Europe offers a packed calendar of AI events in 2026, tailored for startup founders seeking funding, partnerships, and practical insights. Whether you're looking to pitch to investors, network with industry leaders, or learn actionable strategies to scale your AI startup, these events provide the perfect platform. Here's a quick overview of the top events to prioritize:

• RAISE Summit (7–9 July, Paris): Over 14,000 attendees, €5M startup competition, and VIP networking opportunities.
• GITEX AI Europe (30 June–1 July, Berlin): 750+ startups, 20 unicorns, and specialised zones like quantum computing and AI cybersecurity.
• GenAI Zürich (26–27 March, Zürich): Focused on generative AI, with hands-on workshops, VC panels, and hackathons.
• AI Summit Barcelona (11–17 October, Barcelona): Practical workshops, "Fail Stage" lessons, and live AI demos like humanoid robots.
• START Summit (19–20 March, St. Gallen): Student-led event with 12,000+ networking meetings and co-founder matching.
• Wolves Summit (21–22 April, Warsaw): Affordable entry, 1-on-1 investor matchmaking, and fundraising bootcamps.
• Zurich AI Meetup (27 February, Zürich): Intimate 100-person event with focused networking and actionable AI insights.

Quick Comparison

For early-stage founders, start small with the Zurich AI Meetup in February, then scale up to larger events like RAISE Summit or AI Summit Barcelona for high-stakes networking and funding opportunities. Each event offers a distinct focus, so align your goals with the event format to maximize your time and investment.

1. RAISE Summit

Date: 7th–9th July 2026
Location: Le Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
Expected Attendees: 14,064+ from 3,126 companies

Networking Opportunities with Investors and Industry Leaders

The RAISE Summit gathers thousands of executives and founders, offering direct access to decision-makers who can greenlight investments, form partnerships, or connect startups with enterprise clients. Every ticket tier includes access to a networking app designed to help attendees schedule targeted meetings with investors, policymakers, and other key players ^[2]. For those opting for VIP tickets (starting at €1,899), additional perks include access to startup pitch decks and developer profiles. The exclusive CxO Summit provides a private forum for in-depth discussions on strategic initiatives. Moreover, events like the Versailles VIP Dinner and A Royal Dinner offer intimate settings to foster meaningful connections with global innovators ^[2].

During Side Events Week, Paris becomes a vibrant centre for AI-focused activities, with dinners, workshops, and parties taking place across the city ^[1]. These informal gatherings often create stronger bonds than traditional conference sessions. Beyond networking, the summit also offers startups practical support through competitions and hands-on workshops.

Startup-Specific Features: Competitions and Workshops

RAISE Summit doesn’t stop at networking - it provides actionable opportunities for startups to secure funding and refine their business strategies. The RAISE Startup Competition is tailored for companies that have raised less than €10 million, have at least two co-founders, and feature AI as the core of their product ^[4]. Participants present their pitches to Tier 1 venture capital firms, offering invaluable exposure to potential investors.

A multi-day global AI hackathon challenges participants to develop practical solutions to industry problems, supported by structured workshops and mentorship sessions ^[1]. On 7th July 2026, the Machina Summit will spotlight Physical AI, robotics, and autonomous systems, catering specifically to startups working on hardware-integrated AI technologies ^[2].

"The CxO Summit exists so companies don't just talk about AI, they leave RAISE with real partnerships, pilots, and signed deals." – Hadrien de Cournon, Co-Founder, RAISE Summit ^[5].

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2. GITEX AI Europe

Date: 30th June – 1st July 2026
Location: Berlin Exhibition Centre, Germany
Expected Attendees: 1,400+ companies from 100 countries

Networking Opportunities with Investors and Industry Leaders

GITEX AI Europe is a powerhouse for connecting 750+ startups and 20 unicorns, including names like Qonto, reMarkable, and Solarisbank. The event’s Investors Programme is tailored to link early-stage and growth-stage startups with international venture capitalists actively scouting for European AI ventures ^[6][7]. Founders can utilise a Startup Pod, a dedicated space for continuous engagement with investors and key partners.

