Meet the speakers joining the “Future of VC & the Impact of AI” panel at the EU-Startups Summit 2026! | EU-Startups

On May 7-8, 2026, the EU-Startups Summit returns to sunny Malta, bringing together around 2,500 founders, investors, and startup ecosystem leaders for two days of networking, inspiration, and knowledge-sharing.

The venture capital landscape is evolving rapidly. AI is reshaping how investors source deals, evaluate startups, and support portfolio companies, while new market dynamics are influencing how capital flows across the European startup ecosystem. In our panel “Future of Venture Capital: The Impact of AI, New Trends, New Approaches,” we bring together experienced investors and ecosystem builders to discuss how venture capital is adapting to these changes and what founders should expect in the years ahead.

The discussion will explore how AI is influencing investment strategies, how venture firms are adapting their approaches to deal sourcing and due diligence, and what emerging trends are shaping the next generation of venture capital in Europe and beyond.

• Alex Farcet – Startupbootcamp / Raspberry Ventures
  Entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder with deep experience across startup acceleration, venture development, and early-stage investing. He is the Co-founder and lead of Raspberry Ventures, a syndicate through which founders, operators, and executives co-invest in ClimateTech and B2B AI startups, and he also played a key role in launching Startupbootcamp, which grew into one of the world’s largest industry-focused accelerator networks.
• Joe Seager-Dupuy – True Capital
  Investment Director at True, a consumer and retail sector-specialist investment and advisory firm based in London. Joe co-leads True’s VC fund, focusing on technology-driven start-ups at the forefront of changing consumer behaviour, investing at Pre-Seed and Seed stage across the UK and Europe.
• Lucas Paul – Redstone VC
  Investment Director at Redstone, where he manages the firm’s early-stage Health and Education fund, backing startups from Pre-Seed to Series A across Europe. With more than a decade of experience in the startup ecosystem, he has worked on both the founder and investor side, focusing on companies operating at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and education.
• Ilena Mece – KOMPAS VC
  Principal at KOMPAS VC, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in startups developing technologies that drive digital transformation and sustainability across major industrial sectors. Based in Berlin, she focuses on backing founders building solutions in areas such as manufacturing, supply chains, energy, and industrial technologies. She also supports United Manufacturing Hub (UMH) as an investor, bringing experience in finance and private equity, with a background from the London School of Economics.

If you are a founder looking to understand how venture capital is evolving, this panel will provide valuable perspectives from investors actively shaping the future of the industry. Secure your ticket today and stay tuned for further updates on our event page.

OUR EVENT SPONSORS

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 prosperiety 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.

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 IONOS Cloud Start-up Program provides young companies with up to €100,000 in cloud credits for up to five years after their founding. Start-ups benefit from a sovereign IT infrastructure “Made in Germany,” offering 100% GDPR compliance and full legal certainty. IONOS Cloud guarantees technological freedom without vendor lock-in. Long-term support is also ensured: exclusive discounts after the first year enable a seamless transition into the IONOS Cloud ISV Partner Program. In this way, digital sovereignty becomes a strategic competitive advantage from founding to scaling.