The pandemic is not even a topic anymore (yes, I know, sorry for even mentioning it). However, thanks to it we know better than ever before that going to events is totally worth it and a great source of energy to keep pushing in the relentless endeavour that is startup building. Now that we have all tasted again the sweetness of real life events, we can’t wait to plan the next year and build even more memories of learning, productivity and friendship. Bring on 2024!
With so many events on the horizon, we decided to create the definitive list that European startups should consider as they embark on their journey of storytelling and meeting partners, investors, clients, and talent.
It’s a mix of local, sub-regional and pan-European startup events. All the events tend to give a ‘home advantage’ to startups and speakers from the home country, and serve as a bit of a showcase for the national and regional startup community. Some have a much more local flavour; some look like the Champions League of startups. Some are intimate and cosy; some turn entire cities into a festival. But all share a common DNA – the cosmopolitan, transnational spirit of the startup world that sees founders and others come together to learn from each other. You won’t find events where the focus is only the local language or only the local ecosystem. These should all be international-friendly and potentially worth a visit for you 😉
Without further ado, here is our ultimate guide to European startup events in 2024:
| Date | Event | Month | Location | Website |
| 24-26 January 2024 | sTARTUp Day | JANUARY | Tartu, Estonia 🇪🇪 | Website |
| 22-23 February | Techarenan | FEBRUARY | Stockholm, Sweden 🇸🇪 | Website |
| 27-29 February 2024 | 4YFN | FEBRUARY | Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸 | Website |
| 6-7 March 2024 | TRANSFORM | MARCH | Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪 | Website |
| 21-22 March 2024 | Hello Tomorrow | MARCH | Paris, France 🇫🇷 | Website |
| 21-22 March 2024 | START Summit | MARCH | St. Gallen, Switzerland 🇨🇭 | Website |
| 18-19 April 2024 | TechChill | APRIL | Riga, Latvia 🇱🇻 | Website |
| 9-10 May 2024 | EU Startups Summit | MAY | Malta 🇲🇹 | Website |
| 13 – 15 May 2024 | PODIM | MAY | Maribor, Slovenia 🇸🇮 | Website |
| 13-17 May 2024 | Iceland Innovation Week | MAY | Reykjavík, Iceland 🇮🇸 | Website |
| 15-16 May 2024 | Impact’24 | MAY | Poznan, Poland 🇵🇱 | Website |
| 16-17 May 2024 | Tech.eu Summit | MAY | London, UK 🇬🇧 | Website |
| 22-23 May 2024 | Infoshare | MAY | Gdańsk, Poland 🇵🇱 | Website |
| 22-24 May 2024 | Latitude59 | MAY | Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪 | Website |
| 22-25 May 2024 | VivaTech | MAY | Paris, France 🇫🇷 | Website |
| 29-30 May 2024 | Dublin Tech Summit | MAY | Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪 | Website |
| 3-9 June 2024 | ViennaUP | JUNE | Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹 | Website |
| 6-7 June 2024 | Arctic15 | JUNE | Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮 | Website |
| 5-7 June 2024 | South Summit | JUNE | Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸 | Website |
| 10-14 June 2024 | London Tech Week | JUNE | London, UK 🇬🇧 | Website |
| 10-16 June 2024 | Bucharest Tech Week | JUNE | Bucharest, Romania 🇷🇴 | Website |
| 11-13 June 2024 | Digital Enterprise Show | JUNE | Málaga, Spain 🇪🇸 | Website |
| 12-13 June 2024 | Perspektywy Women in Tech | JUNE | Warsaw, Poland 🇵🇱 | Website |
| 13 June 2024 | Hinterland of Things | JUNE | Bielefeld, Germany 🇩🇪 | Website |
| 20-21 June 2024 | The Next Web Conference | JUNE | Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱 | Website |
| 26-27 June 2024 | Techsylvania | JUNE | Cluj-Napoca, Romania 🇷🇴 | Website |
| 9-10 July 2024 | Turing Fest | JULY | Edinburgh, Scotland 🏴 | Website |
| 22-23 August 2024 | SHIFT | AUGUST | Turku, Finland 🇫🇮 | Website |
| 11-12 September 2024 | TechBBQ | SEPTEMBER | Copenhagen, Denmark 🇩🇰 | Website |
| 16-17 September 2024 | Infobip Shift | SEPTEMBER | Zadar, Croatia 🇭🇷 | Website |
| 23-27 September 2024 | Oslo Innovation Week | SEPTEMBER | Oslo, Norway 🇳🇴 | Website |
| 25-27 September | Italian Tech Week | SEPTEMBER | Turin, Italy 🇮🇹 | Website |
| 27-29 September 2024 | IT Arena | SEPTEMBER | Lviv, Ukraine 🇺🇦 | Website |
| 29 September – 1 October | Bits & Pretzels | SEPTEMBER | Munich, Germany 🇩🇪 | Website |
| 2-3 October 2024 | Sifted Summit | OCTOBER | London, UK 🇬🇧 | Website |
| 2-3 October | How to Web | OCTOBER | Bucharest, Romania 🇷🇴 | Website |
| 3 October 2024 | Startup Fair | OCTOBER | Vilnius, Lithuania 🇱🇹 | Website |
| 23-24 October | Valencia Digital Summit | OCTOBER | Valencia, Spain 🇪🇸 | Website |
| 28-30 October 2024 | TechCrunch Disrupt | OCTOBER | San Francisco, US 🇺🇸 | Website |
| 6-7 November | Wolves Summit | NOVEMBER | Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹 | Website |
| 11-14 November | Web Summit | NOVEMBER | Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹 | Website |
| 20-21 November | Slush | NOVEMBER | Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮 | Website |
| 27-28 November 2024 | Women of Silicon Roundabout | NOVEMBER | London, UK 🇬🇧 | Website |
| TBC | TechChill Milano | TBC | Milan, Italy 🇮🇹 | Website |
| TBC | Disraptors | TBC | Prague, Czechia 🇨🇿 | Website |
| TBC | ScaleupFest | TBC | Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺 | Website |
| TBC | Web Impact Forum | TBC | Sofia, Bulgaria 🇧🇬 | Website |
| TBC | EMERGE | TBC | TBC | Website |
| TBC | Untold Stories CEE | TBC | Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺 | Website |
JANUARY 2024
sTARTUp Day
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again! Estonia loves startups so much that they even named a city after them 😉 So, it makes sense that sTARTUp Day brings together over 3900 startup-minded people across 52 countries to celebrate entrepreneurship!
sTARTUp Day itself describes its philosophy as championing the startup mindset — a philosophy that prioritises growth, smart work, actionable strategies, and adaptability amidst the dynamic business landscape, curating a space where every attendee is empowered to think, act, and evolve like the next big startup.
