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Top 20 Startup Events for Early-Stage Startups in 2025

Top 20 Startup Events for Early-Stage Startups in 2025

As the entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, 2025 presents an exciting array of opportunities for early-stage startups. From pitching competitions to networking galas, these events are essential for founders and investors alike. Below is a list of the Top 20 Startup Events for Early-Stage Startups in 2025, providing key information on dates, locations, target audiences, and highlights for each event.
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1. SXSW Pitch

When: March 8-9, 2025
Where: Austin, TX, USA
Focus: Startup competition showcasing innovative technology across various industries.
Data Points:
  • Format: Live pitch competition.
  • Audience: Industry experts, early adopters, and investors.
  • Opportunity: Chance to present to a global audience.
  • Application Deadline: November 3, 2024.
  • Categories: Multiple industry categories for participation.
  • Learn more about SXSW Pitch

2. sTARTUp Day

When: January 29-31, 2025
Where: Tartu, Estonia
Focus: Workshops, tours, and networking for startups, investors, and exhibiting companies.
Data Points:
  • Attendees: 320+ startups, 220+ investors, 55+ exhibiting companies.
  • Activities: Hands-on workshops, pitching contests, side events.
  • Themes: Mental health, deep tech, marketing, and defense.
  • Price: From €159.00.
  • Networking: Extensive opportunities.
  • Discover sTARTUp Day

3. TechChill

When: February 5-7, 2025
Where: Riga, Latvia
Focus: Connects early-stage startups with investors and offers learning opportunities.
Data Points:
  • Attendees: 310+ startups, 250+ investors.
  • Networking: Opportunities to meet investors from Europe and Silicon Valley.
  • Speakers: Executives from Oura, AWS, LinkedIn, and more.
  • Pitch Competition: Fifty Founders Battle with €300,000 in prizes.
  • Price: From €159.00.
  • Learn about TechChill
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4. LEAP

When: February 9-12, 2025
Where: Riyadh Front Expo Center, Saudi Arabia
Focus: Large tech event covering various topics including FinTech, sustainability, and smart cities.
Data Points:
  • Attendees: 215,000+.
  • Exhibitors: 1,800+.
  • Speakers: 1,100+.
  • Opportunities: Startup pitch competition with a $1 million prize, expo, and bootcamp.
  • Price: Free.
  • Check out LEAP

5. 4YFN at Mobile World Congress

When: March 3-6, 2025
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Focus: Startup event within the Mobile World Congress, focusing on mobile technologies.
Data Points:
  • Part of MWC: Connected to a major tech event.
  • Networking: Opportunities to connect with mobile industry leaders.
  • Innovation Showcase: Showcases the latest in mobile startup innovation.
  • Investment: Opportunity to attract investment.
  • Global Audience: Access to an international audience.
  • Explore 4YFN

6. EU-Startups Summit

When: April 24-25, 2025
Where: Valletta, Malta
Focus: Tech-based startups with global ambitions, networking, and pitch competition.
Data Points:
  • Attendees: 2,500+ founders, investors, and corporates.
  • Pitch Competition: Includes a €390,000 prize package.
  • Activities: Fireside chats, keynotes, and networking.
  • Focus: Tech-based and tech-enabled startups.
  • Region: Focus on European startups.
  • Learn more about EU-Startups Summit

7. Startup Grind Global

When: April 29-30, 2025
Where: Global (Location varies)
Focus: Networking and learning opportunities for startups.
Data Points:
  • Global Event: Part of a global network of startup events.
  • Networking: Strong focus on building connections.
  • Learning: Provides resources and information for startups.
  • Community: Access to a global startup community.
  • Format: Likely a conference with talks and workshops.
  • Discover Startup Grind Global

8. Venture Capital World Summit (New York)

When: May 14, 2025
Where: Rockefeller Center, New York, USA
Focus: Investment opportunities and networking in the venture capital sector.
Data Points:
  • Duration: 1-day event.
  • Audience: Investors and businesses seeking capital.
  • Networking: Designed to foster connections within the VC community.
  • Investment Focus: Focus on global investment opportunities.
  • Type: Investment conference.
  • Explore Venture Capital World Summit
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9. Latitude59

