Sesame Summit 2026 – application open

Just right @ TechChill

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TechChill

For those who may never have heard of TechChill before, how would you describe this year’s main event in Riga? What sets it apart from others in the region?

TechChill is a leading startup and tech event in the Baltics that brings together innovative minds from across Europe and beyond. TechChill always has had a mission to fill in the gaps of knowledge, network and skills.

We are community driven and try to get the community involved with content, side-events and even a prize pool for Fifty Founders Battle. Last year we had great success with the Silent stage. This year we are experimenting with a community “bar camp” style stage. Also this year we are introducing no strings attached community funding. It’s not a big amount but a nice spark to get you going. One more thing, TechChill keeps the amount of people fixed to have this laid back atmosphere. Not too little, so you still can meet new people, not too much, so you are not overwhelmed by the crowd. Just right! We strive to create a sense of community where attendees can connect with each other, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.

TechChill is all about networking, especially when it comes to connecting investors & founders. Who are some of the key investors attending this year that startups should look out for?

It’s challenging to single out a few investors from the many attending TechChill, as each investor is genuinely interested in this region and seeks to invest in or expand their network. Nevertheless, a handful of prominent names come to mind, such as Atomico, Eight Roads, Notion Capital, Practica Capital, Inventure, HV Capital, Flashpoint Venture Capital, Plug and Play, and Karma Ventures. These investors represent a diverse range of sectors and stages and offer a wide array of investment opportunities for startups seeking funding. However, it’s essential to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there are many other investors to meet and network with at TechChill.

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TechChill

Speaking of, we love all the energy surrounding this year’s Fifty Founders Battle!

Unfortunately the applications for Fifty Founders Battle are now closed but we are pleased to announce that we received an overwhelming response this year. We received over 250 applications from 30+ countries, and the evaluation process is currently underway. The top 50 startups will be selected by the end of March and will get an opportunity to pitch on the stage at TechChill. The level of activity for Fifty Founders Battle this year has been immense, and we are excited to see the innovative ideas and solutions that the selected startups will bring to the table.

And last but not least, congrats on yet another stellar speaker lineup for this year’s main event! Which one speaker are you personally the most excited to hear from on stage?

Isolating one speaker only would be like choosing your favourite child – we just can’t do it! That being said, there are a few verticals that we’re particularly excited about. From one end, there’s the health and DTx track, which will be breaking down barriers in terms of taboos – we’ll be talking about drugs, mental health, sextech, femtech, and more. On the other end, we also have another topic that is extremely close to our hearts – the war in Ukraine. We as Latvians are acutely aware of the need to support Ukraine by all means necessary, and like last year, there will also be a focus on how the tech community can work towards moving the dial and supporting Ukrainians in their quest for freedom and democracy. There is literally nothing more important. But there are so many other topics we will dive into – climate tech, web3, AI – all of which are SO important at the moment, all of which will have their chance to shine. There’s something for everyone, and everyone will leave with nourished minds.

So don’t miss out on this opportunity – join us in Riga on April 26-27 for TechChill and be part of this exciting event. Get your tickets now and find out more at techchill.co. We can’t wait to see you there!


Looking to connect with other TechChill fans? Join the club smrs.link/TechChill23

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Fundraising 6 hours ago

Despite ongoing conflict, Ukrainian fintech companies continue demonstrating remarkable resilience in securing international investment, challenging preconceptions about wartime entrepreneurship in Europe’s eastern frontier. The latest proof comes from Fintech IT Group, which has successfully raised €16.5M in growth funding from the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF), marking one of the most significant wartime investments in the Ukrainian startup ecosystem. This funding round represents more than capital allocation—it signals international confidence in Ukraine’s tech sector durability and the strategic importance of maintaining financial infrastructure during crisis periods. Ukraine wartime funding attracts international backing The Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund’s investment thesis centres on supporting critical financial infrastructure that serves both civilian and business communities during unprecedented circumstances. UMAEF, backed by the U.S. government, specifically targets companies providing essential services that maintain economic stability in challenging geopolitical environments. “We’re investing in companies that demonstrate not just financial potential, but strategic importance for regional economic resilience,” noted UMAEF representatives familiar with the deal. This approach differs markedly from traditional European venture capital, which typically prioritises pure growth metrics over strategic infrastructure value. The investment reflects broader international recognition that Ukrainian fintech companies have proven their operational capabilities under extreme stress conditions—a unique value proposition in European markets where regulatory compliance and operational resilience increasingly matter to institutional investors. Monobank’s European expansion strategy Fintech IT Group, operating primarily through its flagship Monobank platform, has established itself as Ukraine’s leading digital bank with over 7 million active users. The company’s mobile-first approach and robust API infrastructure have proven particularly valuable during wartime, when traditional banking channels face physical disruption. The €16.5M funding will primarily support technological infrastructure expansion and enhanced security measures, according to company leadership. This includes strengthening cross-border payment capabilities and developing additional financial products tailored for both domestic and international Ukrainian communities. “Our experience maintaining financial services during conflict has given us unique insights into building resilient fintech infrastructure,” explained Monobank leadership. “These capabilities position us well for expansion into other European markets where operational reliability is paramount.” The funding also enables deeper integration with European financial systems, potentially positioning Monobank as a bridge between Ukrainian diaspora communities and their homeland—a strategic advantage as refugee populations establish new lives across European capitals. This investment underscores how wartime innovation often produces solutions with broader European market applications, particularly in financial services where trust and reliability prove more valuable than flashy features. For Ukrainian startups, proving operational excellence under extreme conditions may well become their unique competitive advantage in European expansion.

