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Top Startup Events & Conferences in 2024

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CES 2024

Jan 9-12 – USA

The event in Las Vegas is the ultimate global tech gathering, attracting over 130,000 industry professionals, including 6,000 media members, and featuring more than 4,000 exhibiting companies. It’s renowned for its role as the world’s premier showcase for breakthrough technologies, innovation, and the future of consumer electronics. The event spans across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, robotics, and more, making it a dynamic hub for discovering the latest tech advancements and trends.

DLD Munich 2024

Jan 11-13 – Germany

The DLD Munich 2024 event is a leading European innovation conference that brings together a diverse group of business leaders, world-class scientists, artists, designers, startup founders, and investors. The goal of the event is to facilitate unexpected connections across various fields and industries.

IPEM Cannes 2024

Jan 23-25 – France

Since 2016, IPEM Cannes has been a key event for Europe’s private markets, offering a unique setting for industry leaders to engage and network. It’s a crucial platform for investors, fundraisers, and advisors, fostering significant connections and deals within a dynamic environment. The event’s distinctive atmosphere not only facilitates strong networking but also creates an impactful experience, distinguishing it in the industry.

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MID3M+ 2024

Jan 24-27 – France

MID3M+ MuSee Discovery Experience is set to provide a prominent neutral platform for discussions, influence, and collaboration regarding the present and future challenges facing the music industry. In the upcoming 2024 edition, the goal is to foster debates and facilitate the alignment of perspectives during special moments of interaction between political figures and the music industry ecosystem.

future FEST 2024

Jan 24-27 – France

This premier event propels participants to break through the ordinary, to dream and innovate beyond the boundaries of today. Previously welcoming giants like Binance and Google Developers, it’s a crucible for futuristic ideas and impossible challenges, turning them into reality.

SEF 2024

Feb 3-4 – United Arab Emirates

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2024 is a dynamic and inspiring event that takes place at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park on February 3rd and 4th, 2024. This festival is a convergence point for aspiring changemakers, innovative entrepreneurs, and global visionaries. It offers hands-on workshops, thought-provoking talks, and opportunities to pitch to leading investors.

GoWest Conference 2024

Feb 7-8 – Sweden

This premier venture capital forum in Gothenburg, West Sweden, is a beacon for startups, scaleups, and investors, highlighting the region’s industrial heritage and innovative spirit. It’s a pivotal gathering for networking, match-making, and showcasing cutting-edge research and development, driving forward the narrative of tech growth and investment.

Stockholm Fintech Week 2024

Feb 12-16 – Sweden

With over 1,200 attendees, 70 global leaders, and 200 startups participating, it hosts a two-day conference covering 10 fintech tracks, along with a series of side events. The agenda spans topics from regulations to AI in fintech, fostering a hub for collaboration and innovation within the financial technology community.

Step Dubai 2024

Feb 21-22 – United Arab Emirates

The Step Conference in Dubai is a premier tech festival that stands as a beacon for innovation in the MENA region. The event boasts an impressive lineup of nearly 100 industry leaders who share their insights across multiple domains, including fintech, AI, and digital media. It’s a vital arena for startups to network with an extensive community of investors and peers.

The Tech Arena 2024

Feb 22-23 – Sweden

This event is set to be a landmark gathering in Scandinavia, uniting business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers in a dynamic and diverse environment. It focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, showcasing a vibrant program that includes keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive sessions.

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Web Summit Qatar 2024

Feb 26-29 – Qatar

This premier Tech event will attract over 7,500 participants, including more than 400 startups and 300 investors. It’s a hub for innovation, offering a vast platform for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to connect and collaborate. The event is pivotal in highlighting emerging tech trends and fostering global business opportunities.

4YFN 2024

Feb 26- 29 – Spain

In its 10th year, the event is scaling up with more halls, stages, and speakers, enhancing programs for greater engagement and expertise. Celebrating a decade of startup empowerment, 4YFN 2024 will focus on growth, AI, and startup funding while offering enriched opportunities for networking, insights, and investments.

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MWC Barcelona 2024

Feb 26- 29 – Spain

Set in the vibrant city of Barcelona, MWC is a premier event for the mobile technology industry. It’s renowned for its rich agenda including discussions on 5G & Beyond, AI, and digital transformation. The conference fosters innovation through the Diversity4Tech program, GSMA Mobile for Development, and the Sports Tomorrow Congress, focusing on the intersection of tech with fintech, mobile commerce, and smart mobility, promoting cross-industry collaboration.

