Stockholm-based startup platform Techarena. Credit: Instagram @techarenan
Stockholm-based Techarena has secured €1.08 million in fresh funding to expand across Europe, aiming to connect thousands more entrepreneurs amid a fast-changing tech and political landscape.
The investment comes from BackingMinds, a Swedish venture capital firm known for backing overlooked founders. The €1.08M cash injection will help Techarena scale its signature events and launch new initiatives focused on innovation resilience across the continent.
“Europe stands at a critical moment for innovation… Techarena is at the heart of creating a thriving innovation ecosystem,” said Susanne Najafi, founder of BackingMinds, via Techarenan News. “We’ve followed the company for over a decade and share a common vision: to make capital and networks more accessible to a broader range of outstanding entrepreneurs.”
What is Techarena?
Founded in 2014, Techarena is a fast-growing entrepreneurship platform bringing together startups, scaleups, policymakers, investors, and industry leaders from over 120 countries.
Its flagship events – including Techarena Challenge, TOP46, and Time to Raise – have hosted names like Sir Richard Branson, Steven Bartlett, and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir.
CEO and founder Omid Ekhlasi told Silicon Canals that the time is right to go global:
“Europe’s tech scene has reached an inflection point. Nordic founders have proven they can build global category leaders… Taking the model and scaling it now will accelerate the momentum.”
Techarena’s explosive growth
- 600 per cent revenue growth in the last 3 years
- Over 18,000 participants – founders, investors, and corporates – joined its events in the past year
- Recent pilots in cities like Paris and Munich have proven scalable interest
Backed by a booming market; Europe’s business events sector is expected to hit $124 billion (€115 billion) by 2030. Techarena is riding a wave of momentum.
Ekhlasi says that today’s entrepreneurs are looking beyond venture capital:
“The most common request from founders isn’t just investment – it’s access to real customers,” he told Silicon Canals.
“Securing a commercial deal or landing a pilot project can be the tipping point that validates their business.”
Founders also struggle with regulation, mental health, and finding the right investor fit. Techarena aims to support all of these pain points under one roof.
Ekhlasi believes a mindset shift is long overdue in Europe’s startup ecosystem:
“At Techarena 2025… I said that teams and countries come to the stadium to compete… but we are here to collaborate, not compete.”
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