On April 24-25, 2025, the EU-Startups Summit returns to Malta, bringing together 2,300 founders, investors, and innovation leaders for two packed days of networking, inspiration, and knowledge-sharing.
For startups seeking funding, the decision between applying for public grants or raising venture capital can be a make-or-break moment. Both options have unique advantages, risks, and expectations. To help founders navigate this decision, our panel “Public Grants vs. VC Funding” will explore the key differences, strategic considerations, and long-term implications of each funding route.
To dive into this essential topic, we’ve assembled a panel of seasoned experts from both the public and private funding worlds:
David Seoane – FundingBox
David is the Head of Digital Business Development at FundingBox, a platform connecting startups with public funding opportunities across Europe. With extensive experience in digital innovation ecosystems, David supports entrepreneurs in identifying and applying for EU-funded programmes, with a focus on deep tech and digital transformation projects. He also contributes to shaping funding strategies that bridge the gap between public money and startup needs.
Dimitar Vassilev – EIC & SMEs Executive Agency
Dimitar is a Board Member at the EIC & SMEs Executive Agency, one of the main arms of the European Commission in charge of managing EU programmes supporting innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. With a strong background in European public funding, policy implementation, and economic development, he brings a wealth of knowledge on how public grants can catalyse startup growth and how founders can navigate the complexities of EU support mechanisms.
Marie Latour – Euro-Funding
As European Affairs Director at Euro-Funding, Marie helps startups and organisations access and manage public funding. She has over 20 years of experience in EU grant strategies and lobbying, supporting clients throughout the lifecycle of their funding journey. Her insights on aligning project goals with funding programmes make her a valuable resource for startups aiming to capitalise on European grant opportunities.
Viktorija Trimbel – Coinvest Capital
Viktorija is the Managing Director of Coinvest Capital, a public-private venture capital fund based in Lithuania. With extensive experience in investment management, corporate governance, and startup advisory, she works at the intersection of public support and private capital. At Coinvest, she helps early-stage startups access equity funding, often alongside government-backed co-investments, making her uniquely positioned to discuss the benefits and limitations of VC funding.
This panel is a must-attend for early-stage founders, policymakers, and investors eager to better understand Europe’s funding landscape. Secure your ticket today and stay tuned for exciting updates on our event page—you can also check out the full agenda here to keep track of all the speakers and panels.
OUR HEADLINE SPONSOR
Malta Enterprise is Malta’s economic development agency, facilitating economic growth, investment, and innovation, by offering a range of support services for local and foreign enterprises setting up a productive presence in Malta. As a key player in Malta’s economic landscape, it contributes to the nation’s prosperity by attracting investments, supporting businesses, and driving innovation, thereby reinforcing Malta’s position as an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Malta Enterprise actively cultivates a vibrant startup ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in fostering a conducive environment for startups and offering tailored support and incentives to empower emerging businesses.
OUR SPONSORS
Scytale helps startups get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat.
Airwallex is a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, offering trusted solutions to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend management to embedded finance. With their proprietary infrastructure, Airwallex takes the friction out of global payments and financial operations, empowering businesses of all sizes to unlock new opportunities and grow beyond borders. Proudly founded in Melbourne, Airwallex supports over 100,000 businesses globally and is trusted by brands such as Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more.
EUROCROWD is an independent network organisation aiming to support and promote crowdfunding as an alternative funding mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises and innovative projects. EUROCROWD promotes and supports the development of Crowdfunding mechanisms as a viable funding source to European entrepreneurs and funders.
M. Demajo Group is a leading business player in Malta, with a successful history spanning 115 years. The Group’s growth and diversification have resulted in a wide coverage of business sectors through a commitment to long-term results. M. Demajo Group’s workforce is 500 strong and their various activities have been developed through organic growth, acquisitions, partnerships, and startups. Its strong financial situation and ethical standards, its business reputation, and its renowned track record as a business partner are all key factors in its continued expansion.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a flagship initiative of the European Commission to turn disruptive European science into groundbreaking commercial propositions and accelerate the scale-up of “game-changing” innovations. It is a key building bloc of a reinforced European ecosystem and the New European Innovation Agenda, filling the gap between R&D support, private investors, and the market. With a budget of over €10 billion under the Horizon Europe Programme (2021-2027) it seeks to position Europe as a global leader in the current wave of deep tech innovation.
