ThursdayInvestor & VIP Day
- VIP investor accreditation & welcome breakfast
- Opening keynote: the innovation economy
- Investor Project Pitches
- Pre-scheduled one-to-one matchmaking
- VIP Networking Lounge
2,500+Expected attendees per edition
150+Startups & scaleups
120+Investors & family offices
40+Universities & research institutes
60+Expert speakers
46City editions 2026–2027
2026–2027 World Tour◆46 City Editions
Every successful company started with one idea.
The next one could be yours.
Whether you're building the next AI platform, launching a startup, searching for investment, discovering breakthrough technologies or looking for new partnerships, HAPPY STARTUP™ brings together the people shaping tomorrow's innovation economy.
Four focused days combine a live pitch competition, an international startup exhibition, investor presentations, a university innovation showcase and structured one-to-one matchmaking – so every conversation moves a deal, a partnership or a hire forward.
Four days, one clear path
Each day has its own focus, from investor deal flow on Thursday to the pitch finals on Sunday.
FridayStartup & University Day
- International Startup Exhibition opens
- Startup Pitch Competition – heats
- University Innovation Showcase
- Expert speaker sessions & founder panels
- Company Growth & Investment Pitches
SaturdayGrowth & Partnership Day
- Corporate innovation roundtables
- AI, robotics & future technology demos
- Partnership & expansion matchmaking
- Startup Pitch Competition – semi-finals
- Founder & investor networking
SundayTalent & Finals Day
- Talent, hiring & careers sessions
- Investor office hours
- University & alumni meet-up
- Startup Pitch Competition – finals
- Winners ceremony & closing
Timings are indicative and confirmed per city edition.
Five Innovation Pavilions
Every part of the innovation economy has its own place on the floor.
Startup & Scaleup
Early-stage and growth companies present products, meet customers and connect with investors.
Investment & Venture Capital
VC funds, angels, family offices and CVC teams meet founders and build deal flow.
University & Innovation
Universities, spin-outs and research institutes showcase research ready for commercialisation.
AI, Robotics & Future Technology
Live demos of AI platforms, robotics, automation and deep-tech solutions.
Business Growth & Talent
Legal, IP, finance, growth services, recruiters and the next generation of talent.
Visitor & client profile
A decision-maker audience: founders, investors and innovation leaders who come to do business.
Who attends
- Startup founders & entrepreneurs
- Investors – VC, angels, family offices, PE
- Corporate innovation & business leaders
- Universities, researchers & students
- Technology & service providers
- Government, agencies & media
Seniority
- Founder, CEO, owner, partner
- C-level & director
- Manager & specialist
- Researcher, student, graduate
Why they come
- Meet investors or find deal flow
- Find partners & customers
- Discover new technologies
- Recruit talent
Top sectors
- AI & Software / SaaS
- FinTech
- HealthTech, BioTech & MedTech
- Robotics & Deep Tech
- Real Estate & PropTech
- Energy & CleanTech
- Hospitality & Travel
- E-commerce & Consumer
Investor ticket sizes
$25K–$250KAngels & pre-seed
$250K–$3MSeed & Series A
$3M+Growth, PE & projects
Exhibitor examples
The kind of companies and institutions you'll find on the HAPPY STARTUP™ floor.
AI workflow platform
Seed-stage startup demoing an AI assistant for SMEs; raising a Series A and looking for distribution partners.
On stand: live demo ◆ Startup Pitch
University technology transfer office
Presents five spin-out projects from engineering and life sciences, seeking licensing partners and investors.
On stand: research showcase
Payments scaleup
Cross-border payments company expanding into new markets and meeting corporate partners and growth investors.
On stand: Growth & Investment Pitch
MedTech device company
Diagnostic wearable with clinical pilots, meeting hospital groups, distributors and healthcare investors.
On stand: product testing
Service robotics startup
Hospitality and logistics robots demonstrated live, with pilot programmes for hotels and warehouses.
On stand: live robot demo
Accelerator & incubator
Recruits founders for its next cohort and presents its portfolio companies to visiting investors.
On stand: cohort applications
Hospitality development project
Resort and residential project presenting to family offices and private investors for co-investment.
On stand: Investor Project Pitch
Legal, IP & finance firm
Advises founders on incorporation, IP protection, fundraising and international expansion.
On stand: founder consultations
Exhibit at HAPPY STARTUP™
Stands for startups, universities, accelerators, technology providers, corporate innovation teams and service providers. Every stand comes with event passes, a company listing and business matchmaking.
Who exhibits
The companies and institutions building what comes next.
Startups & ScaleupsUniversities & Research InstitutesAccelerators & IncubatorsInnovation Centres & Tech HubsAI & Robotics CompaniesSoftware & SaaS CompaniesHealthTech, BioTech & MedTechFinTech CompaniesTechnology ProvidersCorporate Innovation TeamsGovernment Innovation AgenciesLegal, IP, Finance & Business Services
Who you'll meet
Capital, talent and expertise in one room.
