This autumn, the Eastern European startup community will gather once again in Bucharest for the How to Web Conference, the leading technology event in our region. The 2025 edition, taking place on October 1-2, will feature an expanded set of initiatives aimed at early-stage startups. Four dedicated programs will run alongside the main conference, each designed to connect founders with investors, potential partners, and peers from across the region and beyond.
“Our goal is to provide startups with practical tools and connections that can truly impact their growth,” said Alexandru Agatinei, CEO of How to Web. “These programs offer real-world opportunities to meet global investors, learn from industry experts, and present their ideas to a relevant audience.”
Spotlight: Focused Mentorship and Visibility
Spotlight remains the conference’s flagship startup program. It culminates in a pitching competition on the Startup Stage, but the process extends beyond those minutes in front of the audience. Selected companies take part in one-on-one mentoring sessions with experienced founders and sector specialists, and they also have access to exhibition space, scheduled meetings with investors, and feedback on refining their business models.
The aim is to combine visibility with practical input that founders can take back into their companies. Over the years, Spotlight alumni have gone on to raise follow-on funding, expand internationally, and build partnerships initiated during the event. Check it out here.
Dealflow: Structured Investor Connections
Dealflow is designed for efficiency. Participating startups meet with investors from funds such as IVP, Creandum, Inovo VC, 20VC, Connect Ventures, and Seedcamp. Offering a dedicated networking app and pre-arranged schedule, this helps both sides avoid the unstructured nature of typical conference networking and connect with high-interest professionals who might otherwise be out of reach.
The format allows founders to concentrate investor outreach into a short period and it provides investors with a curated look at early-stage companies from a region that is attracting growing international interest. Check it out here.
Demo Area: A Live Setting to Showcase Businesses
The Demo Area offers companies a physical space to present their products and services to conference attendees. Located in a high-traffic part of the venue, it is optimized for ongoing interaction throughout the day. Startups can choose to exhibit for half a day or for the full two days of the event.
For founders, this space can serve multiple purposes from testing messaging and gathering informal feedback, to connecting directly with potential customers or partners. For attendees, it is a way to engage with new products in a concentrated environment. Check it out here.
Startup Showcase Sustainability: Highlighting Impact Initiatives
Run in partnership with BRD – Groupe Société Générale, the Startup Showcase Sustainability program highlights companies working on environmental or social impact solutions. Selected startups receive complimentary tickets to the conference, stage time in the Startup Area, and a custom video profile produced by BRD – Groupe Société Générale.
The initiative aims to give visibility to founders whose work addresses sustainability challenges, while connecting them with investors and corporate partners interested in this space. Check it out here.
A Broader Platform for Regional Startups
All four programs sit within a larger event that has become a fixture in the Eastern European tech calendar. How to Web Conference typically attracts over 3,000 attendees, including founders, investors, corporate executives, and product leaders. Alongside the startup-specific tracks, the agenda includes keynote talks, panel discussions, and workshops covering topics from scaling strategies to emerging technologies.
While the content is diverse, the founders’ emphasis remains on practical connections. In recent years, builders have used the conference to secure investment, explore new markets, and establish partnerships.
Startups interested in participating in any of the 2025 programs need to purchase a Startup Ticket, which includes access to the main conference. Applications are now open.