This business festival is the home of the legendary sTARTUp Day pitching competition in which the winners compete for a €200k investment from the Estonian Business Angels Network EstBAN, €100k from Cocoon Ventures, and €10k equity-free money from Swedbank. Previous winners of the big prize have included LightCode, VSight, and Jeff App.
sTARTUp Day offers three days of inspirational and educational eventing excitement! This event includes a fantastic stage program with over 182 speakers. Among them in 2023 was, for example, Timmu Tōke, CEO of Ready Player Me. There are opportunities to network and potentially ‘meet your match,’ hands-on seminars, an “innovation station,” and side events that are just as interesting as the main ones. Get ready to discuss topics like mental health to space tech, founder stories to aviation, and deep tech to the creative economy.
Tickets are on sale. We suggest you get shopping today. But if our blurb is not enough to convince you, check out their 2023 aftermovie:
Where: 🇪🇪 Tartu, Estonia
When: 24-16 January 2024
More info: https://www.startupday.ee/
FEBRUARY 2024
Techarenan
Happening at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Techarenan is an event that brings together over 7,500 attendees. This two-day experience features a dynamic program spread across four stages, with keynotes, fireside sessions, panel discussions, and more. Immerse yourself in startup pitches, expert seminars, and specialized sessions for investors and founders. Take advantage of networking opportunities, structured matchmaking, and a range of side events designed for making meaningful connections. Discover the latest in tech exhibitions, experience areas, and enjoy the convenience of various workspaces for your meetings. Don’t miss out on this chance to engage with the community at the intersection of innovation and business.
In 2024, why not do some fika with Al Gore, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Where: 🇸🇪 Stockholm, Sweden
When: 22-23 February 2024
More info: techarena.se
4YFN
This year marks a monumental 10 years of fueling startup dreams at 4YFN (4 Years From Now)! To commemorate a decade of innovation and entrepreneurship, the event is pulling out all the stops – expanding our spaces, amplifying our stages, and magnifying our speaker lineup. Expect enhanced programmes that are set to be larger and richer, offering even more immersive interactions, firsthand experiences, and wisdom from industry experts.
Not just that, the themes are diversifying too, spotlighting key areas like Growth, The Age of AI, and Startup Funding, designed to multiply your opportunities for making vital connections, garnering profound insights, and securing investments.
With a staggering 88,500 attendees (is the venue the Camp Nou?), this is not just a crowd, but a selective mix of investors, founders, C-levels, operators, and other startup and tech folks eager to discover the next big thing in the industry. Dive into an ocean of opportunities where potential funding and strategic decisions are just a handshake away.
Get ready to elevate your network, knowledge, and funding opportunities in this grand celebration of startup energy and innovation! 🎉🔍💡
Where: 🇪🇸 Barcelona, Spain
When: 27-29 February 2024
More info: https://www.4yfn.com/
MARCH 2024
TRANSFORM (formerly Hub.berlin)
The word ‘Hub’ is not in their name for no reason! Global CEOs, business owners, politicians, and sector experts come together at hub.berlin, the business event for digital movers and makers. The topics covered vary from digital transformation, emerging technology, and lifestyle to sustainability, security, and policy.
And speaking of transformation, the Hauptstadt event is now called TRANSFORM. Despite the English name, the website is only in German (for now), so watch out you non-German speakers!
Where: 🇩🇪 Berlin, Germany
When: 6-7 March
More info: https://transform.show/
Hello Tomorrow Global Summit 2023
Calling all deep tech startups! This event is for you. The Hello Tomorrow Global summit prides itself on a niche focus on cutting-edge deep tech startups, dubbing itself the “epicentre of deep tech.” The event is designed to help attendees explore exclusive business/collaboration opportunities and connect with like-minded people to share advice, success stories, best practices and build networks! Global deep tech investors will share their insights; entrepreneurs will offer pro-tips; side events will be on offer, and the Deep Tech Expo to experience the technologies enabling change in a wide range of industries.
The 2024 edition expects 3,000+ attendees, over a hundred speakers and has room for 125 exhibitors. With 4 stages full of startup goodness, it’ll be hard to say no to this one.
Where: 🇫🇷 Paris, France
When: 21-22 March 2024
More info: https://hello-tomorrow.org/global-summit/
START Summit
Say hello to the future leaders of tomorrow! START Summit 2024 is a student-run conference for entrepreneurship and technology that started in 1997. And no wonder it takes place in St. Gallen, home to one of the best business schools in Europe. Check out the event for the opportunity to dive into a Swiss-flavoured world of tech, startup, and entrepreneurial world.
In 2023, START Summit gathered more than 6,000 participants and over 220 speakers. We’re looking forward to seeing what they will have in store for us in 2024.
