As Fall 2024 approaches, startup founders have a unique opportunity to attend some of the most impactful conferences designed to fuel innovation and growth. Whether you’re looking to connect with investors, gain insights from industry leaders, or showcase your startup on a global stage, this list of essential conferences has you covered. From Europe’s largest digital marketing event to the premier SaaS gathering in Silicon Valley, these events will provide the knowledge and connections you need to take your startup to the next level. Read on to discover which conferences are a must-attend for your business.
Related resource: 12 Online Startup Communities for Founders
DMEXCO 2024
DMEXCO 2024, taking place on September 18-19 in Cologne, Germany, is Europe's leading event for digital marketing and technology. The conference is known for bringing together top global leaders, innovators, and visionaries to explore the future of digital business. This year’s theme, “Prompting the Future,” focuses on the role of artificial intelligence, retail media, and programmatic advertising in shaping the industry.
Startups should attend DMEXCO for its unparalleled networking opportunities and access to key decision-makers in digital marketing, e-commerce, and tech. With more than 850 speakers and 680 exhibitors, the event provides a platform for emerging companies to gain exposure, learn about the latest trends, and connect with potential partners. Notable speakers include marketing leaders like Jennifer Treiber-Ruckenbrod, CMO of BMW Group, and Frank Köhler, CMO of Enpal.
SaaStr Annual 2024
SaaStr Annual 2024, set to take place from September 10-12 in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the world’s largest gathering for SaaS professionals. It offers a unique blend of learning, networking, and growth opportunities, making it an essential event for SaaS founders, executives, and investors. The conference features over 100 hours of curated content from more than 250 speakers, including leaders from top SaaS companies like GitHub, Plaid, and OpenAI. Attendees can expect tactical sessions, workshops, and one-on-one mentorships, all designed to provide actionable insights to scale businesses from $0 to $100M ARR.
With over 13,000 participants and 2,000+ networking opportunities, SaaStr Annual is ideal for forging meaningful connections with investors and peers. A key highlight is the "Meet a VC" matchmaking feature, which enables startups to connect directly with over 1,000 venture capitalists(Sprouts). Whether you're looking to learn from industry experts or expand your network, SaaStr Annual provides a vibrant community and festival-style atmosphere that fosters growth and collaboration (selling-saas.io).
Web Summit 2024
Web Summit 2024, scheduled for November 11-14 in Lisbon, is one of the largest and most influential global tech conferences. Attracting over 70,000 attendees, 1,000+ speakers, and 900 investors, the event provides a unique opportunity for startups to showcase their innovations, network with industry leaders, and gain visibility. Often referred to as "where the future goes to be born," Web Summit covers various sectors, including AI, fintech, and consumer technology.
For startups, Web Summit offers participation in the ALPHA program, which provides access to investor meetings, mentor sessions, and the highly competitive PITCH competition. Standout speakers in 2024 include tech giants like Cristiano Amon (CEO of Qualcomm), Sarah Franklin (CEO of Lattice), and Brad Smith (President of Microsoft). These sessions provide invaluable insights into the future of technology and business (FlippingBook).
TechCrunch Disrupt 2024
TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, taking place from October 28-30 in San Francisco, is a premier event for showcasing innovative startups. At the heart of the conference is Startup Battlefield, where 20 selected startups compete for a $100,000 equity-free prize. This competition offers participants invaluable exposure to investors and media and expert feedback from top judges like Aileen Lee of Cowboy Ventures.
In addition to the competition, Disrupt offers unmatched networking opportunities, with events designed to connect founders, VCs, and tech enthusiasts.
Fintech Growth Summit 2024
The Fintech Growth Summit 2024, taking place in London, is an essential event for fintech startups looking to gain insights into the latest financial technologies and strategies for scaling their businesses. The summit will bring together industry leaders, investors, and innovators to discuss critical trends like responsible AI, financial inclusion, and ESG-focused investments.
Startups attending can expect to participate in deep-dive sessions, networking events, and panels that cover growth strategies tailored to fintech, such as how to leverage smart data usage and cross-industry collaboration for sustainable growth. The summit also provides opportunities for startups to connect with investors and financial institutions, fostering partnerships that can help them thrive in today’s competitive financial landscape.
The Fintech Growth Summit is perfect for those looking to accelerate their growth through networking, industry-leading insights, and learning from the success stories of top fintech companies.