FinovateEurope 2024

Feb 27-28 – UK

This leading fintech conference is a hub for over 1,000 senior decision-makers in the financial sector, with more than half of the attendees being executives from banks and financial institutions. It features over 35 innovative fintech demonstrations and insights from over 100 influential speakers. The event is an unmatched platform for networking and gaining industry insights, attracting a high caliber of participants, including C-level executives and directors from various financial institutions.

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SXSW 2024

Mar 8-16 – USA

South by Southwest (SXSW) 2024, is set to take place in Austin, Texas, a celebration of the convergence of technology, film, television, music, and comedy industries. This annual event is a destination for global professionals and offers a plethora of activities including conference sessions, film and TV festival screenings, music festival showcases, comedy sets, exhibitions, competitions, and awards. SXSW is designed to foster discovery, learning, professional development, and networking among creatives from around the world.

Investors’ Forum 2024

Mar 20-21 – Switzerland

This distinguished conference is recognized for its exceptional content and the high caliber of its delegates, bringing together leading limited partners (LPs) and general partners (GPs) in the private equity space. It is lauded for offering cutting-edge industry insights and facilitating high-level discussions and networking in a non-commercial setting.

FTI SuperNova 2024

Mar 21-22 – Belgium

As part of the Flanders Technology & Innovation Festival, this event reinvents a renowned venue into a dynamic space for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors. It’s known for its inspiring atmosphere, fostering connections and sparking empowerment through interactive sessions and keynote presentations from national and international speakers.

hello tomorrow Global Summit 2024

Mar 21-22 – France

hello tomorrow’s Global Summit, created by hello tomorrow in 2011, is dedicated to accelerating deep tech solutions to improve human and planetary health. The summit connects startups, investors, corporates, and researchers, focusing on emerging technologies rooted in science and engineering. It emphasizes innovations that can solve global problems and create new markets, fostering an ecosystem that transcends traditional sectors and disciplines.

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Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 / Unsplash

START Summit 2024

Mar 21-22 – Switzerland

This exceptional event offers 30 early-stage startups a golden opportunity to present their ventures to industry leaders, seasoned founders, and Europe’s top venture capitalists. It is destined to become a wellspring of inspiration for innovators and entrepreneurs of both today and tomorrow. Following the Quarterfinals, the Semifinals and Finals will take center stage, marking a pinnacle of excitement during the event.

ChangeNOW 2024

Mar 25-27 – France

Scheduled to be hosted in Paris, this significant event is dedicated to expediting and igniting transformation for a sustainable planet. It assembles more than 1,000 solutions and features 500 speakers, to unite change-makers spanning diverse sectors. This gathering provides a forum to exhibit inventive solutions, facilitate the exchange of ideas, and drive meaningful impact in addressing global challenges.

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Web Summit Rio 2024

Apr 15-18 – Brazil

This premier technology event is where over 30,000 people gather, bringing together a mix of CEOs, founders, investors, and cultural figureheads to share expertise and foster connections. It’s celebrated for its impressive array of speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities, and unique software to enhance the attendee experience. This event is a significant hub for the tech community, especially highlighting the burgeoning tech scene in South America.

SaaSiest 2024

Apr 16-17 – Sweden

SaaSiEST 2024 is a prominent event in the Nordic region dedicated to B2B SaaS companies. It serves as a congregation point for over a thousand CEOs, founders, executives, SaaS professionals, and venture capitalists. Attendees can anticipate more than 50 speakers, engaging in meaningful networking, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere that includes food, social side events, and a celebratory party​.

TechChill Riga 2024

Apr 17-19 – Latvia

A major Baltic tech and startup event in Riga, Latvia is on the horizon, bringing together international and local investors, founders, and ecosystem players. It will explore Frontier Technologies, Startup Growth, and Changing Rules, connecting over 2,300 attendees, 310 startups, and 230 investors while showcasing emerging innovations.

Startup Grind Global Conference 2024

Apr 23-24 – USA

Startup Grind Global Conference 2024, happening in Silicon Valley, is an annual event that brings together startups aiming to make significant impacts. It’s a gathering place for startup teams, those working with startups, and investors. The event features a range of activities and opportunities for networking, learning, and showcasing innovative ideas, making it an essential platform for entrepreneurs and startups in various stages of growth.

