Marbella’s budding entrepreneurs triumph at Pool of Talents 2026 finals

Pool of Talents celebrated its 2026 finals on the morning of Saturday, April 11, at The Pool venue above El Corte Inglés in Marbella. Over 100 excited attendees packed the space to witness eight ambitious student startups pitch live to a professional and highly successful investor jury in a high-stakes showdown.

Pool of talents empowers Marbella’s next generation entrepreneurs

University-level student-led from its inception, Pool of Talents connects internationally educated youth aged 16 to 21 with practical pathways into business, technology, finance and creative industries. Internships with leading Marbella firms, industry site visits, case competitions and expert talks serve to equip participants with real skills before university. Its flagship programme, the Marbella Youth Entrepreneurship Cup, or MEC for short, stands out as the annual highlight.

Shark tank concept propels innovative pitches

MEC 2026 mirrored classic shark tank formats with precision, giving a competitive dynamic to drive the young entrepreneurs as much as entertain the audience. Young entrepreneurs formed teams, carefully created viable company ideas, received mentor guidance and delivered sharp three-minute pitches to a panel of three experienced business investors. Eight finalists competed for €3,000 seed funding and six months of professional mentorship, transforming classroom theories into market-ready proposals under real pressure, facing a real audience.

Karim Rebeiz snatches victory with F925.

Karim Rebeiz from Madrid claimed top honours with his already successful and up-and-running F925 venture. Judges selected the cheeky entry (F925 – standing for F*** 9 to 5 jobs) after intense scrutiny, praising its originality and already established success. Winning at the Marbella event instantly boosted visibility for the winner and revealed the calibre of emerging local talent.

Events like MEC nurture economic growth

Such competitions cultivate leadership, critical thinking and networking abilities essential for tomorrow’s economy. Pool of Talents initiatives give students genuine exposure to investors and industry leaders, accelerating innovation and confidence. Marbella benefits directly as these young business talents gain tools to launch ventures, create jobs and strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for decades to come.