Plug and Play Tirana has opened applications for the second cohort of its acceleration program, inviting the most promising startups from Albania and the wider region to join one of the world’s most impactful innovation programs. Twenty startups will be selected to join the program starting in February 2026.

This edition will span eight intensive bootcamps, designed to provide teams with a deep and immersive experience in development and international scaling. Throughout these weeks, startups will work closely with mentors and experts from leading global technology hubs, receiving strategic guidance in key areas such as product development, growth, sustainability, partnership building, and investment readiness. Each bootcamp will also feature international investors, who will follow the teams’ progress and identify new opportunities for collaboration and investment.

Participating startups will gain access to Plug and Play’s dedicated platforms, enabling direct connections with global corporations and ecosystem partners. In addition to an extensive international network, teams will benefit from a rich calendar of networking events and collaboration opportunities typically reserved for elite acceleration programs. Throughout the program, startups will also be exposed to direct investment opportunities from Plug and Play, one of the most active players in the global venture capital ecosystem.

The program will culminate with the Plug and Play Tirana Expo, where startups will present their achievements to investors, institutions, corporations, and international partners. Following this phase, the top ten startups will be selected to participate in a six-week program at Plug and Play Headquarters in Silicon Valley, including participation in the Plug and Play Silicon Valley Summit—one of the most important global events for startups aiming to enter international markets.

The results of the first cohort demonstrate the program’s transformative potential for Albania’s innovation ecosystem. The top ten startups from the inaugural edition have just returned from the six-week program in Silicon Valley, where they had the opportunity to pitch to dozens of global investors and partners. It was during this program that the first investments from Silicon Valley into Albania through Plug and Play were made.

The program officially begins in February 2026 and is expected to bring a new wave of innovation that will further connect Tirana with the global Plug and Play network.

Plug and Play is one of the most powerful acceleration platforms worldwide. With headquarters in Silicon Valley and offices in more than 50 cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia, the ecosystem has helped dozens of startups become unicorns, while collaborating with over 500 international corporations to strengthen the connection between innovators and industry. Recently, Tirana joined this prestigious network, positioning Albania on the global stage of technology and innovation.

This program is made possible through strong interinstitutional collaboration aimed at building a sustainable innovation ecosystem in Albania. Plug and Play Tirana is supported by the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), in collaboration with IN Groupe, Piramida Tirana, the Municipality of Tirana, and Innovation Hub.