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EU-Startups Summit 2024

May 9-10 – Spain

An annual gathering set to take place in 2024, this event will bring together more than 2,000 European founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts. It offers exceptional networking possibilities, including a specialized app and a central hub for entrepreneurs and investors to connect. Notable attractions encompass fireside discussions with accomplished founders, enlightening keynotes, and a competitive pitch event showcasing Europe’s most promising startups.

PODIM 2024

May 13-15 – Slovenia

PODIM 2024, one of Europe’s foremost tech and startup events, is set in Maribor, Slovenia. This conference serves as a melting pot for startups, investors, executives, and entrepreneurial enthusiasts, focusing on innovation and opportunity. Podim provides a platform for one-on-one meetings, pitching competitions, and showcases over 150 handpicked startups and 70+ international speakers. It’s a dynamic environment for networking and discovering the latest in the startup ecosystem.

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Tech.eu Summit London 2024

May 16-17 – UK

This essential tech industry summit, held in London, is dedicated to innovation and the pursuit of sustainable growth. It assembles a diverse community of entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and policymakers, providing an invaluable platform for networking and in-depth discussions on the future of technology.

Infoshare 2024

May 22-23 – Poland

Taking place in Gdańsk, this is one of the largest Tech events in Central and Eastern Europe, anticipated to draw more than 6,000 participants, including tech enthusiasts, developers, entrepreneurs, and investors. With a lineup of over 200 inspirational speakers and a variety of activities such as networking, knowledge exchange, and startup competition, it stands out as a prominent gathering for the tech community.

Latitude59 2024

May 22-24 – Estonia

Latitude59, established in 2012 in Tallinn, Estonia, is a key tech and startup event, fosters a global community of founders, investors, and innovators. It’s known for its engaging environment, facilitating networking and showcasing emerging talents and ideas. Latitude59 offers a diverse array of speakers, startup pitches, and side events, attracting thousands from over 60 countries, and underlining its role as a significant hub in the tech ecosystem.

VivaTechnology 2024

May 22-25 – France

Annually hosted in Paris, France, this premier event for innovation and startups unites a diverse community of business leaders, investors, researchers, and innovators. It serves as a hub for exploring the latest tech trends and promoting digital transformation. Distinguished by its dynamic collaborations and pioneering technologies, this event is a catalyst for product launches, networking opportunities, and discussions on the future of technology.

Saigon Summit 2024

May 30 – Vietnam

An influential hub for technology, this summit gathers over 700 professionals to foster innovation and collaboration, driving Vietnam’s booming digital economy towards its US$45 billion potential by 2025.

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Dublin Tech Summit 2024

May 29-30 – Ireland

Dublin Tech Summit 2024 is a significant event in the tech world, bringing together thousands of global leaders, startups, and investors. Set in Dublin, Ireland, it offers over 200 speakers and numerous networking opportunities, focusing on emerging technologies and innovation in the tech industry.

Money20/20 Europe 2024

Jun 4-6 – Netherlands

It’s expected to draw over 8,500 attendees, 2,300+ companies, and 390+ sponsors from over 100 countries, along with 300+ members of the press and 350+ speakers. The event focuses on the collaboration between humans and machines in the financial ecosystem, showcasing stories of innovators and leaders in the field.

SaaStr EUROPA 2024

Jun 4-5 – UK

SaaStr Europa is a premier conference that brings together a vibrant community of SaaS innovators. With a tradition of insightful sessions and hands-on workshops, the event promises actionable advice for growing a SaaS business, fostering a dynamic learning environment for founders, executives, and investors.

South Summit 2024

Jun 5-7 – Spain

The annual event in Madrid is a leading entrepreneurial forum, featuring a diverse array of speakers and attracting a multitude of entrepreneurs and investors. It provides a platform for startup competitions and networking, promoting innovation and collaboration in the global startup ecosystem.

Arctic15 2024

Jun 6-7 – Finland

Arctic15 is a matchmaking haven, known for facilitating real connections among startups, investors, and corporates, all under the guiding principles of equality and quality interactions.

