- How to Web Conference’s Spotlight program for startups offers mentoring, pitching, and access to the overall EUR 10B+ in investment funds
- Dealflow, Demo Area, and Sustainability Showcase connect startups with more investors and customers
- Specialized Sales and Fundraising Bootcamps provide hands-on guidance from top experts and investors
On October 1-2nd, HowToWeb Conference will once again welcome founders, investors, executive, tech talent, – altogether over 3,000 attendees – at its 2025 edition. Over 550 founders are expected to showcase their startups.
Arguably the biggest attraction of How to Web Conference remains the matchmaking program and competition for startups, Spotlight.
Alexandru Agatinei, CEO at How to Web
‘Our goal is to provide startups with practical tools and connections that can have a real impact on their growth. Our programs create incredible opportunities to meet global investors, learn from industry experts, and present their ideas to a relevant audience,’ How To Web’s CEO Alexandru Agatinei commented.
In its 2025 edition, the Conference offers the following startup programs and formats:
Spotlight
The traditional flagship startup program and competition in CEE, it is designed to empower ambitious founders with a direct path to global visibility and investment. The focus is on unlocking real opportunities: founders gain access to investment funds and business angels collectively managing over EUR 10B, in an environment built for validation, networking, and meaningful discussions.
Selected finalists go through a rigorous evaluation process before pitching directly to some of Europe’s leading investors, many of whom attend exclusively for How to Web. This creates a unique platform where startups receive immediate, actionable feedback while building valuable connections with top-tier funds.
The Spotlight experience goes beyond pitching: it includes the chance to present on the Startup Stage, showcase in a dedicated expo area, and benefit from targeted media exposure. Startups also access one-on-one mentoring with renowned experts, scheduled investor meetings, and repeated opportunities to pitch to an international audience. By combining mentorship with direct investor engagement, Spotlight enables founders to refine strategies, accelerate growth, and gain critical visibility.
Startups are welcome to apply before August 31st. The requirements are:
- Early stage: under 5 years old and under EUR 700K of funds raised.
- The product is launched and the traction is visible.
Dealflow
Over 200 leading investors, including representatives from top funds such as 20VC, Angular Ventures, Balderton Capital, Cherry Ventures, Creandum, Credo Ventures, Inovo VC, IVP, Northzone, OTB, and Seedcamp will join How to Web to discover the next generation of high-potential startups.
Through the Dealflow platform, founders gain direct access to these investors, participating in a curated series of meetings that would typically take months to secure. This dedicated matchmaking approach streamlines the fundraising process, fostering meaningful connections and unlocking funding opportunities that can accelerate growth and shape the future of emerging businesses.
Demo Area
Strategically located in a high-traffic zone of the conference, Demo Area gives startups a prime platform to showcase their products and connect with potential customers, partners, and investors. With flexible booth options—ranging from half-day presence to full two-day exposure—founders can tailor their visibility to their needs. The interactive setup enables startups to present innovations directly to more than 3,000 participants, including industry leaders and decision-makers.
This vibrant environment fosters meaningful conversations, encourages valuable networking, and provides immediate, real-world feedback, helping startups validate their solutions while building connections that can accelerate growth and open doors to future opportunities.
Startup Showcase Sustainability
In partnership with BRD – Groupe Société Générale, the Startup Showcase Sustainability program spotlights startups building technology-driven sustainability solutions. Selected participants gain access to an exclusive benefits package, including conference tickets, the opportunity to present on the Startup Stage, and tailored promotional videos produced and shared by BRD – Groupe Société Générale.
This collaboration ensures strong visibility and valuable market validation, helping startups showcase their impact to a broader audience. By supporting innovations that address pressing environmental and social challenges, the initiative creates a powerful platform for sustainability-focused founders to gain recognition, attract stakeholders, and accelerate their growth within the business community.
Startups are welcome to apply before August 31st.
Dedicated Strategies for Sales and Fundraising
At How to Web, founders also benefit from hands-on learning experiences designed to accelerate business growth. Central to this are two exclusive bootcamps hosted on the Focus Stage, each offering intensive, practical guidance:
- The Sales Bootcamp is a two-hour interactive session dedicated to advanced sales strategies. Led by such renowned experts as Zoltan Vardy, author of The Launchcode, Andrei Dănescu of Dexory, and Alexandre Dewez of 20VC, it provides live analysis of participants’ pitch decks and sales processes. Founders receive actionable insights and tailored advice from leaders with proven track records in scaling businesses.
- The Fundraising Bootcamp is another two-hour session, focused on building successful fundraising strategies. Facilitated by Nikola Yanev, an experienced fundraising consultant, it features guidance and real-time feedback from investors including Gregor Rebolj of Silicon Gardens, Raya Yunakova of LAUNCHub, and Karol Lasota of Inovo VC. Startups benefit from expert perspectives on how to refine their fundraising approach and investor readiness.
Beyond the bootcamps, founders are equally welcome to engage directly with investors in a more intimate setting on the Q&A Stage. Speakers like Tobias Winczer of Target Global, Alexander Agureev of Northzone, and Julius de Gruyter of Cherry Ventures will be happy to answer in-depth questions and explore topics crucial to startup success.
Please mind that the applying startups have to buy a ticket (use promo code ITKEYMEDIA25 for 10% off for Builder Tickets). Tickets can be purchased after the application.
You are welcome to follow the agenda and other updates on HowToWeb’s Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Kostiantyn is a freelance writer from Crimea but based in Lviv. He loves writing about IT and high tech because those topics are always upbeat and he’s an inherent optimist!
