Here's a list of 10+ Upcoming Startup Events That Could Make You Rich (While Your Competitors Stay Broke)
Most startup founders think they know where the real opportunities are. They're dead wrong.
While everyone's fighting over the same tired conferences in London and Berlin, the smartest entrepreneurs are quietly building empires from a tiny Mediterranean island that most people can't even find on a map. Malta - population 500,000 - is producing more startup millionaires per capita than Silicon Valley, and the secret isn't the tax breaks (though they don't hurt).
It's the events. The exclusive, invitation-only, investor-packed events that happen year-round while your competition sleeps.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: In the next 12 months, someone reading this article will land a 7-figure investment, close a game-changing partnership, or discover their next co-founder at one of these events. The question is: will it be you, or the founder who reads this after you?
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Why Malta Is Europe's Best-Kept Startup Secret
Before we dive into the events that could change your life, let's address the elephant in the room. Why Malta? Why would Europe's top startup investors abandon their comfortable London offices to fly to a rock in the Mediterranean?
Because they know something you don't.
Malta processed over €50 billion in digital assets in 2024 alone. It's home to more blockchain companies per square kilometer than anywhere else on Earth. And thanks to government initiatives designed to attract startups, it offers more financial incentives than Switzerland at a fraction of the cost.
But here's what the tourism board won't tell you: the real magic happens in the rooms they don't advertise.
The late-night investor dinners. The exclusive founder-only sessions. The pitch competitions where winning means walking away with contacts worth more than most people's annual salaries. These aren't events you can just register for online. They're earned.
And we're about to show you exactly how to get in.
The Underground Calendar: Malta's 2025-2026 Startup Event Goldmine
This article is regularly updated with new events. Do you know about an event that needs to be added? Send us some info and we will see if it's a fit.
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1. Start Up Festival Malta 2025 (October 20-24, 2025)
Location: Montekristo Estate
Why It Matters: This isn't your typical startup conference - it's a 5-day immersion that includes the return of Pitch Black, where entrepreneurs present ideas to expert panels under intense conditions. Previous winners have secured over €2M in funding.
Insider Tip: The real action happens during "Startup Week" (October 20-24) - five themed events leading up to the main festival. Each day targets different sectors: fintech, gaming, blockchain, AI, and sustainable tech.
What Your Competitors Don't Know: The Startup Awards ceremony on October 23rd features Malta's most influential investors. Arrive early, stay late, and bring business cards.
2. EU-Startups Summit 2026 (May 7-8, 2026)
Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
Expected Attendees: 2,500 founders, investors, and corporates
The Hook: Over 1,500 startup teams apply for their pitch competition. Only 15 make it. The prize? €755,000 in funding plus investor connections that have launched unicorns.
Why This Event Is Different: Unlike other conferences where speakers talk at you, this event is built around matchmaking and dealmaking. They provide dedicated networking apps, topic-focused sessions, and evening networking parties on the MCC's rooftop terrace with sunset views over Valletta's Grand Harbour.
Secret Access: The exhibition hall hosts 75 companies with booths, but participants represent 1,200+ companies. The informal conversations between official sessions often lead to bigger deals than the scheduled meetings.
3. SuperCharger FESTA 2026 (Expected June)
What Happened in 2025: 756 attendees, 64 speakers, 5 days of programming focused on EdTech and startup acceleration.
The SuperCharger Advantage: This isn't just an event - it's run by Europe's largest EdTech-only accelerator, which has already accelerated 50+ companies and hosted 2,000+ people at demo days.
Why Attend: If you're building anything related to education, learning, or skills development, this is where the ecosystem decision-makers gather. The connections you make here aren't just networking - they're pipeline.
4. NEXT Summit Valletta 2026 (May 27-28, 2026)
Focus: iGaming, but don't let that fool you - the business models, scaling strategies, and regulatory navigation tactics apply to any high-growth startup.
The Numbers: 5,000+ attendees, 1,200+ C-levels, 40% operator attendance makes this the industry's most operator-led event.
Hidden Value: iGaming companies have mastered customer acquisition, retention, and lifetime value optimization better than almost any other industry. The side events include golf tournaments, padel competitions, and exclusive networking dinners that are worth the trip alone.
5. EFECS 2025 - European Forum for Electronic Components and Systems (December 3-4, 2025)
Location: Hilton Hotel, St Julian's
The Focus: Semiconductors and the €2 trillion industry race.
Why Hardware Startups Should Care: This gathering brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts discussing Europe's strategic semiconductor leadership. If your startup touches hardware, IoT, or deep tech, this is your room.
6. All Digital Summit 2025 (September 10-12, 2025)
Theme: "Summit of Educated Digital Citizens: Empowering Connected Generations"
Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
The Opportunity: Digital education and training experts from across Europe converge to discuss digital citizenship education. Perfect for EdTech startups or any company building digital literacy tools.