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London Tech Week 2024

Jun 10-14 – UK

Uniting over 30,000 tech enthusiasts, including key industry leaders, policymakers, and media from various corners of the globe, it features a robust lineup of more than 300 speakers and over 70 partners. The focus is on innovation, networking, and shaping the future of technology, catering to a broad spectrum of participants and fostering impactful discussions in the tech sphere.

DES Show 2024

Jun 11-13 – Spain

With representation from over 50 countries, it’s a premier event for exploring digital transformation, showcasing the latest in digitalization, emerging technologies, and sustainability. The program includes keynote speeches, workshops, and exhibitions, attracting a diverse group of executives, innovators, and entrepreneurs, making it a key venue for discussing technology and business strategies.

HTGF Family Day 2024

Jun 11-12 – Germany

This event is recognized as High-Tech Gründerfonds’ flagship networking occasion, offering a fusion of convention and conference experiences in Berlin.

Collision 2024

Jun 17-20 – Canada

This landmark event assembles pioneers and pathfinders in technology, offering a venue for high-impact networking and the exchange of ideas that are shaping the tech industry. With a rich program including talks, masterclasses, and Q&As, the conference is a hub for innovation, learning, and collaboration.

TNW Conference 2024

Jun 20-21 – Netherlands

This Amsterdam-based tech festival is a vibrant convergence of technology and innovation. It features a diverse assembly of participants, including industry leaders, startups, and investors. The event is known for its dynamic blend of business, inspiration, and networking, offering a unique festival-like atmosphere.

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Turing FEST 2024

Jul 9-10 – Scotland

TF is a uniquely multi-disciplinary event with extremely high-value content, connections, and conversations for people building and scaling technology businesses.

Tech in Asia Conference 2024

Jul 24-25 / Oct 23–24 – Malaysia

The Tech in Asia Conference 2024 is set to bring together over 1,500 industry experts, investors, and startup founders from across Southeast Asia through dynamic networking, insightful sessions, and innovation showcases. Held in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, twice in one year. This event offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with key players in the tech ecosystem. Attendees can look forward to sessions like Investor Hour for rapid one-on-one investor meetings and the Startup Factory, where 80 of the region’s most promising startups will present their cutting-edge ideas.

IPEM Paris 2024 

Sep 9-11 – France

Launched in 2023, this dynamic gathering will highlight innovation, foster new connections, and propel exceptional opportunities. It will bring together more than 6,000 decision-makers, investors, and general partners in the heart of a bustling city, for high-level business meetings and thought leadership content.

SaaStr ANNUAL 2024

Sep 10-12 – USA

This event marks a premier gathering for innovators and leaders in the SaaS industry, offering a dynamic platform for learning, networking, and growth. With a festival-style atmosphere, the conference features expert-led workshops, mentorship opportunities, and exclusive sessions aimed at fostering community and sharing actionable knowledge.

TechBBQ 2024

Sep 11-12 – Denmark

TechBBQ has become the heartbeat of the startup and innovation ecosystem in Scandinavia. It began as a humble BBQ gathering for tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs in 2013 but has since evolved into a large-scale summit that draws attendees from around the world for two days of inspiration, networking, and growth.

FDDay 2024

Sep 18 – France

One of the most exciting startup family reunions, France Digitale Day (FDDay) returns for its 12th edition. From across France and Europe, over 4,000 founders, investors, and innovation leaders gather for the whole day (and night !) to get inspired, discuss last trends in business, tech, and society, close (big) deals with new partners, network, raise funds with investors and meet with your peers in a village-like venue in the heart of the French capital. This year, the CES is back at FDDay for their CES Tech Trends, the first stop on the road to CES2025.

OIW 2024 

Sep 23-27 – Norway

Oslo Innovation Week (OIW) 2024 invites you to 80+ pioneering events. Discover advanced Nordic technology, leading sustainable solutions, entrepreneurship workshops, diversity panels, design showcases, climate investing talks, and beyond.

B2B Rocks 2024 

Sep 25-26 – France

2 jam-packed days focused on all things #AI #Growth #Profitability hosted at Station F in Paris, the world’s largest startup campus & attracting 3,000+ data-driven tech companies corporates, founders, VCs & exec as well as exclusive side events as part of Paris SaaS Week.

European Blockchain Convention 2024

Sep 25-26 – Spain

The event in Barcelona is a key gathering in the blockchain sector, with over 5,000 attendees and 300 speakers. It’s a platform for exploring the blockchain ecosystem, featuring three stages, a large exhibition area, startup competitions, and numerous networking opportunities. This event is known for its influential presence in the blockchain community and its role in shaping the future of the industry.