Fundraising 10 hours ago

The UK’s fintech landscape is witnessing a new wave of institutional backing as specialised accelerators emerge to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and scalable growth. Against this backdrop, Antidote has secured €2.95M (£2.5M) in funding to launch its accelerator programme focused on fintech and Bitcoin-adjacent technologies. The funding signals renewed confidence in the UK’s position as a global fintech hub, despite ongoing regulatory uncertainties around digital assets. Led by Fulgur Ventures, the round reflects the growing appetite among European investors for infrastructure plays that can nurture the next generation of financial technology companies. The timing aligns with increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin and digital assets across traditional finance, creating demand for specialised support structures. Fintech accelerator funding attracts specialist investors Fulgur Ventures’ decision to lead this round underscores the firm’s thesis around Bitcoin infrastructure and the tools needed to support mainstream adoption. The Venice-based venture capital firm, known for backing Lightning Network infrastructure companies and Bitcoin-native startups, sees Antidote as a strategic platform to identify and develop promising UK fintech talent. “The UK remains one of Europe’s most vibrant fintech ecosystems, but there’s a clear gap in specialised support for Bitcoin and crypto-adjacent innovations,” notes a Fulgur partner familiar with the investment. “Antidote’s approach combines traditional accelerator methodology with deep domain expertise in digital assets.” The investor’s portfolio strategy focuses on companies building critical infrastructure for Bitcoin adoption, from payment rails to custody solutions. Antidote fits this thesis by positioning itself as a talent pipeline for the next wave of Bitcoin-enabled financial services. Bridging traditional fintech with digital asset innovation Antidote’s programme targets the intersection between established fintech verticals and emerging digital asset opportunities. This positioning reflects broader market dynamics where traditional financial services increasingly integrate blockchain-based solutions, creating demand for hybrid expertise. The accelerator plans to support 8-12 startups per cohort, providing €50,000 in initial funding alongside mentorship from industry veterans. The programme specifically targets companies working on payment infrastructure, trading platforms, custody solutions, and compliance technology for digital assets. “We’re seeing exceptional talent in the UK who understand both traditional financial services and the technical nuances of Bitcoin,” explains Antidote’s founding team. “Our role is to provide the runway and expertise needed to turn these insights into scalable businesses.” The funding will support programme operations, mentor network development, and follow-on investment capacity for portfolio companies. Antidote also plans to establish partnerships with major UK financial institutions seeking exposure to digital asset innovation without direct investment risk. This launch reflects the maturation of Europe’s digital asset ecosystem, where specialised support infrastructure is emerging to complement general-purpose accelerators. With regulatory clarity improving across EU markets, accelerators like Antidote are positioning to capture the next wave of fintech innovation at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets.

Fundraising 11 hours ago

Germany’s tax advisory sector faces a looming crisis. With 57% of the country’s tax advisors aged over 50, the profession confronts both a demographic cliff and mounting pressure to digitalise decades-old processes. Into this gap steps AnyTax, which has secured €1 million in pre-seed funding from IBB Ventures to modernise Germany’s tax infrastructure through intelligent automation. The Berlin-based startup’s timing couldn’t be more strategic. As Germany’s Mittelstand grapples with increasingly complex tax regulations whilst traditional advisors edge towards retirement, AnyTax’s platform promises to bridge the growing expertise gap through technology that augments rather than replaces human judgment. German tax modernisation attracts strategic investment IBB Ventures’ investment reflects a broader recognition that Germany’s tax advisory market—worth billions annually—requires urgent technological intervention. The Berlin-based VC, backed by the city’s investment bank, has consistently backed companies addressing structural inefficiencies in German business processes. “The German tax system’s complexity creates both challenges and opportunities,” notes an IBB Ventures spokesperson. “AnyTax’s approach of augmenting advisor capabilities rather than replacing them aligns perfectly with how German professional services are evolving.” The funding round positions AnyTax within a growing cohort of European RegTech companies that specifically address continental European regulatory environments, rather than adapting Anglo-Saxon solutions. This localised approach proves increasingly valuable as EU member states maintain distinct professional service requirements. Addressing Germany’s tax advisor shortage through technology AnyTax’s platform targets the critical bottleneck facing German businesses: accessing quality tax advice amid advisor shortages. The company’s technology enables existing advisors to handle larger caseloads whilst maintaining compliance standards, effectively multiplying capacity within the existing professional framework. The startup’s solution addresses uniquely German challenges, including the complex interplay between federal and state tax obligations that confounds even sophisticated international businesses operating in Europe’s largest economy. By automating routine compliance tasks, AnyTax frees advisors to focus on strategic tax planning—precisely where human expertise adds most value. Founder insights suggest the €1 million will primarily fund platform development and partnerships with established German tax advisory firms, recognising that success requires deep integration with existing professional networks rather than attempting to bypass them entirely. AnyTax’s funding reflects broader momentum in European professional services technology, where regulatory complexity creates sustainable competitive moats for startups that truly understand local market dynamics. As Germany’s tax landscape grows increasingly sophisticated, platforms like AnyTax become essential infrastructure rather than mere efficiency tools.

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