For entrepreneurs and innovators, tech startup conferences are more than just gatherings—they’re where the future happens. In 2025, the global startup and tech scene is buzzing with events that promise to redefine industries, spark collaborations and unveil groundbreaking innovations. These five startup tech conferences should be on your radar if you want to network, showcase your ideas or simply immerse yourself in the latest trends.
Slush (Helsinki, Finland)
Dates: November 19–20, 2025
Location: Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre
With over 5,500 founders including 3,300 investors managing over $4 trillion in assets and 250 media representatives in attendance, Slush is one of the world’s most founder-centric tech startup conferences. Some of the well-known past speakers at Slush that make this tech event even more attractive are Aravind Srinivas – co-founder & CEO of Perplexity, Justin Kan – co-founder of Stash & Twitch, Nik Storonsky – founder & CEO of Revolut, etc.
This startup event is designed to provide tangible value through hands-on advice, meaningful connections and unparalleled visibility. Beyond the main event, Slush offers year-round online communities and matchmaking platforms.
It’s run by a dynamic team of students and recent graduates, making it fresh and innovative. From seed-stage funding to Series A and beyond, it’s a hotspot for deal-making and partnerships.
Why you should attend Slush in 2025:
- Over 4,000 startups are expected to pitch their ideas to some of the world’s top VCs and angel investors.
- Expect inspiring talks from successful founders, investors and tech leaders on the future of AI, sustainability and digital transformation.
- Attend over 500 side events throughout Slush Week for countless opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate innovation.
- From the stunning stage designs to the electric afterparty, Slush creates an environment that fuels creativity and collaboration.
Web Summit Qatar (Doha, Qatar)
Dates: February 23-26, 2025
Location: Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC)
Dubbed “The largest gathering of international start-ups in the Middle East,” Web Summit continues to hold its reputation as one of the world’s most influential and biggest tech startup conferences in 2025. With its sprawling agenda, it’s the go-to tech event for everyone seeking networking, mass expansion and media exposure.
Web Summit Qatar 2024 saw more than 15,000 attendees from 118 countries and over 1,000 startups, making it one of the fastest-growing events ever. This event has consistently attracted big names from tech, business and entertainment like Elon Musk (Founder, SpaceX), Ryan Reynolds (Actor & Entrepreneur), Sam Altman (CEO, OpenAI), Ursula von der Leyen (President, European Commission) and Reed Hastings (Co-founder, Netflix).
With event partners like Google, Cisco, Meta and Microsoft, the Web Summit will enhance Qatar’s reputation as an innovation hub, inspire future entrepreneurs and foster global collaborations. Web Summit’s global appeal, combined with its knack for curating high-impact discussions, ensures that you walk away with fresh ideas and invaluable connections.
Why you should attend the Web Summit Qatar in 2025:
- Topics range from Web3 and fintech to digital ethics and the future of remote work.
- With over 1,000 startups showcasing their technologies, there’s plenty of inspiration for investors and collaborators alike.
- Web Summit’s Night Summit events are perfect for connecting in a relaxed, informal setting.
Startupfest (Montreal, Canada)
Dates: July 9-11, 2025
Location: Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal
With the theme of “Ambition+”, the 2025 edition of the Startupfest event is going to celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. With its laid-back atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for early-stage startups to meet mentors, investors and peers. Startupfest offers an intimate and inclusive vibe, making it ideal for first-time founders and veterans alike.
Some of the notable speakers from last year’s event were Shopify’s president Harley Finkelstein and Indigo CEO Heather Reisman. The fest also featured pitch competitions with cash awards of US$100,000 for different categories like Best of the Fest Investment Prize, Women in Tech Investment Prize, etc.
Why you should attend Startupfest in 2025:
- This tech startup conference offers unmatched opportunities to connect and reconnect with curios investors
- Direct access to well-established founders who have paved their own way to learn from them
- Insights into technical and cultural shifts to bring the next disrupting tech
Viva Technology 2025 (Paris, France)
Dates: June 11-14, 2025
Location: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
Viva Technology, a startup tech conference is creating buzz for its upcoming edition with the theme, “The New Frontiers of Innovation.” As one of the biggest tech conferences in 2025, this annual startup conference attracts startup founders, investors, executives and media from 174 countries. This tech startup conference held in Paris has become the focal point of the latest announcements and product reveals from tech companies.
According to VivaTech, the upcoming conference is going to attract 3,500 exhibitors and 13,500 startups from around the world. It will be a learning opportunity from 400 world-renowned speakers across our four stages.
This tech event helps connect with the pioneers redefining industries. A few notable past speakers include Emmanuel Macron, President of France; Linda Yaccarino CEO of X; Iosotaluno Faye, CEO of Tinder; etc.
Why to attend Viva Technology in 2025:
- Expect major announcements in AI, IoT, robotics, and autonomous vehicles.
- With over 165,000 attendees, VivaTech is where startups and tech giants alike unveil their latest innovations.
- Join discussions on how technology is shaping industries like healthcare, retail, entertainment, and more.
CES 2025 (Las Vegas, USA)
Dates: January 7–10, 2025
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center
The CES 2025 created a buzz on the internet in January 2025. It is one of the greatest startup tech conferences in the world. This annual consumer tech conference held in Las Vegas has become the focal point of the latest announcements and product reveals from top tech companies like Samsung, Nvidia, Toyota, Sony and more.
As the ultimate stage for groundbreaking technologies, CES showcased everything from next-gen gadgets to enterprise solutions that will define the next decade. In the event, Samsung, LG, NVIDIA, etc. have made announcements grabbing the eyeballs of tech enthusiasts around the world. Some of the boldest breakthrough announcements till now include are smartest pen by Nuwa Pen, Halliday Global’s smart eyewear, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 Series, etc.
Why you should attend the CES in 2025:
- Major announcements in AI, IoT, robotics and autonomous vehicles.
- With over 4500 exhibitors, CES is where startups and tech giants alike unveil their latest innovations.
- Join discussions on how technology is shaping industries like healthcare, retail, entertainment, GenAI and more.
Finally, tech startup conferences are a great way for your business exposure
The tech startup world thrives on collaboration and innovation and these conferences embody just that. As a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned investor, or a tech enthusiast, these events offer a front-row seat to the future for your ideas to take shape. Attending, connecting and collaborating with new people, playing with new ideas to invent disrupting tech is the sole focus of these conferences. So, if you’re ready with your plan, mark your calendars, pack your bags and take your startup to the next destination.
Header image from spiceworks.com
