The How to Web Conference, a key event for the startup and technological communities in Eastern Europe, has announced the return of its premier startup contest, Spotlight. Scheduled to take place concurrently with the How to Web Conference 2024 on October 2-3 in Bucharest, Romania, Spotlight is designed to provide early-stage startups from the region with an opportunity to significantly advance their business endeavors.
Advantages Offered by Spotlight
Recognized as one of the most influential startup programs and competitions in Eastern Europe, Spotlight not only offers a substantial investment prize (with the previous year’s victor securing €880,000) but also primes founders for success in various ways:
- Opportunities to pitch to a range of prominent venture capitalists and angel investors who attend the How to Web Conference.
- Access to a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities with industry leaders, paving the way for invaluable connections and insights.
- Exclusive mentorship throughout the competition, providing founders with expert guidance on their fundraising endeavors.
- In-depth learnings from industry mavens in marketing, sales, product development, and user experience, who share their expertise on stage.
Interaction with Top VCs
By participating in Spotlight, founders gain direct access to industry titans and international investors, including:
- Staffan Helgesson, General Partner of Creandum, a leading European VC firm with investments in trailblazing tech companies and a strong presence in the Nordic startup ecosystem.
- Ondrej Bartos, General Partner of Credo Ventures, a stalwart in the Central and Eastern European startup milieu with a proven venture investing portfolio.
- David Peterson, Partner of Angular Ventures, boasting extensive expertise in enterprise software and venture capital across various tech domains.
- Enis Hulli, General Partner of 500 Emerging Europe, focused on nurturing early-stage startups within the Emerging Europe region.
- Stefan Walter, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Cavalry Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm centered on technological startups.
Spotlight Application Process
Founders from Eastern Europe and beyond are encouraged to apply to Spotlight by securing a startup ticket for the How to Web Conference. With the deadline for Very Early Bird Tickets fast approaching, as prices are set to rise on June 13th, interested parties are advised to visit the conference’s official website for more information on participation.
