TL;DR: Must-Attend European Tech Events for Founders in 2026
Sifted has unveiled a list of top European tech events for 2026, crucial for startup founders, venture capitalists, and innovators to access industry-shaping trends and networking opportunities.
• Major Conferences: Key events include Sifted Summit (London), VivaTech (Paris), Web Summit (Lisbon), Mobile World Congress (Barcelona), Nordic Tech Week (Stockholm), and 4YFN @ Barcelona.
• Critical Themes: Dominating topics are AI innovation, climate tech advancements, defense tech, and diversity in venture capital.
• Founder Insights: Attending these events provides unmatched networking opportunities, actionable strategies, and trend forecasting to scale your business effectively.
Action Step: Reserve your spot and pre-plan networking goals to maximize the opportunities these events present. Don't risk missing out on pioneering industry developments and transformative connections.
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The Tech Events Sifted Will Be Attending in 2026
Every year, the tech ecosystem in Europe buzzes with monumental events that shape the future of startups, venture capital, and innovation. In 2026, Sifted, a trusted voice in European tech journalism backed by the Financial Times, is gearing up to attend an exciting roster of must-see conferences. These aren’t just gatherings; they are opportunities to dive deep into revolutionary trends like AI, climate tech, and defence innovation, while connecting with key players redefining industries. As an entrepreneur and startup founder myself, I’m here to break down the highlights from this list and how these events provide actionable insights for founders looking to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.
What stands out is the sheer diversity of themes. Whether you’re navigating the fragmented world of European venture capital or building an AI-powered solution, there’s an event tailored for your needs. Let’s delve into the dates, places, and defining advantages of these tech gatherings. Spoiler alert: skipping these could mean missing out on game-changing collaborations and industry insights.
What Are the Major Tech Events for 2026?
If your calendar isn’t already filled with conferences, this curated list will help. These events aren’t just spaces to network, they are where emerging trends take off, multi-million-dollar investments are struck, and controversial ideas shape policies. Here’s where Sifted plans to be, and why you should consider attending too.
- Sifted Summit (London): Scheduled for September 30 , October 1, 2026, this flagship event gathers European founders, investors, and tech leaders. It’s a hotspot for strategic insights and real talk, not PR fluff. Learn more about the Sifted Summit.
- VivaTech (Paris): Europe’s largest tech conference, happening June 17, 20, focuses on digital transformation. Over 180,000 attendees share cutting-edge knowledge on AI and climate tech. Visit the VivaTech website.
- Mobile World Congress (Barcelona): From February 28 to March 3, 2026, this iconic event dives into advancements in 5G, IoT, and telecommunications. Learn more at MWC.
- Web Summit (Lisbon): Clear your schedule for November 9, 12. As one of the world’s biggest tech events, it boasts an unparalleled array of speakers, from startup unicorns to social innovators. Explore it at Web Summit.
- Nordic Tech Week (Stockholm): Set for September 9, 11, 2026, this citywide event emphasizes grassroots collaborations and immersive debates.
- 4YFN @ Barcelona: Held alongside MWC from March 2, 5, it’s a must-attend for early-stage startups seeking connections and funding.
Why Should Founders Prioritize These Events?
As someone who’s built startups from scratch, I can confidently say that no amount of blog posts or courses can replace the value of being in a room full of visionaries. These events give you direct access to the latest industry insights, real-world case studies, and the chance to connect with investors who understand the pulse of your sector. Networking aside, the knowledge shared at these conferences often translates to tangible strategies you can adapt, whether you’re navigating your first product launch or scaling a global team.
“Your greatest asset as a founder is your network, and tech events like these represent the most fertile soil for cultivating it.”, That’s my mantra, and it’s one I stand by after years of attending, and speaking at, such gatherings.
What Are the Trends Shaping These Events in 2026?
The themes anchoring 2026 tech conferences reveal much about where the industry is headed. Here are a few highlights:
- AI is everywhere: Events like VivaTech and London Tech Week showcase groundbreaking applications of artificial intelligence, from generative AI in healthcare to ethical AI frameworks for industries like finance and defense.
- Climate tech gains unprecedented traction: With Europe leading the charge in climate innovation, expect major announcements from deeptech pioneers at forums like The Heat (Oxford, September), where fusion startups and sustainable food technologies are front and center.
- Defence and cybersecurity innovation: Latitude59 in Tallinn and The Resilience Conference in London highlight rising trends in European defence and dual-purpose tech.
- Diversity & Inclusion: Summits like Unlock VC Summit are increasingly spotlighting female and underrepresented founders to break longtime barriers in venture capital participation.
How to Maximize Your Time at These Events
- Pre-book meetings: Don’t leave networking to chance. Use event apps or LinkedIn to reach out to attendees and schedule your calendar in advance.
- Stay focused on your goals: Are you pitching a product? Looking for venture partners? Write down your key objectives and align them with your schedule.
- Choose sessions wisely: Big conferences often have overlapping panels. Prioritize discussions led by founders or investors who have walked the path you’re currently on.
- Follow up: Relationships are built on persistence. Send personalized emails to the contacts you make, summarizing your conversation and suggesting next steps.
If you’re new to this circuit, my tip is to embrace the chaos but always keep your goals central. For ambitious founders, these events are less about sitting through panels and more about grabbing coffee with someone who could be your next strategic investor or co-partner.
What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid?
- Skipping preparation: Going in blind is a missed opportunity. Research attendees, speakers, and breakout sessions beforehand.
- Ignoring smaller meetups: Side events and afterparties often offer the most candid conversations.
- Overloading your schedule: Burnout is real. Build breathing space into your day for reflection or last-minute opportunities.
- Failing to act on connections: Business cards don’t build relationships, you do. Prioritize meaningful follow-ups.