Where: 🇨🇭 St. Gallen, Switzerland
When: 21-22 March 2024
More info: https://www.startsummit.ch/
APRIL 2024
TechChill
TechChill is honestly anything but chill when it comes to its EXTENSIVE program. We’re talking over 80 speakers, 300 startups, 200 investors, and 2300 attendees! Techchill Riga is the biggest startup event in the Baltics, bringing the most international journalists and startups to the region. It was founded to bridge gaps in knowledge, skill, and network but has since grown into so much more. So much so that TechChill expanded to throw a second event in Milan in 2022. Plus, did you know that the Baltics are one of the hottest startup regions right now? TechChill offers the opportunity to discover and meet the current and future stars (and unicorns) of the Baltic startup scene!
PS: Guess who’s going to Riga via Vilnius?
Where: 🇱🇻 Riga, Latvia
When: 27 – 28 April
More info: https://techchill.co/
MAY 2024
EU Startups Summit
Bongu! 👋 Are you ready for two full days of learning, inspiration, and connection? (And maybe some Pastizzi while you’re in town?) We are! This two-day in-person event will showcase many of Europe’s hottest startups, hosted by EU Startups, one of Europe’s leading online startup publications! There will be off-the-chart fireside chats, a bunch of “aha!” moments from insightful keynote presentations, and a little healthy competition in the form of a pitch!
The 2024 edition sees the event move from Barcelona to Malta for the first time and will also feature a pitch competition in which 1,300 startups are expected to apply to later compete for a prize typically worth €125k+, so make sure you check their event page to find out more.
Where: 🇲🇹 Malta
When: 9-10 May 2024
More info: https://www.eu-startups.com/eu-startups-summit-2024/
PODIM
Get ready to rock the world with ideas and innovation inspired by your time at PODIM! Based in Slovenia, PODIM is one of the most important startup & tech events in the Alps-Adriatic & Western Balkans region. Attendees have long been encouraged by PODIM to study, develop, and consider new ideas, resulting in developing innovative company concepts that are prepared to change the world.
We’ve scanned reviews, testimonials and their website and can conclude that everyone that has made the trip to Slovenia has not regretted it! And it’s recognised by EU Startups as a top event. If you need more, check out their own blog post on how the 2023 edition went. See you there?
Where: 🇸🇮 Maribor, Slovenia
When: 13 – 15 May
More info: https://podim.org/podim/
Iceland Innovation Week
Get your jackets (and quite possibly, swimswear) ready for Iceland Innovation Week, an annual celebration and exhibition of innovation! Throughout the week, Reykjavík hosts events ranging from panel talks and company tours to happy hours and a dip in both chilly and hot spring waters. In 2023, the topics were pretty cool if you ask us, centring around sustainability, health and fun.
Larger corporations and governmental organisations, as well as entrepreneurs and startups, all take part. This event aims to boost awareness of the innovation industry and build a knowledge-sharing platform to develop into a thriving, global marketing window in a country that consistently punches way above its weight. Plus, we are big fans of their fun website.
Where: 🇮🇸 Reykjavík, Iceland
When: 13-17 May 2024
More info: https://www.innovationweek.is/
Impact’24
Embark on a journey of exploration and discovery with Impact. It promises to be a transformative event that congregates pioneers spearheading innovation across diverse sectors, all on a unified platform to decipher the potentials and possibilities of sculpting a global digital future. Impact curates a multitude of tracks, enveloping realms such as Industry 4.0, 5G, IoE, fintech, biotechnology, digital health, transportation, and more.
Praised by leaders from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Mastercard Poland, and Fintech Aviv, it also counts with notable speakers. It seems that all the big corporate players and scaleups from Poland, as well as the hottest startups will be speaking there, top local journalists and even eccentric geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan.
Wanna make an impact? Go to Impact!
Where: 🇵🇱 Poznan, Poland
When: 15-16 May 2024
More info: https://impactcee.com/
Tech.eu Summit
After the success of the year’s first-ever Tech.eu Summit, 1800 thinkers and turned up to turn the capital of Europe also into the capital of European tech. Entrepreneurs, investors, company leaders, policymakers, researchers, and journalists met in Brussels in 2023. And guess who else was there? 👀 There’s something undeniably quirky, fun and chaotic about Brussels that we love! Mix in the EU, NATO, frites, waffles, the Peeing Boy, cartoons, and the best beer in the world and you got the perfect storm!
In 2024, Tech.eu will be swapping frites with mayo for chips with vinegar, though, as it moves the venue to London, according to its website.
The Tech.eu Summit is organised by the tech and startup-focused media outlet of the same name, which means you can expect the same top quality for the event and its topics, conversations, moderation, and photography. We can’t wait for the afterparty at Dan Taylor’s house!
Where: 🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
When: 16-17 May 2024
More info: https://tech.eu/event/2024/summit
Infoshare
Infoshare does what it says on the box, and we love them for that! But for good measure, here’s a quick run-down. This once-small gathering has evolved into one of CEE’s largest technology conferences throughout the years, with a mindblowing array of CEE investors. Thousands of people gather at the picturesque city of Gdansk in the North of Poland annually to share knowledge, form connections, and grow, grow, GROW!
Since 2014, Infoshare also organises a startup contest in which the startup with the best sustainable development initiative gets a prize of €20k in cash. Gdansk is good, gdansk you very much!
Also, Infosharing is caring, so here is their promo video with mandatory aerial views of the city and the must-have robot dogs:
Where: 🇵🇱 Gdańsk, Poland
When: 22-23 May 2024
More info: https://infoshare.pl/
Latitude59
Yay for Baltic unicorns! Latitude59 is the event to attend for a legitimate plethora of networking possibilities, in-depth conversations with top international players, multiple startup and investor pitching rounds, and an opportunity to gather and reflect on the wild year we’ve just had and create new ideas for the future.
Latitude59 considers itself the flagship startup event of Estonia and, in 2023, it brought global thought leaders to talk about three main topics: how tech responds to global chaos, mental health, and cooperation, and synergy (1+1=3).