The North Star Europe stage is where innovation takes centre stage, offering startups a platform to pitch their ideas to global investors. Meanwhile, the Ai Everything Europe forum hosts strategic discussions with industry leaders and decision-makers ^[6]. For more focused exchanges, Industry Roundtables provide opportunities for high-level dialogue with policymakers. Partnerships with major players like AWS, IBM, Cisco, Dell, Nvidia, and SAP open doors to infrastructure support and enterprise collaborations ^[6]. Together, these elements create an unmatched environment for showcasing AI advancements.

Showcasing Cutting-Edge AI Innovations

The event doesn’t just stop at networking. It also features 500+ international speakers, including Nobel Laureates and executives from OpenAI and Nvidia, who deliver insights on AI strategies and applications ^[6]. For instance, Neurocast.ai used the 2025 event to present its Alzheimer’s research innovations, capturing the attention of investors among the 1,400+ companies present. Similarly, CloudBees, a Swiss-led DevOps platform, leveraged the platform to showcase its solutions to a global audience of tech leaders and investors ^[6].

Specialised zones focus on specific tech sectors. The GITEX Quantum Expo (GQX) connects startups exploring the intersection of quantum computing and AI with Europe’s largest quantum industry association. GITEX Cyber Valley highlights AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, while the Green Impact summit brings together over 100 startups and investors working on hydrogen, bioenergy, and energy storage. This is all backed by Europe’s €200 billion AI investment ecosystem ^[6]. These zones, combined with high-profile presentations, provide a springboard for founders aiming to refine and scale their AI strategies.

"Europe is at a technological turning point: with 200 billion euros invested in artificial intelligence and a strong focus on quantum technology and cloud data storage, a new era of digital transformation is beginning." – GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything ^[6]

3. GenAI Zürich

Date: 26–27 March 2026
Location: Volkshaus Zürich, Switzerland
Expected Attendees: Over 1,000 GenAI experts and innovators

Networking Opportunities with Investors and Industry Leaders

GenAI Zürich continues Europe's tradition of impactful AI events, offering a focused environment for both technical and strategic discussions. This summit is a unique opportunity for founders to connect directly with select investors and tech leaders. Notable names like Redalpine, Allegory Capital, Merantix Capital, and Alvicus have previously participated in the GenAI VC Panel, sharing valuable perspectives on the European investment landscape. Attendees will also have the chance to engage with speakers from major tech companies such as Hugging Face, Google DeepMind, Meta, Microsoft, and AWS during the two-day programme.

The event includes a 1.5-hour apéro and networking reception on the first day, followed by an after-party to encourage informal conversations. The "From Prompt to Product" hackathon provides an additional platform for startups to receive expert feedback on prototypes from seasoned practitioners and investors. Dedicated pitch stages further amplify visibility, helping founders secure meaningful connections. These networking opportunities are designed to complement the actionable insights offered during the summit’s sessions.

Focus on Actionable Insights for AI-Driven Startups

GenAI Zürich prioritises practical applications over abstract discussions, focusing on the tools and strategies startups need to succeed. Sessions will cover topics like LLMOps, vector search, and agentic RAG systems, ensuring attendees leave with hands-on knowledge. A standout example from the 2025 edition was the SkAI GenAI Hub project by Lufthansa Group and Cognizant Netcentric, which achieved a 75% user uptake and saved 25% of users between 4 and 8 hours weekly on routine tasks. This initiative was led by Margot Löwenberg, Head of Data Analytics at Swiss International Air Lines, and Nicolas Athanasopoulos, Principal Data & AI at Cognizant Netcentric ^[9].

Other sessions will dive into fundraising strategies, such as the GenAI VC Paradigm, and explore smart contracting tailored for high-growth startups. Christian Sebregondi, Head of AI at Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), will also share insights from the bank’s AI strategy, showcasing how specific use cases moved from planning to implementation. By blending technical deep dives with real-world examples, the summit equips startups with the knowledge to bring their ideas to life.

