On April 24-25, 2025, the EU-Startups Summit will return for its 11th edition! Taking place for the second time in sunny Malta, this premier event will bring together around 2,500 founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration. Attendees can expect dynamic panel discussions, engaging fireside chats, a high-energy pitch competition, and countless opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals.
Today we are excited to introduce our next panel discussion: “Current State & Future of Venture Capital in Europe”. It will explore key trends shaping the investment landscape. Some of the topics include investment levels in Europe over the past decade, with a focus on recent turbulent years, the future of investing in the region, the growing track record of exits, and Europe’s competitiveness with the US. We will also cover the role of AI in venture capital, including whether investors are currently backing AI-driven startups or plan to do so in the future.
To shed light on these topics, we’ve assembled an exceptional panel of experts with deep experience in venture capital and startup investment:
Charles Letourneur: Co-founder & Managing Partner at Alven
Charles co-founded Alven an independent early-stage venture capital firm with over $1.5 billion under management. With over two decades of investment experience, he has played a pivotal role in backing and scaling over 150 startups. The firm invests in sectors such as Saas productivity software, vertical AI, dev tools, fintech, health tech, as well as digital consumer brands. With a strong track record in identifying and scaling high-growth startups, Charles brings invaluable insights into what makes a startup investment-ready and how to navigate early-stage growth successfully.
Conor Scanlan: Partner at Nauta Capital
As a Partner at Nauta Capital, Conor focuses on supporting visionary founders building the next generation of B2B software companies. With more than €550 million in assets under management, Nauta Capital is a leading European VC firm investing across sectors such as RetailTech, Fintech, Insurtech, AI/ML, and Deep Tech. Operating from hubs in London and Barcelona, Nauta provides strategic support and capital to early-stage companies scaling innovative software solutions. Conor brings deep expertise in structuring investment deals and guiding startups through growth and expansion.
Isabella Yamamoto: Principal at Visionaries Club
Isabella plays a key role at Visionaries Club, a VC firm that bridges the gap between visionary founders and industry-leading investors. With a keen eye for disruptive innovations, she works closely with startups to help them refine their value propositions and successfully raise capital. With approximately €600 million in assets under management, the firm has backed high-profile companies like Personio, Miro, Pigment, and Choco. She will share her perspectives on market trends, investment strategies, and what founders need to stand out in a competitive landscape.
Talia Rafaeli: Partner at KOMPAS VC
As a Partner at KOMPAS VC, Talia focuses on investing in breakthrough technologies that are shaping the future of industries. She specialises in backing innovative and scalable technology solutions that reduce emissions, increase productivity, and enhance business resilience. Talia actively works with early-stage companies in Europe, Israel, and the US, helping them navigate market complexities, secure funding, and build long-term growth strategies. These are also the areas in which the firm’s Fund I targets late Seed and Series A hardware and technology companies.
Join us in Malta on April 24-25, 2025, for this exclusive discussion with top-tier investors. Whether you’re a startup looking for funding, an entrepreneur seeking investment advice, or simply interested in the evolving VC landscape, this panel will provide invaluable takeaways. Secure your ticket today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of venture capital and startup funding!
OUR 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.
OUR SPONSORS
Scytale helps startups get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat.
Airwallex is a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, offering trusted solutions to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend management to embedded finance. With their 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.
EUROCROWD is an independent network organisation aiming to support and promote crowdfunding as an alternative funding mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises and innovative projects. EUROCROWD promotes and supports the development of Crowdfunding mechanisms as a viable funding source to European entrepreneurs and funders.
The M. Demajo Group is a leading business player in Malta, with a successful history spanning 115 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.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a flagship initiative of the European Commission to turn disruptive European science into groundbreaking commercial propositions and accelerate the scale-up of “game-changing” innovations. It is a key building bloc of a reinforced European ecosystem and the New European Innovation Agenda, filling the gap between R&D support, private investors, and the market. With a budget of over €10 billion under the Horizon Europe Programme (2021-2027) it seeks to position Europe as a global leader in the current wave of deep tech innovation.
