On 24-25 April, Malta will transform into the heart of European innovation as we host the 2025 edition of the EU-Startups Summit. Bringing together around 2,500 founders, startup enthusiasts, investors, and corporates, next year’s edition promises to be our biggest and most exciting yet.

Among the many highlights of the Summit, the Pitch Competition stands out as the ultimate platform for Europe’s most promising early-stage startups. If you’re ready to showcase your idea to a live audience of top-tier investors, tech leaders, and media representatives, this is your moment!

The pitch competition: How it works
The EU-Startups Pitch Competition will feature 15 of Europe’s most innovative pre-seed and seed-stage startups, selected from across the continent. Each finalist will have three minutes to pitch their idea on the main stage, followed by questions from a panel of expert judges.

The stakes are high – this year, the prize package was valued at over €390k! Next year, you can expect it to be equally outstanding. Packed with funding opportunities, exclusive services, and tools to supercharge your startup’s growth, this prize could truly transform your entrepreneurial journey. Stay tuned as we unveil the complete prize package in the coming weeks!

How to Apply?
If your startup meets the following criteria, we’d love to see your application:

Based in Europe (EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway, etc.)
Pre-seed or seed stage
Founded within the last three years
Raised 0 or less than €750K in venture capital

The application deadline is January 31, 2025, so don’t delay! Apply here to secure your chance to pitch at Europe’s premier startup event.

Why attend the EU-Startups Summit?

Beyond the Pitch Competition, the EU-Startups Summit offers countless opportunities for inspiration, networking, and growth:

Around 2,500 attendees, including founders, corporates, investors, and media
8000+ matchmaking meetings facilitated by a dedicated networking app
Fireside chats and keynotes with 80+ industry leaders, including unicorn founders and top VCs
A buzzing exhibition hall featuring 75 companies showcasing their innovative solutions
Networking events, including networking parties on both evenings of the event on the stunning rooftop of the Mediterranean Conference Centre
And of course, sunny Malta provides the perfect setting to get inspired, share ideas, and forge valuable connections!

Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your startup on one of Europe’s biggest stages! Apply now for the EU-Startups pitch competition 2025 and take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level.

🌟👩‍💻 EmpoWomen OC#2 – Empowering Women in Deep-Tech Innovation! 🚀✨

---

🎯 The Objective:

EmpoWomen OC#2 is dedicated to actively involving women-led deep-tech early-stage startups🌍💡 from widening areas. This initiative seeks to identify and nurture promising startups through its prestigious acceleration program. The ultimate mission? To cultivate these startups into trailblazing female leaders in deep-tech innovation across Europe. 🌟🌐

---

💸 Funding & Support:

💰 Total Budget: €662,500
💡 Equity-Free Funding: Up to €60,000 per startup based on:
✔️ Achievement of KPIs 🎯
✔️ Participation in program activities 🤝
✔️ Performance in the Final Demo Day 🏆

📈 Additional Support Includes:

• 🤝 Mentoring
• 🌟 Coaching
• 🔗 Networking Opportunities

---

🙌 What’s Offered?

EmpoWomen OC#2 fosters an environment that supports:
✅ Development and growth of startups 🚀
✅ Investment readiness 📊
✅ Building a community of leading female innovators 👩‍🔬✨

---

📅 Program Highlights:

🌟 Empowering up to 14 startups!
📌 Equity-free financial grants
📍 Opportunities to shine on a European stage 🌍

---

📢 Ready to Join?
👉 Register here!

⏳ Don’t miss this chance to lead the future of deep-tech innovation! 💪🔮

The Nordic Startup Challenge 2025

The Idea:

The Nordic Startup Challenge fosters a network for innovation across the Nordic countries! The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce invites 10 exceptional startups from 10 different countries(Nordic countries, Baltic States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and British Isles) to a three-day programin Hamburg this March. Explore Hamburg’s cutting-edge innovation ecosystem and gain valuable exposure!

The Industry:

Focused on "Circular Economy & New Materials", this challenge is your gateway to transforming industries sustainably!

The Program Highlights:

• Pitch Competition + Award Ceremony
• Stakeholder Tours.Meet key players in Hamburg's innovation landscape.
• Strategic Meetings. Build connections with potential partners.
• Cultural Experiences. Explore the vibrant city of Hamburg!
• Cost: FREE for all participants. 

