We are pleased to announce that Clare Jones, CEO of Polarsteps, will join the speaker line-up at the EU-Startups Summit 2026 on May 7-8 in sunny Malta.
Polarsteps is a rapidly growing company building a tool for explorers to plan, track, and relive their adventures. The platform has reached more than 18 million users through organic, word-of-mouth growth, with hundreds of millions of photos, videos, stories, and travel tips shared across the globe. The company has grown to over 80 employees with minimal external funding and was profitable in 2024, generating more than €10 million in revenue. In that year alone, Polarsteps users collectively travelled over 20 billion kilometres, equivalent to around 40 round-trip trips to Mars.
As CEO, Clare leads Polarsteps through its next phase of growth, with a strong focus on sustainable scaling and culture-led leadership. Before joining Polarsteps, she held a senior leadership role at what3words, where she was closely involved in scaling the business internationally and navigating the challenges of growth across markets. In parallel, Clare is also active as an investor, supporting early-stage founders and contributing to the broader startup ecosystem.
At the Summit, she will deliver a keynote centred on people-first scaling. Her session will explore how startups can grow without losing their soul, how to achieve ambitious goals with relatively small teams, and how to avoid the common trap of hiring rapidly only to realise the company’s culture and values have fundamentally changed. Drawing on real-world experience, she will share practical lessons on communication, leadership, company culture, and the key potholes founders should watch for as they scale.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of Europe’s leading voices in people-first scaling and thoughtful startup growth, and make sure to secure your ticket for the EU-Startups Summit 2026.
OUR EVENT SPONSORS
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.
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 IONOS Cloud Start-up Program provides young companies with up to €100,000 in cloud credits for up to five years after their founding. 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 ensured: exclusive discounts after the first year enable a seamless transition into the IONOS Cloud ISV Partner Program. In this way, digital sovereignty becomes a strategic competitive advantage from founding to scaling.
