What You Missed at EU Startups 2024: Kitrum’s CEO’s Overview

The sun-drenched island of Malta, with its rich history and stunning Mediterranean backdrop, is ideal for … no, not swimming and sunbathing; in 2024, Malta is a stage for one of the most anticipated entrepreneurial gatherings of the year, the 10th EU-Startups Summit. Of course, Kitrum attended this summit, and here’s a bit about the event:

• Over 2,000 attendees from various corners of Europe — founders, startup enthusiasts, corporates, angel investors, VCs, and media;
• 950 founders;
• 240 investors;
• Exhibition hall with 60 innovative companies showcasing their latest creations.
• Below, I’ll uncover the latest trends, Kitrum’s event objectives, and our insights.

Why did Kitrum visit EU Startups 2024?

Generally, Malta is a popular choice for foreign investors wanting to move their businesses. The island provides many benefits, such as favorable taxes, investment immigration options, social and fiscal perks, a unique lifestyle, and a stable economy.

The number of businesses in Malta is growing, with both existing and new enterprises contributing to its growth. According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), in 2022, the number of registered business units reached 136,183, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous year. The Malta Business Registry also reports an average of over 25 new company registrations daily, reflecting a sustained upward trend for four consecutive years.

Thus, Kitrum managed to make a trip to Malta maximally productive as we not only visited the EU Startups 2024 but also held meetings with current and potential clients.

Visiting such a conference was important for us as we always seek opportunities to partner with other companies and demonstrate our capabilities. Meeting other entrepreneurs, talking to investors, and learning from experts were all part of our plan.

Over the course of 2 days, I connected with 53 companies in person and held 8 meetings, taking advantage of every opportunity, networking extensively, and maximizing our presence.

By the way, if you’re eager to dive deeper into the latest tech trends or explore a potential collaboration, you can always ping me through my Calendly.

Trendy topics

At this event, I had a jam-packed schedule: I wanted to listen to the speakers, network, and be on time for the planned meetings, making my schedule too tight. Nonetheless, I managed to enjoy the vibe, that by the way, displayed the sense of unity and support for Ukraine, which was heartwarming to see, and we’re so grateful for that.

Some of the notable attendees at the conference included Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela, Amazon’s CTO Werner Vogels, and Freepik’s CEO Joaquín Cuenca. The 2-day EU-Startups Summit covered a variety of essential and trendy topics.

Amazon’s CTO & Vice President Werner Vogels led a Fireside chat about innovation at Amazon and beyond, providing valuable insights into the company’s pioneering approach. Proxify’s Founder & CEO Viktor Jarnheimer shared his vision on the future of distributed work, highlighting emerging trends and opportunities. Additionally, Haut.AI’s Founder & CEO Anastasia Georgievskaya, Contents.com’s Founder & CEO Massimiliano Squillace, and Freepik’s Co-founder & CEO Joaquín Cuenca engaged in a compelling discussion on the current state and future of AI.

Attendees actively discussed what’s going on within the startup ecosystem. One concern was the ongoing struggle many startups face in securing funding despite the overload of channels available for investment attraction. It definitely talks about the need for innovative approaches to funding and highlights the importance of networking and building relationships with potential investors rather than cold pitching.

On a more optimistic note, discussions centered around advancements in medical technology, with innovative startups spearheading the development of solutions poised to revolutionize patient care. For instance, some cool startups were offering a solution for urinary incontinence and, on the other hand, a mobile application for the prevention of Parkinson’s disease. Impressive advancements, right?

Beyond healthcare, there were various new products and ideas presented, from wireless charging innovations to groundbreaking mobile applications.

Lastly, all the participants agreed on the importance of geographic specificity and personalized experiences in business communications, highlighting the value of tailoring strategies to resonate with local markets and consumers.

Key takeaways & recommendations

After every valuable conference, I gather key takeaways to enhance our approach to future events. Here they’re:

1. Thorough preparation: Thorough preparation and preliminary work are essential for maximizing our results at such conferences. This includes researching potential contacts, setting clear objectives, and developing engaging presentations that effectively showcase our capabilities.
2. Management & time optimization: For trips like this one, when you’re truly overwhelmed with multiple tasks — time optimization is required. To avoid burnout, remember to plan your activities carefully, optimize your time and resources, prioritize tasks and people, and don’t forget to sleep — it’s also necessary😅
3. Automate processes: The concept of automating marketing and sales processes also resonated strongly, as this can streamline our operations and improve efficiency.
4. Email campaigns: Leveraging e-mail campaigns to cultivate relationships with potential investors and partners emerged as a highly effective strategy worth implementing.
5. Categorize startups: Identify the main categories of startups to improve communication for more effective networking and collaboration. For instance, we’ve identified 3 main categories of startups for more productive communication.
6. Systematize contacts: The importance of preserving and systematizing our business contacts cannot be overstated, as it lays the groundwork for sustained growth and collaboration.
7. Engage thoughtfully: Intentionally and thoughtfully engaging with the audience is a crucial element for achieving active participation and building relationships.
8. Meet industry leaders: Meeting major players and influential companies in your industry is equally important, as this expands the network and opens doors to valuable opportunities.