The Date:

March 24-26, 2025

The Startups:

• Must be no older than 7 years
• Have proven products or functioning prototypes
• Showcase initial reference customers

Relive the Excitement!

Watch the video of last year’s event and get more information here!

Deadline for Entry: December 13, 2024.

🚀 Scandinavia's Premier Tech and Business Event is set for February 20-21, 2025, at the Swedish National Stadium, Strawberry Arena in Stockholm! 🇸🇪 Calling All Startups! 🌟 Seize the opportunity to showcase your innovation at the Techarena Startup Competition. Present your business on stage before a live audience of over 2,000 investors, 5,000 founders, and 4,500 corporate leaders, with a global media reach exceeding 10 million. Competition Highlights: Top 100 Selection: Our esteemed jury will select the Top 100 startups, who will receive: Exclusive Investor & Corporate Speed Dating sessions Feature in event publications Priority access to side events Top 46 Pitch Opportunity: From the Top 100, 46 startups will be chosen to pitch live on stage at TECHARENA 2025, vying for the grand prize. Why Participate? Unparalleled Exposure: Engage with a vast network of industry leaders and potential partners. Media Spotlight: Benefit from extensive media coverage to amplify your brand. Networking: Connect with investors, corporates, and fellow innovators. Ready to Elevate Your Startup? Apply now to be part of this transformative experience. 🔗 Register Here: techarena.se/startup-scaleup/ Don't miss this chance to propel your startup to new heights! 🚀

PwC Scale CEE program supports startups with their go-to-market (GTM) and fundraising activities. Our upcoming batch is an exciting opportunity, as we're activating our network of industry leaders from the whole CEE region. The goal of the program is to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and help startups scale their businesses to new heights. The following awaits you:   📈 Hands-on support in your GTM and fundraising activities    💻 A wide range of instructive masterclasses, exciting insight sessions and networking with the scale.Community (Corporates, Investors, Startups & Scale-ups)   💡 1:1 meetings with PwC subject-matter experts   🚀 Exclusive networking with top tier VCs, CVCs and other investors & corporates  

📣Calling all deep-tech startups! Are you ready to take your startup to new markets and meet new clients? 🚀

International atTRACTION deep-tech community with Lithuanian partners Tech-Park Kaunas invites you to unlock new partnerships and gain invaluable industry recognition!

Showcase your innovative solutions for industry challenges. 🧑‍💻Join the Startup-Corporate Collaboration, where you'll tackle real industry challenges, get the chance to have your solution tested by major corporations and gain invaluable exposure.

Criteria:
➡️ Focus on deep tech ➡️Customer validation ➡️Strong team and market potential

The benefits startups will gain:
⭐Mentoring to develop your financial skills and unlock your full fundraising potential⭐Online support from local mentors and workshops ⭐Pitch your project to top investors, business angels and venture capitalists⭐Get support from corporates to scale up⭐Become part of an international network of fellow entrepreneurs, corporates, mentors, and investors ⭐Gain insights about the latest market and innovation trends

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to scale, gain references, and build lasting industry connections! 🎯

Learn more about the challenges: https://attraction-project.eu/discover-the-challenges/

Apply and Solve Challenge until 2024.11.13

Join us for the Startup Guide Pre-accelerator online program 6th cohort powered by inspiring experts at Startup Wise Guys!

It is a perfect opportunity for beginners in the startup world! This 5-session online mentoring program is designed to guide you through the early stages of building your business. Each online session, based on Startup Guide, will be approximately 1,5 hours long.

 

Official agenda:

– Nov 13th – Farokh Shahabi – “Planning your Business Idea” | From 14:00 – 15:30 CEST

– Nov 20th – Simon Litvinov – “Testing your Business Idea” | From 10:00 – 11:30 CEST

– Nov 27th – Azahara Vera Cobos – “Funding your Business Idea” | From 10:00 – 11:30 CEST

– Dec 4th – Farokh Shahabi – “Go to Market” | From 14:00 – 15:30 CEST

– Dec 11th – Cristobal Alonso – “Failure Stories/ When Things Go Wrong” | From 10:00 – 11:30 CEST

 

What to expect from Startup Wise Guys? Here is a message from them:

 

Planning your Business Idea

- Idea 101: What to do before start

- Idea Validation

- How to turn an idea into a product

- What's not an MVP

 

Testing your Business Idea

In the upcoming workshop, we will cover 30+ discovery and validation methods to help you confirm that your startup is progressing in the right direction. By the end of the workshop, all attendees should be able to select at least one framework to test their next hypothesis.

