Europe’s tech ecosystem still values in-person moments to move deals forward. In May 2026 Valletta hosts two days aimed at startups seeking investment, partnerships and international traction.
Dates and venue for EU-Startups Summit 2026
The summit takes place from 7 to 8 May 2026 in Valletta. The main activities will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre with daytime sessions and evening networking on rooftop and terrace areas.
Who attends and exhibition footprint in Valletta
The event brings together 2,400 attendees and features 75 exhibiting companies. Organizers report approximately 8,500 meetings, about 1,200 founders and 250 investors among participants. The program lists roughly 80 speakers and a pitch competition with finalists chosen from over 1,600 applicants.
Program highlights and formats
The on stage agenda mixes short talks and fireside chats by founders and investors. An exhibition hall operates alongside a matchmaking app that facilitates scheduling one-to-one meetings. The pitch competition includes 15 finalist teams and a prize package valued at €1,000,000.
Practical outreach and networking tactics for startups
Use the event app to pre-schedule meetings and identify 10 priority investors or partners. Prepare two versions of your deck and a three minute demo that can be shown on a phone or laptop. Draft a concise follow-up email template to send within 24 hours of each meeting.
Bring a one-page summary with traction metrics and funding needs, and record agreed next steps immediately after conversations. Target evening networking slots for informal follow-ups and use the app to confirm availability for post-event calls.
What exhibitors should prioritize
The 75 booths offer direct access to founders, VCs and corporate reps. Combine stand presence with an active outreach plan via the matchmaking tool and an agenda of back-to-back meetings. Participation in the pitch track can increase visibility for early stage teams seeking investor introductions.
Final note and official link
For startups oriented to fundraising and corporates scouting scaleups, the summit concentrates face-to-face dealmaking and targeted meetings. Full event details and ticketing information are available on the official site https://www.eu-startups.com/summit/#:~:text=TIMINGS%20%26%20VENUE,stage%20program%20starts%20at%2010am.
Registration and tickets on the official website: eu-startups.com
