11 Best Founder Conferences for Growth and Learning 2026
Attending founder conferences is a fantastic way for entrepreneurs and startup founders to stay on top of industry trends, network with peers, and learn from experts.
But with so many options to choose from, deciding which is going to be most valuable for you can be tricky, hence why I compiled this shortlist.
If you’re looking to expand your knowledge, explore new technologies in startups, develop partnerships with exhibitors, or understand the latest market dynamics, these conferences are a great place to start.
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Best Founder Conferences in 2026 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best founder conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
- Startup Grind Conference - Silicon Valley, CA (April 27-29, 2026)
- Turing Fest - Edinburgh, UK (May 6-7, 2026)
- PODIM - Maribor, Slovenia (May 11-13, 2026)
- SaaStr Annual - San Mateo, CA (May 12-14, 2026)
- Infoshare Conference - Gdańsk, Poland (May 20-21, 2026)
- Latitude59 - Tallinn, Estonia (May 20-22, 2026)
- Viva Technology - Paris, France (June 17-20, 2026)
- Startupfest - Montreal, Canada (July 8-10, 2026)
- Bits & Pretzels Founders Festival - Munich, Germany (September 28-30, 2026)
- World Summit AI - Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 7-8, 2026)
- Web Summit - Lisbon, Portugal (November 9-12, 2026)
Overview of the Best Founder Conferences of 2026
Below are my summaries of the best founder conferences on my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event's dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
1. Startup Grind Conference - Silicon Valley, CA (April 27-29, 2026)
- Dates: April 27-29, 2026
- Location: Fox Theatre
- Pricing: From $399
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram
The Startup Grind Conference is a premier event for entrepreneurs, startups, and investors. Since its inception, it has featured notable speakers such as Adarsh Hiremath, Co-CEO of Mercor, and Mamoon Hamid, Partner at Kleiner Perkins.
This year's event promises over 5,000 attendees and 175 sessions tailored to connecting you and your team with industry leaders and peers.
Why attend? This global startup event offers a unique mix of networking, learning, and inspiration. With sessions led by industry experts, it focuses on collaboration and innovation, providing you with the tools to grow your business.
Expect curated sessions, meaningful peer chats, and structured roundtable discussions designed to support long-term founder growth. Enjoy access to investors and mentors, and immerse yourself in the startup ecosystem.
2. Turing Fest - Edinburgh, UK (May 6-7, 2026)
- Dates: May 6-7, 2026
- Location: Edinburgh International Conference Centre
- Pricing: Starts at £549
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram
Turing Fest is a focused day event experience built for early-stage founders and operators across Europe. The conference emphasizes deep conversations over pitches. Notable speakers often include tech industry leaders and innovators.
“That one conversation at Turing Fest turned out to be a key inflection point in us building a company that sold for $450M”
- Chris McGee, Founder of Current Health
Why attend? Turing Fest offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and investors. The event emphasizes interactive sessions, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities. It's a chance for you and your team to gain valuable insights and forge connections that could propel your startup forward.
3. PODIM - Maribor, Slovenia (May 11-13, 2026)
- Dates: May 11-13, 2026
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Starts at €195-€995
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
PODIM 2026 is a prominent startup and tech event that connects startups, investors, and ecosystem builders through activities like pitching competitions and a deal room. The event features over 150 startups, 400+ investors, and 50 international speakers, with a focus on networking and investment opportunities.
Since its inception, PODIM has been organized to foster community and collaboration, and it stands out for its curated meetings and strategic partnership opportunities.
Why attend? PODIM stands out for its curated roundtable formats and strong investor presence, especially for founders preparing to fundraise or expand internationally. The event's focus on collaboration and community-building offers you and your team valuable insights and networking opportunities.
With its diverse activities and international speakers, PODIM provides a platform for growth and innovation, setting it apart from other conferences.
4. SaaStr Annual - San Mateo, CA (May 12-14, 2026)
- Dates: May 12-14, 2026
- Location: San Mateo County Event Center
- Pricing: Starts at $749-$1,299
- Social Media: Facebook
SaaStr Annual is a major gathering for SaaS founders, executives, and investors. Established to foster a community around software-as-a-service, it features over 250 speakers from leading companies.
Past speakers include industry giants like Aaron Levie from Box and Jack Newton from Clio. SaaStr organizes the event and focuses on growth and scaling strategies.
Why attend? Learn directly from founders who shared lessons last year, connect with operators driving revenue growth, and explore scaling strategies used by global SaaS leaders. The event offers insights into scaling, funding, and innovation, making it a must-attend for the SaaS industry.
