Silicon Valletta – Club for CEOs and Founders of Digital Startups in Malta

Silicon Valletta – is a Club for CEOs of Digital companies and Startup founders in Malta, its aim is to fill in the gap in the startup ecosystem in Malta – to act as an entity to speak with government and authorities and promote Malta abroad.

During  ZEST – the biggest digital conference in Malta, Silicon Valletta club founders and first members were discussing why they have chosen Malta to run a Digital Business and why Silicon Valletta Club was formed.

Silicon Valletta Club, Malta, ZEST 2016

Reasons to start your digital company in Malta

Malta offers a great “package” for anyone who would want to start and run a digital business:

• One of the most pleasant things is a culture of work-life balance and also a possibility to maintain one – LEWIS HOLLAND, DiscountIF

• Maltese people are very loyal, they will stay with your company for life –  family type culture is very common at work  and friendship is also very deep and long lasting. – STEPHEN CHETCUTI BONAVITA, Altaro Software

• Climate – 300 sunny days a year – JACK CATOR, Privax Ltd.

• Runway for the company, standard and cost of leaving, cost of running a startup in Malta is just 1/3 or 1/4 of cost in UK.
• Regulation  – easier to approach authorities – CHRIS KAYE, Sherpa MSL

• Environment that is nurturing entrepreneurs and startups, vibe, government support and subsidise.
• English language (big +) – KRIS JES PETERSON, CannonBall Invest

Silicon Valletta Club, Malta, ZEST 2016

How does Silicon Valletta Club help founders and CEO’s of digital companies

• It gives an opportunity to bounce ideas with like-minded people from different backgrounds;
• Rise awareness – Malta is not only about iGaming and startups create job places, growth of economy etc – KRIS JES PETERSON, CannonBall Invest

• Being entrepreneurs could be a lonely experience. Having a team that shares similar problems – that’s great support.
• As a group we can contribute to the community by “lobbing” interests of smaller companies – regulations were created for bigger companies and one can not compare startup with industry dinosaurs – there is a need to create some differentiation and Silicon Valletta has an ambassadorial role in it – CHRIS KAYE, Sherpa MSL

• Malta is small enough and we can really make a difference. For example, it can take a year to open a bank account for a startup – that should be changed – JACK CATOR, Privax Ltd.

• Silicon Valletta is actively supporting a tax back initiative for startup investments. Although Malta offers a very attractive income tax rates for non-residents, the problem is that company income tax for locals goes up to 35%  – STEPHEN CHETCUTI BONAVITA, Altaro Software

• To put Malta on digital map and make Malta more agile, as well as to promote startups within Malta – there are a lot of wealthy people, but not many investors here – LEWIS HOLLAND, DiscountIF

Join Silicon Valletta Club

If you would like to know more, contribute or join Silicon Valletta club – check out its Facebook group, or contact Simon Azzopardi – the president of the club.