On April 24-25, 2025, the EU-Startups Summit returns to Malta, bringing together around 2,400 founders, startup enthusiasts, and investors for two days packed with inspiring talks, hands-on networking, and cutting-edge insights from Europe’s startup ecosystem. Set in a vibrant Mediterranean backdrop, the Summit will showcase some of the continent’s most exciting ventures, rising talents, and innovation leaders.
Startup accelerators have played a key role in shaping Europe’s tech and innovation landscape. These programmes don’t just provide funding—they offer mentorship, structure, resources, and access to a powerful network that helps early-stage companies validate their ideas, scale faster, and attract follow-on investment. But as founder needs evolve and new verticals emerge, how are accelerators adapting? What new models are surfacing across Europe? And how are these programmes supporting innovation at both local and global levels?
To answer these questions, we’ve assembled four leaders from some of Europe’s top accelerator initiatives for an insightful panel titled “Startup Accelerators in Europe.”
Allard Luchsinger – Techstars
Allard Luchsinger is Managing Director of Techstars Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most active and respected accelerator hubs. With years of experience investing in and mentoring early-stage founders, he oversees the entire acceleration journey, from selection to scaling. Techstars operates globally, backing thousands of startups and connecting them to a powerful network of mentors, corporates, and investors.
Giovanni Vaccari – Startupbootcamp
Giovanni Vaccari is Managing Director at Startupbootcamp Amsterdam, one of Europe’s longest-running and most successful accelerators. With a strong track record in scaling digital health, fintech, and smart city startups, Giovanni brings hands-on expertise in programme design, investor engagement, and corporate partnerships. Startupbootcamp continues to evolve with a focus on vertical-specific innovation and measurable impact.
Quinten Selhorst – EWOR
Quinten Selhorst is a Partner at EWOR, an entrepreneurial school and startup platform that helps future founders build ventures from scratch. With a background in venture creation, Quinten plays a key role in guiding founders through the EWOR Fellowship and building a new kind of educational infrastructure for entrepreneurs. The platform combines academic learning with real-world company building—designed by founders, for founders.
This panel will be a truly insightful talk for anyone interested in the future of startup acceleration—whether you’re launching a programme, planning to join one, or simply looking to understand how founders are being supported in 2025. Secure your ticket today, and stay tuned for more exciting announcements and event updates on our event page!
OUR HEADLINE SPONSOR
Malta Enterprise is Malta’s economic development agency, facilitating economic growth, investment, and innovation, by offering a range of support services for local and foreign enterprises setting up a productive presence in Malta. As a key player in Malta’s economic landscape, it contributes to the nation’s prosperity by attracting investments, supporting businesses, and driving innovation, thereby reinforcing Malta’s position as an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Malta Enterprise actively cultivates a vibrant startup ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in fostering a conducive environment for startups and offering tailored support and incentives to empower emerging businesses.
OUR SPONSORS
Scytale helps startups get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat.
Airwallex is a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, offering trusted solutions to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend management to embedded finance. With their proprietary infrastructure, Airwallex takes the friction out of global payments and financial operations, empowering businesses of all sizes to unlock new opportunities and grow beyond borders. Proudly founded in Melbourne, Airwallex supports over 100,000 businesses globally and is trusted by brands such as Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more.
EUROCROWD is an independent network organisation aiming to support and promote crowdfunding as an alternative funding mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises and innovative projects. EUROCROWD promotes and supports the development of Crowdfunding mechanisms as a viable funding source to European entrepreneurs and funders.
M. Demajo Group is a leading business player in Malta, with a successful history spanning 115 years. The Group’s growth and diversification have resulted in a wide coverage of business sectors through a commitment to long-term results. M. Demajo Group’s workforce is 500 strong and their various activities have been developed through organic growth, acquisitions, partnerships, and startups. Its strong financial situation and ethical standards, its business reputation, and its renowned track record as a business partner are all key factors in its continued expansion.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a flagship initiative of the European Commission to turn disruptive European science into groundbreaking commercial propositions and accelerate the scale-up of “game-changing” innovations. It is a key building bloc of a reinforced European ecosystem and the New European Innovation Agenda, filling the gap between R&D support, private investors, and the market. With a budget of over €10 billion under the Horizon Europe Programme (2021-2027) it seeks to position Europe as a global leader in the current wave of deep tech innovation.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/03/meet-the-experts-joining-our-startup-accelerators-in-europe-panel-at-the-eu-startups-summit-2025/
