spotlight 2025

Spotlight 2025

Spotlight is the matchmaking program and competition for the most promising Eastern European startups, organized by How to Web Conference
Spotlight applications are now closed.

APPLY FOR STARTUP TICKETS

Spotlight is How to Web Conference’s matchmaking program and competition for the most promising Eastern European startups.

Every year, hundreds of startups apply to join the region’s leading startup program and competition, competing for visibility and fundraising opportunities.

This year’s prize consists of:

⚡ Premium Package & Investment
Win a €15,000 work package at European Startup Embassy’s Bay Area hub and compete for a €180,000 investment proposal syndicate from top funds GapMinder Ventures Partners and V7 Capital.

 

Spotlight description

The Spotlight Experience

Matchmaking & Mentoring

Imagine connecting with experienced mentors, savvy business minds, and forward-thinking investors who know the ins and outs of building global tech. These mentors are your secret weapon for gaining insights, avoiding pitfalls, and making strategic moves.

Spotlight gives you access to a curated list of investors and mentors, eager to discover Eastern Europe’s builders.

matchmaking mentoring

Investor Meetings

We’re lifting the curtain on the world of investment. Discover what investors really want to hear, get tips on perfecting your pitch, and open doors to funding rounds that can catapult your startup forward.

Seasoned investors from leading European funds such as Creandum, SeedCamp, IVP, Northzone, Inovo, and many more are joining How to Web Conference.

investor meetings

Pitch on Stage

Bold entrepreneurs and their startups that change the world really glow in the Spotlight. Seize the stage and get your company off the ground, as all eyes will be on you.

Spotlight participants will pitch in an unconventional space in Bucharest (TBA soon), leading to the finalists on stage at How to Web Conference. Investors’ eyes are on you, and leading media outlets can’t wait to discover you.

pitch on stage

Enjoy a Premium Booth

Make your mark at How to Web Conference 2025’s Demo Area.

If you are one of our semifinalists, you automatically get a booth, where you can demo your product and connect with investors and partners in a tech-focused setting.

Apply, make sure you make it to our top 20, and the Spotlight is on you everywhere.

 

startup booth

The applications for Spotlight are closed. Get your Startup Ticket 🚀

APPLY FOR STARTUP TICKETS

Criteria

Spotlight is dedicated to all early-stage startups in Eastern Europe that have the eagerness to take their business to the next level. If you meet the following criteria, apply for the most engaging startup program and competition:

✅ Stage of Business

You have an early-stage startup, less than 5 years old and with less than €700k fundraised.

✅ Stage of Product

You have launched the product, and it has gained some traction.

✅ Attending Startups

In order to be eligible for Spotlight, you must have a Startup Ticket for How to Web Conference 2025. This step is required before the pre-application—check it in the ticket order.

criteria spotlight 2024 how to web conference 2024

Steps

1

Apply

⌛ May 1 - September 7

Applications for Spotlight 2025 are open throughout the summer.

2

Announcing selected startups

⌛ September 20

Announcing the 20 selected startups to enter Spotlight

3

Dry-Run Pitching

⌛ September 30

All 20 startups selected will do a dry-run pitch on our Startup Stage.

4

Semifinal

⌛ October 1

Semifinalists go on the Startup Stage to compete for the final

5

Top 5 finals

⌛ October 1

Final pitch of top 5 startups on the Build & Grow Stage of the conference

6

Matchmaking

⌛ October 2

Curated 1:1 meetings between 20 startups and mentors.

Mentors & Jurors

Logo Linkedin Mara Vuic

@ Infobip

Logo Linkedin Vladimira Činčurová

@ European Startup Embassy

Logo Linkedin Iulian Circiumaru

@ V7 Capital

Logo Linkedin Tobias Winczer

@ Balderton Capital

Logo Linkedin Sorin Sfetcu

@ Google Romania

Logo Linkedin Daria Gherghelas

@ SpeenInvest

Logo Linkedin Răzvan Căciulă

@ Showpad

Logo Linkedin Dan Mihaescu

@ GapMinder Ventures

Logo Linkedin Eduard Burghelia

@ V7 Capital

Logo Linkedin Carmen Punga

@ Google Romania

Logo Linkedin Daniel Albu

@ PPC

Logo Linkedin Martins Pjalkovskis

@ BADideas fund

Logo Linkedin Raluca Dragnea

@ Bitdefender

Logo Linkedin Bogdan Iordache

@ Underline Ventures

Logo Linkedin Stefan Despotović

@ Infobip

Logo Linkedin Liviu Bunda

@ Showpad

Logo Linkedin Karol Lasota

@ Inovo.vc

Logo Linkedin Silviu Iancu

@ PPC

Logo Linkedin Cosmin Ochisor

@ GapMinder Ventures

Logo Linkedin Natalia Świrska-Załuska

@ OVHcloud

Logo Linkedin Alexandru Niță

@ BRD – Groupe Société Générale

Logo Linkedin Raya Yunakova

@ LAUNCHub Ventures

Logo Linkedin Oksana Vodonos

@ 500 Global

Logo Linkedin Julius de Gruyter

@ Cherry Ventures

Logo Linkedin Noemi Szabo

@ Elevator Ventures

Logo Linkedin Florian Schweitzer

@ b2venture

Logo Linkedin Zamina Ahmad

@ shades&contrast

Alumni

raul popa

RAUL POPA

CEO and Data Scientist @ TYPINGDNA

“Startup Spotlight was a great opportunity to interact with other entrepreneurs and with seasoned professionals who could provide guidance for growing our company. We have incorporated many of the things we learned through the HTW experience into our business and believe that it brought us an extraordinary launching opportunity.”

founders

Sandra Idjoski

Co-Founder @ Collabwriting

“The whole experience was amazing, especially as it was our first time attending How to Web. We didn’t know what to expect, but by far the most valuable were all the networking opportunities. The whole team was incredibly diligent and dedicated, everything was set up so that we as startups could get the most value from the event and connect with the right people.”

lisa popovici

Lisa Popovici

Co-founder @ Cartloop

“ Winning Spotlight brought us an extra validation that the product is working and people believe in our vision and roadmap. We are really grateful for the opportunity to make amazing connections and gain valuable feedback which came at the right time and boosted the growth of Cartloop over the following months.”

spotlight how to web conference 2024

See you at How to Web Conference 2025!

Applications for Spotlight are closed 🚀

APPLY FOR STARTUP TICKETS
Logo Linkedin