Malta’s technology industry has been steadily gaining a foothold in the international arena “evolving into a burgeoning, dynamic and forward-thinking hub for technological innovation and advancement,” says Wayne Grixti, CEO of Tech.mt. As an essential arm of the Maltese Government’s extensive national tech drive, spearheaded by its 2018 establishment of dedicated regulator, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), Tech.mt actively promotes Malta's technology ecosystem.

It supports tech-focused businesses in their endeavours to make creative progress and expand their presence. The organisation is also integral to Malta’s business missions to international technology events such as GITEX and Web Summit. Tech.mt is imminently releasing its call for expressions of interest (EoIs) from companies interested in attending both these events. Such events are vital to the collective effort to position Malta as a valued “competitor in the global tech landscape and enable the growth of its tech industry,” Mr Grixti explains.

Under Mr Grixti’s direction, the Public-Private entity executes a wide remit, providing resources, enabling networking opportunities and implementing initiatives to create tangible, measurable progress for Malta’s tech community. Its projects include ‘Tech Talks - Beyond Borders’, ‘Growth Guide’ and the ‘Strategic Partnership Initiative’; the latter “directly resulting in businesses reporting increased brand visibility, enhanced credibility and accelerated growth” Mr Grixti reveals.

Tech.mt’s considerable part in foreign direct investment uptake is of notable interest, helping to position Malta as a “premier destination for tech-driven ventures and investment”. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the island’s tech sector is being boosted by the growing presence of multinationals and startups, increasingly drawn to Malta by its strategic location, supportive environment, skilled workforce and conducive government policies, Mr Grixti confirms. Communicating with policymakers, industry stakeholders, academic institutions and government agencies, Tech.mt wields influence and actively advocates for policies that “create an enabling environment for Maltese tech companies to thrive and compete on a global scale”. The organisation’s close collaboration with embassies, foreign offices and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry is also key here.

Beyond its local participation in industry forums, educational programmes, community events and its own project rollouts, Tech.mt is a major protagonist in the push to strengthen Malta’s profile on the global technology map. Catalysed by the “convergence of strategic initiatives, regulatory frameworks and institutional support” (driven by the MDIA), Malta is emerging as a “key player in tech innovation on the global stage,” the CEO continues.

Tech.mt’s own role in actively promoting Malta's tech ecosystem in front of a receptive international audience is at the forefront of our conversation. Beyond its local activities, the organisation works extensively on inMalta’s business missions to Dublin Tech Summit, London Tech week, Web Summit and GITEX. The inMalta brand (comprising Tech.mt, Malta Enterprise, FinanceMalta, GamingMalta and MDIA) was created to represent Malta as a holistic hub for FDI and to promote Maltese companies from the tech, gaming, and financial services sectors on an international scale.

As a unified symbol of innovation across industry boundaries, the working group seeks to forge collaboration and connection, unlocking opportunities and identifying synergies for local businesses. Targeted messaging is employed to showcase Malta's value proposition to other countries, highlighting the investment prospects and supportive regulatory frameworks available to budding entrepreneurs and established enterprises. “It is a concerted effort that elevates Malta's standing as a tech-friendly destination and amplifies its attractiveness to potential investors and collaborators worldwide,” says Mr Grixti.

Having completed its campaigns for expressions of interest for this spring’s business missions (securing 11 companies for Dublin Tech Summit and 12 for London Tech Week), Tech.mt is now preparing for this Autumn’s GITEX (14-18th October) and Web Summit (11-14th November). The organisation’s call for EOIs for these business missions will run from Monday May 13th to Tuesday May 28th and invites local companies and startups to register their interest in joining the inMalta delegation.

Detailing the manifold advantages of participating in such events under the inMalta banner, Mr Grixti refers to the “unparalleled platform that inMalta offers Maltese businesses to showcase their innovative products, services and solutions in front of a diverse audience of industry leaders, decision-makers and enthusiasts.” Powerful features include increased visibility, speaking slots, networking opportunities, exposure to the latest trends and developments in the tech sector and resources for navigating the challenges of international expansion. Significantly, strategic alliances born from these business missions are fundamental to the continued building of Malta's technology sphere, Mr Grixti emphasises, describing them as “essential fuel needed to propel innovation, serving as a conduit to financing, expertise and cutting-edge technology.”

InMalta’s recent Voices series shares case studies of the successful outcomes experienced by local firms (eg. stronger brand recognition and entry to key target markets) participating in past business missions. By leveraging the facilities provided by the inMalta ‘umbrella’, these companies have been able to demonstrate their capabilities, strengthen relationships with existing clients, explore new strategies and gain access to new avenues for growth.

Providing all-encompassing support for tech companies joining the inMalta delegation, Tech.mt is a key figure in the logistical preparation for the business missions. Its goal is to highlight “Malta's vibrant technology infrastructure and showcase its capabilities, talent pool and business-friendly environment to the world”. Securing premium spaces, accommodating delegates’ diverse needs, designing a captivating inMalta pavilion with optimum exhibiting capabilities and liaising with other inMalta delegates to ensure a cohesive presence are just part of the intensive effort. Pre-event training sessions prepare participants for the demands and opportunities of the international market aiming to maximise their business missions return on investment (ROI). 

On the ground, Tech.mt works constantly to put the spotlight on tech startups, emerging ventures, and established firms, also aiding meaningful interactions and connections between participants. Meanwhile, ‘matchmaking sessions’ ease access to potential partners or investors, “offering market intelligence and advice on internationalisation strategies. It is an all-round effort that truly reflects Tech.mt’s “proactive involvement and leadership” and its “commitment to nurturing and advancing Malta's technology ecosystem on the global stage”.

Tech.mt’s head sees the exciting possibilities within “access to untapped markets and customer segments” and the “gateway to the wealth of knowledge on global trends, best practices and emerging technologies”, which all come from meeting industry leaders, government officials, investors and potential partners. Such conversations “lay the groundwork for future collaborations, funding avenues and information-sharing initiatives” delivering invaluable insights that in turn help Tech.mt drive competitiveness in Malta's tech sector.

Summing up inMalta’s vision for this Autumn’s GITEX and Web Summit business missions, it is called a “moment of reckoning”, where “the collective ingenuity of Malta's entrepreneurial community shines brightly on the global stage.” The continued realisation of the Maltese delegation’s objectives is “more than about being just a brand,” Mr Grixti concludes. “It is an unwavering resolve to carve out a distinctive identity in the competitive landscape of the global tech ecosystem, one partnership, one innovation, and one success story at a time.”

EOIs for these business missions will run from Monday May 13th to Tuesday May 28th.

For more information, as well as to apply, click here.