What AI Investors Look for in 2026: A European & Emerging Markets Perspective
About this session
AI investing has entered a new phase. As foundation models become increasingly accessible and competition intensifies, investors are looking beyond impressive technology and rapid user growth to understand where durable value can actually be created.
This session explores what investors are looking for in AI startups in 2026, with a particular focus on the European and emerging markets landscape. We will discuss how investors assess AI companies across technology, defensibility, product-market fit, distribution, capital efficiency, and the ability to build sustainable competitive advantages.
Beyond the hype around AI, the conversation will also examine what makes a company investable in markets where access to capital, talent, infrastructure, and global distribution can look very different from Silicon Valley. How should founders position themselves for global investment? And what signals can help investors distinguish between AI applications with real long-term potential and companies riding a temporary wave of enthusiasm?
The session aims to provide founders, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders with a practical perspective on how AI investment is evolving and what it takes to build and back the next generation of AI companies.
Speaker
Key takeaways
- What makes an AI startup truly investable in 2026
- How founders can position themselves for investment
- From promising AI startup to investable company