On Wednesday, March 12, a panel organized by Growpreneur brought together key players from the startup ecosystem and investors to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing new ventures in Albania. During the event, three major cooperation agreements were signed with Keiretsu Forum SEE, Germin, and ALBAN Global, aiming to leverage their networks to support the growth of Albanian startups.
“We have signed three cooperation agreements with Keiretsu Forum SEE, Germin, and ALBAN Global to utilize our respective networks in service of Albanian startups,” said Shkëlzen Marku from Growpreneur.
The panel featured entrepreneurs, business leaders, and experienced investors who shared their knowledge and interest in collaborating with stakeholders in Albania’s startup ecosystem. Marku praised the discussions held during the event and emphasized the importance of these partnerships in fostering the development of new businesses.
Investors Optimistic About Albania’s Startup Ecosystem
Ardian Hoxha, President of Keiretsu Forum SEE, one of the world’s largest networks of Angel Investors with over 3,000 members, acknowledged the progress of Albania’s startup ecosystem.
“It was a highly productive discussion with various ecosystem actors and investors, including participants from government institutions. The audience was great, with many entrepreneurs present, and I believe that the Albanian startup ecosystem is on the right track. We, as investors, are seeing positive developments every day. As Angel Investors, we are very excited about the future,” Hoxha stated.
Collaboration as the Key to Startup Success
Ermelinda Hajdari from ALBAN Global praised the diversity of perspectives shared during the panel and highlighted the importance of collaboration in strengthening the startup ecosystem in Albania.
“The panel brought together different perspectives, not only within the startup ecosystem and its challenges but also new ideas and opportunities, all with a strong emphasis on collaboration,” Hajdari noted.
She also thanked EU4Innovation and Growpreneur for their support and emphasized that these initiatives and partnerships are crucial for the continuous development of new businesses in the country.
Diaspora: A Key Investment Source
A major focus of the discussion was how to engage the Albanian diaspora in supporting startups and businesses in Albania. Lirim Krasniqi from Germin stressed the importance of building trust to attract investments from the diaspora.
“Through Germin, I have been working to connect the diaspora with their country of origin. It is essential to create trust-based relationships because the diaspora is willing to invest and contribute to Albania,” Krasniqi stated.
The Official Launch of Growpreneur’s Third Call for Applications
The event concluded with an important announcement: the official launch of the third call for applications for the Growpreneur program, which is opening new doors for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to accelerate their growth. This program offers significant opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs seeking to develop their ideas and expand into new markets.
This event reaffirmed the ongoing efforts to build a strong startup ecosystem in Albania by leveraging international networks, engaging investors, and fostering collaboration with the Albanian diaspora.
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