Events

Podcasts are not a passing trend, and this evolution presents an opportunity for the event media space.

The VDS Startup Competition, part of the international tech event organized by Startup Valencia, has officially opened its 2025 call, in collaboration with Sesamers.

Dealroom’s recent Green Computing White Paper argues that Europe is well positioned to combine DeepTech with climate impact.

CEW Communications drove a 51% increase in LinkedIn followers for Nordic venture capital forum GoWest.

Composites are everywhere around us: they’re used to make everything from spacecraft and racing cars to swimming pools, bath tubs and countertops. Still, most people don’t know what “composite materials” mean — the materials industry isn’t really the best fit for consumer-focused marketing after all.  But the potential of composites to increase efficiencies in industry is putting the highlight on its potential to improve sustainability. That, in turn, is attracting corporates and investors to the space. That trend of innovation was quite apparent at the 60th edition of JEC World in Paris, which showcased the latest and greatest in the composite materials industry this week.  The event saw a range of products being launched, awards given, a startup competition, conferences, networking events for investors and the industry, live demos, and much more.  The 2025 edition of the trade show also saw its first Investor Day, co-organized by Sesamers, which had top venture capital investors from across the world meeting founders, networking and evaluating interesting startups. Meet the JEC Startup Booster 2025 winners Speaking of startups, this year’s JEC Startup Booster competition had 20 uniquely interesting finalists that Sesamers (acting as JEC’s sourcing partner) helped shortlist from over 200 entrepreneurs, startups, and university spin-offs to highlight the most intriguing new companies in the space.  Over the years the competition has become a true springboard for participants, thanks in no small part to the support of industrial sponsors: the 2025 edition is supported by Airbus, ProxximaTM (An ExxonMobil Product) and Owens Corning as its main innovation partners, and Mercedes-Benz and Swancor as innovation partners. These companies were also represented in the jury that judged the finalists in the competition. Even being a finalist in Startup Booster can open doors for a startup: for example, former finalist UBQ Materials is now working with Mercedes Benz. Of course, getting an award is even better — the prize package is worth €25,000, including a cash prize and a fully equipped booth at JEC World 2026. This year there were three awards — two corresponding to the main categories, and one focused on sustainability. Product & Materials Award: Tree Composites Tree Composites is trying to improve offshore wind turbine foundations with its wrapped composite joint, which helps make structural connections that drastically reduce steel usage.  The company says it offers 60% savings in materials as well as increased durability, and is one of the more unique names helping in the transition to more efficient and sustainable offshore energy projects. “Winning this award validates our technology and accelerates our ability to scale,” shared Lead Manufacturing Engineer at Tree Composites, Berend van Leengoed. Process, Manufacturing & Equipment Award: Perseus Materials Perseus Materials is tackling one of construction’s biggest challenges — reducing labor costs and replacing steel with fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs). Its on-site manufacturing process is designed to make large, load-bearing FRPs more accessible and cost-effective, instead offering lightweight, high-strength alternatives. “Being recognized by the JEC jury — composed of industry leaders — proves that our approach has the potential to truly disrupt how structures are built,” said Perseus Materials’ CEO, Dan Lee. Sustainability Award: Strong by Form Strong by Form has developed Woodflow, a timber composite that delivers a lightweight, high-performance alternative to traditional materials like concrete and steel, reducing carbon footprints in critical industries. “This award is not just a win for us — it’s a signal that the industry is ready for a fundamental shift toward bio-based, sustainable solutions,” the startup’s founders said. JEC World 2025: A Convergence of Startups & Investors While Startup Booster put the spotlight on the innovation in materials, JEC Investor Day turned out to be a good experiment for facilitating funding and strategic partnerships. Investors from leading funds and corporates’ investment arms gathered to see where composites are heading next, meet founders, and network. Composites are evolving at an incredible pace, but the most exciting impact will come from startups and large enterprises and manufacturers working together. That connection is being facilitated by corporates’ venture capital arms. Several investors in attendance were representatives of corporations.  Syensqo Ventures’ managing partner Matt Jones told Sesamers ahead of the trade show, that his firm was particularly interested in how composites can help make lighter, more manufacturable, cost-effective parts for several use cases. “Everything that flies or rolls needs to be higher performance; whether you’re switching to sustainable aviation fuels or electric vehicles, they all need to be lighter. They all need to have higher performance. Composites are going to be a big part of that future,” he said when we spoke to him at JEC.  The road ahead All trade shows bring people together, but few succeed in truly uniting diverse stakeholders under one roof. JEC World 2025 did showcase the best in composites, but it also accomplished something that many industry events struggle with: facilitating meaningful connections between investors and startups to bring composites innovation to the market.  This suggests that the inaugural JEC Investor Day was just the beginning, and you can be sure we’ll bring you the highlights again. Until next time.

