Developed: Copenhagen – Founder Roundtable on Tech Policy
How Startup Leaders Can Leverage Regulation for Growth, Trust, and Strategic Clarity
Join ACT | The App Association, and our partners CVX Ventures and Matrikel1, for an intimate, founder-focused roundtable exploring how startups can navigate and leverage the evolving European tech policy landscape.
With the release of the EU’s new strategy for startups, it’s a relevant time for founders to be aware of policy. From the AI Act to the Digital Markets and Services Acts, today’s regulatory frameworks are reshaping how early-stage companies design products, earn customer trust, and raise capital. But for many founders, the path to understanding these rules—and turning them into a strategic advantage—remains unclear.
This private discussion brings together Danish startup leaders and ACT’s international policy team for a practical, founder-first conversation about what’s coming, what matters, and how to respond.
What to Expect
A small-group, off-the-record roundtable designed for startup leaders building in AI, SaaS, and data-intensive sectors for a global market.
Real-time insights from Brussels and Washington-based experts who work directly with policymakers and entrepreneurs.
A focus on strategic implications, not legal interpretation—how policy impacts fundraising, product strategy, and customer trust.
Topics We’ll Explore
How key EU regulations (AI Act, DMA, DSA, etc.) affect startups—and what to prioritize now
What investors and enterprise buyers are starting to expect in terms of compliance and trust signals
How startups can integrate “policy readiness” into their pitch, roadmap, or go-to-market planning
Who Should Join
This roundtable is for:
Founders, C-level leaders, and product teams building digital or data-intensive solutions
Teams expanding internationally or working in regulated spaces
Investors and advisors supporting growth-stage startups with complex compliance needs
Event Details
🗓 Monday, 16 June 2025
🕒 14:00–16:00 CET
📍 Copenhagen (Venue TBC)
🎟 By invitation or application only
🗣 Event held in English
Speakers - who will you meet?
Chelsea Thomas
Executive Director, ACT | The App Association
Chelsea leads ACT's global strategy, advocating for small and medium-sized tech enterprises. With over a decade in U.S. Senate Finance Committee roles and experience at Apple, she brings deep expertise in tech policy and regulatory affairs.
Alexandra Cooke
Senior Director of Global Membership, ACT | The App Association
Alexandra engages directly with ACT members, translating complex global regulatory issues into actionable insights. Her decade-long experience with SMEs across various sectors provides a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, policy, and innovation.
Mitchel Volkering
Founder, VAIC
Mitchel is the founder of VAIC, a company focused on AI-driven solutions. He is actively involved in discussions around encryption, secure developer tools, and the challenges of underregulated app marketplaces.
James Hanson
Managing Director, Layers Studio; Co-founder, Biblio Limited
James is bringing a wealth of experience in tech entrepreneurship. His work focuses on building scalable solutions while engaging with policy discussions to advocate for SME interests. At the event, James will provide insights into balancing innovation with regulatory compliance.
Part of ACT’s Developed European Tour
This session is part of ACT’s Developed EU Tour – a founder-first roadshow across 10+ cities helping SMEs and startup leaders make sense of policy and turn it into strategic growth.
Learn more at: actonline.org
HOSTED BY: ACT | The App Association
The App Association is a global trade association for small and medium-sized technology companies. Our members are entrepreneurs, innovators, and independent developers within the global app ecosystem that engage with verticals across every industry. We work with and for our members to promote a policy environment that rewards and inspires innovation while providing resources that help them raise capital, create jobs, and continue to build incredible technology.
CO-HOST: CVX Ventures
At CVX, we invest in leading growth companies together with our community of experienced business professionals with venture capital, knowledge and networks that make a difference for our portfolio companies. Our purpose is to strengthen start-ups and growth companies by ensuring shared success through value creation.