5. Infoshare Conference - Gdańsk, Poland (May 20-21, 2026)
- Dates: May 20-21, 2026
- Location: AmberExpo
- Pricing: Starts at 121 PLN-1,799 PLN
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Infoshare Conference is a leading tech festival that caters to IT professionals, startups, and investors. It has grown into a key event on the tech calendar featuring tech visionaries such as Piotr Karwatka, Co-Founder of Open Mercato, and Michał Sadowski, Founder of Brand24.
Why attend? The conference offers insights into tech, SaaS, and fintech, making it valuable for founders operating at the intersection of technology and finance. With a diverse lineup of speakers and interactive sessions, you and your team can explore the latest in tech innovation.
The event's focus on networking and investment opportunities makes it a must-attend for those looking to expand their horizons.
6. Latitude59 - Tallinn, Estonia (May 20-22, 2026)
- Dates: May 20-22, 2026
- Location: Tallinn Creative Hub
- Pricing: Starts at €139-€299
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X
Latitude59 is a tech conference and startup event for entrepreneurs, investors, and technology enthusiasts. Established in 2012, it has grown to become the flagship startup event in the Baltics. Notable speakers have included tech innovators and thought leaders from various industries.
Why attend? The event blends keynotes, panels, and curated networking, positioning it as a gateway into the broader startup world. The event offers a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. It's an ideal platform for discovering innovative ideas and connecting with potential partners and investors.
7. Viva Technology - Paris, France (June 17-20, 2026)
- Dates: June 17-20, 2026
- Location: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
- Pricing: From €490 excl. VAT
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Viva Technology is a large-scale innovation expo connecting startups, enterprises, and investors. It attracts thousands of attendees interested in the future of technology. Past speakers have included notable figures like Joe Tsai, Co-founder and Chairman of Alibaba, and Arthur Mensch, CEO of Mistral AI.
Why attend? At Viva Technology 2026, you and your team can explore groundbreaking tech innovations and ideas. The event offers a mix of keynote sessions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities, making it a unique platform for discovering new trends and connecting with industry leaders. It's an ideal venue for those looking to stay ahead in the tech world.
8. Startupfest - Montreal, Canada (July 8-10, 2026)
- Dates: July 8-10, 2026
- Location: Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal
- Pricing: From $549
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook
Startupfest is a vibrant gathering for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in Montreal. Since its inception, it has become a staple in the startup community. It is known for engaging formats and notable speakers, including Andrew Filev, Founder and CEO of Zencoder; Katherine Homuth, Founder of SRTX; and Amy Wu Martin, Consumer Partner at Menlo Ventures. The festival is organized to foster startup growth and collaboration.
Why attend? At Startupfest 2026, you and your team can immerse yourselves in a dynamic environment filled with networking opportunities and inspiring talks. The event's unique pitch competitions and mentor sessions offer valuable insights and connections. It's an ideal setting for exploring new ideas and meeting potential partners.
9. Bits & Pretzels Founders Festival - Munich, Germany (September 28-30, 2026)
- Dates: September 28-30, 2026
- Location: ICM – International Congress Center Messe München
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
Bits & Pretzels Founders Festival is a renowned gathering for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors in Munich. It has become a key event in the European startup ecosystem. Past speakers have included notable figures such as Barack Obama and Richard Branson.
The festival is organized by a dedicated team aiming to foster entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration.
Why attend? At Bits & Pretzels 2026, you and your team can engage in a unique blend of networking, learning, and inspiration. The event features keynotes from industry leaders, interactive sessions, and ample networking opportunities, making it a vibrant platform for exchanging ideas and building partnerships.
10. World Summit AI - Amsterdam, Netherlands (October 7-8, 2026)
- Dates: October 7-8, 2026
- Location: Taets Art and Event Park
- Pricing: Starts at €549 + VAT
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
World Summit AI is a premier event focused on artificial intelligence that brings together leaders from across the globe. It has become a key gathering for AI professionals, researchers, and innovators. The summit focuses on the latest AI technologies and their applications.
Why attend? At World Summit AI 2026, you and your team can delve into cutting-edge AI technologies and trends. The event offers a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, providing a platform to learn from industry experts and connect with peers in the AI community. It's an ideal venue for those looking to stay at the forefront of AI innovation.
11. Web Summit - Lisbon, Portugal (November 9-12, 2026)
- Dates: November 9-12, 2026
- Location: Lisbon Congress Centre
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X
Web Summit is one of the largest technology conferences in the world, held annually in Lisbon. It has brought together tech giants, startups, and investors. The summit is organized to connect the global tech community.
Why attend? At Web Summit 2026, you and your team can explore the latest tech trends and innovations. The event features a vast array of speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities, making it a perfect platform for discovering new ideas and connecting with industry leaders. It's a must-attend for anyone looking to understand the future of technology.
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