7. Chain Of Blocks Summit (September 2, 2025)
Location: The Phoenicia Malta
The Blockchain Goldmine: Malta is still the global capital for blockchain regulation and development. This summit attracts the decision-makers who set policy and move billions in digital assets.
8. SIGMA World Summit (November 3-6, 2025)
The Scale: Over 1,200 exhibitors and 80,000 industry delegates across eight summits and 30 side events annually.
Beyond Gaming: While focused on iGaming, the scaling strategies, customer acquisition tactics, and regulatory expertise shared here apply to any startup dealing with complex regulations or international expansion.
9. Malta Tech Talks (Ongoing Monthly Events)
Format: Bimonthly gatherings featuring experts from diverse backgrounds
The Value: These aren't huge conferences - they're intimate meetups where you can actually talk to speakers and fellow attendees. Perfect for getting specific advice or making deeper connections.
10. Crypto Hub Malta Weekly Events (Every Wednesday)
Location: SOHO Office, The Strand, 4th Floor
The Format: Open fishbowl-style debates and presentations on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
Why It Matters: Weekly events mean you can build relationships over time rather than trying to make connections in a single weekend.
The Insider's Event Calendar: Month-by-Month Breakdown
What Most Founders Get Wrong About Startup Events
Here's where 90% of founders fail: they treat events like conferences instead of relationship-building opportunities.
They show up, attend sessions, collect business cards, and go home thinking they've "networked." Meanwhile, the founders who actually get funded are doing something completely different.
The 5 Mistakes That Kill Your ROI
- Focusing on the sessions instead of the hallways - The real deals happen between presentations
- Trying to meet everyone instead of connecting deeply with the right people - 5 meaningful conversations beat 50 shallow ones
- Pitching too early - People buy from people they trust, not strangers with slide decks
- Not following up within 24 hours - The average investor meets 200+ founders per quarter
- Treating it as a one-time interaction - The most successful founders build relationships over multiple touchpoints
The Unfair Advantage Framework
Here's the system that separates the founders who get funded from those who go home empty-handed:
Before the Event:
- Research speaker backgrounds and recent investments
- Identify 10-15 specific people you want to meet
- Prepare conversation starters that aren't pitches
- Book dinner reservations for the nights of the event
During the Event:
- Spend 60% of your time in informal settings
- Ask for advice, not investment
- Share value before asking for anything
- Follow the "2-drink rule" - network effectively, stay sharp
After the Event:
- Send personalized follow-ups within 24 hours
- Reference specific conversation points
- Offer to help with something they mentioned
- Add them to your monthly update list
The Secret Side Events You Can't Find Online
The events listed above are just the public face of Malta's startup ecosystem. The real magic happens in the rooms they don't advertise:
The Midnight Pitch Sessions
After official events end, small groups of investors and founders often continue conversations at private venues. These impromptu sessions have led to more funding than formal pitch competitions.
The Investor Dinner Series
Malta's compact size means the same investors attend multiple events. Smart founders host intimate dinners during event weeks, bringing together 6-8 carefully selected attendees for deeper conversations.
The Founder-Only Breakfast Club
Every major event spawns unofficial founder meetups. These typically happen at 7 AM before official programming begins, creating space for peer-to-peer learning without investor pressure.
Red Flags: Events to Avoid
Not every event is worth your time. Here are the warning signs of events that waste your money:
- Pay-to-pitch schemes where speakers buy their way onto the agenda
- Events with more sponsors than attendees - usually means poor curation
- Conferences that promise "guaranteed investor meetings" - quality investors don't guarantee meetings
- Events where the agenda is 90% presentations, 10% networking - you're paying for a webinar you could watch for free
The Malta Advantage: What Your Competitors Don't Understand
Malta isn't just hosting events - it's building an ecosystem. The government offers up to €200,000 in grants for qualifying startups, but carefully read the fine print. The corporate tax rate is 35%, but effective rates can drop to 5% through various incentives. And the entire island is a 45-minute drive from end to end, meaning you can attend multiple events, visit potential partners, and still make it to dinner. Of course, provided you are not stuck in traffic.
But here's the real secret: Malta's startup ecosystem is small enough that you can actually get known.
In London or Berlin, you're one of thousands of founders fighting for attention. In Malta, if you show up consistently and add value, you become part of the inner circle. The same investors, mentors, and successful founders appear at event after event. Build relationships here, and you're not just another pitch deck - you're part of the family.
