Date: Thursday, 5 June 2025
Time: 09:00 – 14:00
Venue: Salini Resort, Salina
Money Meets Vision: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Business Growth | Celebrating 10 Years of FPEI
This exciting conference brings together entrepreneurs, financial services professionals, and visionary leaders to explore the intersection of financial strategy and innovation. Whether you’re scaling a startup or refining your growth plan, this event offers practical insights, networking opportunities, and actionable tools to help you turn big ideas into sustainable success.
Get ready to align your vision with the financial strategies that drive real growth.
Agenda
09:00 – 09:30 Registration & Coffee
09:30 – 09:40 Introduction by FPEI Manager – Giselle Borg Olivier
09:40 – 09:45 Opening by Hon. Dr. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
09:45 – 10:00 Keynote: ‘The New Currency of Entrepreneurship’ – Simon Azzopardi
The economics of startups are being rewritten. With AI offering free intelligence, the old moats: capital, teams, and tech, are disappearing fast. That’s scary for legacy thinkers but thrilling for founders who know how to move fast and understand context.
10:00 – 10:50 Panel 1: Money Matters: From Basics to Bookkeepers
Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling an established business, you’ll walk away with actionable financial insights to strengthen your business foundation. Perfect for entrepreneurs who want to transform financial management from a source of stress into a strategic advantage. This session includes dedicated Q&A time where our panelists will address your financial questions and challenges.
Speakers
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- Coryse Borg – Moderator
- Kris Bartolo – Zampa Partners
- Daniel Borg – APS Bank
- Dean Micallef – Firstbridge
10:50 – 11:10 Coffee break
11:10 – 12:00 Panel 2: Tax Compliance and Efficiency Unpacked
Gain valuable insights into financial planning, compliance requirements, and business structure decisions. Experts will explain how effective financial planning can help individuals and businesses maximise tax efficiency and align with long-term goals. The session will also cover key compliance obligations, helping participants understand how to stay ahead of deadlines and avoid costly penalties. Additionally, panelists will explore how different business structures can affect tax strategies and future growth opportunities. The panel will conclude with a live Q&A, where attendees will have the chance to ask questions.
Speakers
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- Vanessa Macdonald – Moderator
- Raphael Aloisio – FPEI Board Member & Deloitte
- Gresham Joseph Duca – Business First
- Shawn Galea – Taxentra Limited
- Jeanelle Aquilina – Tri-Mer
12:00 – 14:00 Networking Lunch & 10th Anniversary Celebration
Registration & Tickets
Registration fee: €55
Future Founders Plus members: €30
The fee includes coffee breaks and networking lunch. If you are a Future Founders Plus member, please contact [email protected] for the discount code.
Speakers
Simon Azzopardi – Keynote Speaker
Simon Azzopardi has founded and/or transformed multiple insurance, banking, gaming and enterprise software businesses across the EU and US, with a focus on accelerating growth from seed to Series A. Today, he is passionate about making software outsourcing a great experience, something he personally struggled with as a client for over 15 years. He currently serves as a Director at Cleverbit Software and InScope-AML, a Non Exec Director at Izola Bank, as well as the President of Silicon Valletta.
Coryse Borg – Moderator
Coryse Borg has been working in the media/communications scene for well over 25 years. After graduating in Communications (Hons) from the University of Malta, she was a writer and editor for various publications, both print and online. She is the founder of Sayit which offers content writing, content SEO, and presenting/moderating services. Coryse is also an accomplished broadcaster, currently presenting a daily programme on Campus 103.7, as well as an actress and voice over artiste.
Kris Bartolo – Zampa Partners
A Certified Public Accountant and Registered Auditor who graduated from the University of Malta after completing the Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons.) degree. In 2014, Kris joined Zampa Partners and was appointed Partner in 2021, leading the financial advisory function. Throughout his work experience, he was exposed to various funding projects, preparation of business plans, feasibility studies, financial modeling, valuations, cost-benefit analysis, fundraising for the private sector and other financial advisory assignments.
