May 20, 2027
Connecting startups, capital and opportunities
What is Upstream Festival? Upstream is where early-stage startups find capital and opportunities. Founders and investors are invited to join us in Rotterdam to spark growth through funding opportunities, strategic partnerships and peer-learning. Upstream brings in some special focus on three industry tracks being, Port & Maritime, Health & Wellbeing, and Climate & Energy, while continuing to welcome innovations from all sectors. Whether you’re raising, investing, or looking to connect with peers, this community-driven festival is your gateway to meaningful connections. Save the date: May 20, 2027
This was Upstream 2026
2000+
attendees at the main and side events
Over 2000 startups, investors and ecosystem builders connected across 4 different industry tracks over the entire Upstream week. If you'd like to dive deeper into the numbers, download our full impact report. Want to join us next year? Save the date for May 20th, 2027.
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2026
2025
Speakers
Check out some of the speakers of previous Upstream Festivals.
Why attend?
Founders
- Connect with other founders
- Meet investors
- Grow and scale your business
Investors
- Find new deals
- Meet (co-)investors
- Showcase your expertise
Change Makers
- Meet curated startups
- Learn from other innovators
- Highlight your impact
Updates
View all updates
Iggy Harmsen on finding the right room for a big idea
Have you ever found yourself in a room full of people doubting your idea? They might tell you that it is too ambitious. Too difficult. Too early. Or simply unlikely to work.
Why Rotterdam is becoming a city for startups
Rotterdam has always been a city of builders. It is practical, international and direct. It is a place where ideas are expected to work in the real world.
Not every startup needs to feel like a family
How do you keep moving quickly when a startup becomes a scale-up?
Partners