Oslo Innovation Week (OIW) 2024
Oslo Innovation Week 2024, happening from September 23-27, is a premier event for startups focused on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. This event serves as a platform for global innovators to come together and explore solutions that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. OIW connects startups, investors, and industry leaders from over 200 companies, making it a hotspot for networking and idea exchange.
What makes OIW a must-attend for startups is its emphasis on sustainability-driven innovation and actionable insights. Events like the ClimateTech Summit highlight emerging technologies addressing climate change, while Pitch competitions provide startups with opportunities to showcase their solutions to investors. With its collaborative environment, OIW fosters connections between startups and key players in the Norwegian and international ecosystems, making it a valuable event for those looking to scale their businesses and make an impact
Bits & Pretzels 2024
Bits & Pretzels 2024, happening from September 29 to October 1 in Munich, is an essential gathering for startups, investors, and industry leaders. With its unique blend of networking, learning, and inspiration, the festival connects 5,000 global founders and 1,500 investors, offering startups unmatched opportunities to meet key players in the startup ecosystem. Held during Munich’s iconic Oktoberfest, the event provides a relaxed yet dynamic environment for creating meaningful connections.
Startups attending can participate in Table Captain meetings to engage with industry leaders, share insights, and potentially form partnerships. Additionally, the event features 10 stages with over 500 speakers delivering impactful talks and Startup Masterclasses, which provide practical takeaways for immediate implementation (Messe München).
Whether you’re looking to network with investors, pitch your startup, or gain insights from top entrepreneurs, Bits & Pretzels is designed to help you scale your business while connecting with like-minded innovators
How to Web Conference 2024
How to Web Conference 2024, set for October 2-3 in Bucharest, is one of Eastern Europe's leading tech events, focusing on digital innovation, actionable insights, and practical workshops. This conference is designed for startups, tech professionals, and investors looking to dive deep into the latest trends and disruptive technologies.
Attendees can expect hands-on workshops covering a variety of topics from AI and blockchain to digital product development. The conference is also a great place for networking with over 3,000 participants, including more than 500 startups and numerous investors.
Keynotes from industry leaders, interactive sessions, and an exhibition space for showcasing new technologies make it a must-attend event for startups seeking to gain practical insights and connect with the right people.
With opportunities like pitch competitions and access to investors through curated networking events, How to Web Conference is ideal for startups looking to accelerate their growth.
Startup Nights 2024
Startup Nights 2024, taking place from October 31 to November 1 in Winterthur, Switzerland, is the country’s largest event dedicated to connecting startups with investors, mentors, and industry experts. With over 8,000 expected attendees, the event serves as a vital hub for networking and collaboration within the startup ecosystem. It offers startups a platform to showcase their innovations across diverse sectors, including e-commerce, ICT, and health tech, making it a must-attend for founders looking to gain exposure and forge new partnerships.
The event includes 120 startups exhibiting their groundbreaking solutions, while workshops, panel discussions, and keynote sessions provide invaluable insights into the latest trends in entrepreneurship and innovation. Startup Nights also hosts pitch competitions for early-stage startups, giving participants the opportunity to connect with investors and gain valuable feedback (Startup Nights).
This event is ideal for startups seeking investment, mentorship, and industry connections, making it a prime opportunity to accelerate growth and tap into new business opportunities.
GITEX 2024
GITEX Global 2024, taking place from October 14-18 in Dubai, is one of the largest and most influential tech events in the world, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Celebrating its 44th edition, GITEX brings together more than 600 exhibitors from over 50 countries, showcasing innovations in fields like AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and sustainable technology. For startups, GITEX provides an unparalleled platform to showcase their innovations, gain exposure, and connect with global investors.
This year’s event includes nine co-located shows such as AI Everything, Fintech Surge, and the Future Blockchain Summit, which focus on emerging technologies and strategic industries. Notably, GITEX Editions will feature a special initiative aimed at helping high-growth companies accelerate their scale and global expansion.
Startups attending GITEX can also leverage the Expand North Star event, which will host over 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors, fostering opportunities for global networking and collaboration.
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Attending these 10 essential startup conferences in Fall 2024 offers invaluable opportunities for founders to learn, network, and grow. From SaaStr’s SaaS expertise to GITEX’s global tech showcase, these events provide insights into the latest trends, access to industry leaders, and a platform to elevate your startup journey.
Whether you're pitching to investors or exploring the future of tech, these conferences will help you make impactful connections and gain actionable strategies.
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