Spotlight is How to Web Conference's matchmaking program and competition for the most promising Eastern European startups. Every year, hundreds apply for visibility, mentorship, and fundraising opportunities on the region's leading stage.
Four ways Spotlight puts Eastern Europe's most promising startups in front of the people who can change their trajectory.
Matchmaking & Mentoring
Connect with experienced mentors, sharp business minds, and forward-thinking investors who know how to build global tech. A curated pool of mentors eager to discover Eastern Europe's builders.
Investor Meetings
Learn what investors really want to hear, sharpen your pitch, and open doors to funding. Seasoned investors from Creandum, Seedcamp, IVP, Northzone, Inovo and more are in the room.
Pitch on Stage
Semifinalists pitch in an unconventional Bucharest venue. Finalists take the main How to Web stage, with investors and leading media watching.
Premium Booth
Make your mark in the Demo Area. Semifinalists automatically get a booth to demo their product and connect with investors and partners in a focused, tech-first setting.
Spotlight is dedicated to early-stage startups in Eastern Europe with the ambition to take their business to the next level. If you meet the following criteria, apply.
Early-stage startup, less than 5 years old and with less than €700k raised.
You have launched the product and it has gained some traction.
A Startup Ticket for How to Web Conference 2026 is required before pre-application — add it to your ticket order.
Six dates on your calendar between the application opening and the final pitch on the Build & Grow Stage in Bucharest.
Apply
May 1 → Sep 11
Applications for Spotlight 2026 are open throughout the summer.
Selection
Sep 24
The 20 selected startups entering Spotlight are revealed.
Dry-run
Oct 6
All 20 selected startups do a dry-run pitch on the Startup Stage.
Semifinal
Oct 7
Semifinalists compete on the Startup Stage for a spot in the final.
Final
Oct 7
Final pitch of the top 5 startups on the Build & Grow Stage.
Mentoring
Oct 8
Curated 1:1 meetings between the 20 startups and the mentor pool.
Experienced founders, investors and technology leaders bringing their expertise to Spotlight, from one-on-one mentoring and practical feedback to evaluating the companies taking the stage.
Chief Investment Officer
BCR Seed Starter
Engineering Manager
Stripe
Venture Partner
Underline Ventures
Principal
Day One Capital
CEO
CloudHero
Product Lead
ex-Meta AI
Founding Partner
SMOK Ventures
CEO
BCR Seed Starter
Founder and CEO
Tukel, Inc.
General Partner
Vest Ventures
Sr. Strategic Account Manager Startups DACH + CEE
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Site-Lead & Director of Engineering
Stripe
Vice President
Eurazeo
General Partner
Asternova Vest
Investor
Cherry Ventures
Principal
Underline Ventures
Managing Partner
Cherciu & Co
CEE Startups management
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Principal
Acurio Ventures
Sr. Field & Channel Marketing Manager
Bitdefender
Investor
Portfolion
Partner
LAUNCHub Ventures
Head of Business Automation & AI
Make
General Partner
KAYA VC
Principal
Movens Capital
No mentors or jurors match this filter.
A few voices from the companies that have walked the Spotlight path before you.
CEO & Data Scientist
Raul Popa
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 incorporated many of the things we learned into our business, and it brought us an extraordinary launching opportunity.
Co-Founder
Sandra Idjoski
Collabwriting
The whole experience was amazing — especially as our first time attending How to Web. By far the most valuable were the networking opportunities. Everything was set up so that startups could get the most value and connect with the right people.
Founder & CEO
Andrei Manolache
DesignVerse
Being part of How to Web and winning the Spotlight competition was a game-changer for our startup. It gave us the boost we needed to scale our product and team rapidly. The conference brought together an unmatched network of investors, mentors, and fellow founders, creating the perfect environment for growth and visibility. Pitching on that stage in Bucharest not only validated our vision, but also gave us our first chance to expose what we are building to a world stage.
Applications are open — but a Startup Ticket to How to Web Conference 2026 is required to be eligible. Grab yours to enter Spotlight.