When: May 21-23, 2025
Where: Tallinn, Estonia
Focus: Tech, entrepreneurship, and growth opportunities.
Data Points:
  • Pitch Competition: Features a €1 million pitch competition.
  • Networking: Strong networking opportunities.
  • Atmosphere: Known for its intimate and focused environment.
  • Topics: Wide range of topics around tech and entrepreneurship.
  • Ticket Pricing: Tickets start at €250.
  • Check out Latitude59

10. Slush

When: November 19-20, 2025
Where: Helsinki, Finland
Focus: Major startup event focused on connecting founders with investors.
Data Points:
  • Scale: The world's leading startup event.
  • VC Focus: Largest gathering of venture capital.
  • Founder-Focused: Emphasizes support for founders.
  • Networking: Extensive opportunities for making connections.
  • Global: Attracts participants from across the globe.
  • Learn more about Slush

11. Techstars Startup Weekend

When: Dates vary by location in 2025
Where: Various global locations
Focus: Weekend-long events challenging attendees to create functioning startups from scratch.
Data Points:
  • Format: Intense 54-hour hackathon environment.
  • Participants: Entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and business enthusiasts.
  • Networking: Extensive mentoring from experienced startup founders.
  • Idea Validation: Participants pitch their ideas at the end of the event.
  • Community Building: Strong focus on fostering local startup communities.
  • Explore Techstars Startup Weekend

12. Collision

When: June 17-20, 2025
Where: Toronto, Canada
Focus: One of North America's fastest-growing tech conferences.
Data Points:
  • Attendees: 35,000+ from startups and the tech industry.
  • Speakers: 1,200+ industry experts and innovators.
  • Networking: Opportunities to connect with industry leaders and investors.
  • Diverse Topics: Covers various technology sectors from AI to software development.
  • Global Reach: Attendees from over 140 countries.
  • Learn about Collision

13. Nordic Business Forum

When: October 10-11, 2025
Where: Helsinki, Finland
Focus: High-level business conference aimed at accelerating the growth of organizations.
Data Points:
  • Attendees: Entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators.
  • Speakers: Renowned global thought leaders and business strategists.
  • Workshops: Interactive sessions to develop practical skills.
  • Networking: High-caliber networking opportunities.
  • Themes: Business, strategy, leadership, and future trends.
  • Check the Nordic Business Forum
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14. C2 Montreal

When: May 22-24, 2025
Where: Montreal, Canada
Focus: Business and creativity conference that inspires new ways of thinking about business.
Data Points:
  • Format: Collaborative approach with various immersive experiences.
  • Speakers: Keynotes from leaders in business and creativity.
  • Networking: Unique opportunities to make connections across industries.
  • Theme: Focuses on creativity in business and innovation.
  • Atmosphere: Engaging and interactive environment.
  • Learn about C2 Montreal

15. Startupfest

When: July 11-14, 2025
Where: Montreal, Canada
Focus: A festival dedicated to startups and innovation.
Data Points:
  • Attendance: 5,000+ entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators.
  • Pitch Competitions: Various competitions with significant cash prizes.
  • Workshops: Educational sessions aimed at startup growth.
  • Networking: Ample opportunities for direct connections.
  • Diverse Offerings: Focused on startup success stories and inspiration.
  • Discover Startupfest

16. K Startup Grand Challenge

When: August 2025 (Exact dates TBD)
Where: Seoul, South Korea
Focus: International startup competition to promote innovation in the region.
Data Points:
  • Duration: 4 months, featuring a program for startups.
  • Benefits: Funding, mentorship, and access to a vibrant market.
  • Networking: Opportunities to connect with established startups and investors.
  • Awards: Significant prizes for winning startups.
  • Visibility: A platform for international exposure.
  • Learn about K Startup Grand Challenge

