Next week, between October 1–2, Bucharest will once again become the focal point of Eastern Europe’s startup and technology ecosystem. How to Web Conference returns with an expanded program that blends global expertise with regional momentum. With registration closing soon, the 2025 edition is set to bring over 3,000 participants and over 500 startups.
Four Stages, Many Audiences
The conference layout has been reimagined around four distinct stages: Build & Grow, Focus, Startup, and Broadcast Room, each curated for specific audiences within the ecosystem. Founders, operators, investors, policymakers, and academics will find tailored content that reflects the realities of building and scaling in today’s environment.
This year’s themes mirror some of the most pressing conversations in technology: translating artificial intelligence into measurable value, scaling through product-led growth, building resilient leadership, and navigating Europe’s shifting venture landscape. Among the highlights is “AI That Works”, a panel with Alice Guo (OpenAI), Silviu Homoceanu (Deltia.ai), and Thomas Macaulay, which will move the discussion beyond hype and into strategies for deploying AI at scale.
Beyond the Main Stage
Side events are becoming an increasingly integral part of How to Web. Sessions like Leap of Tech, focused on the region’s shift from outsourcing to product building, and Bytes & Bills, a policy forum advocating for founder-friendly legislation, complement the core program with targeted deep dives.
Other gatherings add further layers to the experience. Venture in Eastern Europe connects international investors with regional founders, while the Founders Summit creates a peer-to-peer environment for startup leaders.
A dedicated track on defense and dual-use technologies underlines how global security shifts are influencing innovation in Eastern Europe.
Bridging CEE: An Investor Networking Lunch brings together the most influential investors, fund managers, and ecosystem builders from across CEE.
Networking as a Core Pillar
Alongside its agenda, How to Web has built a reputation for networking at scale. More than 10,000 conversations took place during the 2024 edition, supported by AI matchmaking, curated lounges, and facilitated meetups. With over 92% of participants actively engaging in these exchanges, the conference has proven to be a platform where introductions frequently translate into long-term collaborations.
This focus on connections is reflected in formal sessions as well as in the curated environments where capital and talent meet. With more than 50 dedicated tables for discussions, and both executive and investor lounges, the infrastructure is in place to make networking intentional.
Startups remain a defining element of the conference. More than 550 early-stage companies are expected this year, participating in Spotlight, the Demo Area, and other dedicated formats. These initiatives provide founders with direct exposure to global investors, corporate partners, and media, positioning the event as a launchpad for the region’s next success stories.
A Regional Focal Point
The weight of this year’s edition also reflects broader dynamics. Europe’s venture funding environment has become increasingly selective, demanding stronger business fundamentals and clearer paths to growth. At the same time, Central and Eastern Europe continues to produce more high-growth startups, with founders seeking cross-border capital and investors eager to tap into the region’s engineering talent and entrepreneurial drive.
How to Web is positioned at this intersection, serving as a bridge between local ambition and international opportunity. By convening global technology leaders, European funds, and CEE startups in one place, the event provides a forum where strategy, capital, and talent converge.
What emerges is not only a reflection of where the region stands but also a catalyst for what comes next.
Registration closes in the coming days.
