Organised by Malta Enterprise, the sixth edition of the Startup Festival Malta welcomed founders, entrepreneurs and members of the wider startup ecosystem.

The event opened with a welcome address by Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri, followed by a fireside chat with Malta Enterprise CEO George Gregory, which explored the importance of supporting startups and creating opportunities for businesses to grow and expand into international markets.

During the Festival, Minister Schembri highlighted the contribution of startups to Malta’s economic development, announcing that more than 50 startups had received a total of €15 million in financial assistance to support their growth. These businesses have created around 250 quality jobs, with an average salary of €46,000.  The supported businesses operate across a range of sectors, including FinTech, EdTech, life sciences, semiconductors, digital games, esports, artificial intelligence and deep tech. These figures underline the potential of innovative businesses to create quality employment, attract investment and contribute to a more diversified, innovation-driven economy.

Commenting on the importance of supporting startup growth in Malta, George Gregory, CEO of Malta Enterprise, said:

“Startups play an important role in Malta’s economic development by bringing new ideas to market, creating quality jobs and opening up opportunities in emerging industries. However, building a business is only the beginning. Founders also need the right support, expertise and connections to develop their ideas into sustainable businesses and compete internationally. At Malta Enterprise, our role is to help create the conditions for these businesses to grow, scale and realise their full potential, contributing to a more innovative, resilient and competitive Maltese economy.”

Bringing international experience to Malta

The Festival featured speakers with experience across entrepreneurship, investment, brand building and technology, bringing different perspectives to the opportunities and challenges facing founders.

Piers Linney, entrepreneur, investor and former Dragons’ Den investor, delivered the keynote Think Bigger. Go Further. Drawing on his experience in business and investment, he explored themes relevant to entrepreneurs looking to develop their ambitions and build businesses with the potential to grow.

Grace Andrews, brand builder and creator economy expert, led The Brand Lab, sharing insights into how founders can communicate their stories, establish distinctive brands and build stronger connections with their audiences. Her experience includes work with the media company behind The Diary of a CEO.

Zack Xuereb, Maltese entrepreneur and technologist, delivered the keynote Create. Learn. Repeat. His experience in the technology sector offered a perspective on innovation, experimentation and the opportunities available to founders thinking beyond Malta.

Together, the speakers brought complementary perspectives to the Festival, spanning investment, business growth, brand development, technology and international ambition.

From inspiration to action

A key focus of Startup Festival Malta 2026 was translating ideas into practical next steps.

The Reverse Pitch turned the traditional investor pitch on its head, giving participants an opportunity to better understand the investor perspective, explore what investors look for in a business and consider the foundations of a strong investor-founder relationship.

The Brand Lab focused on helping founders identify what makes their businesses distinctive, communicate their stories effectively and build a recognisable presence across relevant platforms.

Mental Resilience – One Size Fits One, explored the human side of entrepreneurship. The session addressed the uncertainty, rejection and pressure that can accompany building a startup, highlighting the importance of developing resilience in ways that reflect each founder’s individual circumstances.

Networking also played an important role throughout the Festival. Dedicated opportunities to connect enabled founders and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and explore potential relationships with collaborators, partners, customers, mentors and other members of the startup community.

Together, the sessions and networking opportunities reinforced the value of bringing entrepreneurs together to learn from different experiences, exchange perspectives and build relationships that can continue beyond the event.

Focus on what’s next

At the heart of this year’s Festival was a simple question: What’s next?

For one founder, the next step might be finding a first customer. For another, it could mean raising investment, strengthening a brand, building the right team or entering a new market. While every entrepreneurial journey is different, each involves decisions, challenges and opportunities that shape what comes next.

Startup Festival Malta 2026 provided a space for these conversations, bringing together international experience and local talent to encourage fresh thinking, practical learning and new connections across Malta’s startup ecosystem.

Organised by Malta Enterprise, the Festival continues to offer a platform for the startup community to come together, share knowledge and explore opportunities for growth and collaboration.

As the sixth edition concludes, its theme remains a timely reminder for founders and entrepreneurs: progress comes from identifying the next step and having the confidence to take it.