Call for Speakers 4YFN FAQ

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.

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 you have speaking examples, please feel free to add links.

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

Yes, you can make as many submissions as you like. 

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. 

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.

There is no cost associated with becoming a conference speaker. Speaking engagements at the 4YFN27 are editorially independent.

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. 

No, we do not provide payment for speaking at 4YFN. 

We value and appreciate every submission, but unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions, we cannot provide individual feedback.