For Founders
HATCH is a startup incubator in Malta for early-stage founders with traction. You've shown people want it. Now turn that traction into a business that lasts, with mentorship, community and the right introductions.
What You Get
Every business has a core. We help you focus on yours, with the mentorship, community and networks that speed up growth.
Guidance matched to your stage, from your first customer conversations through to getting investment-ready.
Build alongside founders and experts who've faced the same problems. Share what works and stop figuring everything out alone.
Introductions into Malta's innovation system and European programmes, so you reach funding, talent and customers sooner.
The lunchtime expo at The Innovation Exchange 2025.
The Exchange brings founders, researchers, policymakers and European partners together to name what holds innovation back in Malta. Your place puts you in that room. The next edition is in November 2027.
You can take part in the rest of the programme remotely, but you'll need to be in Malta for the Exchange.
Who It's For
HATCH is for early-stage founders with traction. You have evidence that people want what you're building, and the drive to take it further.
You don't need all of these. Tell us what you have, and be specific.
Not sure whether HATCH is right for you yet? Get in touch and tell us where you are.
The Details
The practical side, in plain terms. Anything we haven't covered yet? Ask us at info@hatch.mt.
How It Works
Whatever your sector, you'll always know what happens next.
A short online application in four steps: you, your venture, your traction and what you need from us. Tell us where you are today, not where you think you should be.
If there's a fit, we'll meet to understand your goals, your market and what's holding you back right now.
Work through mentorship, workshops and resources shaped around your venture, so you can focus on the core of the business.
Get ready to meet investors, partners and funding programmes, and stay part of a network that keeps opening doors.
HATCH is built for early-stage founders with traction: some evidence that people want what you're building, such as first customers, a pilot, early revenue, letters of intent or a working product with users.
Not sure where you stand? Get in touch and tell us where you are.
Still at the idea stage? Sign up to the HATCH newsletter and follow The Innovation Exchange, then apply when you have something to show.
Yes. Student and researcher founders, and SMEs launching something new, are among the founders we build for. What we need to understand is the venture: the problem, the traction and what you need next.
No. You can take part remotely, but you'll need to be in Malta for The Innovation Exchange.
Founders moving to Malta are among those we build for too, so you can apply before you arrive. Tell us your plans in the application.
At BusinessLabs Flexible Workspace, Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara, Malta. You can take part in most of the programme remotely; see Contact for how to reach us.
We're not tied to one sector. We prioritise ventures that create meaningful societal and economic benefits. The Innovation Exchange tracks give a sense of the areas we care about: a greener future, social wellness and smart growth.
Our role is to help you get investment-ready and to open doors: to investors, partners and funding programmes, including European ones. You also get a year's access to Lucian, which helps you apply for funding.
It depends on your venture. We agree the model with each founder case by case, and we look first for funding that can cover as much of the cost as possible, to keep what you pay to a minimum. Our team has worked this way with several projects outside HATCH, on both a paid and a sweat-equity basis. Tell us about your situation when you apply, and we'll talk it through with you.
Whenever you're ready. The programme is open all year, with no intake dates or deadlines, so you can apply when it suits you and join at any point. Your access to Lucian runs for a year.
Lucian is a platform that helps you plan your venture and apply for funding. As part of the programme, you get a year's access to it.
The HATCH team reviews your application, and we aim to respond within a couple of weeks with clear next steps. If there's a fit, we'll meet to understand your goals, your market and what's holding you back.
Tell us what you're building and where you are today. The application takes four short steps.
Apply Now