Like in Tartu, EstBAN was present there with large cheques. Latitude59’s prize money totalled €1 million in 2023 (yes, on mill!). As if that wasn’t enough, in their competition, startups can also secure a ticket to represent the Baltics in Slush’s New Nordics Pitch Competition finals. No brainer!
Where: 🇪🇪 Tallinn, Estonia
When: 22-24 May 2024
More info: https://latitude59.ee/
Viva Technology
Allow us to introduce you to one of Europe’s top startup events, VivaTech. It’s France’s number one international startup event, one that most international investors, journalists, and thought leaders tend to mark on their calendars. With past speakers such as Tim Cook, Vitalik Buterin, Satya Nadella, Melanie Perkins, and Nik Storonsky, it’s easy to understand why.
The conference and exhibition are devoted to startups and technology, showcasing new ideas and upcoming technologies. Over 91,000 people came to VivaTech in person in 2022 to learn about innovations and attend live presentations. The VivaTech Awards have been given out since 2019, and the chosen ones always have always done well. So hop on the Eurostar, fly to Charles De Gaulle or find another way to get to Paris; don’t let VivaTech 2023 slip by!
Where: 🇫🇷 Paris, France
When: 22-25 May 2024
More info: https://vivatechnology.com/
Dublin Tech Summit
At the centre of the global tech ecosystem is Dublin Tech Summit. Over the years, some of the largest international tech businesses have made Dublin their EMEA headquarters. Dublin Tech Summit has been one of the fastest-growing B2B tech events in Europe. No wonder, given they have speakers from some of the hottest companies in Ireland or with Irish connections, such as Stripe, Intercom, and Google, as well as Spotify and Depop. A visit to Ireland sounds enticing in 2024 – and hey, maybe we could join you for a Guinness or two?
Where: 🇮🇪 Dublin, Ireland
When: 29-30 May 2024
More info: https://dublintechsummit.tech/
ViennaUP
You’ve heard that ‘Vienna waits for you’, right? Well, so does ViennaUP! Emerging businesses can explore Vienna’s “ecosystem of opportunity,” covering subjects like Impact to Smart Cities, creative industries, life sciences, manufacturing, and more. It’s a decentralised experience, with investors and entrepreneurs from across the world meeting and networking at events throughout the city – a great opportunity to check out the different faces and facets of the city. More exciting than Before Sunrise, if you ask us!
P.S. if you are a fan of Vienna and want to know all sorts of facts around it, they have kindly shared this info pack.
Where: 🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria
When: 3-9 June
More info: https://viennaup.com/
JUNE 2024
Arctic15
What’s one of the most successful startup events in Northern Europe when it comes to matchmaking, you ask? Well, it’s Arctic15! This event is centred around various markets, technologies, and subjects, from AI and Digital Health to Social Impact and Scaling. Participants can make good use of the time by congregating with a global group of entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, media, and influencers.
Where: 🇫🇮 Helsinki, Finland
When: 6-7 June 2024
More info: https://arctic15.com/
South Summit
We really don’t need an excuse to head to Spain, but if you were looking for one – what better than a startup event! After its eleventh trip around the sun, South Summit has clearly established itself as the premier Spain-based international event for the top corporations, startups, businesspeople, investors, and institutions to accelerate innovation, create lasting relationships, find commercial possibilities, and produce revenue.
Head through for the chance to pitch your project to the attending foreign investors, to study under the greatest CEOs of unicorn companies, and connect with and meet hundreds of prospective customers – “the most valuable network for entrepreneurship and business.”
You want numbers, you say? South Summit brings together more than 32,000 startups in 23 international & sector-specific events. Over $12 billions was invested in South Summit finalists (that’s a good sign, by the way) and reps come from all over the world (more than 120 countries to be precise). Head over to their website for loads more information and tickets!
Where: 🇪🇸 Madrid, Spain
When: 5-7 June 2024
More info: https://www.southsummit.co/
Bucharest Tech Week
Bucharest Tech Week is a yearly event that puts Bucharest in the centre of the tech world. It’s an entire week of tech conversations, meetups, networking, and other events bringing together Romania’s, CEE’s, and some of the world’s finest tech peeps. This will be the sixth edition of Bucharest Tech Week and will heavily focus on the theme of ‘change driven by technology’, or, as Kuhn readers will relate to, its potential to create ‘paradigm shifts’.
Where: 🇷🇴 Bucharest, Romania
When: 10-16 June 2024
More info: https://www.techweek.ro/
London Tech Week
London calling also in 2024! London is widely regarded as the hottest startup location in Europe, and in case they weren’t there already, London Tech Week will bring together motivational founders, top business executives, policymakers, investors, and up-and-coming stars.
Previous speakers included the very top of public bodies, corporates, and startups, with Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer, Google, Klarna to give you an example of what to expect. In addition, there are dedicated stages for startups, scaleups, impact, and “NextTech” (metaverse, web3, quantum, and other frontier tech). Impactful innovation and visions of the newest technological frontiers continue to be at the forefront of London Tech Week, with UK enterprise solutions, inclusion, and entrepreneurship setting the pace.
London Tech Week has a ridiculously good website full of videos, resources and other content on its previous editions.
Where: 🇬🇧 London, UK
When: 10-14 June 2024
More info: https://londontechweek.com/
Perspektywy Women in Tech
Let’s hear it for the ladies and the largest conference for women in technology! With an array of speakers, mentors, workshops, and much more, we can’t wait for the fifth international Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit. Last time around, it gathered more than 10,000 participants from 84 different nations. BONUS: It was Poland’s first climate-positive event. With the negative news about declining investment in female founders, we hope they break all records this year and discuss ways to tackle inequality challenges in the startup world. We need more startup events like this.
