Remember when the pandemic forced us all into crammed Zoom lobbies, pretending virtual events delivered the same value?
One of the best things about the end of lockdowns was getting back into rooms and talking to people again. Judging by the post-pandemic boom in conferences, I'm not the only one who feels that way.
But the space has become crowded. Smaller, more targeted gatherings are steadily winning people over from the big general tech shows like Web Summit. That's great for intimate conversations. It also means there are now more tech and finance events in Europe than anyone could hope to attend.
So we've picked out the ones we think are worth your time as impact investors and entrepreneurs. Here they are, in calendar order.
The Drop
15–16 September 2026, Malmö. This is the busiest room for climate deals in the Nordics, and probably in all of Europe. It is invite-only, so you tend to see a lot of familiar faces, which is both a good and a bad thing.
The nice touch is the format. Panels happen in circles or "ripples" rather than up on a stage, so the audience can actually talk to the speakers. Plus the food is really good (and healthy!).
Impact/Week
14–15 October 2026, Norrsken House Barcelona.
If you are part of Europe's core impact investing crowd, this is the one to be at. It is Norrsken's flagship, and it hosts Impact/Return, billed as Europe's biggest gathering of large institutional investors and top impact funds.
This year's line-up is strong, with speakers including the historian Rutger Bregman and John Kerry, the former US secretary of state.
Blue Earth Summit
Mid-October 2026, London.
One of the new kids on the block, and growing fast. It drew more than 7,000 people in 2025, has a fun sustainable-sport streak, and is a good bet for founders after visibility and new partners.
GIIN Impact Forum
27–29 October 2026, Amsterdam.
The Global Impact Investing Network's big annual get-together, and a magnet for senior impact investors, with more than 1,600 expected from around the world. This is where the larger asset owners and rule-makers tend to gather.
Slush
18–19 November 2026, Helsinki. Investor Day 17 November
With around 12,000 attendees, Slush is the biggest venture gathering in the Nordics.
While not impact-focused, when we went last year, there were some strong side events including the Climate Summit, hosted by World Fund, Extantia and Lightrock. There were some great panels too, including with Philipp Schröder, the CEO of 1Komma5°, and Chris Sacca, founder of Lowercarbon Capital.
Overall a pretty solid option for impact VCs and founders.
GoWest
Late January 2027, Gothenburg (dates to be confirmed)
It is not billed as an impact event, but you will find plenty of climate and deep tech investors there, especially on the opening Investor Day.
GoWest is also on the smaller side so you can actually have good conversations (and hear yourself speak!).
Energy Tech Summit
7–8 April 2027, Bilbao
Bilbao's energy event, with more than 1,500 people from across the sector.
There are a lot of big corporates in the room, and the whole thing is built around striking new partnerships and lining up funding.
It feels like energy trade show-meets-tech event – but I think that's a good thing, especially for those who are really there to do business.
HackSummit
April 2027, Lausanne, Switzerland (dates to be confirmed).
One of the staple climate and deep tech events in Europe. This year's turn out felt a bit smaller than usual, but there was still a lot of value, especially for food tech founders and investors. Plus, the location on the banks of Lake Geneva is hard to beat.
ChangeNOW
26–28 April 2027, Grand Palais, Paris
Billed as the world's largest event for solutions to the planet's problems, held under the glass dome of the Grand Palais. It is huge and covers a bit of everything, so it is more of a broad gathering than a tight investor room. Definitely one to take the pulse of the moment.
Katapult Future Fest
Late May 2027, Amsterdam (dates to be confirmed)
The old Oslo festival, now relaunched in Amsterdam. It has a big-picture, regenerative feel, with as much art and culture as dealmaking, plus an Investor Day for the impact VC and family office crowd. You definitely get the impression this is wear a lot of the impact old-guard like to gather.
SuperReturn (with SuperVenture and Super Climate)
7–11 June 2027, Berlin
A giant private capital event with more than 6,000 people, and it is where the big money sits. It is not climate-specific, but a very good place to meet LPs. They also have two neat side events, SuperVenture and Super Climate, that run alongside.
Hello Tomorrow
June 2027, Amsterdam (dates to be confirmed).
One of the better events for deep tech and science-led climate startups, now settled in Amsterdam after moving from Paris. A good fit for early-stage founders and the investors who back them.
Unplug
Late June or early July 2027, Dolomites (invite-only).
A tiny retreat for 50 to 60 climate investors and founders, built around hiking in the Dolomites and eating well. No big rooms and no long talks, just time to get to know people, and you apply for an invite rather than buy a ticket.
We haven't been to this one – maybe next year!
Another event you think deserves to be here? Email us: editorial@loop.se