The 20 selected startups will pitch in front of an international tech audience, meet investors and mentors 1:1, showcase their products in the Demo Area and gain visibility across the wider How to Web Conference. The opportunity extends well beyond the competition itself. How to Web Conference 2026 will bring to Bucharest investors from across Europe and the US, including representatives from Atomico, Eurazeo, Creandum, Notion Capital, 20VC, Cherry Ventures, Credo Ventures, OTB Ventures, Dawn Capital and Inovo VC.
For Spotlight founders, this creates a rare concentration of international capital, expertise and networks in Eastern Europe, bringing into one place connections that would otherwise take significant time and resources to build across different markets.
From regional exposure to global ambition
Previous Spotlight participants show what that exposure can mean as companies continue to grow. DesignVerse, the 2024 Spotlight winner, has since evolved from its early product validation into an AI platform for enterprise companies and is now expanding into the US market.
“Being part of How to Web Conference 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,” said Andrei Manolache, co-founder of DesignVerse and Spotlight winner.
Three days of exposure, meetings and feedback
Spotlight starts on October 6 with a pitching dry run. On October 7, all 20 semifinalists will pitch on the How to Web Conference stage, with five advancing to the final later that day. On October 8, all 20 semifinalists will take part in tailored 1:1 mentoring sessions built around the specific needs and challenges of each startup. Mentors include experienced operators and investors from BCR, Stripe, Underline Ventures, Smok Ventures, Portfolion, Cherry Ventures, Acurio Ventures, Kaya VC and Vest Ventures, alongside How to Web Conference speakers joining the program. The sessions are designed to give founders direct, relevant feedback on the next steps for their businesses.
“Eastern Europe has all the ingredients to build the next generation of global technology companies. That requires founders who set their ambitions beyond their local markets from the start, and an ecosystem that helps them compete at that level. Spotlight is our way of putting these companies in the spotlight and bringing them into the European and global conversation earlier. For us, the success of the program is reflected in what these companies go on to build, the markets they reach and the international relevance they gain,” said Monica Zara, Head of Conference at How to Web.
Who can apply?
Spotlight 2026 is open to early-stage startups from Eastern Europe that: are less than five years old; have raised less than €700,000 to date; have a launched product and demonstrated traction; and have the ambition to build and scale globally.
Applications are open until September 11, 2026, with 20 startups to be selected for the program. A Startup ticket is required to participate here https://www.howtoweb.co/spotlight-2026/ How to Web Conference 2026 takes place in Bucharest on October 6–8, bringing together founders, investors, technology leaders and professionals from across the industry.