Where: 🇵🇱 Warsaw, Poland
When: 12-13 June 2024
More info: https://womenintechsummit.pl/
The Next Web (TNW) Conference
There is nothing quite like the TNW Conference. It’s a gathering for business leaders and tech lovers to discuss how technology will affect tomorrow’s world. Here you’ll meet global tech leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and scale-ups and gain insights from industry pioneers. All while surrounded by beautiful red brick streets and canals in the Amsterdam summer. Also, for those that don’t see the point in mega events where everyone seems to be all over the place, the Next Web (TNW) Conference is referred to by CNBC as “the most intimate technology festival on the planet.” And if that doesn’t sell it to ya, we give up.
Where: 🇳🇱 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
When: 20-21 June 2024
More info: https://thenextweb.com/conference
Hinterland of Things
Sometimes – you gotta swim upstream! Sometimes – you gotta take the path less travelled! Challenge the status quo by immersing yourself in an ecosystem of fascinating people and innovative ideas. Hinterland will be your go-to in 2023 thanks to its two stages, carefully curated material, and outstanding speakers. The most sought-after thought leaders gather at the heart of the German Mittelstand in Bielefeld, at the Hinterland of Things Conference.
Where: 🇩🇪 Bielefeld, Germany
When: 13 June 2024
More info: https://hinterlandofthings.com/
Digital Enterprise Show
The Digital Enterprise Show facilitates the transformation of businesses into digital ones by bringing together cutting-edge technologies and distinguished speakers to address attendees’ goals, issues, and demands. It provides a high-potential B2B platform to increase business, strengthen thought leadership, elevate the brand, and strengthen business ties with pertinent stakeholders.
More than 300 of the world’s leading tech businesses participated in the global expo. Thousands of people attended the congress, where 500 of the world’s top professionals shared their experiences with digital business transformation.
Where: 🇪🇸 Málaga, Spain
When: 11-13 June 2024
More info: https://www.des-show.com/
Techsylvania
A whole decade old! We’re keeping our beady eyes on Techsylvania. People come to this conference for inspiration, to learn about the latest in technology, and pick up dos and don’ts from some of the brightest minds. Cluj-Napoca and Romania as a whole has been rising in tech ecosystems has been astronomical in the past few years, which is reflected in the number of awesome startup events held there. Techsylvania’s Conference scene is the heart of the community, hosting ground-breaking ideas and debating some of the most important issues that occur when business and technology collide.
Transylvania is often referred to by Romanians as the most beutiful region in their country. And no vampires are allowed in the conference, promise!
Where: 🇷🇴 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
When: 11-13 June 2024
More info: https://techsylvania.com/
Turing Fest
Turing Fest 2024 is set to take place from July 9th to 10h in Edinburgh, Scotland. It’s July, so so a great opportunity to enjoy Scotland in clement weather conditions. The conference will bring together a range of speakers from the fields of technology to share their insights and expertise. Attendees can expect to hear from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts in the field from the likes of LinkedIn, TIER, but also media companies like The Financial Times. The event provides a platform for discussions on the latest developments in the tech and startup world, and their impact on business and society.
Where: 🏴 Edinburgh, Scotland
When: 9-10 July 2024
More info: https://turingfest.com/
AUGUST 2024
SHIFT
Not just another conference, no sir-ee! SHIFT is a festival for people and innovations, created to connect, educate, and motivate change-oriented individuals and organisations. SHIFT challenges you to envision what the future holds for your company while also reconsidering how that company might influence the future.
SHIFT offers an excellent program for industry leaders and tech innovators alike, all with the future of business in mind.
Where: 🇫🇮 Turku, Finland
When: 22-23 August 2024
More info: https://theshift.fi/
SEPTEMBER 2024
TechBBQ
Comfy? Cozy? Contentment? If those words appeal to you, then Tech BBQ is right up your alley! This annual conference in Scandinavia brings together tech and hygge, allowing attendees to discuss the newest trends, network in a comfortable setting, hear from inspirational speakers, all while chowing down on delish barbeque. Over time, TechBBQ emerged to, together with Slush, become one of Europe’s most important international startup events in the Nordics.
They are expanding and turning the heat up at Lokomotivvaerkstedet (which translates to The Train Workshop in English) It is a significant Copenhagen structure of both cultural and historical value. It was first used in 1907 to examine and maintain steam locomotives. Now, TechBBQ’s friendly environment makes it the ideal place to meet new people. TechBBQ employs tech to enhance the event experience.
Look forward to not just one but multiple startup pitch competitions: the North Star Pitch, where 10 Nordic and Baltic startups compete for the title and (usually) prize money, a life sciences contest and a hardware one. Being Danish and all, sustainability is extremely important at TechBBQ – the event is carbon-neutral. We do hope they are able to turn on the grill, though!
Where: 🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Denmark
When: 11-12 September 2024
More info: https://techbbq.dk/
Infobip Shift
Not just another developer event, this one. The IT community from across the world will come together for this experience to learn, network, and make new memories over the course of two days in beautiful Croatia. Professionals, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, disruptors, and visionaries gather at Infobip Shift – with a goal to change the world!
Where: 🇭🇷 Zadar, Croatia
When: 16-17 September 2024
More info: https://shift.infobip.com/
Oslo Innovation Week
A WHOLE WEEK to innovate? YES PLEASE. You’ll encounter passionate company founders, scaleup professionals, researchers, and investors all surrounded by Oslo’s expansive cityscape. Attend 60 events to expand your network and acquire insightful knowledge on issues including investing, luring top personnel, and international growth.
Where: 🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway
When: 23-27 September 2024
More info: https://oiw.no/
IT Arena
IT Arena is Ukraine’s premier startup and tech event. Taking place in the city of Lviv, it consistently attracts over 5000 participants, serving as a vibrant hub for discussions, networking, and inspiration across three prolific days. In 2023, it celebrating its 10th anniversary, overcoming the pandemic and proudly demonstrating Ukrainian resilience in ties of war.
