On 13 October 2026, HATCH organised “From Vision to Venture: Building and Funding Malta's Innovation Ecosystem”, an Innovation Exchange panel discussion at the Urban Mobility Mixer. The Mixer itself, at Salini Resort, Salina Bay, was organised by the EIT Urban Mobility Hub in Malta and Deep Tech Foundry. Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer for Malta, hosted and moderated the panel.
A panel between editions
The Innovation Exchange is a recurring programme. Its first full edition took place in November 2025, and the next is in November 2027. In between, it keeps the conversation going through initiatives like this one. HATCH's contribution to the Mixer was the panel, one of three connected innovation experiences that afternoon, alongside Demo Day & Matchmaking and the Malta Innovation Forum Annual Event.
The full panel on stage at Salini Resort, beside the EIT Urban Mobility banner.
The question on the table
The framing ran from national direction to European scale: what support exists for Maltese startups, where the gaps remain between grants, investment and market access, and how local pilots can turn into European growth, in line with Malta Vision 2050 and ahead of Budget 2027.
Five parts, one hour
The hour was set out in five parts, followed by questions from the audience.
Where Malta wants to go. Vision 2050 and what it means for innovation.
What support exists today, and does it join up? The current landscape for startups and innovators, in Malta and across Europe.
The gaps. Grants, investment, commercialisation and market access.
From local pilot to European market. Making Malta a test bed that leads somewhere.
Turning vision into tangible support, ahead of Budget 2027. One concrete recommendation from each panellist.
On the panel
Dr Jonathan Spiteri, Malta Vision 2050
Brigitte Tanti, Malta Innovation Forum
Lluis Puerto, EIT Urban Mobility
Geoffrey Farrugia, founder of HandsOn Systems
Stuart Firman, PEVCA Malta (Ganado Advocates)
Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer for Malta, host and moderator
What comes next
The next full edition of The Innovation Exchange is in November 2027, with exact dates and venue to be announced. Register your interest and we'll tell you first.