Italian Tech Week

Sep 25-27 – Italy

Held at OGR Torino and offers an immersive event on global tech innovations. It features keynotes from industry leaders, masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Free to attend, the event encourages both in-person participation and provides live streaming for remote viewers. Attendees can explore various areas such as the Fucine Stage, Binario 3, a tech expo, and networking zones. Sustainable food options will be available onsite.

Bits & Pretzels 2024

Sep 29-Oct 1 – Germany

Bits & Pretzels began as a small gathering of 80 attendees with grand aspirations. Today, it has evolved into a prominent event, hosting 5,000 founders, investors, and industry leaders over three days. Held during the Munich Oktoberfest, it offers a unique blend of learning, networking, and business opportunities. This event has become a thriving hub for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their networks and gain a significant boost in their ventures.

HOW TO WEB Conference 2024

Oct 2-3 – Romania

A premier tech conference in Eastern Europe, dedicated to showcasing innovation, entrepreneurship, and the latest technology trends. Bringing together startups, investors, and global experts, the event focuses on fostering connections, sharing insights, and accelerating growth in the tech industry. Discover inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities designed to empower innovators and shape the future of technology.

Sifted Summit 2024

Oct 2-3 – UK

The Sifted Summit is an annual event bringing together 3,000 founders, startup operators, and investors to explore the latest trends in European tech. With over 200 speakers, attendees can engage in sector-specific sessions, network with key ecosystem players, and discover the next big opportunities in startups. The event includes investor matchmaking, workshops, and roundtables, making it an essential platform for startups and investors alike.

World Summit AI 2024

Oct 9-10 – Netherlands

Seen by tech leaders as the platform to launch their latest AI products and services and regarded as the world’s leading startup and investor network, WSAI gathers the global AI ecosystem of Enterprise, Big Tech, Startups, Investors, Science, and Academia to set the global AI agenda, every October in Amsterdam.

ARRtist SUMMIT 2024

Oct 10 – Germany

The event gathers 500 B2B SaaS founders and executives along with 125 investors, creating a vibrant community for exchanging knowledge and networking. It features 50+ speakers and content sessions, tailored to different stages of business growth, including an exclusive track for early-stage ventures and a separate one for more developed companies, fostering a rich environment for SaaS development.

SaaStock Europe 2024

Oct 14-16 – Ireland

This conference is one of Europe’s foremost gatherings for SaaS founders, executives, and investors, renowned for its focus on practical, actionable insights that drive business growth. Celebrated for its blend of expert speakers and dynamic networking opportunities, this event is a nexus for industry leaders aiming to scale their SaaS ventures.

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Photo by Alex Kotliarskyi/ Unsplash

SOSV Climate Tech Summit 2024

Oct 14–18 – Online

A live, virtual, and free event bringing together climate tech startups, investors, and innovators. The summit highlights cutting-edge solutions in energy, transport, food, and industrial sectors to tackle climate change. With over 5,000 attendees, it features panels, breakout sessions, and a VC-Founder matchup designed to foster innovation and investment in the climate tech space.

SIAL Paris 2024 

Oct 19-23 – France

SIAL Paris has established itself as a leading event in the global food industry over the past 60 years, becoming more than just a trade show. Every two years, it brings together professionals from around the world to explore new ideas, share insights, and shape the future of food. With a strong emphasis on innovation and collaboration, SIAL Paris has evolved into a crucial platform for addressing the challenges and opportunities within the food sector. In 2024, SIAL Paris celebrates its 60th anniversary with an event larger than ever, spanning 11 halls and featuring 10 food industry sectors. The event has attracted over 7,500 exhibitors, filling all available space five months before opening. An estimated 285,000 professionals from 205 countries will gather to explore more than 400,000 products and innovations, highlighting SIAL Paris’s role as a key global hub for the food industry.