In 2024, the event promises a superior lineup of speakers, expanded global networking, and eclectic venues, ensuring an upgraded attendee experience in its enhanced format. Taking place within Lviv’s historical sites, IT Arena seeks to combine technological expertise with a unique atmospheric experience, offering attendees both meaningful insights and a captivating cultural backdrop. The conference prides itself on offering a unique and immersive experience, where the exploration of technological advancements dovetails with an appreciation for the rich historical context of Lviv, offering participants a multifaceted event experience.
Despite the challenges presented by the ongoing war, IT Arena successfully hosted an event that united tech professionals, government figures, and various experts to fortify support for Ukraine during its trials and to strategically envision its future. The 2023 event welcomed more than 3,000 attendees and garnered media coverage from notable outlets such as The Economist and TNW, underscoring its commitment to providing a pivotal platform for technology and solidarity amidst adversity.
IT Arena wrote a great blog post summarising what happened in the 2023 edition – read it here!
Where: 🇺🇦 Lviv, Ukraine
When: 27-29 September 2024
More info: https://itarena.ua/
Italian Tech Week
Italian Tech Week is an annual event that celebrates innovation and technology, organized by the GEDI’s content hub Italian Tech – you should check out the startup outlet! The event is set to take place at OGR Torino, a center dedicated to contemporary culture, innovation, and business acceleration. With the patronage of the City of Turin and support from CRT Foundation and OGR Turin, the event the brightest minds from the startup and VC community in Europe and beyond – you can definitely expect some global heavyweights! In 2023, Brian Chesky was the big name, and Sam Altman gave a televised speech (was it really him though?). But the lineups were littered with big brands with reps from Sequoia and iconic Italian brands like Ferrari.
The event features three areas for panels, presentations, debates, and workshops and event offers a series of Masterclasses, which are workshops with free access by reservation, where specialists will share their in-depth experience with attendees. There will be awards with a stellar panel of judges including Luca Ferrari from Bending Spoons. Unmissable!
Check out the aftermovie:
Where: 🇮🇹 Turin, Italy
When: 25-27 September
More info: https://italiantechweek.com/en
Bits & Pretzels
It’s called ‘The Founders Festival’ for a reason: Bits & Pretzels 🥨 began as a modest founders brunch (Bavarian breakfast, we imagine) in 2014 with only 80 attendees. Today, hundreds of founders, the most successful businesses in the world, and the most motivational speakers participate in our annual festival, all of whom share the conviction that entrepreneurship can lead to positive change in Germany, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Bits & Pretzels has become the best known German startup event, and has even attracted some of the most influential figures in politics and startups from the other side of the pond, including Barack Obama and Reid Hoffman. Also: did you know that on the third day they take 5,000 founders to the real Oktoberfest in Munich to network? Time to get your lederhosen on!
For more, check out their recap from 2023:
Where: 🇩🇪 Munich, Germany
When: 29 September – 1 October
More info: https://www.bitsandpretzels.com/
OCTOBER 2024
How To Web
All roads lead to Rom…ania. After the success of UiPath all eyes are on the Southeastern European country and the next generation of startups. There is a lot brewing there, including another top event. Big wheels keep on turnin’, right? Right! That’s why this event is geared around moving things forward. How to Web has become a classic that attracts international stakeholders and journalists to discover the latest from Romania and the region. And, according to them, it’s the leading conference in Eastern Europe.
Join entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders to learn how to navigate the future, and keep movin’ and groovin’. The How To Web conference is returning for another busy conference of learning about the most recent developments in the biz. They’re committed to bringing forward-thinking brains together with the opportunities of the future, as well as the most recent product insights, startup know-how, and brisk entrepreneurial energy under one roof.
As with other top European startup events, How to Web has a pitch competition called Startup Spotlight in which startups stand to win significant cheques, with €880k going to the winner in the 2023 edition (FYI, it was Collabwriting).
We were there last year and How to Web is one of our favourites. If you are into CEE startups, unmissable really! They say Romania is the next hot thing in the region… if you don’t believe us, ask them:
Where: 🇷🇴 Bucharest, Romania
When: 2-3 October 2024
More info: https://www.howtoweb.co/
Sifted Summit
Sifted Summit was humming with panels, lectures, and interviews covering all facets of the tech and startup industry in 2022 and 2023, from establishing resilience in a downturn to addressing climate change and sustaining cohesion in hybrid workplaces. Over the past few years, the Sifted media brand has established a reputation for cutting through the noise with in-depth and critically-minded discussions of the startup world. Likewise, its event aims to be innovative and challenge-focused, while providing close-knit networking, and a curated agenda you won’t find anywhere else.
In 2023, they provided us with material to learn and enjoy while bringing together 3,000 of the best startups in Europe for two unforgettable days in London. Over 1,700 investors, founders, and operators attended and we have higher expectations each year. In its third edition in 2024 edition, Sifted Summit is already one of the ‘unmissable’ startup events in Europe. Expect 3,000 attendees, 200+ speakers and more than 50 countries represented. There are already some stars confirmed in the lineup, including Anne Boden of Starling Bank. Even the London Eye is keeping an eye on this one!
Where: 🇬🇧 London, UK
When: 2-3 October 2024
More info: https://www.summit.sifted.eu/
Startup Fair
The biggest startup event in Lithuania, Startup Fair, tends to take place in September! Over the last two years, we’ve learned how crucial it is to connect, forge close bonds, and work as a team to accomplish big things. Always an opportunity to discover Lithuania, the home of Vinted and Nord VPN, to connect with many incredible people, companies, investors, and other like-minded professionals! In the past, Vilnius’ Startup Fair has had the themes of “Recharge” and “Connect”. In 2024 it’s back with “Pulse” and will be help in the epic Paupio Turgus in Vilnius’ new neighbourhood of Paupys.