Final Thoughts
Tech events in 2026 are more than industry gatherings, they’re ecosystems where trends are born, connections turn into companies, and knowledge converts into action. Attending these strategic conferences can drastically alter the trajectory of your business. As someone who has navigated the whirlwind of founder life, I can assure you there’s no better investment of your time and energy.
So, will I see you at the Sifted Summit or hustling in the hallways of VivaTech next year? Because here’s the truth: in this fast-paced world of tech, if you’re not learning, you’re already falling behind.
FAQ About "The Tech Events Sifted Will Be Attending in 2026"
What are the key tech events Sifted plans to attend in 2026?
Sifted will be attending various influential tech conferences across Europe in 2026. Some highlights include the Sifted Summit in London (September 30, October 1), bringing together European founders, investors, and tech leaders for actionable insights and meaningful networking sessions. Another major event is VivaTech in Paris (June 17, 20), focusing on digital transformation and gathering over 180,000 attendees interested in AI and climate technologies. Sifted will also attend the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (February 28, March 3), which specializes in advancements in 5G, IoT, and telecommunications. Finally, the Web Summit in Lisbon (November 9, 12) stands out for its global speakers, massive scale, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Check out VivaTech | Explore Web Summit
Why is the Sifted Summit in London pivotal for entrepreneurs?
The Sifted Summit, scheduled for September 30, October 1 in London, provides unparalleled access to insights from European founders, operational leaders, and visionary investors. It's designed to offer candid discussions rather than polished promotional talks, allowing attendees to understand the real challenges in growing a startup within Europe’s fragmented tech ecosystem. The event is rich with workshops, roundtables, and side meetups that help entrepreneurs connect with venture capitalists and industry experts who have a deep grasp of scaling businesses. Attending this summit ensures founders don’t miss game-changing collaborations and opportunities to build strategic partnerships. Learn more about Sifted Summit
What trends will shape tech events in 2026?
Tech events in 2026 will revolve heavily around AI advancements and ethical frameworks, with conferences like VivaTech and London Tech Week spotlighting generative AI and its applications in healthcare, defense, and finance. Climate tech is another key focus; events like The Heat in Oxford showcase groundbreaking sustainability initiatives, including fusion tech and future food systems. Defence and cybersecurity innovation will take center stage at specialized conferences such as Latitude59 in Tallinn and The Resilience Conference in London. Diversity and inclusion are also gaining momentum, with more conferences championing underrepresented founders and promoting equity in venture capital.
How can attendees maximize networking opportunities at tech conferences?
To optimize networking at tech events, it's critical to plan in advance. Using event apps or LinkedIn, attendees should identify key participants and pre-book meetings prior to the event. Once onsite, they must prioritize conversations aligned with their goals, whether pitching to investors or seeking partnerships. Actively joining smaller meetups and side events often leads to the most meaningful connections. Following up after the event with personalized emails summarizing conversations and proposing actionable next steps solidifies relationships. Learn more at Mobile World Congress
Which events focus on startups and venture funding in Europe?
Several 2026 events have a strong focus on startups and venture capital funding. 4YFN @ Barcelona (March 2, 5) emphasizes early-stage startups and fosters connections with investors, often leading to funding opportunities. The Sifted Summit in London provides access to European venture capitalists and game-changing collaborations. For those looking to connect with prominent women in venture, the Unlock VC Summit in Barcelona (October 7, 9) is a must-attend. Explore 4YFN @ Barcelona
Why should founders prioritize attending major tech events?
Founders attending major tech events gain exclusive access to the latest industry trends and practical advice directly from seasoned professionals. These gatherings allow them to learn from real-world experiences shared by top startup leaders and investors. Events also serve as breeding grounds for vital partnerships, whether with strategic co-founders, potential clients, or VCs eager to back visionary ideas. Attending landmark conferences like the Web Summit or Sifted Summit can translate into actionable strategies for their companies. Discover Web Summit
What role does AI play in tech events in 2026?
AI will be a dominant theme at nearly all tech events in 2026. The focus ranges from ethical AI considerations to revolutionary applications of generative AI in industries like healthcare, finance, and defense. Events like VivaTech and London Tech Week showcase tangible AI-enabled innovations, while conferences such as AI-Pulse in Paris delve into cutting-edge research and problem-solving advancements. Generative AI for creative industries and quantum computing advancements will also enter the spotlight. Check out AI-Pulse
How do events like VivaTech impact climate tech startups?
VivaTech fosters the growth of climate tech startups by providing a global stage for innovators to showcase their transformative solutions. The event attracts policymakers, startups, and investors passionate about addressing climate change. Technologies such as fusion energy, sustainable food systems, and urban eco-solutions are often unveiled at VivaTech, enabling startups to secure funding and gain extensive media coverage for their innovations. Learn more at VivaTech
Which events emphasize diversity and inclusion in venture capital?
The Unlock VC Summit in Barcelona (October 7, 9) is a leading conference focusing on diversity within venture capital participation. It highlights underrepresented founders and female leaders across the landscape. By dedicating space to conversations around equity, the summit encourages actionable solutions to long-standing barriers within the European funding ecosystem. For founders from diverse backgrounds seeking direct access to progressive VCs, the summit is a vital event to consider attending.
What mistakes should attendees avoid at tech conferences?
Common mistakes at tech conferences include failing to prepare thoroughly, such as not researching speakers or breakout sessions. Attendees should avoid ignoring smaller meetups, which often spark candid and invaluable conversations. Overloading schedules can lead to burnout; it’s essential to prioritize and carve out downtime for reflection. Lastly, neglecting post-event follow-ups can result in missed opportunities to turn connections into long-term relationships.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.