The tech events and trade shows you can’t miss in Europe this year
The European tech scene is gearing up for a dynamic second semester. From the blazing advancements in AI to sustainable solutions and developer insights, Europe continues to solidify its position as a hub for tech innovation. If you’re looking to forge new partnerships, discover groundbreaking technologies, or simply stay ahead of the curve, here are some events that you’d better not miss.
Of course, if you’re a busy founder, you may wonder how to pick from this list of excellent events. Fear not, that’s exactly why we’ve put together a definitive guide to event strategy.
Without further ado: Here’s our meticulously curated list of the top European tech events and trade shows slated for the rest of the year:
IFA Berlin 2025
When: September 5 – September 9, 2025 Where: Berlin, Germany
IFA Berlin is one of the world’s oldest and most important trade shows for consumer electronics and home appliances. It’s a massive international showcase where manufacturers, retailers, and media converge to unveil the latest innovations in smart home technology, entertainment, personal devices, and beyond.
For startups building hardware, smart home, wearable, or consumer IoT products, IFA offers ample media exposure as well as the opportunity to connect with distributors and retailers from all over the world.
While IFA may not be the place to find a Series A investor, it’s where you can secure the partnerships that get your product onto store shelves.
Shift Conference 2025
When: September 14 – September 16, 2025 Where: Zadar, Croatia
Held in the scenic city of Zadar, Shift is a prominent and growing developer-focused conference that brings together software engineers and tech enthusiasts in a dynamic setting. The vibrant conference delves deep into cutting-edge development practices, new programming paradigms, and the evolving craft of software development, and has a reputation for having engaging speakers.
For tech startups, Shift offers a fantastic opportunity to recruit talent and stay sharp on the technical front. You can showcase your company’s engineering culture, meet potential hires, and engage with a community that’s passionate about building.
The Drop 2025
When: September 16 – September 18, 2025 Where: Malmö, Sweden
The Drop is a highly curated investment conference with a strong focus on deep tech and climate solutions. It’s less about volume and more about quality, bringing together serious investors and founders who are tackling massive, complex problems, with an atmosphere that’s more intimate and conversational than a typical conference.
If your startup is working on groundbreaking technology with a long-term vision, The Drop is great for connecting with investors who will have the patience and expertise to back a high-risk, high-reward venture.
FDDAY (France Digitale Day) 2025
When: September 17, 2025 Where: Paris, France
FDDAY is a one-day deep dive into the French startup ecosystem. It’s all about bringing together the local ecosystem (founders, investors, and corporate partners) in a high-energy setting.
If you’re a startup based in France, or considering entering the market, this event is your entry point. It’s perfect for networking with French VCs, understanding market nuances, and seeing what’s new in one of Europe’s most dynamic tech hubs.
AI & Big Data Expo Europe 2025
When: September 24 – September 25, 2025 Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
This event is for anyone trying to commercialize AI and big data solutions. It offers a deep dive into the practical applications and strategic implications of artificial intelligence and big data across various industries.
For startups specializing in AI, machine learning, data analytics or data-driven solutions, this expo provides a great platform for showcasing your technology to a diverse audience of potential clients (enterprises, SMEs), connecting with integration partners, and staying abreast of regulatory and ethical considerations.
Bits & Pretzels 2025
When: September 29 – October 1, 2025 Where: Munich, Germany
Bits & Pretzels is a high-energy “founders festival” that blends serious business with a focus on community, notably including traditional Bavarian elements during Oktoberfest. Its strength lies in fostering authentic, often informal, connections between founders and investors.
For founders, this event presents an excellent opportunity to meet with VCs and other entrepreneurs in a more informal setting. The atmosphere is designed to break down barriers and foster relationships that can lead to mentorship, partnerships and, of course, funding.
Beyond the standard tech event circuit, founders should be thinking about where their customers are doing business. These gatherings are where you can find genuine B2B leads, forge partnerships, and secure contracts. For a more complete calendar of industry-specific events, click here.
How to Web 2025
When: October 1 – October 2, 2025 Where: Bucharest, Romania
How to Web is a key conference that aims to shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurial talent emerging from the CEE region. If your startup is from this part of Europe or targeting these markets, this event will provide crucial regional exposure.
It’s also a great place to connect with investors who are specifically interested in the CEE region, and founders can get amazing practical advice on how to scale a business there.
Italian Tech Week 2025
When: October 1 – October 3, 2025 Where: Turin, Italy
Italian Tech Week has quickly become the hub for Italy’s growing tech scene, connecting Italian founders with international opportunities. For a startup from Italy, or one looking to enter the market, this event offers direct access to local investors and corporate partners.
Founders will get a great chance to understand the specific dynamics of the Italian ecosystem and build a network in one of Europe’s significant, though often underrated, innovation hubs.
