MotorK's Marco Marlia to Share Hard-Won Startup Lessons at EU-Startups Summit 2027

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-17

### The Keynote Everyone's Talking About Marco Marlia, the co-founder and President of MotorK, is joining the EU-Startups Summit 2027 in Malta on May 13-14. He'll deliver a keynote called *Weathering the Storm: The right founder mindset and actions for difficult times*. If you've ever wondered how to keep going when everything's falling apart, this one's for you. Marco's been through it all—building a company from scratch, taking it public, and navigating the ups and downs that come with scaling across borders. ### From Bocconi to Building a SaaS Giant Marco started his entrepreneurial journey while studying at Università Bocconi, where he earned a degree in Economics, Institutions and Financial Markets. Before MotorK, he co-founded several tech and digital-services businesses, cutting his teeth in web development, digital marketing, and lead generation. In 2010, he co-founded MotorK, which has grown into a major European SaaS provider for the automotive retail industry. The company now employs over 300 people and operates in 8 countries, serving more than 6,000 dealer groups. > "The best founders aren't the ones who avoid storms—they're the ones who learn to sail through them." ### The IPO and Beyond One of MotorK's biggest milestones came in 2021 when it listed on Euronext Amsterdam. The IPO raised €75 million (about $82 million) and implied a market capitalisation of €261 million (around $285 million). That capital fueled the company's international expansion. And just this April, they raised an additional €2.5 million (roughly $2.7 million) in post-IPO equity. Not too shabby for a company that started as a scrappy startup. Marco is also an author. His books, *The DealerK Method* and *The MotorK Strategy: How to Build an AI-First Automotive Retailer*, share frameworks and lessons from his journey in the digital automotive sector. ### What to Expect at the Summit The EU-Startups Summit 2027 is shaping up to be a can't-miss event. Around 2,500 founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts will gather in sunny Malta for two packed days of networking, inspiration, and learning. You'll get access to: - Inspiring keynotes from successful entrepreneurs like Marco - Fireside chats and workshops - A buzzing exhibition hall - Plenty of opportunities to make valuable connections Whether you're a founder in the trenches or an investor looking for the next big thing, this summit is designed to give you actionable insights and real connections. ### Why This Matters for Founders Let's be honest: building a startup is hard. There are moments when you question everything. Marco's keynote isn't just about success stories—it's about the tough decisions, the mindset shifts, and the actions that keep you moving forward when conditions are far from ideal. If you're navigating a challenging period in your own startup journey, this session could be exactly what you need. It's not just theory; it's hard-won wisdom from someone who's been there. ### Ready to Join? The EU-Startups Summit 2027 takes place on May 13-14 in Malta. Secure your ticket today and be part of Europe's most exciting startup gathering. You never know who you'll meet or what you'll learn—but one thing's for sure, you won't leave empty-handed.