Malta’s founders, aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders recently gathered at the latest Future Founders Plus event to discuss what it really takes to start and grow a business in Malta in 2026.
Titled Entrepreneurship in Malta: Challenges, Choices, Opportunities and held on 29 January, 2026 at DiHubMT, the session brought together experienced voices from Malta’s business ecosystem to explore the key challenges entrepreneurs face today, the critical choices that shape success and the opportunities available for those ready to scale.
Moderated by Mario Xuereb, CEO of the Malta Business Bureau and FPEI Chair, the panel featured Tonio Zarb of KPMG Malta, Director of Business Innovation at Melita, Kenneth Spiteri, and Fran Moisa, Founder and talent advisor at FM Search.
With around 35 attendees, the event offered useful takeaways on how to navigate today’s realities and prepare for what’s next in the entrepreneurial business world. Beyond external pressures such as inflation or bureaucracy, the speakers addressed cultural attitudes to failure, the realities of access to finance, the discipline required for sound governance and the leadership behaviours that shape company culture.
The event’s lively discussion also covered other key topics such as presenting to angel investors, whether startups should prioritise both local and international markets from day one, the value of networking, the importance of an adaptable strategy and the rise of AI in business.
“There is a clear appetite for open discussion and real-world perspectives on what it takes to build a resilient business in Malta,” says Giselle Borg Olivier, Foundation Manager at FPEI. “We believe growth depends as much on mindset and structure as it does on funding or market conditions. Entrepreneurs want practical insights they can apply immediately. Future Founders Plus events aim to equip them with the clarity and confidence to make better decisions for their business.”
Future Founders Plus is an initiative by the Foundation for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Initiatives (FPEI), which brings together those who share an entrepreneurial mindset as a thriving, supportive, skill-building community.
Sponsored by Creditinfo Malta, Future Founders Plus events create space for honest, experience-led conversations within Malta’s business ecosystem.
The next in-person Future Founders Plus event, Navigating Malta’s Tax and Legal Requirements for Startups, will take place on Wednesday 25 February. The insightful session will feature a Q&A-style panel with legal expert Matthew Galea Debono and tax specialist Shawn Galea, offering founders practical guidance on compliance, structuring and regulatory considerations.
Concluding with networking drinks, the evening also offers a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and key players across Malta’s business landscape.
FPEI’s next in-person Future Founders Plus event, Navigating Malta’s Tax and Legal Requirements for Startups, will take place on Wednesday 25 February from 6pm–9pm at Rocksalt, Msida. This event is free to Future Founders Plus members and open to non-members at a fee. Register early to secure one of the limited places here.
Find out more about FPEI Future Founders Plus membership and events here.
