Navigating the Changing Landscape of Startup Investments: Insights from Conferences, Mentorship, and a Shifting Economy
The startup ecosystem has always been dynamic, but the past year has proven that agility, adaptability, and deep insights are more essential than ever. With the economic climate shifting and funding becoming more challenging, investors and founders alike are facing new realities. Yet, through attending some of Europe’s most significant investment and startup events—from Engaged Investments in Prague to Latitude59 in Tallinn, TechChill in Riga, sTARTUp Day in Tartu, and the European Innovation Academy in Porto—one thing remains clear: those who invest in knowledge, relationships, and resilience will navigate these times successfully.
Engaged Investments: The VC Perspective in Prague
The Engaged Investments conference, organized by Presto Ventures in Prague, provided a crucial space for European VCs to gather, reflect, and strategize in light of the shifting investment landscape. The days of easy funding rounds are gone, and the conversations centered around long-term resilience, value creation, and portfolio optimization. Fortunately, we at Fstage.vc had already made our investments before the market tightened, so while it’s too early to predict long-term outcomes, the importance of strong fundamentals and founder resilience has never been more apparent.
Engaged Investments reinforced that the role of an investor is evolving—we are not just capital providers but active partners in navigating turbulence. The days of passive investing are fading; now, it’s about who can provide strategic insights, connect founders with the right people, and help steer businesses through economic uncertainties.
Latitude59 & TechChill: The Power of Baltic Startups
Latitude59 in Tallinn remains the beating heart of the Baltic startup ecosystem. Compared to other European startup gatherings, it holds a special kind of energy—one that is deeply rooted in the region’s ability to punch above its weight in the global innovation landscape.
This year, the discussions at Latitude59 mirrored those at Engaged Investments: funding is tightening, but the startups that prove their worth through sustainable business models and genuine traction will emerge stronger. For investors, this means being more selective, and for founders, it requires sharp execution, lean operations, and a clear path to profitability.
Similarly, TechChill in Riga has always provided an intimate yet impactful environment where genuine connections are forged. Despite its smaller scale, it remains an essential stop for those looking to engage with Baltic and Nordic founders in a setting that encourages meaningful conversations. One key takeaway from both events: trust and relationships are now more important than ever in investment decisions. Founders with strong networks and investor relationships will have an advantage in these more challenging times.
sTARTUp Day: The Intersection of Innovation and Collaboration
sTARTUp Day in Tartu continues to be an inspiring convergence of founders, investors, and industry leaders. This year, it reaffirmed an essential truth—collaboration is key. As funding cycles slow down, strategic partnerships, cross-border deals, and ecosystem-driven innovation are what will keep startups growing. For me, attending sTARTUp Day has always been a mix of scouting promising startups and engaging in high-level conversations that drive the ecosystem forward.
One of the key insights from sTARTUp Day was the growing importance of startup adaptability. The best founders are not just product-focused; they understand macroeconomic trends and can pivot accordingly. As we move into an era of cautious investment, founders who show agility and deep market understanding will stand out.
European Innovation Academy: The Ultimate Learning Experience
Beyond investments, my focus has increasingly shifted toward mentorship, and this year brought one of the most eye-opening experiences yet. The European Innovation Academy (EIA) invited me to join their mentor network, and what followed was an unforgettable 21-day deep dive into startup building, teaching, and learning in Porto, Portugal.
Set against the backdrop of Porto University, EIA was more than just another mentorship opportunity—it was a masterclass in how startups are shaped when given the right environment, support, and global perspective. The event organizers curated an experience that blended theory with practice, and the intensity of working alongside brilliant minds for nearly a month created an unmatched learning experience.
Mentorship is often perceived as a one-way street—experienced professionals guiding young founders. But the reality is the opposite: teaching lets you learn the most. Seeing the startup world through the eyes of young, ambitious entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds gave me new perspectives, new questions to explore, and new approaches to solving challenges. The relationships built among other mentors only reinforced the value of surrounding oneself with curious, driven individuals who push each other forward.
Looking Ahead: Strategy, Resilience, and the Power of Networks
As this year unfolds, one thing is clear: the startup world is undergoing a transformation. The investment climate demands sharper decisions, deeper due diligence, and a long-term vision. While some see these times as challenging, I see them as defining—moments that will separate the truly resilient from the overly reliant.
Conferences like Engaged Investments, Latitude59, TechChill, and sTARTUp Day, alongside experiences like mentoring at EIA, have reinforced my belief that success in this space is no longer just about raising money—it’s about building something sustainable, surrounding yourself with the right people, and continuously learning.
I am immensely grateful for the opportunities to engage, learn, and contribute to the ecosystem, and I look forward to what’s next—new challenges, new insights, and new ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The journey continues.
