Kickstart your business by attending the top 12 startup conferences in 2024
Starting 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 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 entire business trips. We also want to see your business succeed, which is why we recommend these startup conferences for 2024.
January 13
Porto, Portugal
Head to sunny Porto, Portugal, and kick off 2024 with the Startups World conference, geared toward 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 get to the coastal city of Porto, enjoy some leisure activities and explore the ancient city center. Discover this wonderful city dating back to the 8th century BCE, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996.
February 26–29
Barcelona, Spain
With ten years of helping startups, 4YFN is an annual conference that takes place in Barcelona, Spain.
Join this four-day startup summit, 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 with and meet tons of passionate entrepreneurs, thanks to 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.
April 23–24
London, UK
SME XPO is perfect for small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) founders and decision-makers who are looking to scale.
Set in London, this is one of the best startup events of the year. It’s catered to startups, scale-ups, and smaller businesses that want to make a big 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 London’s six major airports.
Don’t miss a chance to discover the capital of the UK. From regal architecture to parks filled with friendly squirrels, London has something for everyone, no matter your passions.
April 23–24
Redwood City, California
One of the biggest startup events of 2024, Startup Grind Global Conference is geared toward 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 California’s Silicon Valley, set in the world-famous San Francisco Bay Area. You can fly to this summit via San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), and San Jose (SJC).
The San Francisco Bay Area is an exciting location in Northern California, so take your pick of cities to visit during your stay. For example, head to San Francisco to visit the infamous Alcatraz Prison, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Golden Gate Park.
May 9–10
Valletta, Malta
Set in Valletta, Malta, this tech startup event aims 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 get to this exciting event via the Valletta Airport. During your free time, visit the other Maltese islands.
Valletta, the capital of Malta, features some of the most beautiful landmarks in the country. Get lost in the old city center’s medieval streets and admire the Catholic paintings in its Baroque churches.
May 22–25
Paris, France
VivaTech boasts that it’s the biggest startup and tech event in Europe. Over 11,000 startups come together across this four-day event, where they meet investors with serious clout.
In 2023, speakers like President Emmanuel Macron and Korean Minister of SME Lee Young participated and spoke about the future of startups.
You can reach Paris via its three airports. Once you’re there, block off some time to explore the City of Lights. From the Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower to the Pompidou Center and Panthéon, you’ll never be bored during your downtime.
June 20–21
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
One of the biggest startup events of the year will be theTNW Conference 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 and create both a name and 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.
You can reach Amsterdam via Schiphol Airport.
Before you head to the conference, check out some of Amsterdam’s most beautiful landmarks, like the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, or a cruise through its charming canals.
July 10–12
Montreal, Canada
With Startupfest, business conferences are combined with festivals and 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, have taken the stage, so who knows what this year’s edition has in store.
You can reach Montreal, Canada, via its two airports.
Take advantage of the Canadian summer by visiting the shores of the St. Lawrence River, the Montreal Botanical Garden, and the Jean-Talon Market.
September 10–12
The San Francisco Bay Area, California
The 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.
Set in the San Francisco Bay Area, you’ll meet trailblazing founders and executives who can share their experience. 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’ll be in the Bay Area, take a quick trip to San Jose and visit the Winchester Mystery House, go shopping on Santana Row, and have some fun at The Tech Interactive Museum.
September 11–12
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 the theme “One Giant Leap,” the 2024 edition of TechBBQ is here to motivate startups to make a true change in the business world and revolutionize industries, taking them to a more united future.
You can reach Copenhagen via the Kastrup Airport or Roskilde Airport.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to discover the capital of Denmark and visit the Rosenborg Castle, the Christianborg Palace, or the Tivoli Gardens theme park.
September 29–October 1
Munich, Germany
Mix beers, pretzels, and business at this startup event that takes place during Oktoberfest in Germany.
This summit has brought in amazing speakers over the years, like former President Barack Obama, activist Michelle Obama, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and many more.
You can reach the Bits & Pretzels festival-like startup event via the Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport.
While you’re in Munich, make the most of this opportunity to visit the rest of Bavaria. From breathtaking landscapes and castles to delicious German dishes, this will be an unforgettable trip.
November 11–14
Lisbon, Portugal
Join Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon and take part in one of the year’s biggest startup summits. What makes this event stand out is the amazing networking opportunities it provides, with over 70,000 participants attending each year. Hundreds of exhibitions are open to give you a peek into the future of tech.
This event is in Lisbon, Portugal, which you can reach via the Humberto Delgado Airport.
Whether you want to see your business take off or where the future of innovation is headed, these conferences are perfect for you. Take your team or attend solo with the help of the Booking.com for Business tool to have an unforgettable educational experience.
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