The Western Balkans Summer Investment Program (WBSIP) is set to revolutionize the startup ecosystem in the region, aiming to empower tech founders with global aspirations. This ambitious program, powered by NEST Venture Studio in partnership with EBRD and SwissEP, provides startups with the knowledge, support, and connections needed to access investments between 200.000 and 2 million Euro , attract corporate clients, and scale their businesses internationally & it is open until the 19th of July

An Opportunity for Growth

With a track record of success, the WBSIP is designed to educate and mentor over 50 startups with connections to Albania, Kosovo, and the Western Balkans, ultimately selecting the top 20 high-potential startups for intensive Advisory and discussions with Investors. This eight-week program includes a virtual expert-led online boot camp, personalized mentorship by venture capital professionals and successful founders, and valuable corporate client connections. The culmination of this journey will be the MatchIn Summit in Skopje on October 15-16, where startups will have the opportunity to present in front of qualified investors and be featured in multiple European Startup events, including How2Web 

Building on Success

The WBSIP continues the legacy of the Investment Readiness Program implemented by SwissEP, Nest Venture Studio, and VestBee in 2022 and 2023. Over the past two editions, 70 startups have benefited from online education, with 35 startups graduating from the full program. These alumni have collectively raised €14 million from angel investors, venture capital funds, and other alternative funding sources over the past 24 months. The program has also facilitated over 300 introductions to investors, creating a robust network for the region’s startups.

Startups with Albanian DNA

The program aims to foster regional collaboration, with a strong focus on startups from or with strong ties to Albania and Kosovo, two of the fastest-growing ecosystems in the Balkans. NEST Group has partnered with key local organizations such as Keiretsu Forum SEE, Uplift, and Business Magazine in Albania and ITP Prizren and ICK in Kosovo. The WBSIP ensures that startups from these regions receive the support and visibility they need to start their fundraising process

Program Objectives:

1. Enhance Investment Readiness: Equip startups with the knowledge and tools to effectively communicate their value proposition to investors and initiate their fundraising efforts for Seed and early Series A rounds.
2. Expand Regional Collaboration: Foster connections between startups across the Western Balkans through partnerships with 12 early-stage programs.
3. Enable Direct Mentorship: Provide personalized guidance from industry experts to refine business models, financial projections, and investment pitch decks.
4. Development of Key Documents: Support startups in preparing essential fundraising documents, including investor pitch decks.
5. Connect to Market Opportunities: Provide access to a list of preselected corporate clients and partners willing to validate and procure solutions from startups in the program.
6. Facilitate Investor Engagement: Introduce startups to a network of investors actively investing in CEE through structured voting and feedback mechanisms.
7. Support from EBRD and SwissEP: Assist startups in applying for support from EBRD Star Venture Programs and SwissEP Experts.

Target Startups: The WBSIP is looking for tech-enabled startups with high growth potential from the Western Balkans, particularly those developing solutions in AI and Big Data, Fintech, Insurtech, E-commerce, Industry 4.0, GreenTech, Healthcare & Wellbeing, Foodtech, and Agritech. Eligible startups should aim to raise €200K—€2M by Q3 2025 and be ready to commit to the program’s intensive schedule.

Strategic Partners and Collaborators: Vestbee supports the program by providing the technology and connections to VCs, along with special perks from AWS, Microsoft, Infobip, Hubspot, Stripe, and others. Key program partners include EBRD and SwissEP, as well as several unicorn VCs from the region, such as 11.vc, SCV, Venture Friends, and over 50 other VCs, who will have direct access to the overall deal flow and mentor selection.

A Call to Action: Startups from Albania, Kosovo, and the wider Western Balkans region are encouraged to apply and seize this opportunity to prepare for the funding game and close funding by 2025. The application process is now open, and interested startups can apply through the Vestbee platform.

For more information and to apply, visit [Vestbee link].

About NEST Group: NEST Group is a venture studio and advisory company are active in the startup and investment scene in the Western Balkans and CEE. Since 2022, they have facilitated over €7M in equity investments for 19 SEE startups and continuously support tech founders from the Western Balkans who build global products and companies.