Aircall Co-founder to Headline EU-Startups Summit

Jonathan Anguelov, Co-founder of European unicorn Aircall, will take the stage at the EU-Startups Summit on 7th to 8th May 2026, marking the event’s third consecutive year in Malta and underscoring the jurisdiction's growing reputation as a Mediterranean innovation hub.

Anguelov’s participation comes as Malta experiences remarkable growth in venture capital (VC) activity. The jurisdiction recorded a striking 1,230% surge in VC funding during 2025, emerging as one of Europe’s most dynamic investment destinations alongside traditional powerhouses such as the UK, Germany, and France.

Founded in 2014, Aircall has grown into one of France's most successful scaleups, achieving unicorn status with over €200 million in recurring annual revenue. The cloud-based phone system now serves thousands of customers worldwide across Europe, North America and beyond. Anguelov has played a central role in shaping the company’s market strategy, sales organisation, and international expansion.

The EU-Startups Summit will gather approximately 2,500 founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. The event will feature fireside chats with successful European entrepreneurs, a pitch competition showcasing promising startups, and extensive networking opportunities designed to facilitate collaboration.

To date, Malta's startup ecosystem has strengthened considerably through strategic regulatory initiatives. In February 2025, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) introduced the Special Limited Partnership Fund framework, providing flexible structures particularly suited for private equity and VC operations. Prior to this, the Maltese Government introduced a €10 million VC Fund to support startups across multiple sectors including fintech, life sciences, gaming and green energy.

Overall, Malta’s efforts to build a sustainable startup ecosystem has been paying off with the VC market reaching US$36.75 million in 2025. This is thanks to a combination of regulatory initiatives, policy decisions and events designed to foster innovation like the EU-Startup Summit.