Early-stage startups can benefit from significant opportunities for growth, investment, and visibility at the most important event dedicated to startups and technology in the region
Bucharest, September 8, 2025 – RBJ – How to Web Conference, the most important startup and technology event in Eastern Europe, will host multiple programs and formats for over 550 startups at its 2025 edition, taking place on October 1–2 in Bucharest. These programs are designed to support early-stage startups by offering valuable opportunities for growth, investor connections, and showcasing their innovations.
“Our goal is to provide startups with practical tools and connections that can have a real impact on their growth. These programs create genuine opportunities to meet global investors, learn from industry experts, and present their ideas to a relevant audience”, said Alexandru Agatinei, CEO of How to Web.
The startup programs and formats include:
Spotlight: Spotlight is the flagship program and competition for startups in Eastern Europe, offering ambitious founders a launchpad toward global investors.
In 2025, the focus is on creating genuine opportunities for founders, offering direct access to investment funds and business angels managing over €10 billion, within a setting designed for business validation, meaningful meetings, and practical discussions. The finalist startups go through a rigorous selection process and get to present their business ideas directly in front of some of the most important investors in Europe. In this way, How to Web builds a platform where founders receive immediate feedback and get on the radar of top European investment funds, which are present in the region exclusively for the conference.
The Spotlight program includes opportunities to present on the Startup Stage, dedicated expo space, and targeted media coverage. Startups also benefit from one-on-one mentoring sessions with renowned experts, scheduled meetings with potential investors, and multiple chances to pitch to the international audience at How to Web. This intensive mentorship, combined with exposure to investors, can significantly accelerate a startup’s growth trajectory, providing founders with personalized guidance to refine their business models and pitching strategies.
Dealflow: Over 200 top investors, including representatives from renowned funds such as IVP, Northzone, Cherry Ventures, Credo Ventures, Creandum, Angular Ventures, Balderton, Seedcamp, 20VC, OTB, and Inovo VC, will be present to evaluate and discover the next generation of promising startups.
Through the Dealflow platform, How to Web provides direct connections between founders and investors, enabling an extensive series of high-value meetings that would otherwise take months to arrange.
This dedicated matchmaking format can open doors to funding opportunities that have the potential to shape the future of a startup.
Demo Area: Located in a high-traffic zone of the conference, the Demo Area offers startups a dynamic platform to showcase their products and engage with potential customers and partners. Startups can choose from flexible booth options, including half-day presence or full two-day exposure.
The interactive demo spaces allow companies to present their innovations in front of over 3,000 participants, including industry leaders and potential investors. This setting fosters networking and provides startups with immediate feedback on their products or services.
Startup Showcase Sustainability: In partnership with BRD – Groupe Société Générale, this program highlights startups developing technology-driven sustainability solutions. Selected startups receive an exclusive package of opportunities, including conference tickets, the chance to present on the Startup Stage, and personalized promotional videos produced and published by BRD – Groupe Société Générale.
This collaboration guarantees participants significant exposure and market validation. The initiative promotes innovations addressing urgent environmental and social challenges and offers a unique platform for sustainability-focused startups to gain recognition within the business community.
