Startup events unite startup ecosystem enthusiasts around the world. Whether you’re constructing something new or on the lookout for fresh opportunities, participating in events—especially within the regions you aim to expand— provides numerous possibilities. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 Startup Events in Europe for you to mark on your calendars for 2024. Most startup events took place in Q3 and Q4, so if you would like to capture early-bird tickets, start purchasing tickets on Q1.
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Top 13 Startup Events in Europe
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Date: Q4
Slush is a yearly startup and tech event that happens in Helsinki, Finland. It helps startup founders meet with investors like venture capitalists, using activities like matchmaking and pitching contests.
Founded in 2008 by Finnish entrepreneurs, Slush started as a small meetup in Helsinki. Now, it’s a major global startup event with many people arriving from different places around the world. . Slush is a place for showcasing a startup, hunting for new investment opportunities and networking with new people through its side events.
Location: Copenhagen
Date: Q4
TechBBQ began as a small BBQ for tech fans in Copenhagen’s park in 2013. Now, it’s one of the biggest and coziest events of its kind in Scandinavia. Every September, it features exciting stage talks, awesome startup pitching contests, showcase areas, networking, and, of course, the Danish coziness known as “hygge”!
3. Viva Tech
Location: Paris, France
Date: May 22 – 25, 2024
VivaTech speeds up innovation by bringing together startups, tech leaders, big companies, and investors to tackle major challenges. It’s one of Europe’s largest tech events in Paris, lasting four days. They connect disruptive tech, bold entrepreneurs, and major breakthroughs, creating a space where business meets innovation. VivaTech is a global community with thousands of visionary members from startups, investors, organizations, corporations, researchers, media, and talent. The eighth edition will take place May 22-25, 2024, in Paris, at Expo Porte de Versailles.
Location: Vienna, Austria
Date: June 3 – 9, 2024
With over 10,000 participants and 50 exciting events, ViennaUP is the ultimate startup festival in the heart of Europe, tailored just for you. This exciting event promises endless networking opportunities, bringing together startups, investors, tech enthusiasts, creatives, and visionaries. It includes many different tracks for investors, startups, policy makers and enterprises.
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date: June 20 & 21, 2024
TNW Conference’s mission is to inform and connect tech with present and future challenges. There are 1000+ founders, investors, policymakers, marketers, product builders, and more, eager to get inspired, build relationships, and explore new opportunities. TNW Conference – with the energy of a festival, will happen on June 20-21, 2024 in Amsterdam.
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Date: February 26 – 29, 2024
4YFN is MWC Barcelona’s event partner, connecting startups with crucial players like investors and corporate innovators, especially those interested in mobile technologies. It’s a springboard for startups to get noticed by top decision-makers in the connectivity world, including CEOs from global mobile operators and frontier tech companies.
Location: Malta
Date: May 9 – 10, 2024
The EU-Startups Summit 2024 is bringing together 2,000+ founders, startup fans, corporates, investors, and media from Europe. With a dedicated networking app and a focus on international tech ventures, it’s the perfect meeting place for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors.
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: May 16 & 17, 2024
Tech.eu Summit 2024 is a global tech innovation, offering a unique opportunity to network with top entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, policymakers, academics, and journalists in the EU. By participating, you contribute to sustainable growth and innovation, actively shaping the future of responsible startup ecosystems.
9. London Tech Week
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: June 10 – 14, 2024
London Tech Week, scheduled for June 10th to 14th, 2024, stands at one of the best startup cities in the world is a week-long celebration that brings together the global tech community to drive positive change and shape the future. With a focus on building a more inclusive digital world, the event serves as a meeting ground for inspirational founders, global leaders, senior investors, and rising stars.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Date: 5 June – 7 June
With its 13th edition, the South Summit is happening at La Nave, a distinctive venue that assembles key players from startups, public sector, corporations and investors in Madrid. Their vision extends beyond mere existence to showcase that innovation is fundamentally human. The event also features a startup pitch competition where 100 startups will get the opportunity to pitch their projects to the world.
Location: Paris, France
Date: 21 March – 22 March
The “Hello Tomorrow Global Summit” is an event focusing on deep tech and its transformative potential for the future. This summit stands out as a convergence point for some of the brightest minds in science, technology, and industry. Key features of the summit include discussions on cutting-edge technologies like AI, quantum computing, biotech, and sustainable energy solutions. The event also highlights the role of deep tech in addressing critical global challenges, promoting a sustainable future, and driving economic growth.
Location: Limassol, Cyprus
Date: 30 May – 31 May
The Reflect Festival in Cyprus is a young event that set against the picturesque backdrop of Cyprus. This festival is renowned for bringing together a diverse mix of thought leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries from across the globe. It offers an immersive experience with its array of keynote speeches, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions, all designed to spark ideas and foster collaborations. The festival is not only a hub for learning and inspiration but also a celebration of cultural diversity, showcasing the unique heritage and hospitality of Cyprus.
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Date: 22 May – 24 May
Latitude 59 is a distinguished technology and startup conference held annually in Tallinn, Estonia. Renowned as a hub for innovative minds and forward-thinking ideas, this event has become a cornerstone in the European tech scene. Latitude 59 proudly showcases Estonia’s digital and entrepreneurial ecosystem, reflecting its status as one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world.
Contenders to Join Top 10
Location: Berlin, Germany
Date: 21-23 May 2025
Gitex has become a brand across the world with Gitex Africa in Africa, and Gitex Global in the Middle East. Now, the brand is expanding its border to Europe, with the first European event set to take place in Berlin in 2025 highlighting the $3 trillion valued European tech industry. A comprehensive digital transformation vision centered around talent development, innovation, and future-focused, purpose-driven tech investment.
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Date: November 11 – 14, 2024
Web Summit is a yearly tech conference in Lisbon, Portugal, started in 2009. Founded by Paddy Cosgrave, David Kelly, and Daire Hickey, it moved to Lisbon in 2016. They used to be one of the biggest events, their political affiliation distanced much of the ecosystem and sponsors from the event, thus not making it a leading event anymore.
Who should join these events?
Startup events serve as valuable platforms for entrepreneurs and founders, connecting them with potential partners, investors, mentors, and collaborators. These events offer startups opportunities to learn, network, and gain visibility.
Similarly, governments and ecosystem organizations can discover unique opportunities at these events, including the option to rent booths for promoting their ecosystems and startups to a global audience.
Investors, including angel investors and venture capitalists, leverage these gatherings to identify new investment prospects, participate in bids, and stay updated on emerging trends.
Professionals from diverse industries can gain insights, explore synergies, and identify opportunities for partnerships or investments.
Students studying business or engineering find value in learning, exposure to various career paths, and networking opportunities.