17. The Web Summit

When: November 4-7, 2025
Where: Lisbon, Portugal
Focus: One of the largest tech conferences in the world.
Data Points:
  • Attendees: 70,000+, including startups and tech innovators.
  • Speakers: Leaders from leading tech companies and startups.
  • Networking: Various opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders.
  • Tracks: Specialized tracks focusing on diverse fields such as AI, health tech, and more.
  • Global Impact: Attracts participants from around the world.
  • Explore The Web Summit

18. Startup Join

When: September 2025 (Exact dates TBD)
Where: Europe (Location varies)
Focus: Connecting startups with potential investors and partners.
Data Points:
  • Format: Dynamic matchmaking event.
  • Participants: Network of startups, investors, and industry experts.
  • Themes: Innovation, growth, and technology disruption.
  • Networking: Encourages direct interaction between startups and investors.
  • Outcomes: Aims to facilitate potential partnerships.
  • Learn more about Startup Join

19. Finovate

When: September 2025 (Exact dates TBD)
Where: New York City, USA
Focus: Financial technology-focused event showcasing innovations.
Data Points:
  • Format: Live demos of new financial technologies.
  • Attendees: Financial institutions, tech startups, and investors.
  • Networking: Connect with top innovators in fintech.
  • Topics: Covers trends in digital banking, blockchain, and more.
  • Awards: Recognition for innovative solutions in the fintech space.
  • Discover Finovate

20. StartUp Health Festival

When: January 2025 (Exact dates TBD)
Where: San Francisco, CA, USA
Focus: Health innovation and startup opportunities in healthcare.
Data Points:
  • Networking: Connect with healthcare entrepreneurs and investors.
  • Topics: Focused on the future of health and technology.
  • Speakers: Leaders in health and technology sectors.
  • Format: Expect workshops, panels, and pitch competition.
  • Community: Emphasizes building a supportive entrepreneurial community in health.
  • Learn about StartUp Health Festival
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FAQ

Q: What is the date and location of SXSW Pitch in 2025?
A: SXSW Pitch will take place on March 8-9, 2025, in Austin, TX, USA. Find out more about SXSW Pitch.
Q: Where and when is sTARTUp Day being held?
A: sTARTUp Day is scheduled for January 29-31, 2025, in Tartu, Estonia. Explore sTARTUp Day.
Q: What topics does TechChill cover?
A: TechChill connects early-stage startups with investors and covers topics like deep tech, mental health, and marketing from February 5-7, 2025, in Riga, Latvia. Learn more about TechChill.
Q: What is the focus of the LEAP event in 2025?
A: LEAP will focus on FinTech, sustainability, and smart cities from February 9-12, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Discover more about LEAP.
Q: What kind of event is 4YFN at Mobile World Congress?
A: 4YFN is a startup event within the Mobile World Congress focusing on mobile technologies, happening March 3-6, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain. Check out 4YFN.
Q: How extensive is the networking at the EU-Startups Summit?
A: EU-Startups Summit offers networking opportunities with 2500+ founders, investors, and corporates on April 24-25, 2025, in Valletta, Malta. Find out more about EU-Startups Summit.
Q: What is the location and nature of the Startup Grind Global event?
A: Startup Grind Global will occur on April 29-30, 2025, as a global networking event for startups, though the specific location has not been disclosed. Explore Startup Grind Global.
Q: When and where is the Venture Capital World Summit taking place?
A: Venture Capital World Summit will be held on May 14, 2025, at Rockefeller Center, New York, USA, focusing on investment opportunities. Learn more about the Venture Capital World Summit.
Q: What is unique about Latitude59?
A: Latitude59 features a €1 million pitch competition along with strong networking opportunities from May 21-23, 2025, in Tallinn, Estonia. Discover Latitude59.
Q: What are the key highlights of the Slush event in 2025?
A: Slush, on November 19-20, 2025, is known as a major startup event focused on connecting founders with investors in Helsinki, Finland. Find out about Slush.

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.
2025-05-21 07:35 Top 20