JEC’s head of events programs, Benjamin Debusschère, talked to Sesamers ahead of JEC World 2025.

Tech is evolving faster than ever, and in 2025, staying ahead isn’t an option—it’s a necessity. From AI breakthroughs to game-changing startups, Europe’s tech scene is buzzing with opportunities to connect, innovate, and scale. This year, the continent will once again host some of the most influential tech events, where entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders come together to share insights, forge partnerships, and shape the future. Whether you’re a startup founder seeking funding, a corporate leader driving transformation, or an ecosystem builder scouting the next big trend, these must-attend European tech events are where big ideas turn into reality. Don’t miss out! What Are the Top Tech Events in Europe for 2025? MID3M+ 2025 January 24-27 | Cannes, France MID3M+ is a leading music industry event that serves as a neutral platform for discussions, collaboration, and innovation. Held in France, it brings together artists, industry professionals, policymakers, and tech innovators to tackle the current and future challenges of the music industry. With a focus on digital transformation, policy alignment, and emerging trends, MID3M+ fosters meaningful debates and strategic partnerships, shaping the future of music, media, and entertainment on a global scale. GoWest Conference 2025 January 28-30 | Gothenburg, Sweden Held in Gothenburg, West Sweden, this leading venture capital forum serves as a key hub for startups, scaleups, and investors, showcasing the region’s rich industrial heritage and forward-thinking innovation. The event offers a prime opportunity for networking, matchmaking, and presenting cutting-edge research and development, reinforcing Sweden’s role in tech growth and investment. TechChill Riga 2025 February 5-7 | Riga, Latvia One of the Baltic region’s leading tech and startup events, this Riga-based gathering will unite global and local investors, founders, and key ecosystem players. With over 2,300 attendees, 310 startups, and 230 investors, the event will spotlight Frontier Technologies, Startup Growth, and Industry Shifts, while showcasing the latest emerging innovations. Techarena 2025 February 20-21 | Stockholm, Sweden This flagship Scandinavian event will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers in a dynamic setting. With a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, the program features keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, fostering collaboration and forward-thinking solutions. 4YFN & MWC Barcelona 2025 March 3-6 | Barcelona, Spain Taking place side by side, 4YFN (4 Years From Now) and Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona create one of the most significant global gatherings for startups, investors, and technology leaders. 4YFN is the ultimate platform for early-stage companies, focusing on startup growth and fundraising opportunities, while MWC Barcelona serves as the world’s largest mobile and connectivity event, showcasing advancements in 5G, AI, fintech, IoT, and digital transformation. With 100,000+ visitors at once, Barcelona becomes the perfect hub for networking, deal-making, and trendspotting in early 2025. JEC World 2025 March 4-6 | Paris, France JEC World is the leading global event for the composites industry, bringing together innovators, researchers, and manufacturers to showcase cutting-edge materials, technologies, and applications. The event serves as a hub for networking, knowledge exchange, and business opportunities, shaping the future of composites and advanced materials across industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction. A key highlight is JEC Investor Day, where startups and scaleups in the composites sector connect with top investors, fostering funding opportunities and strategic partnerships to drive industry innovation. hello tomorrow Global Summit 2025 March 13-14 | Paris, France Founded in 2011, Hello Tomorrow’s Global Summit is a leading event dedicated to advancing deep tech solutions that drive progress in human and planetary health. The summit brings together startups, investors, corporates, and researchers, with a focus on science-driven and engineering-based innovations. By highlighting breakthrough technologies that tackle global challenges and unlock new market opportunities, it fosters a cross-disciplinary ecosystem beyond traditional industry boundaries. START Summit 2025 March 20-21 | St. Gallen, Switzerland This prestigious event provides 30 early-stage startups with a unique platform to showcase their ventures to industry leaders, experienced founders, and top European venture capitalists. Designed to inspire both current and future innovators, the event builds momentum through Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and a high-stakes Final, making it an exciting highlight for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Tech.eu 2025 March 25-26 | London, UK A must-attend event for European startups, VCs, and ecosystem leaders, Tech.eu Summit focuses on scaling startups, venture capital trends, and deep tech innovations. If you’re looking for data-driven insights into the European startup ecosystem, this is the place to be. 0100 Europe 2025 April 2-4 | Amsterdam, Netherlands A high-level private equity and venture capital conference where top fund managers, investors, and startups gather to discuss trends in the investment landscape. If you’re a founder looking to meet VCs or an investor scouting for promising startups, this event provides exclusive deal-making opportunities. Gitex Europe 2025 April 21-23 | Berlin, Germany Gitex Europe is a massive global technology event, originally from Dubai, now expanding into Europe for the first time. Covering AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and deep tech, this event is perfect for corporates, investors, and startups pushing the boundaries of digital transformation. EU Startups Summit 2025 April 24-25 | Valetta, Malta Bringing together over 2,000 founders, investors, and ecosystem players, EU Startups Summit is one of Europe’s leading startup conferences. The event features pitch competitions, networking opportunities, and insights from top European entrepreneurs, making it an excellent place to connect with early-stage startups and venture capitalists. ChangeNOW 2025 April 24-26 | Paris, France Set to take place in Paris, this influential event aims to accelerate and inspire change for a more sustainable future. Bringing together over 1,000 innovative solutions and 500 speakers, it serves as a meeting point for change-makers from various industries. The event offers a platform to showcase groundbreaking ideas, foster collaboration, and create meaningful impact in tackling global challenges. Turing Fest 2025 May 7-8 | Edinburgh, Scotland Turing Fest is one of Europe’s top conferences for startup growth, product development, and scaling businesses. Bringing together founders, operators, and investors, the event features expert-led talks, hands-on workshops, and high-impact networking, making it a must-attend for those looking to build and scale successful tech […]