Startup-Specific Features Like Competitions and Workshops

GenAI Zürich offers startups the chance to compete for the prestigious GenAI Zürich Award, with categories like Rising Innovators and Impact Achievers. The jury includes respected figures such as Rea S. Wenk, Chief Data Officer at CSS, and Isabel Steiner, CTO at Migros Online.

"Apply to spotlight your GenAI impact – and contribute to a stronger innovation ecosystem in Switzerland." – Rea S. Wenk ^[10]

The "From Prompt to Product" hackathon adds another layer of excitement, featuring a CHF 10,000 prize pool for the top three winners, supported by the AI Startup Center to help further develop prototypes. Conference passes are available for CHF 350 until 28 February 2026, increasing to CHF 399 from 1 March 2026. Students can attend for CHF 100 ^[8]. Startups and founders are encouraged to take advantage of early-bird pricing to get the most out of this application-focused event.

4. AI Summit Barcelona

Date: 11–17 October 2026
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Expected Attendees: Over 10,000 builders, founders, and decision-makers ^[11]

Focus on Actionable Insights for AI-Driven Startups

AI Summit Barcelona stands out by prioritizing practical application over theoretical discussions. One of its unique features is the "Fail Stage", where companies openly discuss their AI-related failures. The goal? To help founders sidestep common mistakes and foster shared learning. Barbara Cresti, Founder of StratEdge, puts it this way: "The 'fail stage' concept - sessions where companies share failed AI implementations to accelerate collective learning."

The event also hosts a Workshop Village, offering hands-on training sessions. These workshops cover topics like AI literacy and specific use cases in areas such as supply chain management, HR, and operations. There's even guidance on AI governance at the board level, focusing on managing risks and liabilities. By blending lessons from past mistakes with practical training, the summit equips startups with the tools they need to thrive.

Showcasing Cutting-Edge AI Innovations

Beyond workshops, the summit showcases groundbreaking technologies designed to fuel startup growth. Gerald Mullally, CEO of Oxford Quantum Circuits, will introduce the world’s first Quantum-AI Data Centre. Developed in partnership with NVIDIA and Digital Realty, this centre promises low-latency computing for real-world AI applications in sectors like finance and defence.

The Experience Village adds another layer of excitement, featuring live demonstrations of embodied AI and humanoid robots. These robots use real-time speech visemes and sentiment analysis to interact in ways that feel strikingly human.

Maanas Mediratta, co-founder of Bridged Media, will also take the stage to share lessons from conducting over 2,000 AI experiments for global publishers. His team’s work delivered a 300% ROI within 3–6 months and boosted email collection rates for sports publishers by 10×. Additionally, the summit will delve into the growing trend of Small Language Models (SLMs), which are tailored for specific industries and offer measurable benefits over generic solutions.

Tickets start at €175 for the Silver pass, while Gold (€325) and Platinum (€990) options include added perks like enhanced networking opportunities and premium benefits ^[11].

5. START Summit

Date: 19–20 March 2026 (Day‑0: 18 March 2026)
Location: SGKB Hall, St. Gallen, Switzerland
Expected Attendees: Over 7,000 participants ^[12]

Networking Opportunities with Investors and Industry Leaders

START Summit is all about connections. Using the Brella networking platform, founders can set up over 12,000 one-on-one meetings during the two-day event. Plus, there’s a special Day‑0 on 18 March, exclusively for investors, startups, and corporates to build strong relationships. The investors attending collectively manage a massive 573 billion CHF in capital. As a real-world example from START Summit '24, Daniel Dippold, Founder & CEO of EWOR, met a founder during the event and closed an investment deal just two weeks later ^[12].

Andreas Goeldi, Partner at b2venture, summed it up perfectly:

"START Summit is an unparalleled platform for fostering innovation and connecting the brightest entrepreneurial minds in Europe. It's the best place to meet incredible early-stage startups, future unicorn founders, and fellow investors." ^[12]

Beyond networking, the summit focuses on helping startups grow through hands-on competitions and workshops.

