Minister Chris Cardona launched Malta Enterprise's new scheme aimed at start-ups, 'Start-Up Advance', as part of the government's commitment to drive innovation and encourage business growth in Malta, during the first B2B Malta Expo. Qualifying start-ups can be granted up to a game-changing €100,000.

Malta Enterprise offers a large number of grants and support catering from the ground up and to nurture it along the way with financial help and advice.

"Our economy has reached new highs but we know that our country boasts so much potential. This grant will bring us one step closer to tapping into prospective entrepreneurs' talent. We want to empower and attract bright, innovative, diverse, educated, and globally-minded people and make Malta an exciting place to be", said the Minister.

The Minister encouraged the 900 delegates and exhibitors to approach the B2B Expo with a spirit of generosity and not only operate with the thought of reciprocity in mind.

"Your business will grow faster when you help others grow theirs. Though it might sound counter-intuitive, it works time and time again. Business is about building a relationship with your customer and fundamentally trust. And in a B2B context, we're talking relationships that are usually long-lasting and produce big numbers - bigger investments and greater revenue generation", Minister Cardona said.

The B2B Expo programme included international key speakers with inspiring addresses on team leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Keynote speakers included Sir Clive Woodward, the Head Coach who led England's rugby players to win the World Cup in 2003, Sahar Hashemi, OBE and entrepreneur best known for building two famous brands Coffee Republic and Skinny Candy, and Chris Moss, founder of the Orange Brand, creator of Virgin Atlantic's 'Magic Moments', and Former 118 118 Chief Executive. Jason Miller, Head of Content and Social Media Marketing at LinkedIn, also gave a masterclass on marketing. 

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