 

Funding your Business Idea

In her talk, Azzy will share practical tips on securing funding, crafting compelling pitches, and managing investor relationships.

 

Go to Market

 

Failure Stories/ When Things Go Wrong

Golf is not a game of good shots. It's a game of bad shots’ - Ben Hogan. For those that play golf, they will be able to relate to this quote :)  Those who don't play but are entrepreneurs / wannapreneurs understand that building a business, similar to golf, is a series of failures.
In this workshop, we will share some f&$k ups, learn from one another, and create some strategies to extract the positives from setbacks by developing strength in resilience, persistence, and knowing when to try something new.

 

Apply to the program 🔗 here

 

Workshop is only for Lithuania based startups. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]

 

🌟 Grow AI Accelerator is a six-month, online, equity-free acceleration program designed to empower impact organizations harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to create meaningful social change. 🌍✨

The Grow AI Accelerator, powered by INCO in collaboration with Share it and supported by Google.org, offers ten selected organizations registered in the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, or Lithuania a unique opportunity to scale their technology and business, ultimately advancing their social impact initiatives. 🚀💼

Program Highlights:

💡 Comprehensive Training: Participants will gain expertise in AI, ML, business development, marketing, and impact strategy through a blend of workshops, guest lectures, mentoring, and peer learning sessions.

⚡ Expert Mentoring: Organizations will benefit from personalized guidance from industry leaders, including experts from Share it and INCO’s networks.

🤝 Networking Opportunities: Engage with like-minded AI impact entrepreneurs across Europe, expanding your network and visibility within the AI community.

🎯 Grant Funding: Access to up to $250,000 in financial support to help scale your impact-driven AI solution.

👉 Learn more and apply to the program here: Grow AI Accelerator. 🌐💪

🌟 Calling all innovators! 🌟

Open doors to the thriving Taiwan IC startup ecosystem! 🚀 We're hosting three online briefing sessions to introduce InnoVEX 2025 and the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge - two exciting programs happening in November.

What's in it for you? 🎉

• Access Asia's Market: 🌏 Learn about startup resources, including funding opportunities in Taiwan and across Asia.
• Expert Insights: 💡 Gain valuable knowledge from industry professionals.
• Taiwan Startup Programs: 📅 Explore upcoming events and opportunities.

This session is ideal for:

• Startups seeking partnerships, exposure, and funding.
• Talented individuals eager to network and collaborate.
• Anyone with innovative ideas. 💡

Don't miss out! ⏰ Register today and take your innovation to the next level in Taiwan! Limited spots available!

👉 Register now: https://seminars.tca.org.tw/D17y00197.aspx

Online Briefing Sessions:

• Asia, Middle East, Australia: 🗓️ Nov 7th (Thurs), 14:00-15:00 (UTC+8)
• Europe & Africa: 🗓️ Nov 8th (Fri), 17:00-18:00 (UTC+8)
• North & South America: 🗓️ Nov 13th (Wed), 09:00-10:00 (UTC+8)

We can't wait to see you there! 🌟

IC TAIWAN GRAND CHALLENGE: GLOBAL CALL FOR PROPOSALS!

The Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program (Taiwan CbI) is a collaborative effort by Taiwanese government ministries that leverages Taiwan's renowned semiconductor expertise. This initiative integrates chips with critical innovations to drive progress. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is leading the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge to strengthen Taiwan's IC startup ecosystem and attract global tech talent and investment!

Exciting Opportunities Await!

By participating in the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge, winners will receive:

$30,000 Cash Prize: This prize aims to help winners kick off their collaboration with Taiwan's local industries!

Additional Rewards: These may include:

• Review and Mentoring from industry experts 
• Access to the IC Startup Accelerating Platform in Taiwan 
• Business Development Resources in Taiwan 

Why Participate?

We encourage everyone with innovative ideas and applications to apply and showcase their full technological potential! This is a unique chance to make your mark in the semiconductor industry!

Full details and application information can be found here: IC Taiwan Challenge

Registration started on September 4, so sign up as soon as possible! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to elevate your startup and collaborate with Taiwan's thriving tech ecosystem!