Kickstart your business by attending these top 12 startup conferences in 2024
Starting your entrepreneurial journey and establishing your own company is an exciting step for anyone. By participating in startup events, you not only learn the ins and outs of becoming an established business, but you also get to meet other entrepreneurs who can share their knowledge.
Here at Booking.com for Business, we don’t only help with booking and managing the whole business trip, but we also want to see you succeed in your business by recommending these startup conferences for 2024.
13 January
Porto, Portugal
Head to sunny Porto, Portugal, and start 2024 right with the Startups World conference, geared towards ambitious entrepreneurs and growing businesses.
With inspirational and educational talks from Philip van Nedervelde, founder of E-spaces, and Sandra Miller, CEO of Runway Innovation Hub, you’ll learn how to develop a winning mindset and make your business dreams come true.
You can reach this startup show by flying through Porto Airport (OPO).
Once you reach the coastal city of Porto, be sure to add a bit of leisurely activity to your trip and take a stroll around the ancient city center. Discover this wonderful city dating from the 8th century BCE, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996.
26-29 February
Barcelona, Spain
With a history of ten years of helping startups, 4YFN is a yearly conference that takes place in Barcelona, Spain.
Join this startup summit that spans four days, where you can listen to trailblazers like Carolina Aguilar, CEO of INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, and Kamran Elahian, chairman of Global Innovation Catalyst. You’ll get to network and meet other passionate entrepreneurs, seeing how this startup conference has an audience of over 88,500.
You can fly in through the El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto in Barcelona.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the colorful city of Barcelona and admire the wonderful architecture and designs of Antoni Gaudí, while enjoying some delicious tapas in the warm climate of the Iberian peninsula.
23-24 April
London, UK
SME XPO is perfect for small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) founders and decision-makers who are looking to scale.
Happening in London, this is one of the best startup events of the year. It’s catered not only to startups but also to scaleups and smaller businesses that want to make it big and make a difference in the world.
You can meet investors, network with fellow entrepreneurs and see what’s new in the field by taking a tour of all exhibitors on the floor.
Reach this SME conference through one of the six major airports in London.
You can’t miss spending some time discovering the capital of the UK. From regal architecture to parks filled with friendly squirrels, London has something to offer for each traveler, no matter your passions.
23-24 April
Redwood City, USA
One of the biggest startup events of 2024, Startup Grind Global Conference is geared towards everything and everyone connected to the startup world. If you founded, work with or work for a startup, this event will introduce you not only to exciting concepts and people but also help you spot valuable growth opportunities.
This event takes place in Silicon Valley, in the world-famous San Francisco Bay Area, California. You can reach this startup summit via San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC).
The San Francisco Bay Area is an exciting location in Northern California, so you can take your pick of the cities you want to visit during your stay. For instance, head to the Golden City, San Francisco, and visit the infamous Alcatraz Prison, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Golden Gate Park.
9-10 May
Valletta, Malta
Happening in Valletta, Malta, this tech startup event wants to empower small businesses from Europe to expand and learn all the tips and tricks needed to thrive in this economic environment.
EU-Startups Summit stands out because it will sponsor a small company with a prize package worth €160,000 at the end of the conference.
You can reach this exciting event via the Valletta Airport, and, during your free time, visit the other Maltese islands.
Valletta, the capital of Malta, hosts some of the most beautiful landmarks in the country. Get lost in its medieval streets and admire the Catholic paintings of the beautiful Baroque churches in the old city center.
22-25 May
Paris, France
VivaTech boasts that it’s the biggest startup and tech event in Europe – and you can understand why. Over 11,000 startups come together across the four days of the event, where they meet the right investors and get their deserved clout.
In 2023, speakers like President Emmanuel Macron and Korean Minister of SME Lee Young participated and described what the future of startups will look like.
You can reach Paris via its three airports and, once you’re there, reserve some time to explore the City of Lights. From the Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower to the Pompidou Center and Panthéon, you can’t get bored during your free time from the conference.
20-21 June
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
One of the biggest startup events of the year, TNW Conference, will be in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
From content insights to tips on creating and defining your brand, TNW is perfect for learning how to scale your business up and understanding how to create a name and a presence that will make your business stand out. Over 300 investors participate in this event, so you’ll also have a great opportunity to network and find funding for your company.
You can reach Amsterdam via Schiphol Airport.
Before you head to the conference, be sure to check out some of Amsterdam’s most beautiful landmarks: from the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum to taking a cruise around its beautiful canals.
10-12 July
Montreal, Canada
With Startupfest, business conferences are combined with festivals and startup trade shows. The three-day summit combines learning new and exciting concepts, networking with entrepreneurs and big names and participating in workshops to put your knowledge into practice.
In previous years, speakers like Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify, and Monique Woodard, Managing Director of Cake Ventures, graced the stage of Startupfest 2023, so who knows what this year’s edition has to bring?
You can reach Montreal, Canada, via its two airports.
Take advantage of the Canadian summer and enjoy some free time in the city, by visiting the shores of the St. Lawrence River, the Montreal Botanical Garden and the Jean-Talon Market.
10-12 September
The San Francisco Bay Area, USA
An upcoming startup conference, SaaStr Annual 2024 is a three-day event about software as a service and how startups can grab market demand and expand.
Happening in the San Francisco Bay Area, you’ll meet trailblazing founders and executives who can share their learnings. There are also engaging workshops and networking opportunities that can shape the future of your startup.
Fly in through the San Jose Mineta International Airport.
Since you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, take a quick trip to San Jose and visit the curious Winchester Mystery House, shop on Santana Row and have some fun at The Tech Interactive Museum.
11-12 September
Copenhagen, Denmark
This exciting startup summit is a full-blown barbecue in Copenhagen, where leaders and big names network with up-and-coming companies from Scandinavia and the Baltics.
With a theme like ‘One Giant Leap’, the 2024 edition of TechBBQ is here to motivate startups to make a true change in the business world and to revolutionize industries, taking them to a more united future.
You can reach Copenhagen via its Kastrup Airport or through the Roskilde Airport.
Don’t waste this great opportunity to discover the capital of Denmark and visit its Rosenborg Castle and Christianborg Palace, as well as take a fun trip to the Tivoli Gardens theme park.
29 September-1 October
Munich, Germany
Mix beers, pretzels and business at this startup event that takes place during Oktoberfest in Germany.
This summit has gathered amazing speakers throughout the years, like former President Barack Obama, activist Michelle Obama, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and many more iconic names.
You can reach the Bits & Pretzels festival-like startup event via the Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport.
While you’re in Munich, take this chance to visit the whole of Bavaria. From breathtaking landscapes and castles to great German dishes, this will be a trip you won’t soon forget.
11-14 November
Lisbon, Portugal
Join Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon and take part in one of the biggest startup summits of the year. What makes this event stand out from the rest is the amazing networking opportunities it provides, as over 70,000 participants come each year. Hundreds of exhibitions are open to help you take a peek into the future of tech.
This event is in Lisbon, Portugal, and you can reach it via its Humberto Delgado Airport.
Either because you want to see your business take off or you want to see where the future lies when it comes to innovation and startups, these conferences are perfect for you. Take your team or participate solo with the help of the Booking.com for Business tool and have an unforgettable and educational experience.
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