House of Startups Luxembourg (HoST)

#startupcornerpodcast How can #Luxembourg position itself within Europe’s rapidly evolving #defence landscape and what will it take to build a more competitive, resilient and future-ready ecosystem? 🚀 In our latest episode, we welcome André A.R. Wilmes, President of LuxDefence, to discuss the future of the defence sector in Luxembourg and the strategic role innovation, collaboration and industrial capabilities will play in the years ahead. During the conversation, André shares the mission behind LuxDefence and how the association aims to connect and support the different actors of the #ecosystem from industry and institutions to research and innovation stakeholders. We also explore some of the sector’s key priorities, including certification and testing capabilities, access to European #defence projects, competitiveness and technological sovereignty across Europe 🌍 Beyond the operational challenges, the discussion highlights how Luxembourg can strengthen its position within a rapidly changing geopolitical and technological environment. 🎧 Listen now and discover: https://lnkd.in/eR7xPYwA

#Event Smart City Expo World Congress will take place in Barcelona from 3 to 5 November 2026, and Luxembourg Trade & Invest will organise a national pavilion to showcase Luxembourg companies and solutions. The event brings together cities, innovators, companies, public institutions and investors around one big question: how do we build better, smarter and more sustainable cities? For Luxembourg startups and #ecosystem players, this can be a good moment to step outside the local scene, see what other countries are building, meet international contacts and explore new opportunities. In parallel, Smart City Expo will also run a Startup Program, giving startups the possibility to exhibit, pitch and connect directly with key players in the #smartcity ecosystem. Registrations for the Luxembourg national pavilion are open until the end of July. More information: National pavilion: https://lnkd.in/djNRWNng Startup Program: https://lnkd.in/eHMszy5b

#OpenInnovationClub 📢 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 Announcement at the Open Innovation Club! We’re happy to welcome CDCL Compagnie De Construction Luxembourgeoise to our community. Founded in 1979, CDCL Groupe is a leading family-owned company operating across the entire real estate value chain in Luxembourg, from real estate development and construction to facility management.🏗️ Thanks to their expertise and capacity for innovation, CDCL has become one of the market leaders and a key player in sustainable construction and eco-design. A warm welcome to Max Didier and Jérôme Goeres among our group of innovators.

This morning, the House of Startups, together with PULSE — Luxembourg Startups Association and LPEA - Luxembourg Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, brought founders and investors into the same room for a simple purpose: open, honest conversation. On stage: Jerome Wittamer (Expon Capital) Luc Berns (IVC Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital) Jean-Francois Leprince (European Investment Fund (EIF) & European Investment Bank (EIB)) 💬 What came out of it: • What truly makes a startup stand out in a crowded deal flow • How investors read between the lines of a pitch • Where most fundraising processes go wrong • What “readiness” actually looks like from a VC perspective Rather than following a classic panel format, the session focused on audience questions, encouraging direct, transparent discussions between founders and investors. A big thank you to our speakers for the transparency, and to the founders who came prepared with real questions. 📅 More sessions like this are coming soon.

#startupcornerpodcast What would a #European social network look like if it was built on trust, not algorithms and why does it matter today? In our latest episode, we welcome Christos FLOROS, founder of Monnett, to discuss his vision of building a new kind of social platform from Europe. During the conversation, Christos shares why the current #socialmedia landscape raises important questions around influence, control, and trust and why he believes Europe should take a more active role in shaping its own digital #ecosystems. We also explore the ambition behind Monett: creating a social network centered around real #connections, starting from your existing friend groups, and building a more human, trusted online environment. Beyond the product, Christos reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, the Luxembourg ecosystem, and why small countries can play a meaningful role in global #innovation. If you're interested in the future of social platforms, digital sovereignty in Europe, or building startups with strong values, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eBQe3pHz

The Co/Start Awards 2026 – Call for #applications now open! Have you built a strong and impactful #collaboration between a #startup and a #corporate? The Co/start Awards 2026, driven by Le Village by CA Luxembourg × House of Startups Luxembourg, recognise the partnerships shaping Luxembourg’s innovation ecosystem by highlighting collaborations that deliver tangible results, foster innovation, and create long-term value. By putting the spotlight on results-driven collaborations, the awards aim to showcase partnerships that actively contribute to ecosystem growth. ⭐ 5 selected finalists 🏆 2 winning collaborations will be recognised 🎥 Dedicated visibility, storytelling and media exposure around each collaboration 🎤 Opportunity to present your collaboration in front of a curated audience of investors and ecosystem stakeholders 🌍 Additional exposure through key ecosystem platforms and international touchpoints 👉 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/euPgA2VA 📅 Deadline for applications: July 3 A dedicated event will take place on October 1st, bringing together key ecosystem players, with a spotlight moment for selected collaborations to present their joint achievements. If you are building something meaningful together, this is your opportunity to showcase your collaboration and gain visibility across the Luxembourg innovation ecosystem.

#OpenInnovationClub Last week’s session focused on Technology Scouting 🚀 We had the pleasure of welcoming Sara Robles Moreno , CEO of Tomorrow Street, who shared their strategic approach to #scouting. The session continued with an interactive workshop, centered on problem framing, peer-to-peer questioning, and sharing practical insights on the first steps in #technology exploration within the innovaiton #ecosystem. A big thank you to Sara and to all participants! The Open Innovation Club brings together innovation managers from 55 multi-sector companies and provides a trusted space for learning and exchanging on innovation. Want to know more? Reach out to us: innovation@host.lu

#Event Join us for the next “Ask a VC” Session on Tuesday, May 5th at 09:00 AM This session will feature three top #VCs on stage : Jerome Wittamer – Expon Capital Luc Berns – IVC Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital Jean-Francois Leprince – European Investment Council and European Investment Bank (EIB) We’ll open the floor for your questions Ask the VCs anything you want to know about #startup management, growth, and fundraising Register here: https://lnkd.in/ejTDeGCH LPEA - Luxembourg Private Equity & Venture Capital Association PULSE — Luxembourg Startups Association

#Event Last chance! Applications are now open for the 2026 Startup World Cup, until April 16!🚀 This is your chance to be one of the 6 startups selected in Luxembourg and earn your ticket to the global stage 🌍 From there, finalists will join one of the world’s most renowned startup competitions, bringing together top founders, leading investors, and global tech players, all competing for a US$1 million investment prize. 👉 Apply here: https://ow.ly/ZIQv50YxqQn

#Milestone Huge congrats to Helical on securing $10M to push the boundaries of AI-powered drug discovery. From Luxembourg to global #pharma, this is exactly the kind of trajectory we love to see. Proud to have them growing within our ecosystem and excited for what’s next!