Startup-Specific Features Like Competitions and Workshops

START Summit goes beyond just networking. It offers seven pitching competitions across six industry sectors, giving founders a chance to present directly to Europe’s top investors. Over 30 workshops, led by experts, provide practical advice and actionable insights. Meanwhile, the START Fair showcases innovations from more than 80 startups, connecting them with potential investors and partners ^[13].

The START Summit App is another must-use tool, featuring a co-founder matching function and access to exclusive side events hosted by major VC firms like Sequoia, Redalpine, and Northzone ^[13].

Samantha Anderson, Co-Founder & CEO of DePoly, highlighted the event’s impact:

"Find every essential contact - from VCs to potential startup partners." ^[12]

Tickets are available at 699 CHF during the main sale phase ^[12].

6. Wolves Summit

Date: 21–22 April 2026
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Expected Attendees: 250+ startup founders and 125+ active investors ^[14]

Networking Opportunities with Investors and Industry Leaders

Wolves Summit is all about creating meaningful connections, and it achieves this through its Brella-powered 1-on-1 matchmaking system. This setup allows startup founders to arrange private meetings with over 125 active investors, including notable names like Aegis Capital, 24Ventures VC, Earlybird Venture Capital, and Iron Wolf Capital. Founders can also showcase their ideas at the Great Pitch Contest, where a panel of 50+ investors provides immediate feedback. For those with VIP tickets, there's even more on offer - exclusive access to the Investor Lounge and the European Startup Ecosystem Awards Gala Dinner ^[14]. Beyond networking, the summit focuses on offering practical growth strategies for startups.

Startup-Specific Features Like Competitions and Workshops

The summit goes beyond networking by offering tailored sessions designed to help startups grow. The Fundraising Bootcamp, led by Francois Mazoudier, equips founders with insights into how investors assess startups and provides actionable advice on securing funding. Additionally, the event features sessions on trending topics like AI, SaaS, and Automation, catering specifically to founders developing AI-driven solutions ^[14].

The event’s impact is evident from recent success stories. In February 2026, Prague-based AI startup Maxfusion secured €500,000 in pre-seed funding from Czech Founders VC and angel investor Ory Weihs to expand its AI-powered video ad creation platform. Similarly, Mos Health, a Polish-American startup, raised around €920,000 in pre-seed funding for its AI-driven preventative health platform ^[15].

Ticket prices start at €198, which includes access to matchmaking and pitch deck distribution. VIP packages, offering premium perks like digital booth space and enhanced networking opportunities, range from €980 to €1,680 ^[14].

7. Zurich AI Meetup

Date: 27 February 2026
Location: Headsquarter - The Artistic, Stockerstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland
Expected Attendees: 100 AI professionals, founders, and investors ^[16]

Networking Opportunities with Investors and Industry Leaders

With attendance capped at 100, the Zurich AI Meetup ensures meaningful conversations among AI founders, investors, and professionals from the local scene. The event includes a two-hour networking session from 18:50 to 21:00, complete with complimentary drinks. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 18:00 for registration and pre-keynote mingling, setting the stage for productive interactions ^[16].

Focus on Actionable Insights for AI-Driven Startups

The February 2026 meetup featured a keynote by Sam Läubli, CEO of Supertext, who offered a thought-provoking perspective:

"Everyone Thinks It's Solved: Why the Most Boring AI Problems Make the Most Money" ^[16]

This statement underscores the importance of tackling practical, often overlooked challenges that can drive significant revenue. For startup founders, it’s a reminder to focus less on flashy trends and more on solving everyday problems that companies are eager to pay for.

Organised by Startup Network Europe - known for events like the European AI Conference at Google's European HQ - the Zurich AI Meetup stands out for its exclusive format and high-caliber networking. With its growing popularity, early booking is crucial to secure a spot ^[16]. This intimate gathering offers not just connections but also actionable insights, making it a key event in the European AI calendar.