The Vilnius TechFusion Awards 2024 highlighted the startup that best contributed to Lithuania's economic growth and reputation last year.

About 75% of CES attendees say their business is primarily B2B, or both B2B and B2C.

Here’s the ultimate curated list of 44 must-attend events for Food & Beverages startups in 2025. Compiled by our FoodTech experts, this comprehensive guide covers Food & Beverages events happening across Europe, Asia and the U.S in 2025. Designed for founders, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, it’s your go-to resource for exploring the latest FoodTech innovations! Horecava January 13-16, Amsterdam – Netherlands Expected participants : 60000 Horecava brings together a diverse audience from hospitality, catering, and food service sectors to explore innovations in food tech, sustainability, and culinary trends, making it a vital networking and idea-sharing hub for industry professionals. Winter Fancy Food Show January 19-21, Las Vegas – United States Expected participants : 13000 The Winter Fancy Food Show highlights premium and artisanal foods from around the world, showcasing everything from small-batch creations to organic and sustainably-sourced products, connecting specialty food brands with retailers and distributors. Grüne Woche January 17-26, Berlin – Germany Expected participants : 275000 Grüne Woche is one of the leading exhibitions for the agriculture and food industry, offering an ideal platform for exhibitors to showcase innovative products and solutions. This event not only highlights cutting-edge developments but also addresses critical societal issues such as climate protection, the circular economy, resource conservation, and sustainable land use. Sirha January 23-27, Lyon – France Expected participants : 200000 Sirha Lyon gathers the entire food service and hospitality ecosystem, offering a global stage for innovation, competitions, and knowledge-sharing. It’s where professionals come to discover the latest trends, exchange ideas, and shape the future of the industry. ISM Cologne February 2-5, Cologne – Germany Expected participants : 30000 ISM Cologne brings together industry leaders and emerging brands in the sweets and snacks sector, offering insights into the latest products, trends, and technologies shaping the global confectionery and snack markets. Pro Sweets February 2-5, Cologne – Germany Expected participants : 13000 Leading global event for suppliers and decision-makers in the snacks and sweets industry. This event covers the entire industrial value chain of the confectionery and snack industry, including finished products, raw materials, technology, and packaging. Fruit Logistica February 5-7, Berlin – Germany Expected participants : 66000 Fruit Logistica is the world’s leading international trade fair for fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and tree nuts. Manifest February 10-12, Las-Vegas – United States Expected participants : 6000 The premiere gathering that unites the entire eco-system of Fortune 500 global supply chain executives, logistics service providers, innovators and investors at the forefront of logistics tech and end-to-end supply chain. Biofach February 11-14, Nuremberg – Germany Expected participants : 35000 Biofach provides a comprehensive showcase of organic products, from raw ingredients to packaged goods. It draws a global audience of professionals dedicated to sustainability, offering insights into organic food trends and opportunities for partnerships in the green sector. Gulfood February 17-21, Dubai – UAE Expected participants : 100000 Gulfood attracts an international audience of food professionals, highlighting