Mathieu Nebra on Startup Mission at EU-Startups Summit 2026

Jan de Vries · 2026-02-18

Hey there, if you're thinking about starting or scaling a business in Europe, you'll want to hear this. We've got some exciting news about an upcoming event that could really shift your perspective. Mathieu Nebra is joining the speaker lineup at the EU-Startups Summit 2026 in Malta this May. You might know him as the co-founder of OpenClassrooms, but these days he's all about helping founders like you navigate the tricky waters of growth. ### From Classroom to Boardroom Let me tell you about Mathieu's journey—it's pretty remarkable. Back in 2013, he co-founded OpenClassrooms, which started as a simple idea and grew into Europe's leading online education platform. Think about that for a second: from zero to over $108 million in revenue (that's converting from the original €100 million, by the way). He built a team of more than 500 people along the way, creating what many consider the gold standard in European edtech. But here's what's really interesting—after achieving that level of success, he didn't just retire to a beach somewhere.  ### The Scale-Up Mentor Mathieu now focuses entirely on helping tech founders transform their startups into structured, scalable companies. He's worked hands-on with more than 150 CEOs, which means he's seen just about every challenge a growing business can face. His specialty? Helping entrepreneurs who feel stuck between early traction and sustainable scale. You know that awkward phase where you've got customers but aren't quite sure how to build a real company around them? That's where Mathieu comes in. He helps founders with: - Clarifying mission and strategy - Strengthening company culture - Structuring teams effectively - Defining governance and KPIs - Preparing for fundraising rounds (from about $1.1 million to $108 million) ### Mission First: More Than Just Words At the Summit, Mathieu will deliver a talk titled “Mission first: How defining your purpose from day one shapes startup success.” This isn't just another motivational speech—it's practical wisdom from someone who's been in the trenches. He'll explain why clearly articulating your company's purpose from the very beginning isn't just a branding exercise. It's actually your strategic foundation. Drawing from his experience scaling OpenClassrooms and mentoring countless scale-ups, he'll show how mission alignment influences everything: - Decision-making processes - Hiring the right people - Product direction - Long-term resilience Think about it this way: your mission isn't something you tack on later. It's the compass that guides every choice you make, especially when things get tough (and they will get tough). ### Why This Matters for You Whether you're just starting out or hitting those growth plateaus, hearing from someone who's navigated these waters successfully can be game-changing. Mathieu's approach is hands-on and practical—no theoretical fluff, just real strategies that work. As he puts it, "Your mission isn't what you put on your website—it's what gets you out of bed when everything's going wrong." ### About the Event Sponsors The Summit has gathered some impressive supporters who believe in fostering European entrepreneurship: Malta Enterprise is Malta's economic development agency, working to make the country an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors. They offer tailored support and incentives specifically designed for emerging businesses. M. Demajo Group brings 115 years of business experience to the table. With a workforce of 500 and activities spanning multiple sectors, they understand what it takes to build lasting companies through organic growth, acquisitions, and partnerships. The IONOS Cloud Start-up Program provides young companies with up to $108,000 in cloud credits for up to five years after founding. They offer GDPR-compliant infrastructure with technological freedom—no vendor lock-in—which can be a real advantage when you're trying to maintain flexibility as you grow. ### Don't Miss This Opportunity Look, I know there are countless events and conferences out there. But this one brings together practical wisdom, proven strategies, and real connections. Hearing from someone who's actually built a company from scratch to nine-figure revenue—and now helps others do the same—that's valuable. The EU-Startups Summit 2026 happens May 7-8 in Malta. If you're serious about building something that lasts, this might be exactly what you need to take that next step. Sometimes, the right insight at the right time can change everything.