INNVEST SUMMIT 2023- Future of Finance in WB6” was held in the Capital of Albania, Tirana on October
3rd, 2023. We couldn't dream of a better venue to host the 6th edition of the annual Summit than Piramida.
An amazing reveal of an impressive lineup of visionary speakers and dynamic program on October 3rd, 2023 at
Piramida. INNVEST Summit 6 th gathered together political leaders, prominent entrepreneurs, academics and
representatives of the tech community who will be coming together in Tirana on October 3d, 2023 discussed the
future of finance, digital transformation and the challenges and opportunities it brings. They all share an ability
to think strategically and influence change through different leverage points in Future Finance.
INNVEST Summit was Exclusively Supported by Visa company and other important actors in WB6. Visa is
trusted network and world leader in digital payments, working to remove barriers and connect more people to
the global economy. Purpose of the company is to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and
be paid.
Visa was proud to be exclusive partner of the INNVEST Summit and to present their social impact and the work
of Visa Foundation. Through grantmaking and investing, this foundation prioritizes the growth of gender
diverse and inclusive small and micro businesses. The Foundation also supports broader community needs and
disaster response in times of crisis.
EU for Innovation supports through years INNVEST Summit and another loyal sponsor is NOA sha, a financial
institution with 25 years of experience in Albanian market, now also in Pristina/Kosovo in offering more
financing opportunities for citizens and local businesses.
As a loyal partner through years INNVEST Summit is supported by WB EDIF and Luxembourg through the
Small Business Impact Fund (Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan
Business- EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund and the USA). Under its Small Business Initiative which offers
innovative tools to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Bank aims to capitalize on the
financing activities happening in the early-stage space by mobilizing its existing capabilities to deliver advice
and know how to early-stage companies. Therefore, Star Venture Programme is designed to identify and help
high-potential companies that are at the early stages of their lifecycles and to mobilize globally sourced
expertise to help these nascent firms to scale up rapidly.
Our distinguished speakers, together aimed to refresh the agenda of the Future of Finance, innovation and
technology, while charting the course to a more resilient, responsive and open future. We covered where should
LPs place their allocations for a changing economic order? How to innovate and inform the financial system
(not the other way around), and lots more on Future of Finance: Opportunities and Inclusion, Green future, etc.
It was immensely interesting to be part of the macro & micro economic discussion on startup and venture
ecosystem through the lenses of sustainability and gender. As this country lays the groundwork for investments,
it's truly exciting to contemplate the pivotal role that Albanian women can play here right from the very
beginning.
Unmissable Highlights
“Ecosystem players are ready to embrace innovation and digital transformation in Albania and Balkan Region!
We are some of the actors of it by launching new incentives and bring worldwide success stories in front of WB
decision makers, international, national and private stakeholders. This 6 th edition has brought concrete impacts,
factors, incentives of A2F that demonstrate the responsibility from investors and corporates on supporting the
growth and resilience of startups, MSMEs and SMEs through digitalization, particularly those owned especially
by youth generations and women.” said Fabiola Duro, founder of INNVEST
INNVEST Summit shared our perspective on the road traveled so far, with key local partners, and the
opportunities that digital transformation offers to entrepreneurs and SMBs drawing from insights from
Uzbekistan in unlocking the benefits of #digitalpayments and working with Dordoi market’s #merchants in
Kyrgyzstan -Carl Manlan is Vice President, Social Impact for Visa Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East,
and Africa.
Digital transformation as a catalyst for sustainability and open innovation! We have to be inclusive and to
unlock our sustainable future through digitalization and innovation- Najada Kubuli, Vice President and Head of
Investments, Visa Foundation
“We aim to develop models of sustainable tourism, models that create positive impact to the territory
empowering the local communities” -Sofjola Kotelli Tourism Component Leader, GIZ Albania
“INNVEST SUMMIT 2023 illuminated the transformative potential of finance in the Western Balkans, leaving
a lasting impression regarding the region's economic evolution and innovation” Gerti Gjoka, AtraX
“The challenge of the future remains the digitization of financial services, with the aim of creating access to
finance for all businesses and not only”- Herjola Spahiu, Board Member of European Microfinance Network
(EMN), Board Member of IFJB NOA sha Kosovo, CEO of NOA sha.
INNVEST Summit in Tirana: A place where you share, learn, and connect to bring alive your ideas—a true hub
of innovation and inspiration. Gerton Bejo, Vatra Agency CEO
It was very interesting to exchange with speakers and participants from organizations that have a stake in
innovation, digitalization, and green transition that remain key drivers of future development. It was also
important to hear about the perspective of funding organizations like Visa to support the development of these
areas. Indeed, investments in these three areas are beneficial for our country's development and furthermore to
go towards a resource-efficient society. Ermira Shyti, Component Team Leader, Risi Albania
Raising the problem and networking with like-minded people is the first step toward the solution and that’s what
INNVEST brings to the ecosystem- Gerti Rrotani, Adviser for Linkages- EU for Innovation, GIZ Albania
We stand for facilitating modernization through leveraging the power of digital innovations for the financial sector, particularly Artificial Intelligence. We’re happy to always be a part of "the next"! Gjergji Guri, Facilization
At Innvest summit we found out the importance of getting together and work effortlessly to create the space where entrepreneurs Standup, Startup, and Scaleup. There is a lot going on in the region with companies providing digital & tech solutions for various common problems. That means that we have to maximize common initiatives to promote these initiatives together internationally- Gerti Boshnjaku, Co-Founder & Platform Leader New Media Digital, BusinessMag, AlbaniaTech.
We all shared insights and perspectives on the creation of an ecosystem for sustainable solutions and the
promotion of entrepreneurship. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to share our knowledge and
contribute to the development of this ecosystem. Let's keep pushing for positive change and innovation!
#INNVEST plays a vital role in driving innovation and economic growth, and our discussion revolved around
the significance of youth and women in creating companies that will tackle challenges Albania is facing. We
highlighted the importance of having diverse voices at the decision-making table, particularly when it comes to
shaping the emerging economy, keeping young talent and developing sectors like tourism and agriculture in a
responsible and sustainable manner.
The new initiatives on Future of Finance from INNVEST aims at the upcoming further steps to help startups,
MSMEs, SMEs and corporations better deliver on their environmental and social goals, digitalization
transformation for young generations on future green skills, while also achieving shareholder and business
objectives, by connecting company leaders with a new set of tools and resources. This year, Future of Finance
has brought solutions and concrete steps on how together we can empower digitization and digital payments at
the ecosystem level, and how to derive financial and social outcomes from this.
Albania, and the Balkans, are at an exciting inflection point of entrepreneurial and economic growth. All
of us learned more and contribute to this journey. Albania, your potential is boundless, and We are more than
excited to witness the incredible journey ahead! Together.
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