a wide range of products from emerging markets and offering insights into regional consumer trends, trade opportunities, and innovations in food and beverage. AFCI Con February 22-25, Dallas – United States Expected participants : 1500 AFCI Con is where frozen food industry leaders connect, showcasing new products, technologies, and strategies for sustainability and efficiency. It provides a platform for collaboration, industry insights, and exploring trends in frozen foods. Natural Products Expo West March 4-7, Anaheim – United States Expected participants : 65000 Natural Products Expo West brings together the CPG and retail ecosystem, featuring the latest in organic, natural, and sustainable products. It’s a key event for discovering emerging brands and trends focused on health, wellness, and eco-consciousness. Food Expo March 8-10, Athens – Greece Expected participants : 35000 Food Expo showcases a vast array of food products, from raw ingredients to ready-to-eat offerings. It’s an essential hub for professionals seeking to explore trends, develop partnerships, and discover business opportunities across the industry. World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit March 11-12, San Francisco – United States Expected participants : 2500 The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit gathers leaders from agri-food businesses, tech providers, and investors for networking, market intelligence, and discovering startups. Attendees engage in high-level discussions on innovation and investment in agriculture. Foodex March 11-15, Chiba – Japan Expected participants : 80000 Asia’s largest food and beverage trade show, emphasizing innovation and market expansion. It showcases a diverse range of Asian and international food products, focusing on food tech, sustainability, and regional specialties. It serves as a major platform for business networking, culinary trends, and market insights. Future FoodTech March 13-14, San Francisco – United States Expected participants : 1450 Future Food-Tech brings together global food corporates, investors and technology start-ups from around the world to uncover the most exciting innovations in the agri-food sector, forging the right partnerships to take those solutions to market. IFE March 17-19, London – United Kingdom Expected participants : 30000 IFE (International Food & Drink Event) is where food professionals come to explore thousands of products from around the world, connect with new suppliers, and discover innovative trends and solutions shaping the food and drink industry. HRC March 17-19, London – United Kingdom Expected participants : 30000 Connects the industry’s most influential hospitality experts, chefs, and operators with the finest suppliers in the market, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in equipment, services, technology and more. Food Hotel Tech March 19-20, Paris – France Expected participants : 8000 Food Hotel Tech brings together digital tools, eco-friendly products, and tech innovations aimed at transforming the hospitality industry. It’s a hub for hotel and restaurant professionals to discover sustainable and tech-driven solutions. World Food Poland April 8-10, Warsaw – Poland Expected participants : 5000 World Food offers a comprehensive showcase of food products from around the world, connecting suppliers and buyers to explore emerging trends, expand into new markets, and discover innovative solutions in the food and beverage industry. FHA Asia April 8-11, Singapore Expected participants : 72000 Food & Hotel Asia brings together an international audience, featuring a wide array of F&B products, hospitality solutions, and […]

