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Empowering voices
The 4YFN stage is where ideas become opportunities, connections spark growth, and the next generation of startup success stories takes shape. As part of our continuing mission to power startups we are looking for visionary founders, investors, innovators and industry leaders to share the insights, experiences and strategies shaping the future of entrepreneurship.
Applications open: 10 August 2026 | Deadline: 5 November 2026, 23:00 CET
Barcelona · 1–4 March 2027
Barcelona 2026 success in numbers
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105000
MWC & 4YFN Total attendees
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1000+
4YFN Startups & Exhibitors
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300+
4YFN Speakers
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110
4YFN Hours of content
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260+
4YFN Startup pitches
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€70bn+
Investors representing in total funds
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700+
Curated meetings. More than 60% between startups and investors.
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2600
Media & industry analysts across MWC & 4YFN
Why speak at 4YFN27?
When you speak at 4YFN, you're not just delivering a talk. You're putting your ideas in front of 1,000+ startups and exhibitors, active investors and corporate innovators – all with a mandate to do business. Visibility here turns into opportunity and speaking transmits your message to a global audience eager to know more.
Increased exposure, enhanced credibility
Elevate your profile and gain unrivalled visibility and recognition as a thought leader on an international stage, alongside industry titans and rising stars.
105,000 reasons to be here
Co-located with MWC Barcelona, the world's largest tech event. One venue, one week and the biggest concentration of tech decision makers on the planet.
The right place to be
Founders raising rounds, VCs deploying capital, corporates seeking innovation. Our audience is here to do business.
Amplification beyond the stage
Selected speakers are promoted across 4YFN channels before, during and after the event, extending your reach to a global ecosystem.
700+ curated meetings per edition
More than 60% of those meetings are startup-to-investor. The matchmaking starts before you land in Barcelona.
A community of pioneers
Become part of the 4YFN speaker network: founders, investors, policy makers and innovators shaping the next decade of technology.
What will power the next generation of startups?
AI is changing how startups are built, but success is no longer defined by technology alone. Today's founders must navigate growth, funding, partnerships, product strategy and customer needs in a rapidly evolving market. At 4YFN27, we're putting the spotlight back on what matters most: empowering founders with the knowledge, connections and opportunities they need to scale.
If you have insights, experiences or practical lessons that can help startups grow and succeed, we want to hear from you.
Stay tuned for the full 4YFN27 theme reveal
Target your thinking to our content tracks
From Agentic AI, HealthTech, Climate Tech and Fintech to Founders, Investors, Corporate Innovation and more, our content tracks explore the technologies, trends and challenges driving startup growth across every stage of the ecosystem. Submit your proposal under the track that best matches your expertise and help power the conversations that will inspire, connect and accelerate startups at 4YFN27.
The process: from submission to stage
Our dedicated conference content team meticulously reviews every submission, valuing a diverse range of companies, backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to curating a programme that is truly representative of the global startup ecosystem.
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Submit your proposal
Complete your application by 5 November 2026, 23:00 CET. Prepare it in a document first, copy it into the form when ready. -
Confirmation response
You will receive an automatic confirmation email as soon as your submission is complete. -
Submission update
We'll be in touch by 30th November to update on the status of your submission. -
Speaker promotion
We will be in touch with selected speakers as we get confirmations to start promoting their sessions. -
Speaker briefing
From January 2027, panel speakers join a briefing call with their moderator to align on format, narrative and audience expectations. -
Showtime
Take the stage at 4YFN27, 1–4 March 2027, Fira Gran Via, Barcelona.
How to make your submission stand out
What the content team looks for:
- Stay relevant to the theme: proposals that align clearly to one of our tracks are far more likely to be selected than broad, unfocused submissions.
- Talk from experience, not theory. First-hand, real stories are valued over abstract ideas. Share what you’ve built, learned or got wrong and how you adapted.
- Tailor your content to our audience: founders, investors and corporates are in the room. Think about what they will find useful, provocative or actionable.
- Avoid the sales pitch trap, the stage is editorial. The best branding you can do is add genuine value to the audience.
- Know your key takeaway: what will attendees walk away with? A mindset shift, a practical lesson, a warning? Make it clear in your proposal.
- Diversity matters: we actively seek voices from underrepresented geographies, industries, company stages and backgrounds. Your unique story is your strength.
Before you submit next year
Before you submit, remember to check out our conference theme and tracks, to help you tailor your proposal and align with our content.
