Tech Events, Conferences & Tradeshows
The most comprehensive directory of tech events, startup conferences, industry tradeshows, and summits across Europe and beyond. Updated for 2026. Curated by Sesamers.
Finding the right tech event can make or break your year – whether you’re a founder looking for investors, a VC scouting deal flow, or an event organizer benchmarking your competition. We track hundreds of conferences, summits, tradeshows, and hackathons so you don’t have to. Browse by sector, country, or audience below to find the events that matter most to your business.
Not All Events Are the Same
Tech Event
Tech events combine a conference program (keynotes, panels, fireside chats) with an exhibition floor where startups, scaleups, and corporates showcase products and demos. These are the largest-scale events – think Viva Technology or Web Summit – where you can attend talks in the morning and walk the expo hall in the afternoon. Best for people who want both inspiration and hands-on discovery.
Viva Technology, Web Summit, CES, Mobile World Congress
Conference
Content-first, no exhibition floor. Conferences are built around a curated program of keynotes, panels, workshops, and fireside chats. The focus is on knowledge-sharing, thought leadership, and high-quality networking. Attendees come to learn and connect, not to browse booths. The format is more intimate and the conversations tend to go deeper.
NOAH Conference, Slush, Big Data & AI Paris, Collision
Tradeshow
Exhibition-first, sometimes with a conference track. Tradeshows are centered around a large expo floor where companies – from startups to enterprise vendors – exhibit products, run demos, and generate leads. Some tradeshows add a stage program, but the main draw is the expo. These events are ideal if you’re looking to evaluate solutions, meet vendors, or showcase your own product to a buying audience.
JEC, Tuttofood, Global Industries, Anuga, Vitafoods
Summit
Smaller, more curated, and often invite-only or application-based. Summits prioritize quality over quantity – fewer attendees, tighter agendas, and more meaningful connections. They’re typically organized around a specific theme (AI, climate, fintech) or audience (founders, investors, C-level). Expect roundtables, structured matchmaking, and a higher ratio of decision-makers in the room.
South Summit, Latitude59, EU-Startups Summit, Sesame Summit
Browse Events by Sector
AI
FinTech
HealthTech
DeepTech
CleanTech
FoodTech
FoodTech
Cybersecurity
SaaS
Mobility
Web3
MarTech
New Materials
PropTech
EdTech
SpaceTech
Featured Events
Browse Events by Country
Find the Right Event for You
For Startup Founders
Pitch competitions, demo days, and networking events where you’ll meet investors and fellow builders.
For Investors & VCs
LP summits, demo days, and conferences where you’ll discover the next unicorn and connect with co-investors.
For Event Organizers
Industry conferences, benchmarking summits, and the events where the event industry itself gathers.
Upcoming Events Calendar
Why Use Sesamers to Find Events?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest tech events in Europe in 2026?
The biggest tech events in Europe in 2026 include Viva Technology (Paris, June), Web Summit (Lisbon, November), Slush (Helsinki, November), London Tech Week (June), and NOAH Conference (London, June). These flagship events attract tens of thousands of attendees from the global startup and tech ecosystem.
What is the difference between a tech event, a conference, and a tradeshow?
A tech event combines both — it features a full conference program (keynotes, panels, workshops) alongside an exhibition floor where companies showcase products and demos. Viva Technology and CES are classic examples. A conference is content-first with no exhibition: the focus is on speakers, panels, and networking (think Slush or NOAH Conference). A tradeshow is exhibition-first — a large expo floor with booths, demos, and lead generation, sometimes with a conference track running alongside (like DMEXCO or Mobile World Congress). Summits are a fourth format: smaller, more curated, often invite-only, and built around high-quality matchmaking and roundtables.
How do I choose the right tech conference to attend?
Start by identifying your goal — are you looking to raise funding, find customers, recruit talent, or learn about a specific sector? Then filter by sector (AI, FinTech, HealthTech, etc.), geography (which city or country works for you), and audience (founder-focused, investor-focused, or industry-specific). Our directory lets you filter by all three. Also consider the event format: if you want hands-on product discovery, choose a tradeshow or tech event with an expo floor. If you want deep conversations and thought leadership, a conference or summit will serve you better.
When is the best time of year for tech events in Europe?
The European tech event calendar peaks in two periods: spring (April–June) with events like Viva Technology, TNW Conference, and London Tech Week, and autumn (September–November) with Web Summit, Slush, and DMEXCO. January through March tends to be quieter in Europe, though major global events like CES and MWC happen during this period.
Are there tech events specifically for startup founders?
Yes. Many events are built specifically for founders looking to raise funding, get mentorship, or pitch to investors. The best ones include Slush, South Summit, Latitude59, and dedicated pitch competitions at larger events like Viva Technology’s startup program. Check our Founder Events guide for a curated list.
How can I get my event listed on Sesamers?
Click the “Submit Your Event” button on this page and fill in your event details. Our team reviews every submission to ensure quality and relevance before adding it to the directory.