FI4INN will take part in the EU-Startups Summit 2026, one of Europe’s leading events for startups, investors, and innovation ecosystem actors, taking place in Malta on 8 May 2026.
As part of the official programme, FI4INN will host a dedicated session titled “Rethinking Startup Finance in Europe”, bringing together policymakers, financial institutions, and startup representatives to discuss how innovative financial instruments can better support Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Addressing Europe’s startup financing gap
The session will open with remarks by Luisa Marchionni (SERN – Startup Europe Regions Network), setting the scene on the persistent challenges startups and innovative SMEs face in accessing finance across Europe. The introduction will highlight FI4INN’s approach, which combines mapping good practices, identifying regional financing gaps, and testing solutions through pilot actions.
From pilot experiences to real-world solutions
At the core of the session will be a panel discussion titled “Financing Innovation in Europe: What actually works?”, focusing on the lessons learned from FI4INN’s pilot regions.
Speakers from across Europe — including representatives from Malta Enterprise, TEC4I FVG, Finpiemonte, and CzechInvest — will share insights on a range of financial instruments, such as:
- venture and guarantee schemes
- basket bonds
- incubation and startup support programmes
- co-investment models
The discussion will explore what has proven effective in practice, as well as the challenges encountered when implementing these instruments at regional and national levels.
Bringing the startup perspective
The session will also feature testimonials from startups involved in FI4INN pilot actions, offering a direct perspective on how financial instruments perform in real conditions and what improvements are needed to better support innovation and growth.
Looking ahead: scaling impact across Europe
An interactive discussion will conclude the session, focusing on the long-term impact and scalability of innovative financing schemes, as well as opportunities to strengthen Europe’s startup finance ecosystem beyond the project’s lifetime.
By participating in the EU-Startups Summit, FI4INN aims to connect its pilot experiences with a wider European audience, contributing to ongoing debates on how to build more effective, accessible, and future-oriented financial instruments for startups and SMEs.