Digital Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and the ecosystem of Startups in the Western Balkans were the headlines of three consecutive weekends in October where he saw nearly 54 startups and 70 founders from Albania, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, and beyond apply to become part of the biggest accelerator in the Western Balkans, Uplift Western Balkans.
The third year of the startup accelerator Uplift brought together SOVVA, ICTSmedia, VentureUP, and ICAN with the financial support of SlovakAid to organize one of the most ambitious editions in search of the most promising startups in the Western Balkans.
34 startups were invited to participate in the conclusion of the first phase of the Selection Bootcamp organized in parallel in Prishtina, Gostivar, and Tirana on October 2-3, October 8-9, and October 15-16, a phase that precedes the start of the 4-month acceleration program on 22 October.
13 startups from Albania, Kosovo, and Northern Macedonia were selected to be part of the Uplift Western Balkans 4-month acceleration program.
Dozens of mentors, experts, investors, partners, and representatives of public and private institutions from Albania, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, and Europe such as Peter Kolesar, Michal Laco, Eva Simekova, Kai Pham, Patrick Collins, Igor Madzov, Jaqueline Jaspert, Arta Istrefi , Mentor Rexhepi, Azir Aliu, Kushtrim Shala, Esmeralda Shala, Ardian Alaj, Gentrit Berisha, Llokman Musliu, Kleina Kasanaj, Redjan Ymeraj, Emel Visha, Dairida Metalia, Ervina Hoxha, Ariol Sollaku, Driton Musolli, Paul Will, Eneid Lika The Minister of Education in Kosovo, Edona Maloku Berdyna and the Deputy Rector of the University of Prishtina Kurt Sherifi came to support the startups during the Selection Bootcamp.
Six days full of mentoring, workshops, presentations, Selection Bootcamp simulates an acceleration program in two intensive days. Mentoring 1n1, Lean Canvas workshops with Focus on Problem Validation, Investment and Pitching, and Pitch Deck, How to Scale your Sales and Lead Generation, and finally the second-day presentations resemble the grand finale of the January 17, 2022 Demo-Day.
"I believe that together with partners from Kosovo and Macedonia we will take the third edition of Uplift to another level," said Uplift Western Balkans co-founder, Mr. Kushtrim Shala. "We hope to find partners in the coming years, why not in Greece, Serbia, or Montenegro."
Startups who overcome the selection challenge during the boot camp will present their ideas and projects to the mentors, investors, and partners of Uplift Western Balkans. It is the latter that will be the determining factor that will identify and select those who will become part of the accelerator.
"It is a privilege to have cooperated with you, a 4-year partnership. Every functional startup ecosystem is made possible thanks to collaborations and communities,” said Peter Kolesar, partner at the Slovak company CIVITTA.
For 10 years the largest startup accelerator in Central Europe Uplift has been organizing such boot camps with a profound effect on startups. "The experience they gain during this event has often completely changed their lives," Kolesar said.
Jaqueline Jaspert from EU for Innovation and one of Uplift Western Balkans' key partners described the event as a great opportunity for startups to expand their network.
The expansion of Uplift Western Balkans in Kosovo and Macedonia this year came thanks to the cooperation with VentureUP and ICAN centers. "We are privileged and happy to be part of the third edition of Uplift," said Mentor Rexhepi from VentureUP.
A variety of industries such as E-Commerce, Education, Agriculture, Marketing, Consulting, Development, Online Learning, Medicine, Architecture, Engineering, Photography, and Fashion represented 14 startups from Albania, 10 startups from Kosovo, and 10 startups from Macedonia to present ideas and ventures in Uplift Western Balkans.
With the announcement of the winners, the acceleration program starts the journey on October 22nd. More than 50 experts in various fields from the Region and Europe will support startups throughout their journey towards Demo-Day. In addition to the experience gained in developing and growing a successful venture, Uplift Western Balkans represents for startups another great opportunity, access to a network of investors as one of the biggest advantages of being part of an accelerator.
The 5-day study program Bridge2EU in Slovakia will be organized within Uplift Western Balkans. 12 startups follow a 5-day study program in the Slovak capital Bratislava where they will explore a European startup ecosystem and visit Slovak accelerators, incubators, innovation startup spaces.
During the 4 months of the acceleration program, startups will pursue mentoring, establish connections and networking, secure investment and expand their venture. The closing of the acceleration program coincides with the Demo-Day on January 17, 2022.
The first accelerator established in Albania enjoys a wide network of partners and supporters such as Credins Bank, Albvision, EU for Innovation, SwissEP, Huawei, CIVITTA, South East European University, Municipality of Tirana, EY, ICTSlab, and media coverage of SCAN TV, Emerging Europe, Shqip.com, PCWorld Albanian, Business Magazine, GeekRoom, and CIO.al.
Winning startups of Uplift Western Balkans
Drejtshkruaj
It is an online all-in-one platform of artificial intelligence that controls the spelling, punctuation, and pronunciation of the Albanian language
TePemaTM
It is a company that operates in the Smart & Smart Cities industry. TePema designs and manufactures recreational spaces
VR Drive
It is a machine simulator based on the virtual reality platform and will be used in driving schools to teach students the first driving lessons.
Riobotics
It is a STEM education company with robotic products for beginners making learning robotics a simple and fun process.
ARMMA
It is a fashion brand based on the idea of creating modern clothing while reducing its negative environmental impact.
GoConf
Aims to develop the first online platform for ICT conferencing. It is a platform with which you can find and manage the conferences you will attend.
Hygiot
They are a team that aims to help autistic people by providing them with a safe environment to train the different skill groups required.
DOCKSIDE- smart tracking
It is an application for real-time bus tracking. Tracking will be provided through two applications, one for the manager and one for the clients.
Spyvio
The so-called marketing 007, through Spyvio you can access internal competitor advertising information, funnels, and external emails.
Pinca
It is the first regional platform that connects Albanian freelancers and students with employment opportunities abroad.
Hajde App
With a focus on the Albanian and Kosovo market, Hajde is a food delivery application where users can buy from their favorite store or restaurant.
ArchiGames
Learning architecture while playing is what ArchiGames promises. The main objective is to improve the way of teaching by turning this process into fun.
Immortelle
The focus is on creating a movement that supports the cultivation of high-quality herbs in Albanian villages, near the capital Tirana.
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