Where: 🇱🇹 Vilnius, Lithuania
When: 3 October 2024
More info: https://www.startupfair.lt/
Valencia Digital Summit
Immerse yourself in the epicentre of innovation while enjoying Mediterranean weather all at once at the Valencia Digital Summit 2023! Hosted in the breathtaking City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain, this tech and startup event stands as a beacon for thought-leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech-enthusiasts worldwide.
Now in its seventh edition, Valencia Digital Summit has grown exponentially, with more than 12,000 attendees in the previous year, and anticipation is higher than ever for the upcoming event. Over two days, you’ll have the opportunity to explore 140+ sessions, engage with 450+ distinguished speakers, network with representatives from 1500+ cutting-edge startups, and discover the latest breakthroughs from 200+ exhibitors.
Featuring a strong focus on technology, innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, the summit will showcase the future trends that will shape our world. Dive deep into engaging discussions, learn from the brightest minds in the industry, and collaborate with key decision-makers and influencers. Previously, the event has attracted speakers from the biggest startups, scaleups and VCs in Spain and beyond, as well as big tech like Google and Microsoft, and journalists from the likes of TechCrunch and Tech.eu.
With support from 65+ prestigious sponsors, the Valencia Digital Summit offers an unmatched platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and inspiration. Don’t miss out on sun, paella and an opportunity to be part of the digital revolution.
Where: 🇪🇸 Valencia, Spain
When: 23-24 October 2024
More info: https://valenciadigitalsummit.com/
TechCrunch Disrupt
TechCrunch. It’s a biggie! If you don’t want to miss out on this absolute game-changer event, make sure you join the worldwide startup community that assembles annually to share knowledge, work together, and celebrate successes that have shaped founder’s paths so far and those that will be achieved in the future.
While we are not able to detect an upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt in Europe (held in Berlin until the pandemic), why not head to the birthplace of venture and the home of the world’s largest tech companies if you can? One of the OG startup events. You might run into the likes of Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman and Marc Andreessen (even if he’s a bit skeptical of media as of late).
Where: 🇺🇸 San Francisco, US
When: 28-30 October 2024
More info: https://techcrunch.com/events/
NOVEMBER 2024
Wolves Summit
Embark on a transformative 2-day journey at the Wolves Summit, curated meticulously for startups, investors, and business enthusiasts seeking to forge substantial connections within the global startup ecosystem. Positioned capital of café culture – Vienna, Austria – this summit, accessible both in-person and online, promises an arena where ambitious startups and investors converge to catalyse dynamic collaborations and groundbreaking innovations.
Seize the spotlight by pitching your novel ideas at the Great Pitch Contest, a stellar opportunity to unveil your startup’s potential before an audience teeming with industry leaders and potential investors, potentially steering your venture towards becoming Europe’s next success story. After a day of productive networking and pioneering discussions, unwind and continue to forge informal connections at their Epic Networking Party, where relaxation and fun meet a casual networking arena (their words)!
Expect it to be quality. Last year, 400 business CEOs, more than 200 scaleup reps, over 150 GPs, investment and venture capital funds, and 50 LPs had signed up for the Vienna edition.
Where: 🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria
When: 6-7 November 2024
More info: https://www.wolvessummit.com/
Web Summit
Web Summit brings together decision-makers, chiefs of state, and the founders and CEOs of technology firms and rapidly expanding startups to address a straightforward question: Where to next? At a time when many industries, as well as the entire world, are facing significant uncertainty.
The Atlantic called Web Summit “where the future goes to be born,” Politico called it “the world’s premier Internet conference,” and the New York Times called it “a big gathering of the tech industry’s high priests.” Whatever it is, it doesn’t harm that it takes place in still-sunny-in-November Lisbon.
The company behind Web Summit, led by the infamous Paddy Cosgrove, also runs other huge startup events, such as Web Summit Rio in Brazil or Collision in Toronto, and has so much experience that it sells its software to big events such as CES and organisations like the UN. These guys know how to run large events (but perhaps should not talk about politics).
Lisbon truly turns into a startup fiesta during the event days, which makes it ideal for informal networking, although for some in the latest edition it has resulted in some question marks, and whether such large events are for them. With more than 70,000 expected in Portugal’s capital, its size and gravitas are undeniable. And while most of Europe starts freezing, the still-warm Lisbon weather in November makes Web Summit hard to resist. In a way, its many startup events in one, in the frame of a bigger city-wide festival.
Highlights from 2023 for your pleasurable viewing:
Where: 🇵🇹 Lisbon, Portugal
When: 11-14 November 2024
More info: https://websummit.com/
Slush
Slush marks the peak of the European startup events calendar, as well as the last major event in the calendar. If you head to Slush, you’ll find the largest collection of venture capital in the world and therefore great opportunities. But also the creme de la creme of startup founders, investors and other speakers, (with a slight home advantage for Finnish tech).
A bit smaller than its warmer November counterpart Web Summit, many in the game consider Slush to be more focused and a more productive event. Slush also runs an insights-packed content platform and newsletter, and the event is one of those key moments in the year when startuppers can get a feel for the pulse of the industry.
In 2024, Slush expects 5,500 startup founders and operators as well as 3,300 investors from pre-seed to growth to join. Slush is also a priority for media, with more than 250 media reps including many top tier publications. There are lots of stages and tracks, side events (more than 300!) and workshops. More than 20,000 meetings took place in 2023. And in 2024 they are prepared for another strong year of networking with more than 300 tables. Will you find the deal that makes you at Slush 2024?
Slush also runs what is probably the biggest startup pitch contest with the biggest award money of an incredible €1 million from top European investors.
The best part? You’re a badass for coming to Helsinki in November!
Where: 🇫🇮 Helsinki, Finland
When: 20-21 November 2024
More info: https://www.slush.org/events/helsinki/
Women of Silicon Roundabout
Women of Silicon Roundabout, which was established in London in 2015, is the signature event of the Women in Technology World Series and the original focal point of the global gender diversity in IT movement.