Venture Capital FundsAngel InvestorsFamily OfficesCorporate Venture CapitalPrivate Equity FirmsStartup FoundersEntrepreneursCorporate Innovation LeadersTechnology CompaniesUniversitiesResearchersMentors & Startup CoachesIndustry ExpertsRecruitersStudents
Why attend?
Every participant leaves with new contacts, new ideas and new opportunities.
Startups
Raise investment, meet investors, find customers, recruit talent, build partnerships and accelerate growth.
Investors
Discover promising startups, meet founders, build quality deal flow and identify new investment opportunities.
Universities
Showcase innovation, commercialise research, connect with investors and strengthen industry partnerships.
Companies
Discover emerging technologies, strategic partners, recruit future employees and create new business opportunities.
How it works for founders
- Choose your packagePick a pitch option or an exhibition stand for your city edition.
- Complete your profileTell us your sector, stage and what you're looking for – investment, partners or talent.
- Get matchedWe schedule one-to-one meetings with relevant investors and partners before the event.
- Pitch & meetPresent on stage, run your meetings and network across all four days.
- Follow upKeep the conversation going with your new contacts after the festival.
Pitch, presentation & B2B access
Take the stage in front of investors, partners and decision-makers.
Startup Pitch Package
10-MINUTE LIVE PITCH
$550
For early-stage startups and founders presenting to investors.
- 10-Minute Live Pitch
- Event Pass
- Company Listing
- Business Matchmaking
- One-to-One Networking
Most booked
Investor Project Pitch
20-MINUTE PRESENTATION
$995
For Investment Projects, Real Estate, Hospitality, Healthcare, Energy, Technology and Infrastructure.
- 20-Minute Presentation
- 2 Event Passes
- Company Listing
- Business Matchmaking
- Investor Networking
For B2B visitors
B2B Visitor Access & Personal Matchmaking
ALL EVENT DAYS
$1,500
Per person. Full event entry + 3 personal appointments with startup speakers.
- Full event entry as B2B Visitor
- 3 Personal Appointments with Startup Speakers
- Personal Matchmaking
Company Growth & Investment Pitch
20-MINUTE FEATURED PRESENTATION
$1,950
For Established Companies seeking Growth Capital, Strategic Partnerships and International Expansion.
- 20-Minute Featured Presentation
- 2 Event Passes
- Premium Company Listing
- Business Matchmaking
- Investor Networking
About HAPPY STARTUP™
Connecting University Alumni, Startups, Investors and Innovation Communities with Global Opportunities. One global festival in multiple cities, connecting visionary people and opportunities worldwide.
Build connections.◆Inspire ideas.◆Grow together.
Questions & answers
Who can apply for the complimentary VIP pass?
Qualified Venture Capital Funds, Angel Investors, Family Offices, Corporate Venture Capital, Private Equity Firms, Universities, Government Innovation Agencies and Accredited Media. Apply with the form below; every application is reviewed and confirmed by email.
How long is each event?
HAPPY STARTUP™ editions run over three or four days, ending on Sunday – each city card shows the exact dates.
How does business matchmaking work?
After booking, you complete a short profile. We match you with relevant investors, partners or startups and schedule one-to-one meetings during the event.
Which pitch option is right for me?
Early-stage startups choose the Startup Pitch Package. Investment projects in real estate, hospitality, healthcare, energy, technology or infrastructure choose the Investor Project Pitch. Established companies raising growth capital choose the Company Growth & Investment Pitch.
How do I book an exhibition stand?
All stand options are available at abc-worldwide.com/exhibitor/ – the team will confirm availability for your city edition.
Can I attend more than one city?
Yes – many startups and investors join several editions to meet new markets. Each city edition is booked separately.
Booking & Refund Policy
All visitor tickets and exhibitor bookings are binding and non-refundable, except where required by applicable law.
If the event is postponed or rescheduled, all valid bookings will automatically transfer to the new dates. If the event is cancelled without replacement dates, eligible payments made directly to the organizer will be refunded.
Changes to the venue, program, speakers, exhibitors, experiences or schedule keep all bookings valid and normally fall outside the refund policy.
Complimentary VIP Invitation
Request your complimentary VIP pass
Qualified Venture Capital Funds, Angel Investors, Family Offices, Corporate Venture Capital, Private Equity Firms, Universities, Government Innovation Agencies and Accredited Media are invited to apply for a Complimentary VIP Pass.
- Startup Pitch Competition
- Investor Presentations
- University Innovation Showcase
- Innovation Pavilions
- Business Matchmaking
- One-to-One Networking
- VIP Networking Lounge
Application Required◆Subject to Approval
Your application
City editions
One global festival. Multiple cities. Each edition runs over three or four days, ending on Sunday – see the dates on each card.