With more than 200 talks on four stages, not to mention the side events, Slush 2024 had so much content to offer that you probably missed some even if you were there. And if you missed it altogether, here are four trends that caught our attention: Second-hand is going mainstream Two high-profile figures of second-hand marketplaces were speakers at Slush 2024: former Depop CEO Maria Ragu, and Vinted co-founder Milda Mitkute. The two companies are incredible success stories in terms of adoption, and also as businesses. Vinted is now valued at €5 billion valuation, and Etsy acquired Depop for some $1.625 billion. “Depop returned 25 times our money,” Creandum general partner Fredrik Cassel said on stage during his fireside chat with Maria. While both entrepreneurs have moved on (Maria, to VC, and Milda, to edtech), second-hand itself is here to stay, and not just in the background.  It’s already blatant in Helsinki, where pre-owned items are a shopping highlight. Premium second-hand clothing can even be found right inside Stockmann, the city’s largest and fanciest department store, and at the airport, where Finnish family business Relove has its own shops, complete with cafés.  But the trend goes well beyond Scandinavia, or clothing; for instance, pre-owned is no longer a taboo for Christmas gifts, and it will be interesting to see if French unicorn Back Market has any numbers to share in January on how many refurbished electronics made their way under the tree during this holiday season. Medtech: The time is now The startup that won this year’s Slush 100 competition was OASYS NOW, a solution to connect patients with clinical trials. It is a sign that there is still a lot to be done in healthtech, but also that startups can help. “Unfortunately healthcare has been quite a drought when it comes to adoption of innovation and technology. We are here to make a difference,” its CEO Nima Salami told Sesamers.  OASYS NOW wasn’t the only healthtech company on stage, including during the finals: Top 3 finalist Mohana Health is a platform to navigate perimenopause. According to its founder and CEO, Dora Jambor it relieves symptoms thanks to three key ingredients: “precision, personalized care and behavioral psychology.” With smart ring maker Oura Health now valued at $5 billion and establishing itself as one of Finland’s top success stories, it is only natural that Slush would be one place where investors are on the lookout for medtech innovation. AstraZeneca’s A.Catalyst Network (A.CN), for instance, was created in 2021 and has been attending the conference every year since then. Don’t sleep on Roblox Roblox is “a sleeping giant to us adults who weren’t playing,” Gamefam chief business officer Ricardo Briceno said. And while we were sleeping, a lot happened: Time spent on the platform skyrocketed, and esthetics changed, too.  There’s also more to come, Gamefam CEO Joe Ferencz argued in a keynote. Roblox, he said, “is likely to disrupt gaming, and maybe media itself.” The key here is user-generated content, which is “changing everything.” These conversations took place at a Slush side event dedicated to the future of gaming, but Roblox was also represented at the conference itself. Its Vice President of Civility & Partnerships, Tami Bhaumik, took part in a panel discussing gaming safety.  EU regulation for the win? European entrepreneurs have mixed feelings about regulation in the region, to say the least. But Slush also brought examples of how legislation is creating tailwinds for startups in some sectors.  One is Slush 100 Top 3 finalist DevAlly, which is helping companies comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which will come into effect on June 28, 2025. “What GDPR did for data protection this act will do for accessibility,” its CEO, Cormac Chisholm, said during his finals pitch. Another example is the textile sector. In a panel featuring Infinited Fiber Company, maker of circular fiber Infinna, and Syre, the recycled polyester venture founded by H&M Group and Vargas Holding, the conversation touched on the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, and how it serves as an incentive for fiber recycling. The startup and investment community in Europe is also taking proactive steps to ensure that regulation plays in its favor.  The most emblematic initiative in that sense is EU Inc, a petition to create a pan-European legal status for startups, and which was also a topic of discussion at Slush. It will definitely be worth tracking: If it works out, it could serve as a platform to introduce other changes that would better serve the startup ecosystem in the EU and beyond.

