Wrapping Up the EU-Startups Summit 2026: A Celebration of Innovation and Collaboration
And it’s over! The 2026 edition of the EU-Startups Summit 2026 is officially over. Over two jam-packed days in beautiful Malta, more than 2,400 founders, investors, startup enthusiasts, and innovation leaders came together to exchange ideas, spark new collaborations, and make meaningful connections. From inspiring talks and insightful panel discussions to lively networking sessions and our pitch competition, this year’s Summit has become our largest and most exciting edition yet.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in Malta and helped make this event such a memorable experience. The incredible energy, enthusiasm, and community spirit that reigned throughout the venue showed the strength and ambition of the European startup ecosystem. We’re now excited to share official event images and photo galleries so you can relive your favorite moments from the Summit.
Explore the Official Summit Galleries
Whether you want to revisit inspiring moments on stage, find your way in the crowd, or share memories with your team, we’ve collected all the official photos and footage from the event in one place.
Photos from the First Day
Photos from Day 2
Photo Booth Gallery
We will also continue to share some highlights on our social channels over the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more memories from Malta.
An Unforgettable Pitch Competition
One of the highlights of this year’s Summit was undoubtedly the pitch competition. The competition received over 1,600 applications from promising start-ups across Europe. Following a highly competitive selection process, 15 exceptional finalists were given the opportunity to present their presentation live on the main stage in front of a high-level jury of investors and industry experts.
This year’s package was valued at over €1 million and included funding opportunities, cloud credits, access to accelerators, software tools, and startup support services designed to help accelerate growth. The jury included:
- Angelo Burgarello, Managing Partner at Look AI Ventures
- Emilie Vallauri, Global Portfolio and Platform at Techstars
- Miguel Borg, CEO of Malta Venture Capital
The 15 finalists represented a broad range of sectors shaping the future of European innovation, including AI, HealthTech, CleanTech, Aerospace, Robotics, and DeepTech. And after an incredibly competitive final, the winner of the EU-Startups Summit 2026 pitch competition was AlterEcho.
Founded in Denmark in 2025, AlterEcho is developing a robotic embodiment platform for the life sciences sector, combining robotic avatars and AI agents to support remote working in cleanrooms and hazardous environments. The company’s technology aims to reduce contamination risks in pharmaceutical and medical settings while enabling high-precision remote operations. You can read the full winner announcement here.
More Than Just a Conference
Beyond the content of the stage, one of the defining aspects of this year’s Summit was its emphasis on meaningful networking and community building. Attendees connected via the Summit app, AI-powered meetups, curated networking sessions, informal meetings in the networking lounge, and sunset networking drinks overlooking Malta’s coastline.
From spontaneous conversations in the exhibit hall to investor meetings and startup partnerships, the Summit proved once again that some of the most valuable moments happen between sessions.
See You Next Year!
The 2026 edition of the EU-Startups Summit may be over, but the conversations, partnerships, and momentum created in Malta will continue long after the event. Thanks again to all the participants, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, partners, volunteers, and team members who helped make this year’s edition possible.
We look forward to welcoming you again for the 2027 edition of the EU-Startups Summit – still in Malta! Stay tuned for future announcements, updates, and early information on next steps.
OUR EVENT SPONSORS
Malta Business is Malta’s economic development agency, which facilitates economic growth, investment, and innovation by providing a range of support services to local and foreign businesses establishing a productive presence in Malta. As a key player in Malta’s economic landscape, it contributes to the country’s prosperity by attracting investment, supporting businesses, and stimulating innovation, thereby strengthening Malta’s position as an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors. Malta Enterprise actively cultivates a vibrant startup ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in fostering a startup-friendly environment and providing tailored support and incentives to empower emerging businesses.
M. Demajo Group is a leading economic player in Malta, with a successful history of 115 years. The Group’s growth and diversification are reflected in broad coverage of business sectors thanks to a commitment to long-term results. The M. Demajo Group’s workforce numbers 500 people and their various activities have developed through organic growth, acquisitions, partnerships, and startups. Its strong financial position and ethical standards, its business reputation, and its reputation as a business partner are all key factors in its continued expansion.
THE IONOS Cloud Starter Program offers young companies up to €100,000 in cloud credits for up to five years after their creation. Start-ups benefit from a sovereign IT infrastructure “Made in Germany”, offering 100% GDPR compliance and full legal certainty. IONOS Cloud guarantees technological freedom without vendor lock-in. Long-term support is also assured: exclusive discounts after the first year enable a smooth transition to the IONOS Cloud ISV Partner Program. In this way, digital sovereignty becomes a strategic competitive advantage, from creation to scale.
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