Your Action Plan: From Event Tourist to Ecosystem Insider
Ready to stop being a spectator and start being a player? Here's your step-by-step blueprint:
Phase 1: Research and Preparation (1-2 months before)
- Choose 2-3 events that align with your startup's focus area
- Research key attendees using LinkedIn and event apps
- Book accommodation early - Malta's hotel capacity fills up during major events
- Apply for relevant pitch competitions at least 3 months in advance
Phase 2: Pre-Event Networking (2-4 weeks before)
- Reach out to 5-10 key attendees with personalized connection requests
- Offer value - share relevant industry insights or introductions
- Schedule informal meetings for coffee or drinks during the event
- Join event social media groups and contribute to discussions
Phase 3: Event Execution (During the event)
- Arrive early, stay late - the best conversations happen outside scheduled hours
- Focus on listening and asking questions rather than pitching
- Take notes immediately after conversations while details are fresh
- Connect new contacts on LinkedIn before leaving each day
Phase 4: Follow-Up and Relationship Building (1 week after)
- Send personalized follow-up messages to everyone you met
- Share resources you promised during conversations
- Make introductions between contacts when relevant
- Add valuable connections to your monthly startup update list
Phase 5: Ecosystem Integration (Ongoing)
- Return to Malta for multiple events throughout the year
- Host your own networking dinners during major events
- Contribute to the ecosystem by mentoring newer founders
- Consider establishing a legal presence in Malta if the business case makes sense
Frequently Asked Questions on Startup Events
What are the costs associated with attending Malta startup events?
Event tickets range from €50 for local meetups to €800+ for major conferences like the EU-Startups Summit. Budget €1,200-2,000 for a 3-day trip including flights, accommodation, meals, and event tickets. However, the ROI from a single meaningful connection often exceeds the entire trip cost. Many events offer early bird pricing with 30-50% discounts.
How do I get invited to exclusive, invitation-only events in Malta?
Invitation-only events typically require prior relationships with organizers or attendees. Start by consistently attending public events and adding value to discussions. Contribute to Malta's startup ecosystem through mentoring, writing, or organizing your own meetups. The key is becoming known as someone who gives before asking for anything in return.
Which Malta startup events offer the best ROI for early-stage founders?
For pre-seed and seed-stage founders, Start Up Festival Malta and local Tech Talks provide the best balance of accessibility and valuable connections. The smaller, more frequent events allow you to build relationships over time rather than making cold pitches to busy investors at major conferences.
What's the best time of year to attend Malta startup events?
October through June offers the most event density, with major conferences clustered in spring and fall. Avoid July-August when many key players are on vacation. October is particularly valuable with Start Up Festival Malta coinciding with ideal weather for outdoor networking events.
Do Malta startup events focus primarily on specific industries?
While Malta has strong blockchain, gaming, and fintech ecosystems, events increasingly cover diverse sectors including EdTech, HealthTech, and sustainable technology. The island's small size means most events attract cross-industry attendance, providing opportunities for unexpected collaborations and partnerships.
How important is it to have a Malta company registration for these events?
Company registration isn't required for event attendance, but it signals serious commitment to the ecosystem. Malta Enterprise offers various incentives for qualifying startups, and local registration provides access to government-sponsored events and programs not available to purely foreign entities.
What are the biggest mistakes founders make at Malta startup events?
The most common mistake is treating events like sales conferences instead of relationship-building opportunities. Founders who immediately pitch their startups to every investor they meet rarely succeed. The most successful attendees focus on learning, asking thoughtful questions, and providing value before seeking investment or partnerships.
Are there networking opportunities outside of official event programming?
Malta's startup ecosystem thrives on informal connections. The best networking happens at evening dinners, early morning coffee meetups, and impromptu gatherings at local venues like Paceville or Sliema. Many long-term business relationships start with casual conversations over Maltese pastizzi and local wine.
How do Malta startup events compare to those in London, Berlin, or Paris?
Malta events offer more intimate settings where you can actually have meaningful conversations with speakers and investors. While larger European events might have more attendees, Malta's compact ecosystem means higher-quality interactions and better chances of building lasting relationships with key decision-makers.
What follow-up strategies work best after Malta startup events?
The most effective follow-up combines personal touches with professional value. Reference specific conversation points, share resources mentioned during your chat, and offer introductions to relevant contacts in your network. Many successful founders send monthly updates to contacts made at Malta events, building relationships over time rather than making one-time asks.
The Bottom Line: Why Your Competitors Will Keep Losing
While everyone else crowds into the same oversaturated conferences in major European capitals, you now know where the real opportunities hide.
Malta's startup ecosystem isn't just growing - it's exploding. The events listed in this guide represent millions in potential funding, partnerships, and business opportunities that most founders will never discover.
But here's what separates the winners from the wannabes: execution.
You can bookmark this article, save it to your reading list, and tell yourself you'll "definitely check out these events next year." Or you can pick one event, book your ticket today, and start building the relationships that will transform your startup.
The choice is yours. But remember - while you're deciding, your smartest competitors are already booking their flights to Malta.
Your next million-dollar opportunity is waiting on a Mediterranean island most people can't find on a map. The question is: will you be there to grab it?
Want more insider startup intelligence? Follow the F/MS startup events updates and stay updated about exclusive events that don't make it to public calendars. The founders who get funded first are the ones who know about opportunities before everyone else.
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. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
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, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