Event Comparison Table

Choose events that align with your startup's stage, budget, and objectives. The table below provides a quick comparison of five major events, helping founders pinpoint the best opportunities for their needs.

This comparison offers a clear overview to help you organize your event schedule effectively.

Budget considerations:
The table highlights key budget insights: Wolves Summit’s Basic Pass at €198 is the most affordable option, making it accessible for early-stage startups. On the other hand, RAISE Summit’s PRO ticket at €999 + VAT provides extensive benefits, including complimentary meals and drinks, which can help offset daily expenses in Paris ^[2]. For those seeking a more intimate event without the cost of larger conferences, the Zurich AI Meetup delivers a focused networking experience.

Strategic timing:
To maximize your year, consider starting with the Zurich AI Meetup in February to establish early connections. Follow it up with START Summit and Wolves Summit in spring for fundraising opportunities. Conclude with RAISE Summit in July, where you can compete for a significant prize pool and engage with top executives ^{[1][3][14][16]}.

Conclusion

AI events across Europe offer startup founders access to key resources, meaningful connections, and practical insights that fuel business growth. These gatherings provide a platform to establish relationships with top-tier venture capitalists like Sequoia Capital and 20VC, opening doors to funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance throughout the year ^[4].

Through frameworks such as the "4Fs" of AI - Foundation, Frontier, Friction, and Future - startups gain tools to tackle regulatory changes and emerging technologies like agentic systems and sovereign cloud. These concepts help founders stay prepared for the challenges and opportunities shaping the AI landscape.

Visibility and competitive advantage are other major benefits of these events. Take the RAISE Summit, for example, which features a startup competition with a €5 million prize pool and an acceptance rate of less than 0.2%. This creates a unique stage for early-stage companies to showcase their innovations to industry heavyweights, including Nvidia representatives ^[4].

The year-round scheduling of these events allows founders to build momentum gradually. Smaller networking sessions lead up to larger, high-stakes conferences, ensuring continuous progress rather than one-off opportunities.

As Europe's AI ecosystem continues to grow, these events act as critical hubs for shaping the industry's future and fostering long-term relationships. For founders aiming to scale their AI startups, participating in these gatherings is a smart investment in sustained growth and leadership within the region's evolving AI sector. By making them a core part of your strategy, you position your startup for ongoing success.

FAQs

Which event best fits my startup stage?

The event you choose should align with your startup's specific goals. If you're looking to scale up and gain industry visibility, the RAISE Summit 2026 in Paris (8–9 July 2026) is a great option. It features workshops, competitions, and plenty of networking opportunities with industry leaders. For startups in the early stages, pre-events like Y-Combinator x RAISE or the Next-Gen Founder Night at Hôtel du Louvre are ideal. These events focus on offering tailored advice and building valuable connections. Pick the one that matches where your startup is in its growth journey.

How do I maximise investor meetings at these events?

To make the most of investor meetings at AI events like the RAISE Summit in Paris, a clear strategy and active participation are essential. Start by scheduling meetings ahead of time through the event's networking platform - this ensures face time with key investors. Take advantage of pre-event sessions and exclusive gatherings, as these provide a more relaxed setting to introduce yourself and your startup.

Be ready to clearly articulate your startup’s value proposition and funding needs. These conversations are your opportunity to show investors why your business stands out. Networking opportunities, such as competitions or social events, are also great moments to build relationships that could lead to future investments. Ultimately, thorough preparation will set you up for success.

What should I prepare before pitching or joining a competition?

Before stepping into an AI competition, make sure your presentation is polished and packs a punch. Your pitch should clearly showcase what sets your startup apart and how it aims to shake things up in the industry. Focus on tackling real-life challenges and ensure your pitch deck highlights your technical know-how, solid business model, and clear growth strategy.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the event's format and judging criteria. Be ready to confidently answer questions about your team, technology, and target market. Back up your claims with data, metrics, or a proof of concept to leave a lasting impression.

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