SeQura CEO David Bäckström to Speak at EU-Startups Summit 2026
Jan de Vries ·
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David Bäckström, CEO of fintech leader SeQura, will share insights on building a profitable $215M company without VC at the EU-Startups Summit 2026 in Malta.
We've got some exciting news for anyone interested in the future of European fintech and entrepreneurship. David Bäckström, the Founder and CEO of SeQura, is confirmed to take the stage at the upcoming EU-Startups Summit 2026. The event is set for May 7-8 in the beautiful, sunny setting of Malta, and David will be featured in a special fireside chat.
Now, if you're not familiar with David, let me paint a picture. He's the definition of a serial entrepreneur. Originally from Sweden and now based in Barcelona, his career is a masterclass in building ventures across wildly different sectors. It's not just about one big win; it's about a pattern of success.
### From Medicine to Money: A Diverse Career Path
His journey started early with the European Telemedicine Clinic in Barcelona. Think about that for a second—launching a major diagnostic imaging center in Europe with a network of over 650 doctors. That's no small feat. He didn't stop there, though. He also founded AhorraDinero, a platform that successfully expanded into Sweden, Spain, and the United States.
But his most notable venture, and the one that really connects with the startup world today, is SeQura. He founded it in Barcelona back in 2014 with a clear mission: to completely transform how we pay for things online. You know those 'buy now, pay later' options you see everywhere? SeQura was a pioneer in bringing that flexibility, along with installment plans, to the mainstream in Europe.
### Building SeQura: A Fintech Powerhouse
They didn't just offer new payment methods; they rebuilt the underlying systems for credit risk and fraud management. Today, SeQura provides a whole suite of payment alternatives—from paying right away to deferring it—whether you're shopping online, in a physical store, or even over the phone.
The impact is huge. The platform helps merchants boost customer loyalty and sales conversions. They're already operating in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Mexico, and they're actively expanding into the US and UK markets. We're talking about a company that partners with more than 5,000 stores and serves millions of customers.
So, what will David be talking about in Malta? His fireside chat is titled: **“Profitable by Design: Why We Never Took VC Money and Built a $215 Million and over $30 Million EBT FinTech Anyway.”**
> That title alone tells you this isn't your typical startup story. It's a deep dive into building a massive fintech company without traditional venture capital, which is a path less traveled.
He'll share his unique perspective on where banking and fintech are headed, plus the hard-earned lessons from scaling businesses at every stage. For any founder or executive, this is pure gold.
### Why You Should Consider Going
Beyond David's session, the summit promises two full days packed with:
- Learning from top founders and investors
- Unparalleled networking opportunities
- Pure inspiration to fuel your own projects
It's a chance to connect with the pulse of the European startup scene. If you're looking to understand the next wave of innovation, especially in fintech, this is a prime opportunity. Don't just take my word for it—secure your ticket and see for yourself what the buzz is all about.