibility. The speakers noted that over-reliance on automation risks alienating those who still prefer human interaction, a reminder that inclusion is about choice as much as it is about access.
A Note From Colectivo
At Colectivo, we’re proud to see that the conversations we champion in our work are becoming central across sectors and continents. And we remain committed to helping our partners design systems that regenerate more than they extract, economically, socially, and environmentally.
Check out our Linkedin page for more updates: https://ie.linkedin.com/company/colectivo-impact
