Europe’s eagerly anticipated Tech.eu Summit London 2026 is just around the corner, and only two days remain to grab discounted Early Adopter tickets. Set for April 21-22 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, this event is more than just another startup conference. As a founder navigating the European startup landscape for the past decade, I’ve learned the value of seizing opportunities like these. Let’s explore why this summit might be the perfect addition to your entrepreneurial journey.
Why This Matters for Female Entrepreneurs
First, a bit about me. I founded and bootstrapped my own ventures, including Fe/male Switch, a gamified platform to prepare women for entrepreneurship. What I’ve learned the hard way is that showing up at the right events can radically change the trajectory of your business. Networking isn’t about collecting connections; it’s about building relationships. Conferences like Tech.eu Summit offer exactly that, a chance to meet investors, thought leaders, and peers. And if you’re a female entrepreneur, you know how hard it can be to break into certain circles. Events like this create spaces where we can stand out, connect, and learn.
Key Details You Need to Know
- Dates and Venue: The summit will unfold on April 21-22, 2026, at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. This central location makes it accessible and offers the perfect professional setting.
- Ticket Deadline: You’ve got until December 2, 2025, to book Early Adopter tickets at a discounted rate of £350 + VAT per individual. For groups of three or more, the price drops to £315 + VAT per person.
- Next Price Tier: Denying yourself this small saving means paying £375 + VAT starting December 3. For scrappy bootstrappers, every pound counts!
If you’re ready to commit, don’t wait. Check out the Tech.eu Summit London 2026 ticket page to lock in the discounted rate.
What to Expect: Networking, Keynotes, and Insights
This isn’t just a conference for startup junkies, it’s specifically geared toward empowering the European ecosystem. Here’s what stands out to me as a founder:
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Top-Tier Speakers
The event consistently attracts the biggest names in global tech. In past years, founders, investors, and policy-makers have led discussions that break down complex issues in healthtech, fintech, and sustainability. Hint: keep an eye on emerging speaker lists here. -
Tech-driven Discussions
Panels and sessions will focus on actionable trends across fintech, SaaS, and AI. Stay ahead by joining conversations that directly affect your industry. -
Networking on Steroids
With over 2,000 participants expected, this is your shot to meet your next investor or collaborator. Pro tip: download their event app to arrange meetings before the event and avoid wasting time.
How to Maximize Your Experience
When you’re bootstrapping, strategy matters even at events. Based on my own missteps and successes, here’s how you can make the most of the summit:
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Set Clear Objectives: Decide whether your focus is partnerships, market research, or funding. Stay intentional, don’t fall into the trap of wandering aimlessly.
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Leverage Digital Tools: Use the event app to preview the attendees and book networking slots. Don’t wait for chance encounters.
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Prepare Your Pitch: Practice telling your founder story in under 30 seconds. Make it memorable and relevant to the person you’re addressing.
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Follow Up RELIGIOUSLY: Connections mean nothing without engagement. Send personal follow-up notes within 48 hours of meeting someone.
Common Missteps to Avoid
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Skipping Research
Going in blind wastes opportunities. Know who you want to meet and why. -
Avoiding Group Discussions
Some of the best insights come from roundtable chats. Be ready to share and learn. -
Not Dressing for Confidence
This isn’t about high fashion, but you’ll be remembered for your professionalism. Treat it seriously, after all, you’re pitching yourself as much as your business. -
Neglecting the Unofficial Parts
Some of the most powerful connections happen at the coffee table, not on stage. Be approachable and open for casual chats.
Lessons for Female Founders in Europe
Having spent years bootstrapping my own startups in the male-dominated tech world, I’ve gathered a few lessons that I hope others can learn from:
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Get Comfortable Standing Out: Your identity as a woman in tech is an asset. Leverage your unique perspective to bring something fresh.
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Ask Questions: Men are typically more assertive in engaging with high-value contacts. Don’t second-guess yourself, your accomplishments speak for themselves.
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Find Your Allies: Whether they’re male or female, seek partners and mentors who champion your long-term success.
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Share Relentlessly: One of my favorite outcomes of Fe/male Switch is how often women reach out to help each other. Collaboration isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a game plan.
Final Thoughts
The Tech.eu Summit London 2026 is more than an event; it’s a platform to showcase, connect, and grow. For those of us still carving out our paths, these opportunities remind us why a supportive ecosystem matters so much. And these two discounted ticket days? They can be the first step toward transforming your business. For me, conferences like these set the stage to start conversations that led to angel investments and collaborations across multiple countries.
If you’re a European entrepreneur, especially a woman looking to make waves in tech or startups, I urge you to carve out the time. The ROI on showing up and showing your work is undeniable.
Want to join me? I’ll be there, ready to talk deeptech, entrepreneurship, and ideas. Let’s meet in London and make the climb together.
FAQ
1. What is the Tech.eu Summit London 2026?
The Tech.eu Summit London 2026 is a two-day conference bringing together the global investment and startup community to discuss, network, and collaborate. The event is scheduled for April 21-22, 2026, at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London. Explore the Tech.eu Summit London 2026
2. When is the deadline to purchase Early Adopter tickets?
The deadline for Early Adopter tickets is December 2, 2025, by midnight. After this date, ticket prices increase to the next phase. Secure your tickets here
3. How much do Early Adopter tickets cost?
Early Adopter tickets are priced at £350 + VAT per individual or £315 + VAT per person for groups of three or more. View ticket details
4. What happens to ticket prices after December 2, 2025?
Following the Early Adopter deadline, ticket prices will increase to £375 + VAT for individuals and £337.50 + VAT per person for groups. Check out ticket pricing
5. What features does the event app provide for attendees?
The Tech.eu Events app offers features such as attendee profile browsing, meeting scheduling, real-time updates, QR code entry, and agenda access to enhance networking and event experience. Download the Tech.eu Events App
6. Which industries are the main focus of the summit?
The summit covers key verticals like fintech, healthtech, SaaS, deeptech, mobility, and sustainability, aiming to empower the European tech ecosystem. Explore the summit themes
7. How can attendees start networking before the event?
Attendees can use the Tech.eu Events app to connect, arrange meetings, and network ahead of the event. This ensures a maximized conference experience. Learn more about networking features
8. What are the benefits of group ticket purchases?
Group ticket purchases for three or more people offer a 10% discount during the Early Adopter phase, reducing the price to £315 + VAT per person. Get group tickets here
9. Who are the likely attendees of the summit?
The Tech.eu Summit London 2026 attracts startup founders, investors, thought leaders, policy-makers, and tech ecosystem players from across Europe and beyond. Discover the summit audience
10. How can I keep up with event updates and announcements?
Stay updated by following Tech.eu on their social media platforms or subscribing to their newsletters. Follow Tech.eu on LinkedIn
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
