Keiretsu Forum South East Europe (KFSEE) is the world’s largest network of angel investors, with over 3,000 accredited investors in 60 countries worldwide. For more than 20 years, forum members have invested over 1 billion dollars in 1,000+ verified startups. The forum is a global network for the circulation of capital, resources, and business deals, spanning three continents. KFSEE members invest in high-quality and diverse investment opportunities. Now, this global network of investors is organizing its third event in Albania, providing an extraordinary opportunity for development and support for startups here and for the regional startup ecosystem as a whole.
Keiretsu Forum SEE Pitch Day, held on June 21st at the Pyramid, was an event that brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, highlighting Albania’s potential to become a dynamic ecosystem of successful business and investment in the region. The country’s outlook for the next decade is considered very promising.
Aware of the lack and needs of funding that aspiring entrepreneurs have, KFSEE will contribute as a regional ecosystem of developing innovation and entrepreneurship – bringing together local, regional, and international leaders and investors, organizations, and entrepreneurs – ambitious and innovative youth seeking capital for their startups. Through this innovative and professional ecosystem, every aspiring entrepreneur will have a space to express their business idea and receive the necessary support to develop it towards the path of success. The event organized by KFSEE in Tirana was a great success and a testament to the promising potential of Albanian entrepreneurs. With the right support, innovative ideas can easily turn into success stories, and forum members are here to be part of the success story of Albanian and regional entrepreneurs.
The event’s opening speech was delivered by Ardian Hoxha, President of the Keiretsu Forum SEE Chapter, Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate, and Eduard Shalsi, Chairman of the Economic and Finance Committee and one of the first initiators in Albania for the startup law.
One of the event’s highlights was the signing of the agreement between Keiretsu Forum SEE, represented by Ardian Hoxha, and the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Business Climate in Albania, Ms. Delina Ibrahimaj. This was an important step for the development of startups.
“Our region of Europe is experiencing the greatest growth in the startup sector compared to the western, eastern, and central regions. It is not enough to have money, but you also need connections with talents and ideas. There are countries with high incomes but undeveloped ecosystems of talent and ideas. Therefore, Albania is expected to experience growth in investments and success in the entrepreneurship sector because we have creative and ambitious talents and ideators,” said Mr. Hoxha.
In response to the question of how Albania can become a Silicon Valley, panelists replied that further opening of businesses and universities, as well as creating bridges of collaboration between businesses, would serve to transform the Albanian startup ecosystem to another level, and cultivate an investor culture akin to Silicon Valley (with angel investors, unicorn businesses, etc.).
“Experience coupled with information is one of the most important and differentiating components if you aspire to be successful in business. We here have a great advantage because we have the opportunity to continually and in real-time see startup initiatives being undertaken, how they progress, or how they fail. This constitutes a valuable source of information that helps us in our personal journey to becoming successful,” added Mr. Hoxha.
Some of the special guests in the panel led by Ravik Mima, CEO of KFSEE, included Zach Coelius, Managing Partner of Coelius Capital, Silicon Valley; Francesco Cracolici, CEO of Nomadic Minds, Silicon Valley; Stevica Kuharski, Partner at Fil Rouge Capital, Zagreb. For them, Albania is a growing country with a promising future in the entrepreneurship sector and the potential for profitable investments. Additionally, the interactive nature of this panel allowed all attendees to receive direct suggestions from these industry leaders. Present were local and international entrepreneurs and investors, such as Leo Blakaj, Kristian Kabashi from Switzerland, founder of Numarics, Grant Van Cleve, an American investor in 110 companies, as well as institutional investors like EIB, banks from Albania and Kosovo, a Dutch fund, and many others. The focus of discussions at the event was the perspective of business and profitable investments in Albania, the importance of angel investors, the support of talents and unique ideas, and reducing barriers with the aim of encouraging the creation and development of startups in the country. The attention of investors and all attendees was dedicated to five startups that presented their business concept and vision.
From Albania for KFSEE, Cleanex – a startup that connects Airbnb property managers with independent cleaners, simplifying the booking of cleaning services for short-term rentals.
- A representative from TradeSmart, a startup from Montenegro, presented a multifunctional platform with a single entry for secure, fast, and transparent international payments, facilitating international transactions.
- Hexidea, an idea founded in Kosovo, offers comprehensive solutions for businesses, with integrated artificial intelligence features.
- Patoko, a startup from Albania, was awarded Startup of the Year at the ICT Awards. This app connects users and providers of mobility services easily and quickly.
- Mushroom Genetics, founded by a Russian entrepreneur in Albania, produces high-quality dietary supplements made from mushrooms.
With a packed hall and a promising atmosphere, the event concluded with an exclusive networking session at the top of the Pyramid, where young entrepreneurs had the opportunity to discuss and receive constructive suggestions for their next steps. In support of the ecosystem’s development, KFSEE will soon announce the next call for entrepreneurs, with the subsequent event to be held in Pristina, Kosovo. Membership in the Keiretsu Forum SEE remains an open call for all investors and key ecosystem actors to join in the goal of developing innovation in Albania and beyond.
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