Sesame Summit 2026 – application open

Sizzling at South Summit

blank
Courtesy of South Summit

We can’t believe it’s been 10 YEARS already since South Summit first launched back in 2012! How will this year’s special edition stand apart from all the others?

Since our first meeting 10 years ago, South Summit has established itself as the main meeting point for global players in a constantly evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our objective will be to generate real business opportunities and to showcase the main trends in the ecosystem with the main actors.

South Summit Madrid 2022 will bring together almost 22,000 attendees, more than 200 investment funds, 75% of them international, with an investment portfolio of 180 billion dollars, along with more than 450 speakers and a large number of corporations.  

An ecosystem that is growing at breakneck speed due to the complexity of the world around us and the growing evolution of technologies and trends.
The main novelty of South Summit for its tenth anniversary will be to make all this complexity more accessible to the ecosystem and society as a whole. A goal we have set ourselves with our claim ‘decoding complexity’.

Weaving both local & international ideas into a wider narrative on sustainability remains one of South Summit’s specialties. Which speakers are you most looking forward to welcoming on stage?

Speakers have always been a fundamental part of the content of South Summit.
In this edition we will have 450 confirmed speakers. Among them, entrepreneurs, investors, business people of recognised prestige and success and corporates like BBVA, AstraZeneca, endesa, Wayra Telefónica Innovation, Google for Startups, Sabadell BStartup o Mutua Madrileña.

Sustainability is one of the pillars of South Summit. This year we have one of the world’s leading figures in the environmental field: Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States and one of the most renowned environmental activists in the world. It is a real pleasure to have one of the first people to put the spotlight on the challenge that climate change poses for all of us.

But it is not only Al Gore who will be this year’s recognised speaker. We will also be very well accompanied by other prestigious names such as Pablo Isla, CEO and president of Inditex until last March; Marc Oshima, co-founder and CMO of AeroFarms, leaders in sustainable indoor agriculture, Marci Zaroff, Founder & CEO ecofashionCORP, who coined the term “ECOfashion” in 1995, or David Berry, CEO of Valo Health, and a strong advocate for sustainability globally.

blank
© Dan Taylor

Investors love South Summit. For investors that are just getting into the game, what are the top 3 (or more) reasons they should definitely get their tickets today?

South Summit is the leading meeting point for entrepreneurship and innovation globally, thanks to our 10-year history of connecting the best talent and the most powerful investors to generate real business opportunities and valuable connections.

Investors know this and continue to show great confidence in South Summit as an attractive place for their interests. At the last meeting in Madrid we had 1,600 investors, with an investment portfolio of $135 billion.

We could name many reasons why investors will find great opportunities at South Summit, but we can summarize them in these three:

1. South Summit currently attracts around 8,000 entrepreneurs from all over the world, more than double the number when it started in 2014, with 3,800 projects presented each year in the Startup Competition. Many of these finalist projects end up becoming well-known companies or unicorns, such as Cabify or Glovo, the first two Spanish unicorns.

2. South Summit has become a pillar for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Spain. Since the appearance of our meeting in 2012, the Spanish ecosystem has multiplied by 20 its value, with expectations of reaching 83,000 million euros by 2022. In addition, Spain is now the 4th European country in terms of number of startups, approximately 11,100.

3. South Summit also brings together representatives of major Spanish and international corporations.

With so many investors in the crowd, you must have an incredible list of startups already confirmed! In addition to (one of our personal favorites) Road.Travel, who else should we keep an eye on?

In South Summit will be our 100 finalist startups of our Startup Competition. They are truly innovative and cutting-edge projects and we are sure that they will have a great future ahead of them. It is very difficult, in this sense, to mention any startup among these 100.

blank
Courtesy of the South Summit Sesame Telegram group

What kind of networking opportunities should South Summit attendees already be preparing for before the event?

South Summit is a unique opportunity to connect with key players in the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.

Everything at South Summit is designed to facilitate networking and meetings between the different players in the ecosystem. The way in which the network is promoted is total: very open spaces, areas to promote 1:1 relationships, and a technological platform so that everyone knows who is there and who they can contact. The whole development of the South Summit pursues the clear objective that people meet and connect to multiply connections that help generate business.

Before arriving at La Nave, it is important to do the homework. On the startups’ side, analyze well which investors will be there and which ones might be interested in the business because not all of them are equally valid.

Investors and corporations must first visualize which startups will be to try to connect with those that really interest them.

And for all attendees, look at the programme and what content is of most interest for their learning and professional development.

Are you planning any online / hybrid access for attendees that may not be able to attend in person?

Streaming options. Access to general content. There you will find the different keynotes, talks and fireside chats of our speakers, corporations and experts.

With any of the tickets, those interested will be able to access a streaming with general access to the content of the meeting; keynotes, chats with speakers, networking opportunities, the pitches of the finalist startups of the Startup Competition…

blank
Courtesy of the South Summit Sesame Telegram group

It’s been a year since we first heard about South Summit’s additional satellite events spreading out across the globe. What’s been the most surprising result / key takeaways from running these satellite events throughout the year?

The most recent example is Brazil, where we held the first edition from 4 to 6 May, specifically in the city of Porto Alegre. The support and enthusiasm that South Summit received in Brazil was incredible. All of Porto Alegre has welcomed us with open arms.

It was a real success, with more than 20,000 attendees from 50 different countries, and more than 500 investors and 80 investment funds, with a portfolio of 65 billion dollars. After this successful, South Summit will have more editions in Brazil at 2023 and 2024

Previously, we have also held meetings in Mexico and Colombia between 2017-2019.


Find out who else is joining us in Madrid, June 8-10 smrs.link/SouthSummit

you might also like

Fundraising 1 day 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 1 day 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 1 day 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.

Subscribe to
our Newsletter!

Stay at the forefront with our curated guide to the best upcoming Tech events.