Daniel Borg – APS Bank
Daniel Borg is a banker with over 25 years of experience, currently occupying the role of Senior Commercial Manager at APS Bank – leading a team of corporate and relationship managers, whilst also handling directly the rapport with some of the Bank’s major corporate customers. Throughout his career in banking, Daniel occupied various roles within APS Bank, initially starting with the Finance Unit and then moving on to customer facing roles – the last 17 years being within the Bank’s Commercial Business Unit. Daniel is an Associate Member of the Malta Institute of Accountants.
Dean Micallef – Firstbridge
Dean Micallef is Managing Director at Firstbridge Services, where he leads the firm’s Business Advisory and Transactions function and oversees its Start-up Programme. A Certified Public Accountant and ACCA Fellow, Dean began his career at Deloitte Malta, specialising in corporate finance, market intelligence and valuations and also served as a group CFO and CEO within a diversified group of companies. Dean is also the founder of Pitchora and Basement2Boardroom—initiatives that support early-stage start-ups through funding, mentoring, and strategic growth. He holds a Master’s in Financial Services from the University of Malta and sits on several advisory and corporate boards.
Vanessa Macdonald – Moderator
Vanessa Macdonald has worked in journalism and communications since the early 1990s, focusing in the latter years on financial journalism. Now retired, she still does consultancy work.
Raphael Aloisio – FPEI Board & Deloitte
Raphael is a certified public accountant and auditor with over 43 years public practice experience. After 36 years of service with the firm, he retired as partner of Deloitte Malta in 2023. During his tenure with Deloitte, Raphael led its Financial Advisory function for close to 25 years. In this role, he was actively involved in the delivery of a wide range of corporate finance, transaction advisory, business advisory, and valuation engagements for both private and public sector clients. His primary areas of expertise are the Tourism & Hospitality, Consumer Industry and Real Estate sectors in Malta. Raphael currently occupies the position of non-executive chairman of the MBB and is a board member of FPEI.
Shawn Galea – Taxentra
Shawn Galea is a Certified Public Accountant and the founder of Taxentra – a Malta-based tax advisory firm specialising in investment taxation. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master in Accountancy from the University of Malta, and began his career in audit at a Big 4 firm before transitioning into tax advisory with a medium-sized firm. Over the years, he has worked with clients ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies. Shawn is a member of the Malta Institute of Accountants, an associate member of the Malta Institute of Taxation, and also serves on the Tax Technology Committee within the Malta Institute of Taxation. At Taxentra, his mission is simple: to help people keep more of what they earn – through smart, compliant and forward-thinking tax planning.
Jeanelle Aquilina – Tri-Mer
Ms. Jeanelle Aquilina serves as the Head of Direct Tax at Tri-Mer Services Limited, specializing in corporate and tax restructuring as well as domestic and international tax advisory services for both local and international clients. She has gained extensive experience across various sectors, including the Big Four accounting firms, mid-tier corporate service providers, the iGaming industry, and venture capital. Ms. Aquilina graduated with a Master’s in Accounting from the University of Malta in 2016 and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. She further advanced her expertise by obtaining the Professional Certificate in Taxation from the Malta Institute of Taxation and, in 2021, earned a Master of Arts in Taxation from the University of Malta. Ms. Aquilina is also the financial officer for Malta’s National Youth Council and part of Business Professional Women Malta.
Gresham Joseph Duca – Business First
Gresham Joseph Duca is a Customer Care Officer with six years of experience at Business First.
Sponsors
This event is supported by APS Bank and Creditinfo Malta.
Photography & Social Media
Photography will take place during this conference, conducted by the organising team, sponsors, or attendees. Images captured may be used in social media posts, websites, or other promotional materials. By attending this event, you acknowledge and consent to the potential use of your image for promotional purposes.
