During the opening session of the EU Startups Summit that is being hosted for the second year running in Malta, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the imminent launch of the Malta Startup framework regulations. These regulations will lead to the setting up of the national startup one-stop-shop. Companies meeting the eligibility criteria that define a startup will be able to access purposely developed support. One initiative will entail an improved share awards and option scheme.
“These new regulations are designed to provide necessary clarity and support to the startup community. This is Malta saying: We are here. We are open. And we are ready to build with you”.
Between Thursday and Friday Malta is welcoming over 2,000 innovators, investors, and leaders from across Europe and beyond for the EU-Startups Summit 2025. This flagship event organised by the company behind the influential ‘EU Startups’ online publication serves as a yearly physical platform for driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The company has been tracking the EU startup scene since 2010 and has staged the conference in various cities in Germany and Spain before settling in Malta last year.
The event this year also hosted Ekaterina Zaharieva, the new European Commissioner for Startups, Research & Innovation and other influential unicorn-company founders.
Prime Minister Abela focused on the backdrop to the summit: “We meet here today amid the urgent demands of climate change, sweeping digital transitions, and complex economic and geopolitical challenges. Yet, in every challenge lies an opportunity – startups are not merely businesses but crucial catalysts for transformative change across society”.
He remarked that every innovation, from clean energy and fintech to artificial intelligence and biotechnology, begins as a vision fuelled by passion and determination – highlighting the nation’s dedication to fostering a supportive ecosystem for innovators.
The Prime Minister outlined Malta’s transformation over the past decade from a traditional economy into a dynamic hub for innovation: “Innovation must be open to everyone. It should not be confined to large capitals or privileged backgrounds. Talent is everywhere, and Malta is determined to give it a home”.
He praised the significant role of Malta Enterprise, which has supported over 190 startups in the last five years, creating hundreds of high-quality jobs across various sectors. He explained how startups supported under the incentives managed by Malta Enterprise have received targeted equity-free support, enabling early-stage companies to scale their ideas from seed to growth. These results were also certified by the European Startup Nations Alliance report – ESNA – where Malta stands in 4th place in the list of countries supporting innovative startups in the EU.
PM Abela also highlighted how Malta’s long-term vision carves an enabling role for startups: “Through our national long-term strategy – Malta Vision 2050 – we are building a sustainable, innovation-led economy that is resilient to shocks and ready for opportunities. Startups are at the heart of that future – because innovation is not just about technology. It is about how we live. How we work. How we care for each other. And how we grow, together.”
The Prime Minister concluded his address by urging collaboration among all stakeholders. He called upon investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to work together to cultivate an ecosystem where innovation thrives. “Invest not only your capital, but your networks, your time, and your belief. Europe needs you, and Malta supports you every step of the way”.
Photo (OPM/DOI)
