Global venture capital has rebounded sharply in the first quarter of 2025, with total global startup funding reaching $113 billion in the first quarter; a 54% spike year-over-year. Could this be your year? From Denmark’s creative TechBBQ, to the massive Websummit, to the Saudi Startups Expo, we’ve compiled 13 startup events you cannot miss this year.
By Hana Rateb
1. TechBBQ – Denmark
The Bella Center in Copenhagen will host the premier startup and innovation summit in Scandinavia, TechBBQ 2025. Build to Matter will be the event’s central theme, highlighting deliberate innovation in fields like artificial intelligence, life sciences, fintech, and sustainable materials. More than 10,000 people are anticipated to attend, including 2,200 startup representatives and 1,200 investors. TechBBQ provides a forum for networking, policy debates, and the display of innovative technologies.
FROM 27-08-25 TO 28-08-25 . Register here
2. Elevate Festival – Canada
To bring together top innovators, business titans, and the tech community, Elevate Festival is returning to Toronto. World-class speakers, innovative programming, networking opportunities, and investor-startup interactions are all part of Canada’s most significant tech and innovation event, which aims to raise awareness of the country’s tech and innovation scene internationally.
FROM 07-10-25 TO 09-10-25 . Register here
3. Web Summit – Portugal
More than 70,000 people are expected to attend Web Summit 2025, which will bring together CEOs, founders of tech companies, and legislators to talk about the direction of technology. Known as “the world’s largest tech conference,” it provides a forum for global tech leaders, investors, and startups to network and discuss venture capital, marketing trends, and emerging technologies.
FROM 10-11-25 to 13-11-25. Register here
4. Slush – Finland
Every year, Slush, a prominent startup and tech event in Helsinki, connects investors and startup founders through pitching contests and matchmaking. Slush provides a range of year round resources to assist and educate investors and founders, with an emphasis on creating a global startup community.
FROM 19-11-25 TO 20-11-25. Register here
5. Startupfest – Canada
The “Ambition+” theme of Startupfest 2025 positions itself as a quartermaster for ambitious founders, offering the resources, know-how, and connections necessary to transform goals into reality. Known as Canada’s first startup conference, it provides networking opportunities, motivational speakers, and mentorship in a fun and festive setting.
FROM 19-07-25 T0 11-07-25 . Register here
6. Techne Summit – Egypt
The Techne Summit is one of the leading multi-industry technology conferences in the Mediterranean area, taking place in Alexandria as well as other cities. It connects startups, investors, and professionals through talks, panels, and networking around multiple tracks such as FinTech, HealthTech, and EdTech with the aim of contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
FROM 29-09-25 TO 06-10-25 Register here
7. DMEXCO – Germany
Setting the digital agenda by bringing together tech pioneers, marketing experts, and industry leaders, DMEXCO is Europe’s premier event for digital marketing and technology. With more
than 850 speakers and about 40,000 attendees from 90 countries, the event provides insights into the newest developments in digital marketing and communication.
FROM 17-09-25 TO 18-09-25. Register here
8. GITEX GLOBAL – UAE
The largest and most significant tech event in the world, GITEX Global 2025, brings together innovators, decision-makers, and leaders in the industry from all over the world. More than 6,000 exhibitors from more than 170 countries will be present, along with expert-led sessions covering a variety of topics like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and unmatched networking opportunities.
FROM 13-10-25 TO 17-10-25. Register here
9. Smart Vision Summer SVS – Egypt
Returning for its eighth edition, the Smart Vision Summit (SVS) Egypt 2025 brings together leading companies and leaders to discuss the newest developments in fintech, financial markets, and investment. It will be held at The Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo and will provide attendees with free admission as well as unmatched chances for networking and the discovery of creative solutions. The summit’s extensive agenda includes panel discussions on the potential of the Egyptian Stock Exchange, and investment opportunities in the Middle East.
FROM 22-11-25 TO 23-11-25. Register here
10. Viva Technology – France
Startups, tech executives, and investors will come together at Viva Technology 2025 to discuss the newest developments and digital revolutions. Keynote addresses, exhibits, and networking opportunities will all be part of the event, which will offer a forum for cooperation and highlight innovative technologies that are influencing the future.
FROM 11-06-25 TO 14-06-25. Register here
11, Egypt Innovation Week EIW – Egypt
An opportunity of the highest caliber, Egypt Innovation Week is the moment when the best minds and big ideas in Egypt come together. This event will display first-in-class technologies, connect entrepreneurs with investors and other industry leaders, while giving a space for startups to receive exposure on a national level. With exhibits, workshops, and pitch opportunities, Egypt Innovation Week is the perfect launch pad for anyone looking to innovate, grow, and lead in Egypt’s rapidly-growing startup ecosystem.
FROM 01-10-25 TO 03-10-25 Register here
12. Saudi Startups Expo – KSA
An emerging centre for innovation in the Gulf, The Saudi Startups Expo is a clear launching pad for entrepreneurs to pitch their businesses, meet Saudi investors and have access to one of the fastest and highest growth markets in the region. The expo showcases sectors that are aligned with Vision 2030 including tech, sustainability, and smart solutions which undoubtedly provide an entry point for startups who are looking to enter the lucrative Saudi ecosystem.
FROM 12-11-25 TO 13-11-25 Register here
13. Worldwide Entrepreneur summit – UAE
A worldwide hotspot for ambitious founders, The World Entrepreneur Summit is a gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders from all corners of the world to inspire, connect, and accelerate your growth. It is a higher-impact opportunity you could be provided a platform, pitch globally to international investors, learn from the largest giants of industry, and partner across-streams. As a startup looking to access to global scale and visibility that locally iterated solutions, this is an opportunity you cannot miss!
FROM 21-11-25 TO 22-11-25 Register here