10 Startup Events in Europe you should not miss in 2026

We bid farewell to 2025 and are already looking forward to our calendars for 2026 being filled with interesting events. We have compiled a list of events across Europe that you should not miss. 

E-world energy & water - The Leading Fair of the Energy Industry

From 10 to 12 February 2026, the energy industry meets at E-world energy & water in Essen, Germany. The event brings together national and international exhibitors presenting technologies and services for the future of the energy sector. E-world features four exhibition areas: Smart Energy, Innovation, Trading Floor, and Climate Solutions, covering topics from digital energy systems and startups to energy trading and decarbonisation. The event is complemented by conferences and panel discussions, offering opportunities to exchange with international experts.

STARTUPLAND Conference 2026

On March 18, 2026, STARTUPLAND by Deutsche Startups is inviting founders, investors, corporate leaders or just innovation enthusiasts to Cologne, Germany. This event is a melting pot of ideas, innovation, and opportunity, attracting ambitious founders and tech teams developing promising solutions to solve real-world challenges. Whether you are looking to showcase your technology, meet investors who can accelerate your growth, or discover partnerships.

DMEA for Health Startups

DMEA (Digital Medical Experts and Applications), Europe's largest trade fair and conference for the digital health industry, will take place from April 21–24, 2026, in Berlin. The "DMEA für Health Startups" is a special program and designated area within the event designed to give new companies visibility, funding opportunities, and networking access. Startups have a chance to win the DMEA nova Award for their pitch of innovative concepts and solutions in front of a jury and audience. The best four startups from the preliminary round will pitch in the final session on April 23 for the award, which comes with a prize kit valued at EUR 7,500.

EU-Startups Summit

EU-Startups Summit is an annual flagship conference and networking event for the European startup ecosystem, taking place over two days (May 7–8, 2026) in Valletta, Malta. It brings together up to 2,500 founders, startup enthusiasts, corporates, angel investors, venture capitalists, and media to connect, learn, and build deals around tech-enabled growth startups with global ambitions. The summit features a rich on-stage program with keynotes, fireside chats with successful entrepreneurs, and a pitch competition where selected startups present to investors and attendees. In addition to talks, there are matchmaking opportunities, dedicated networking sessions (including via an event app), an exhibition hall with innovative companies, and evening networking events to foster investor-founder connections and collaborative growth. 

Latitude59

On May 21–22, 2026, the next edition of Latitude59 will take place in Tallinn, Estonia. Latitude59 is the flagship startup and tech event of the world’s first digital society. It allows startups to showcase their products and services to visitors all around the world and meet more than 800 investors. It is a great opportunity to build up an international network and scale up your startup in Europe and beyond, with a format that allows startups to participate in a pitch competition and win prize money.

HHL SpinLab Investors Day

Join us on June 3, 2026, for our annual HHL SpinLab Investors Day at the historic Spinnerei complex in Leipzig, Germany. This exclusive event connects startups from the SpinLab group with investors and corporations from Germany and beyond. Do not miss the chance to network with top venture capitalists and angel investors from firms while enjoying keynote speeches, masterclasses, and panel discussions. 

Machn Festival

The annual highlight for the Leipzig and Central German startup ecosystem is coming back for 2026. The Machn Festival will take place on June 3–4, 2026, in Leipzig, bringing corporates, founders, startups, project, and institutions from Central Germany together once again. As the largest meeting point for innovation in Eastern Germany, MACHN offers visibility for brands, talents, and capital for new ideas. It focuses not only on technology but connects it with art, culture, and entertainment.

Summer School for Diverse Startups Pitch event

On July 23, 2026, the Summer School for Diverse Startups will come to an end with a pitch event in Leipzig, Deutschland. After attending a SpinLab one-week bootcamp, a diverse group of teams will be invited to the stage. With the mission to give underrepresented founders a platform to showcase their ideas and to connect and grow their networks, SpinLab and HHL DIGITAL SPACE organize this event annually to celebrate diversity as a catalyst for creativity and success in the startup world.

How to Web Konferenz

The How to Web Conference will take place on October 7–8, 2026, in Bucharest, Romania. This is Eastern Europe’s leading startup and technology event, connecting founders, investors, and tech experts. It’s a platform to learn from global leaders, network with decision-makers, and discover the region’s most promising startups, fostering innovation and growth in the Eastern European tech ecosystem. With over 3,000 attendees and more than 500 participating startups, it is a great place to network not only for founders but also for investors and tech company professionals. 

Deep Tech CEE Summit

The Deep Tech CEE Summit is a 3-day annual event in Warsaw, Poland, with Dates To Be Announced (TBA). It is a significant annual event allowing CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) Startups and Investors to connect, contributing to developing the CEE region as the world's next deep tech hub. The primary goal of the summit is to connect deep tech startups and innovators from the CEE region with international investors, corporate representatives, scientists, and industry leaders to accelerate growth and commercialization. The event includes a significant startup competition offering funding, pitch opportunities, and exclusive one-on-one meetings with VCs and business angels.