Valletta, May 7, 2026 – The 12th edition of the EU-Startups Summit 2026 (the third to be held on the island) has officially opened in Malta. The event is a leading platform for the European innovation and venture capital ecosystem.
The Maltese edition, taking place on May 7–8 at the historic Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta — formerly the Sacred Infirmary of the Order of the Knights of Malta — continues to strengthen its role as a key hub for networking between innovators and private investors. Following the success of the 2025 edition, which attracted more than 2,500 participants, 78% of whom held decision-making roles (Founders, CEOs, and C-level executives), the summit once again brings together the leading figures in European technology.
For this edition, the ICE Desk Office at the Italian Embassy in Malta coordinated the Italian Innovation Corner, a pavilion entirely dedicated to eight Italian excellence companies operating in high-impact technology sectors. “The event is a key moment for European innovation, with a strong presence of decision-makers and investors,” stated the Italian Ambassador to Malta, Valentina Setta. “Italy will play a leading role with a dedicated Pavilion, showcasing national excellence in strategic sectors such as AI, FinTech, and Cybersecurity, while strengthening the international outreach of its startups.”
The eight participating startups represent five crucial sectors for today’s market:
- DeepTech: Flysight, Involve Space
- FinTech: Aurea Hub, Checksig, Startex
- Product Research: Fred
- ClimateTech: eMomentum
- HealthTech: Elephant Brain Lab
At 2:00 PM on May 7, the inauguration ceremony of the Italian Pavilion took place, attended by the Italian Ambassador to Malta, Valentina Setta; First Secretary Santo Purello; Director of the ICE Office in Athens (responsible for Malta), Fabrizio Camastra; and Gianluca Rossetto, Head of the ICE Desk Office in Malta, together with representatives of the eight exhibiting startups.
Underscoring the strategic importance of the event, the ceremony was also attended by a high-level delegation from the Maltese Government, led by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ian Borg and Minister for the Economy Silvio Schembri. Following the ceremony, the Italian Innovation Corner hosted a networking session between the eight participating Italian startups and Maltese and international investors attending the summit.
The participation of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) forms part of a broader framework of outstanding economic integration. “In 2025, Italian exports to Malta reached €2.39 billion, confirming Italy as a strategic partner not only for consumer goods but above all as a technological enabler. The development of Malta’s high value-added sectors (IT, FinTech, and iGaming) is strongly supported by imports of Italian hardware and industrial infrastructure, which in 2025 amounted to €143 million in electronic and optical equipment and more than €111 million in industrial machinery,” commented Fabrizio Camastra.
Italy also continues to play a fundamental role in the archipelago’s energy security, with supplies worth approximately €480 million in 2025, and remains a key partner for the hospitality and tourism industries through exports of Italian excellence in design (€83 million) and the agri-food sector, which together approached €392.6 million in value. Italy’s presence at the EU-Startups Summit 2026 further confirms that technological “Made in Italy” is now an essential component of Malta’s growth, combining geographical proximity, strategic vision, and frontier innovation.