Techarena ZERO

Oct 23 – Sweden

Techarena Zero is a high-level conference focused on sustainable transformation, bringing together over 700 decision-makers, including CEOs, ministers, and executives. The event features solution-oriented discussions, panels, and roundtables on sustainability challenges, with a strong focus on actionable insights and networking opportunities. Attendees can explore innovative solutions, engage in matchmaking, and participate in side events to foster impactful connections in the race toward a zero-emission future.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2024

Oct 28-30 – USA

Disrupt offers innovation for every stage of your startup journey, from budding founders to seasoned startups and investors. The TechCrunch Disrupt conference, held from October 28-30 in San Francisco, focuses on breaking tech news and features influential thought leaders. At the core of Disrupt is the Startup Battlefield 200, showcasing 200 early-stage startups. Twenty finalists will compete for a $100,000 grand prize. The event also includes networking activities, roundtables, and parties.

Wolves Summit Europe 2024

Nov 6-7 – Austria

A premier tech event in Vienna offers a dynamic platform for networking, pitching, and showcasing the latest technological advancements. This interactive gathering brings together tech enthusiasts, startups, investors, and corporations from across the globe, facilitating the exchange of ideas and forging valuable business connections through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and one-on-one meetings. With a focus on emerging and disruptive technologies, Wolves Summit is an ideal event for professionals and companies in the tech industry, covering topics from fintech to AI and digital transformation to green tech.

Web Summit Lisbon 2024

Nov 11-14 – Portugal

Hosting over 70,000 attendees, Web Summit unites key players in technology, from industry leaders to fast-growing startups. Acclaimed as a world-leading Tech event, Web Summit is a pivotal platform for policymakers, heads of state, and tech CEOs to discuss future directions and innovations in the tech world.

FutureTravel Summit 2024

Nov 28 – Spain

This 4th edition of the FutureTravel Summit will be a face-to-face event bringing together more than 450 people from around the world, including travel executives, innovators, startups & investors. Happening in Barcelona, a hotspot for travel, the FutureTravel Summit is the perfect spot to discuss what’s next in the world of travel.

Slush 2024

Nov 30-Dec 1 – Finland

With over 25,000 attendees, 2,000 startups, and 4,000 investors, Slush is one of the world’s most valuable gatherings of industry leaders, tech enthusiasts, and innovators. Slush 2024 features impactful discussions, startup showcases, investor meetings, and a unique atmosphere that fosters collaboration and growth. Slush is renowned for its role in shaping the future of the tech and startup ecosystem.

Apidays Paris 2024

Dec 3-5 – France

Apidays Global is a conference focused on APIs and their role in digital transformation. The Paris edition of this conference will cover a wide range of topics, including API lifecycle management, cloud-native infrastructure, and more. With over 4,000 attendees and 200 speakers.

Paris Creator Week 2024

Dec 10-11 – France

Paris Creator Week, held at Station F in Paris, is a major B2B event for the Creator Economy. It brings together content creators, platforms, brands, agencies, and policymakers to discuss trends in digital content and media.

World Summit AI 2024

Dec 10-11 – Qatar

Seen by tech leaders as the platform to launch their latest AI products and services and regarded as the world’s leading startup and investor network, WSAI gathers the global AI ecosystem of Enterprise, Big Tech, Startups, Investors, Science, and Academia to set the global AI agenda, every year in Europe & North America. World Summit AI will make its debut in Qatar at DECC.

