From Apps to Science: Two Decades of Startup Transformation at the Mobile World Congress The Mobile World Congress (MWC) is celebrating its twentieth edition in Barcelona, solidifying its position as the global epicenter of the tech industry. More than 20,000 high-level executives, 3,000 exhibitors, and representatives from 209 countries will gather from March 2 to 5 at the Fira Gran Via, where the future of the sector will be discussed in a context marked by the rise of artificial intelligence, which has displaced the smartphone as the central focus of the event. The congress will feature the presence of Asian giants such as Huawei, Samsung, Xiaomi, and ZTE, as well as major American tech companies: Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. These companies will use the MWC to showcase their latest innovations and measure their strength in a landscape where European regulation and data protection are prominent, following a year of hefty fines for companies like Google, Apple, and Meta from Brussels. The European telecommunications sector arrives at the event at a crucial moment, with continental consolidation on the horizon. Operators like Telefónica, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Orange will seek to strengthen their position against American and Chinese giants. The role of Marc Murtra, president of Telefónica, will be particularly relevant as he advocates for greater sector integration, an idea supported by the Draghi Report and shared by much of the industry. Among the most notable innovations in this edition is the New Frontiers area, located in pavilion 6, where companies like Eutelsat, Aalyria, and Toshiba Quantum will present advancements in satellite networks, quantum computing, and applied artificial intelligence. Additionally, the presence of SpaceX and Starlink, represented by Gwynne Shotwell and Michael Nicolls, respectively, underscores the commitment to global connectivity and space technologies. The MWC will also showcase the digital transformation of companies in the Ibex 35. Telefónica will lead the agenda with demonstrations of 5G, quantum computing, IoT, AI, satellite connectivity, drones, and robotics. Indra will present its IndraMind platform, aimed at European sovereign intelligence, while Cellnex will showcase solutions for transport and critical connectivity. Aena will reveal its vision for the airport of the future, based on AI and new management models, and the financial sector will be represented by CaixaBank and BBVA, which will present their advancements in innovation and digitalization. The MWC enters its third decade with the goal of surpassing the attendance record of 2019, although the GSMA, the event organizer, prioritizes the quality and profile of attendees over quantity, according to its CEO John Hoffman. Thus, the congress reaffirms its role as a key forum for global technological debate and innovation.