On May 9-10, we’ll host the 10th anniversary of our annual EU-Startups Summit in sunny Malta! This event will feature many exciting speakers, panel discussions, networking activities, pitch competitions, and so much more. The EU-Startups Summit aims to gather over 2,000 founders, startup enthusiasts, and investors for two days filled with networking, inspiration, and learning.
A highlight of this year’s summit is our panel discussion on “Alternative Funding Strategies for Startups,” focusing on equity crowdfunding, revenue-based financing, loans, and public grants. This panel, moderated by Federico Travella, founder & executive chairman at Novicap, aims to explore the diverse range of funding options available to startups, providing crucial insights for navigating the financial landscape beyond traditional venture capital.
Understanding alternative funding strategies is essential for startups looking to fuel growth, innovate, and secure a competitive edge. Diversifying funding sources can not only enhance financial stability but also open new avenues for growth and partnership. To explore this topic, we’ve invited an esteemed panel of experts known for their innovative approaches and contributions to the startup funding ecosystem. Our panel will feature:
Bart Becks, a Board Member at the European Innovation Council (EIC), plays a pivotal role in the organisation’s mission to identify, develop, and scale up breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations. As a serial innovator and entrepreneur, Bart has sparked digital innovation across various sectors. His leadership roles at EURACTIV and E-Health Venture, along with co-founding BeCentral, underscore his significant contributions to digital media, healthcare, and education. Bart’s focus on the potential of Artificial Intelligence and technology highlights his commitment to societal advancement.
Clement Bigot is the Investment Director at Seedrs/Republic, Europe’s leading private investing platform. He is passionate about democratising investment, supporting Europe’s most innovative high-growth companies, and revolutionising how venture capital is distributed in the European startup ecosystem. Over the last decade, he has been a key figure in the Seedrs team, leading the business to become the most active investor in early-stage private companies in the UK, funding over 2,200 deals and participating in rounds totalling over £2.8 billion to date. With the acquisition of Seedrs by Republic, it has now become part of the largest private investing platform in the world, boasting more than 2.5 million members globally.
Melanie Dufour is the CFO at re:cap, a startup that offers tailored, non-dilutive funding and flexible repayment terms for digital companies, supported by best-in-class benchmarking to help businesses achieve growth without sacrificing equity. She has over ten years of experience in finance and banking. Before re:cap, she spent more than five years at NIBC Bank, where she most recently served as Director of Fintech & Structured Finance advising fintech companies on asset and receivables-based financing.
Regina Lau is a global payments strategy leader driven by a passion for helping brands scale and grow faster. With a twenty-year career in finance and payments, she has worked with companies and merchants across the globe to leverage the enormous international growth opportunities that embedded finance has to offer. Regina is the current CFO at Weavr, where she leads the banking operations and commercial teams, the risk and compliance, finance, legal, and HR teams, and also oversees all regulatory licensing.
HEADLINE SPONSOR
Malta Enterprise is Malta’s economic development agency, facilitating economic growth, investment, and innovation, by offering a range of support services for local and foreign enterprises setting up a productive presence in Malta. As a key player in Malta’s economic landscape, it contributes to the nation’s prosperity by attracting investments, supporting businesses, and driving innovation, thereby reinforcing Malta’s position as an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Malta Enterprise actively cultivates a vibrant startup ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in fostering a conducive environment for startups and offering tailored support and incentives to empower emerging businesses.
EVENT SPONSORS
The M. Demajo Group is a leading business player in Malta, with a successful history spanning 114 years. The Group’s growth and diversification have resulted in a wide coverage of business sectors through a commitment to long-term results. M. Demajo Group’s workforce is 500 strong and their various activities have been developed through organic growth, acquisitions, partnerships, and startups. Its strong financial situation and ethical standards, its business reputation, and its renowned track record as a business partner are all key factors in its continued expansion.
Cloud Office has over 20 years of combined experience with Google Cloud, is a leading Premier Google Cloud Partner, and the only Bulgarian partner distinguished by 11 “Expertise” awards from Google. Headquartered in Bulgaria and with a subsidiary in London, UK, they are bringing the best from hyper scalers Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services to their customers. With a team of 70+ certified engineers, they are trusted by 600+ clients(ranging from startups to worldwide known publicly traded companies) and successfully delivered over 700 Google Cloud projects, showcasing their ability to drive innovation and value.
Airwallex is a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, offering trusted solutions to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spending management to embedded finance. With its proprietary infrastructure, Airwallex takes the friction out of global payments and financial operations, empowering businesses of all sizes to unlock new opportunities and grow beyond borders. Proudly founded in Melbourne, Airwallex supports over 100,000 businesses globally and is trusted by brands such as Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more.