Conferences in 2024
Photo by Nigel Tadyanehondo/ Unsplash

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Impact measurement in European business is shifting from optional add-on to strategic necessity. As sustainability regulations tighten across the EU and stakeholder capitalism gains momentum, startups building the infrastructure for measurable impact are attracting serious attention. Contribe exemplifies this trend, having just secured €1.3 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate its impact measurement platform across European markets. The funding round positions Contribe at the intersection of two powerful European movements: the regulatory push for transparent impact reporting and the growing demand from investors for quantifiable sustainability metrics. Pre-seed funding round attracts impact-focused investors While the specific investors in Contribe’s €1.3 million pre-seed round remain undisclosed, the funding reflects a broader European appetite for impact measurement solutions. European VCs are increasingly prioritising startups that can quantify and optimise social and environmental outcomes, particularly as EU regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) create compliance requirements. The pre-seed timing suggests Contribe is positioning itself ahead of the regulatory curve. With CSRD requirements rolling out progressively through 2026, companies across Europe will need robust impact measurement systems. This regulatory tailwind creates a compelling investment thesis for early-stage funds focused on regulatory technology and sustainability infrastructure. Impact-focused investors are drawn to platforms that can standardise measurement across diverse sectors and geographies – a particular challenge in Europe’s fragmented market landscape. The funding will likely support Contribe’s efforts to build scalable measurement frameworks that work across different European regulatory environments. Impact platform targets European compliance landscape Contribe’s platform addresses a critical gap in European impact measurement infrastructure. While traditional metrics focus on financial returns, Contribe enables organisations to quantify social and environmental outcomes using standardised methodologies. This capability becomes increasingly valuable as European businesses face mounting pressure to demonstrate measurable impact alongside profitability. The platform’s approach aligns with European preferences for collaborative, stakeholder-driven business models rather than purely profit-maximising approaches. By providing transparent measurement tools, Contribe supports the broader European vision of sustainable capitalism that balances multiple bottom lines. The €1.3 million funding will likely focus on product development and market expansion across key European markets. Given the diverse regulatory requirements across EU member states, Contribe must build flexibility into its platform while maintaining standardisation – a complex technical and commercial challenge that could determine its competitive position. European organisations increasingly require impact measurement solutions that integrate with existing business processes rather than operating as standalone systems. This integration challenge represents both an opportunity and a technical hurdle for platforms like Contribe. The pre-seed funding signals confidence in Contribe’s ability to navigate Europe’s complex impact measurement landscape. As regulatory requirements intensify and stakeholder expectations evolve, platforms that can deliver accurate, standardised impact measurement will become essential infrastructure for European business.

Fundraising 1 day ago

The European venture capital landscape is witnessing a fascinating counter-trend. While many funds chase consensus picks and proven business models, a growing number of investors are deliberately seeking the outliers—the companies that don’t fit neat categories or follow traditional playbooks. This contrarian approach has found its latest expression in Amsterdam. henQ, the Dutch venture capital firm, has successfully closed its latest fund at €67.57 million, specifically targeting what they call “the odd ones out”—unconventional startups that other investors might overlook. The fund represents a bold statement in an increasingly homogenised venture landscape, where pattern recognition often trumps genuine innovation. For European founders building something truly different, this couldn’t come at a better time. The continent’s startup ecosystem has matured significantly, but with that maturity has come a certain conservatism amongst investors. henQ’s approach offers a refreshing alternative for entrepreneurs whose ventures don’t tick the usual boxes. Venture fund strategy targets overlooked opportunities henQ’s investment thesis centres on a fundamental belief that the most interesting opportunities often lie where others aren’t looking. The Dutch VC has built its reputation by backing companies that challenge conventional wisdom—startups that might be too early, too niche, or simply too unconventional for traditional funds. The €67.57 million fund positions henQ to make meaningful investments in companies across Europe, with particular focus on early-stage ventures that demonstrate genuine innovation rather than incremental improvements. Unlike many European VCs who increasingly mimic Silicon Valley investment patterns, henQ deliberately charts its own course. “We’re not interested in the obvious deals,” explains the fund’s approach to portfolio construction. “Our sweet spot is finding exceptional founders who are solving problems in ways that others dismiss as too risky or too different. These are often the investments that generate the most significant returns.” The fund’s strategy resonates particularly well within the Dutch tech ecosystem, where pragmatism and innovation have long coexisted. Amsterdam’s startup scene has produced numerous success stories by taking unconventional approaches to traditional problems, from Adyen’s unique payment processing architecture to Booking.com’s contrarian travel booking model. European market positioning and investment focus The timing of henQ’s fund closure reflects broader shifts in European venture capital. As the market has become more competitive, funds are increasingly differentiating themselves through specialized investment theses rather than generalist approaches. henQ’s focus on unconventional startups represents a calculated bet that the next wave of European unicorns will emerge from unexpected directions. The fund’s European focus is particularly strategic given the continent’s regulatory environment. EU frameworks like GDPR and the upcoming AI Act often favour companies that build privacy and compliance into their core architecture from day one—precisely the kind of foundational thinking that characterises henQ’s target investments. With this new fund, henQ can back companies across their growth journey, from pre-seed through Series A stages. The approach allows them to maintain conviction in their portfolio companies even when other investors might hesitate to follow on. This patient capital approach aligns well with European startup timelines, which often require longer development cycles than their US counterparts. The €67.57 million fund signals confidence in Europe’s capacity to generate genuine innovation beyond the well-trodden paths of fintech and SaaS. For European entrepreneurs building something genuinely different, henQ’s contrarian approach offers both capital and validation that unconventional thinking still has a place in venture capital.

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