The event brings together all women in technology to advance their careers and, in doing so, redefine the IT sector. Their theme for 2024 is “Digital X Human”, which will dig into the fusion of technology and people potential, in order to help build a more sustainable and inclusive path forward. Girls really do run the world, in our opinion.
Where: 🇬🇧 London, UK
When: November 27-28 2024
More info: https://www.women-in-technology.com/
DATES FOR 2024 PENDING
EMERGE
EMERGE began in Belarus in 2018, making it one of the newer startup events. Since then, the conference has developed into a hub for entrepreneurs, community leaders, large corporations, and investors from the New East, which includes nations in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Central Asia.
More than 4,800 one-on-one mentoring sessions with international specialists from various industries were held at EMERGE, and 103 nations were represented by speakers, investors, and attendees.
In 2022, EMERGE was held in Yerevan, following two years of online conferences due to the pandemic. So we are very much looking forward to this year’s event! In 2023, EMERGE held two events. One in Istanbul 🇹🇷 and the other in Dubai 🇦🇪 (we’ve linked to the events where you can get more info on how they went). We kinda like this principle of moving the event, and can’t wait for the announcement of the next one.
Where: TBC
When: TBC
More info: https://emergeconf.io/
ScaleupFest
ScaleupFest encourages all to attend, discuss, get inspired, network, and build their own stories of scaling and expanding outside CEE together in a welcoming environment.
It is a space where startups, scaleups, investors, and corporations can identify and interact with other talented firms, technology, and innovation, worldwide experience, best practices, and funding. You will hear founders discuss their professional development and life experiences, actual international case studies, and investors discuss why one team succeeded and what kind of candidates they are seeking.
Where: 🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary
When: TBC, usually September
More info: https://thescaleupfest.com/
Webit (Main Event)
With more than 190 countries represented and more than 100,000 virtual attendees, it’s clear that the Webit Festival is a large tech event. While technology was rapidly evolving, there was no event that brought together all of the sectors it affected in one location. Webit was founded in 2008 with the goal of developing a brand-new worldwide platform that would symbolise the term “convergence” in the events sector.
Webit hosted summits on issues ranging from branding and marketing, smart cities and mobility, fintech, cyber security, and defense and space, becoming the first event of its kind in the world to have 10 (at a later point, 15) parallel stages!
NOTE: There are a range of other smaller events organised by Webit, so check out their site for more. We’re waiting for more information for their main event in 2024.
Where: 🇧🇬 Sofia, Bulgaria
When: TBC
More info: https://www.webit.org/
Disraptors
Get ready for a Dino-Mite event! One of the key gatherings in the startup and technology space is Disraptors Summit (formerly SWCSummit). An event set up by VCs, startups, NGOs, corporates, all collaborating together to bring an amazing event home to Prague. It is also the home of the battleground for the title of Startup Champion – where the finest startup on the Old Continent will be chosen to stand a chance for $500,000 USD possible investment, the title of the European Champion, international media attention and a place in the Global Finale of Startup World Cup. Come Czech it out!
UPDATE: Disraptors have communicated that their event is postponed to 2024, exact date to be communicated. We’ll keep you posted folks!
Where: 🇨🇿 Prague, Czechia
When: TBC
More info: https://disraptors.com/summit/
Untold Stories CEE
Creating a venture is something that may start as a small idea, but end up as an insightful and interesting story. The best ideas become the most viable products and services, and the largest obstacles yield the most useful lessons, as founders are well aware.
The main goal of Untold Stories is to introduce these untold tales to Budapest to learn the lessons and get the insights. With two days of programs centred on connection, this founder-focused event is designed to let you flow. In order to generate fresh stories that are both inspired and inspirational, the event brings founders together from as far away as Silicon Valley and those who are located just a few streets over.
UPDATE: We have reached out to the organisers to get an update on the exact dates.
Where: 🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary
When: (usually November)
More info: https://untoldstoriesconference.com/
TechChill Milano
One of the new startup events you should definitely consider. The first TechChill Milano took place in September 2022 over the course of two days during which, coincidence or not, two mega rounds were announced and a new unicorn was born – Satispay, the country’s second after Scalapay. It has been long known that Italy is a diamond in the rough when it comes to startups, previously more inwards-focused but now more internationally oriented. But no international startup event existed, so of course who better than TechChill to seize the opportunity?
The Milan event mirrors the format we know from Riga, made up of a blend of local and international speakers from startups who made it and those on their way there. It’s always worth travelling to Milan for the food and city life alone. If you’re in startups, now you really don’t have any excuses left!
Where: 🇮🇹 Milan, Italy
When: TBC
More info: https://www.techchillmilano.co/
Pirate Summit (notable mention / last edition: 2023)
This one is a notable mention that has to stay in event history. Pirate Summit is a former event that deserves a special mention in our blog. Probably the story is best told by Dan Taylor’s article on tech.eu. We’re glad our very own Joe Krasean was able to make it to witness the last burn. Below is the blurb we had for the 2023 edition. RIP, sweet pirate… though, who knows if the ghost will resurface!? 👻
Some startup events are just different. Over a thousand carefully chosen attendees from more than 40 countries attended the PIRATE Summit in September. More than 100 speakers prepared sessions on the theme, “Raise Yourself,” last year with two incredible pitch competitions, matchmaking events, and a setting that is actually conducive to genuine interactions. PIRATE Summit is unlike other events, it hits different – there is a mountain of positive testimonials from attendees and speakers about its uniqueness and impact. This is how the organisers describe it, and we think it’s aaarrrr-mazing!
“PIRATE Summit [is] an event focused on long-term relationships instead of transactions. 🖤 In the long-run, authenticity wins. That’s because people connect more with your grit than your shine.”
Where: 🇩🇪 Cologne, Germany
Last edition (ever): 27-28 June, 2023
More info: https://piratesummit.com/
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