- Why does this session matter now?
- What value does it add to the 4YFN programme?
- How is it different from the typical discussions on this topic?
- Would you want to attend this session if you weren’t the speaker?
If you are submitting more than one proposal, please refresh the page before completing the form again.
Your questions, answered
Applications open 10 August · Deadline 5 November 2026
How do I apply to speak at 4YFN26?
Speaking applications opened on our website on Monday August 10, 2026. You can submit your application at any time until the deadline, 23:00 (CET), Thursday, 5 November 2026. However, we recommend that you submit your application before that to ensure that any issues that may arise are sorted in time. We recommend you prepare your application in an external document and then copy it into our form. That way, if there is an issue with submission, you will not lose your work.
What should I include in my application?
In the submission form, we ask for basic information about the speaker/s, as well as a suggested presentation topic. When the content managers review the submissions, they look for speakers who will fit in with our themes. Similarly, we ask that you select whether you want to present, moderate, or participate in a panel. It is worth noting that whilst we do sometimes take submissions in their entirety and place them in a session, we also often use the submission as a source of inspiration but adapt how it is delivered in terms of topic and format.
If the submitter and speaker are not the same, please ensure you submit the email addresses for both individuals. Only the submitter will be contacted by the GSMA.
If you have speaking examples, please feel free to add links.
How can I make my submission stand out?
We receive thousands of submissions to speak at 4YFN. Therefore, anything that can differentiate you from the crowd will help with your application:
1. Stay relevant to the theme
We’re programming curated tracks like Agentic AI, Health Tech, Corporate Innovation, Founders, Investors, Climate Tech, University and Spin-offs and more. Make sure your proposal clearly fits into one of them. If it doesn’t align, it’s less likely to be selected.
2. Tailor your content to our audience
At 4YFN, we put founders and operators at the center. Investors, corporates, and ecosystem builders are part of the game too. Think about what they’ll find useful, provocative, or inspiring. Not just what you want to say.
3. Talk from experience, not theory
We value first-hand, hands-on stories over abstract ideas. Share what you’ve lived, built, or learned the hard way. Avoid speculative thinking or content that feels detached from real practice.
4. Avoid the sales pitch trap
Don’t use the stage to promote your company, product, or fund. You don’t need to talk about your book either. Adding value to the audience is the best branding exercise you can do.
5. Know your key takeaway
What will attendees walk away with? A mindset shift? A practical lesson? A warning? Make the takeaway clear in your proposal.
6. Play with the format. Just keep it clear
Whether it’s a solo talk, panel, fireside chat, or live demo, what matters is clarity. Be bold, interactive, but make sure your structure serves the content and the audience.
We value these elements in proposals
- Diversity – in gender, geography, background, and company stage
- Interactive formats – live demos, audience participation, open Q&A
- Founder voices at the center – especially those with real, unfiltered experience
- Raising awareness – of underrepresented issues, industries, or users
- Unique angles – that challenge conventional narratives in your field
Can I submit multiple applications?
Yes, you can make as many submissions as you like.
What happens once I submit my application?
You will receive a confirmation email once you have successful completed your submission.
Once submissions close, the content team will review all the submissions and select the ones they are interested in.
What happens if I did not receive a confirmation email?
First, check your spam folder as emails can sometimes end up there.
In the event you can’t see the email in your inbox or spam, please complete the form again and resubmit. This is why it’s very important to prepare your application in an external document first and then copy it into our form. That way, if there is an issue with submission you won’t lose your work.
If you still don’t receive a confirmation email, please contact the Content Team.
Is there a cost to speak?
There is no cost associated with becoming a conference speaker. Speaking engagements at the 4YFN27 are editorially independent.
When will I find out the outcome of my submission?
Unsuccessful submissions will receive an email in the week commencing 17th November 2026. The email will only be sent to the submitter’s email address. If you don’t receive an email by this date your submission is still under review by the team.
For submissions still under review after this date, you’ll be contacted by a member of the team in the weeks following with more information about the status of your submission.
Will I be paid to speak at 4YFN?
No, we do not provide payment for speaking at 4YFN.
Will I receive feedback on my submission?
We value and appreciate every submission, but unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions, we cannot provide individual feedback.
Ready to take the stage?
Submit your proposal and put your ideas in front of the founders, investors and corporates building the next decade of business.
Submit your proposal to become a speaker