Top 25 Startup Events for Early-Stage Startups in North America in 2025
North America's startup ecosystem is bustling with energy and innovation. Here are the top 25 startup events in 2025 that early-stage entrepreneurs must consider attending to gain insights, network, and propel their ventures forward.
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1. CES 2025
When: January 7-10, 2025
Where: Las Vegas, USA
Focus: Connectivity, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health, and more.
Attendees: Tech visionaries, innovative thinkers, and decision-makers.
Why Attend: Networking with industry leaders and exploring cutting-edge technologies.
2. Startup Grind Global Conference
When: April 29-30, 2025
Where: Silicon Valley, USA (Redwood City, CA)
Focus: Startup growth, investment, and networking.
Attendees: Entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and industry leaders.
Why Attend: Inspiring talks, networking, and deal-making opportunities.
3. Collision Conference
When: TBD
Where: Toronto, Canada
Focus: Tech startups, networking, investment opportunities.
Attendees: Newcomers in business, corporate innovators, and investors.
Why Attend: Networking, sessions with renowned speakers, and access to global funding.
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4. SXSW (South by Southwest)
When: March 7-15, 2025
Where: Austin, Texas, USA
Focus: Tech, film, music, education, and culture.
Attendees: Tech entrepreneurs, musicians, filmmakers, and educators.
Why Attend: Networking, exposure, and potential partnerships.
5. Web Summit Vancouver
When: May 27-30, 2025
Where: Vancouver, Canada
Focus: Technology, startups, and innovation.
Attendees: Tech entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.
Why Attend: Networking, showcasing startups, and pitching to investors.
6. RSA Conference 2025
When: April 28 - May 1, 2025
Where: San Francisco, USA
Focus: Cybersecurity, threat detection, and data protection.
Attendees: Cybersecurity professionals and industry leaders.
Why Attend: Learning from experts and discovering new technologies.
7. TechCrunch Disrupt
When: September 2025
Where: San Francisco, USA
Focus: Tech innovation, startups, and funding opportunities.
Attendees: Startups, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Why Attend: Startup Battlefield competition and networking with investors.
8. SelectUSA Investment Summit
When: TBD
Where: USA
Focus: Expanding operations in the US market and industry connections.
Attendees: Global companies, industry experts, and policymakers.
Why Attend: Strategy guidance, business meetings, and valuable insights.
9. Startupfest
When: TBD
Where: Montreal, Canada
Focus: Startup communication, mentorship, and investment.
Attendees: Entrepreneurs, investors, and industry veterans.
Why Attend: Curated content, 1:1 meetings with mentors, and media exposure.
10. Startup Canada Tour
When: April 29, 2025 (Calgary); October 21, 2025 (Mississauga)
Where: Calgary, Alberta; Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Focus: Supporting and connecting Canadian startups.
Attendees: Canadian startups, investors, and industry experts.
Why Attend: Networking, workshops, and regional ecosystem opportunities.
For full details and updates, ensure to visit the official event websites before planning your attendance. This guide aims to help you navigate and optimize your participation in these notable events that can potentially catalyze your startup’s growth.
Note: Each event’s specifics are subject to change; always refer to the official websites for the most accurate and updated information.
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FAQ
Q: What is the top tech event for showcasing global innovations?
A: CES 2025 in Las Vegas is the leading event for breakthroughs in technology and global innovations. Learn more about CES 2025.
Q: Which startup event is best for networking opportunities?
A: Startup Grind Global Conference in Silicon Valley focuses strongly on growth and networking for startups. Discover Startup Grind Global Conference.
Q: What is a key event for cybersecurity professionals?
A: RSA Conference 2025 in San Francisco is ideal for those focusing on cybersecurity trends, threats, and innovations. Explore RSA Conference 2025.
Q: Which event offers opportunities specifically for Canadian startups?
A: Startup Canada Tour connects Canadian startups with resources in locations like Calgary and Mississauga. Check out Startup Canada Tour.
Q: What is a significant tech conference held in Toronto?
A: Collision Conference is one of North America's largest tech startup events, focusing on networking and investments.
Q: Where can startups meet industry leaders and discover emerging trends?
A: TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco provides a platform for exploring tech innovations and startup competitions. Learn more about TechCrunch Disrupt.
Q: Which event combines technology and culture in a large festival format?
A: SXSW in Austin, Texas, merges tech, film, music, and education in its expansive cultural and innovation festival. Explore SXSW.
Q: What is a notable event for investors interested in the U.S. market?
A: The SelectUSA Investment Summit caters to international companies and startups looking to expand in the U.S. Learn more about SelectUSA Investment Summit.
Q: Which event is known as Canada’s original startup event?
A: Startupfest in Montreal focuses on creating meaningful interactions among entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. Discover Startupfest.
Q: What premier conference is held in Vancouver for tech entrepreneurs?
A: Web Summit Vancouver is a major technology event ideal for tech entrepreneurs and startups. Learn more about Web Summit Vancouver.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
