Start Up Festival Malta 2024 helps advance Malta’s Start Up Ecosystem

Malta has once again proven itself to be a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, as the Start Up Festival Malta 2024 concluded with resounding success.

The two-day event, which took place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, attracted over 3,000 registered attendees, including more than 400 international participants who visited Malta specifically for the festival. With 60+ exhibitors of which more than 40 were startups and 70 investors engaging in dynamic discussions, the festival showcased the strength of Malta’s start-up ecosystem.

A significant highlight of this year’s event was the participation of 300 students from various educational institutions, marking the festival's commitment to inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The festival featured keynote speeches by international speakers, engaging panel discussions, and practical workshops, offering attendees valuable insights into the latest trends across multiple industries. The Dealroom area was once again a focal point, facilitating over 400 productive meetings between start-ups and potential investors.

Hon. Silvio Schembri, Minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, and Malta Enterprise CEO George Gregory spoke and shared their vision for the future of the Maltese startup ecosystem during the festival. Maltese Prim Minister, Dr. Robert Abela also visited the festival and had the opportunity to speak to some of the companies exhibiting at the festival.

Malta Enterprise CEO, George Gregory explained that “We are confident that the Start Up Festival will yield positive outcomes for our start-up community, and we are excited to continue welcoming more companies who are looking to make Malta their home. I encourage start up founders and anyone who thinks that they might have an idea to start a company to approach Malta Enterprise and make use of the various schemes which are available for you.”

Minister Silvio Schembri explained that "The Start-up Festival is a testament to the innovative spirit of our local entrepreneurs and the vibrant ecosystem we’re cultivating here in Malta. The success of this festival showcases the incredible talent and creativity within our start-up community, and it reaffirms our commitment to fostering an environment that supports young minds and encourages them to pursue their dreams."

Launch of DealRoom.co Partnership

A highlight of this years’ festival was the launch of Malta’s partnership with DealRoom.co. Dealroom.co is a global provider of data and intelligence on startups and tech ecosystems. They work and list many of the world's most prominent investors and entrepreneurs to provide transparency, analysis and insights on venture capital activity.

Malta based companies will now be able to create a free account on the platform which will help them improve the visibility of their companies and link with investors throughout the whole year.

Launch of Entrepreneurship for People with Disability Course

The festival also served as a launch pad for the Entrepreneurship for People with Disability Course with FPEI - Foundation for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Initiatives. This programme aims to create opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities, offering support to help them develop their ideas in a safe and empowering environment.

Those interested in the course can contact [email protected] for more information or register on www.fpei.mt