For startups looking to secure funding, understanding when they are venture capital-ready and how to attract the right investors can be the difference between growth and stagnation.
This year’s EU-Startups Summit will bring together seasoned investors to tackle this very challenge in the panel ‘How to Get Investment-Ready & Find Investors that Match Your Needs.’
On April 24-25, 2025, we’ll be hosting the 11th edition of the EU-Startups Summit! This event is set to bring together around 2,400 founders, startup enthusiasts, and investors for two days of learning, connection, and inspiration. Packed with inspiring speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, engaging networking activities, a thrilling pitch competition, and much more, it’s an event you won’t want to miss.
This panel will focus on what makes a startup VC-ready at the Seed stage. The panellists will share insights on the key metrics and KPIs that investors look for, the milestones that startups should hit in anticipation of raising capital, and the different funding sources available, from angel investors to family offices.
Meet the Speakers
The panel features a powerhouse lineup of three leading investors who bring decades of experience in early-stage funding, startup scaling, and strategic investment.
Igor Ryabenkiy, Founder and managing partner of AltaIR Capital, has over 20 years of venture capital experience and has invested in hundreds of tech startups across the US, Israel, and Europe. AltaIR Capital manages €600 million in assets and has been an early backer of several unicorns, including Miro, Deel, PandaDoc, and OpenWeb. With a deep focus on AI, FinTech, SaaS, and Digital Health, Igor understands what it takes for startups to transition from early-stage to high-growth ventures. His track record includes a fund that achieved a 17x return on investment from past funds, highlighting his ability to identify and support promising startups on their journey to success.
Nina Dremelj, President of Business Angels of Slovenia and Vice President of the European Business Angel Network, is an expert in early-stage investments and has backed more than 18 startups as a super angel, achieving an impressive average investment multiple above 5x. She is currently focused on launching Vesna, a €50 million Slovenian-Croatian deep-tech fund that started operations in 2024. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing daFUND, a venture capital fund supported by business angels. Her experience working with Mediterranean and European angel networks makes her an invaluable resource for Founders navigating the early funding landscape.
Thomas Bigagli, Partner at Plug and Play, brings a global perspective to the panel, having invested in over 200 startups and mentored more than 600 entrepreneurs worldwide. At Plug and Play, he helps oversee venture activities across more than 30 offices in EMEA, supporting startups in reaching key milestones and scaling into new regions. Plug and Play is the world’s largest open innovation platform and early-stage VC fund, boasting over 30 unicorns, including PayPal, Google, and Dropbox, in its portfolio. His expertise in working with Fortune 2000 executives and blue-chip corporations makes him well-versed in what investors seek in high-growth startups.
Why You Can’t Miss This Panel
For founders preparing to raise capital, this panel will provide actionable advice from investors who have successfully backed some of the biggest success stories in tech. Whether you are a Seed-stage startup looking to attract your first institutional investors or a scaling company evaluating funding options, these experts will help demystify the investment process and guide you toward securing the right funding for your needs.
Join us on April 24-25, 2025, in sunny Malta to connect with cybersecurity leaders, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, and like-minded innovators. Secure your ticket today and be part of the movement shaping the future of digital security. Stay tuned for more updates, speaker announcements, and event highlights on our event page!
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 is the global leader in compliance automation, helping 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. Compliance experts offer personalized guidance to streamline compliance, enabling faster growth and boosting customer trust.
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.