The first edition of the Paris Creator Week took place at Station F in Paris this week. It brought together content creators, brands, and industry experts to dive into the booming creator economy. This sector, valued at $180–250 billion globally in 2023 and growing at 15% annually, is expected to double in the next five years. The event aimed to position France as the leader in the European creator economy. Here are the key takeaways from the event. Lessons from France’s top podcaster, Matthieu Stefani Matthieu Stefani is the leading podcaster in France with GDIY (Generation Do It Yourself), and is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the creator economy. During his conference at Paris Creator Week, he shared his approach to building a successful podcast. His main advice: passion is essential. Content creation should always come from a genuine interest in the subject matter. He also emphasized the importance of working with sponsors you truly believe in. If a sponsorship feels forced or insincere, it risks alienating your audience. Matthieu pointed out that, in the creator economy, it’s not the number of subscribers that matters but their quality. For example, a podcast on entrepreneurship with 500 founders as listeners is more valuable than millions of followers with no connection to the topic. He also shared that his podcast saw a 40% increase in new listeners this year, proving there’s still room for new voices in podcasting. CYRILmp4: Balancing content creation and entrepreneurship Cyril MP4, a content creator with over 5 million YouTube subscribers, spoke about balancing content creation and entrepreneurship. He believes every content creator is also an entrepreneur. Cyril has built multiple companies around his content. However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. He mentioned taking a one-year break from YouTube to recalibrate and refocus. His key advice: organization is crucial. As creators scale, finding the right balance between producing content and managing business operations becomes essential. Making corporate communication engaging: the role of content creation Corporate communication can often feel dry, but there are ways to make it more engaging and relatable. One of the best ways to do this is by putting faces to the brand. Whether it’s the CEO, employees, or content creators who authentically represent the company. After all, a business is made up of people, and showing the human side of a brand helps build trust and connection with the audience. A great example of this is Orange’s Better Program, where influencers are invited to spend time at the company’s offices to learn about its innovations. These influencers then share their experiences with their followers, offering a more personal touch to the brand. It’s not just about promoting a product; it’s about showing the people and values behind it. Creating engaging content is another key to making corporate communication resonate. L’Oréal did this brilliantly by turning a traditional financial report into something visually appealing and digital-friendly, which garnered 3 million views. They proved that even dry corporate content can be transformed into something captivating when done creatively. In the same vein, Orange used content creators to create over 1,000 posts leading up to the Olympics, and nearly 400 posts during the event. This real-time, engaging content kept the brand at the forefront of the conversation and connected with audiences in a natural, authentic way. The key takeaway? To make corporate communication sexy, brands need to humanize their message—by putting real people in front of it, whether it’s through influencers, employees, or leaders—and make it engaging, whether through creative content or authentic storytelling. It’s all about finding the right balance between authenticity and creativity. How to work with content creators ? When working with influencers, it’s important to give them the freedom to bring their own creativity into the collaboration. They understand their audience best and know how to deliver the message. More and more, brands are turning to micro and nano-influencers. While they may have smaller followings, these influencers tend to have highly engaged and loyal audiences, making them an excellent choice for brands looking to target specific, niche markets. Ultimately, the key to a successful influencer partnership is authenticity. When influencers genuinely believe in the brand and share its values, their content feels more trustworthy and organic, which leads to a stronger connection with their audience. Although Paris Creator Week 2024 has ended, check out our upcoming events here – we’ve got some exciting opportunities lined up for you !