Nordeep
When: October 2 – October 3, 2025 Where: Espoo, Finland
The Nordic region’s deep tech business summit, this event is all about connecting science with business. It brings together funding, expertise, and talent specifically meant for startups working on complex, science-based technologies like quantum computing, biotech, or new materials.
If your company is built on a foundational scientific breakthrough, Nordeep is where you’ll find the specialized investors and corporate partners who can understand the long-term potential of what you’re building.
Pollutec 2025
When: October 7 – October 10, 2025 Where: Lyon, France
This is not a general tech conference, but an international trade show dedicated to environmental equipment, technologies, and services.
For startups in climate tech, greentech or the circular economy, this is a vital platform. Founders will get direct access to municipalities, industrial clients and public sector organizations that are looking for real-world solutions to environmental challenges.
It’s the place to secure the partnerships and contracts needed to scale an impact-driven company.
World Summit AI
When: October 8 – October 9, 2025 Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
A global gathering of the AI ecosystem, World Summit AI is where big tech, enterprises, startups and academia converge to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. If you’re an AI startup, this summit will provide excellent visibility and direct networking with top minds, potential clients and VCs in the field.
It’s also a great chance to see what’s happening at the cutting edge and position your company within that conversation.
Sifted Summit 2025
When: October 8 – October 9, 2025 Where: London, UK
Hosted by the eponymous tech media outlet, Sifted Summit is known for its high-quality, unfiltered content. The event focuses on candid conversations about the realities of building and scaling a company in Europe in an intimate and curated atmosphere.
This summit is perfect for founders seeking honest advice from successful entrepreneurs and investors, and for making meaningful connections without the pressure of a massive conference.
SaaStock Europe
When: October 13 – October 15, 2025 Where: Dublin, Ireland
Dedicated to the B2B SaaS community, SaaStock is a conference where founders, executives, and VCs can focus on the unique challenges of scaling a SaaS business. The agenda is practical, covering everything from growth strategies to go-to-market execution.
For a SaaS startup, this conference provides a targeted environment for networking with investors who specialize in your business model, learning from founders who have been there, and connecting with potential customers.
Oslo Innovation Week
When: October 20 – October 24, 2025 Where: Oslo, Norway
As it says on the tin, Oslo Innovation Week is a week-long series of events across the city showcasing the Nordic innovation ecosystem, with a focus on impact and collaboration.
If you’re looking to get a foothold in the Nordic market, this is a great entry point. You’ll get a chance to network with local investors, find partners, and understand the unique culture of innovation in Norway.
UNLEASH World 2025
When: October 20 – October 22, 2025 Where: Paris, France
UNLEASH World is a major global conference focused on HR technology and the future of work. It explores how cutting-edge technology is transforming human resources, talent management, and the overall employee experience.
For HR edtech (workforce learning), or future of work startups, UNLEASH offers a path to connect with corporate HR leaders, chief people officers, and enterprise buyers actively seeking innovative solutions to contemporary talent challenges.
VDS 2025
When: October 22 – October 23, 2025 Where: Valencia, Spain
Valencia turns into a global tech hub during this event’s two-day run. With themes ranging from deep tech to health tech, it’s a versatile event, that offers founders exposure to the Mediterranean tech scene, a startup competition, and networking opportunities with a diverse group of stakeholders.
Smart City Expo World Congress 2025
When: November 4 – November 6, 2025 Where: Barcelona, Spain
SCEWC where city leaders, policymakers, and companies come together to discuss the future of cities and urban innovation.
For startups in urban tech, IoT, sustainable infrastructure, or mobility, this event is where founders can connect with municipal decision-makers, urban planners, and large integrators. You’ll also get crucial opportunities to pilot solutions, secure government contracts, and understand the complex needs of modern cities.
Web Summit 2025
When: November 10 – November 13, 2025 Where: Lisbon, Portugal
A massive, sprawling event that covers virtually every area of technology, Web Summit’s scale is both its biggest strength and weakness.
For a startup, Web Summit offers a shot at massive exposure and connecting with a huge pool of VCs. The key is to be highly organized and use your networking tools effectively to cut through the noise and find the conversations that matter.
Slush 2025
When: November 19 – November 20, 2025 Where: Helsinki, Finland
Slush is perhaps the event for connecting startups and investors in a unique, high-energy, and often intense environment. It often feels more like a music festival than a tech conference, with its dark, atmospheric lighting.
Renowned for its sophisticated matchmaking tool and a core focus on facilitating investment discussions, Slush is meticulously designed to create concrete pathways for capital.
For any startup actively seeking funding, particularly those around the Series A stage, Slush is a must-attend. Its matchmaking system directly pairs founders with relevant investors, dramatically increasing the likelihood of productive meetings, and its entire atmosphere is geared to foster deal-making.