Tirana is emerging as a key innovation and entrepreneurship center in the Balkans. Plug and Play, one of the world’s leading startup accelerators, has officially launched its first program in Albania, aiming to expand the global potential of local startups.
On January 29, the Plug and Play Tirana Accelerator Program was officially introduced at the Pyramid of Tirana, bringing together representatives from the Albanian Government, the Municipality of Tirana, the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), and IDEMIA Smart Identity (ISI). The event opened with welcoming remarks from key partners, setting the stage for an inspiring address by Dr. Philipp Gneiting from Plug and Play. His speech highlighted the journey of startups towards achieving unicorn status and the role of accelerator programs in making this possible.
Following the presentation of the program details and a Q&A session, Prime Minister Edi Rama delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing the accelerator’s significance for Albania’s innovation ecosystem. The event concluded with a networking session, fostering connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and tech professionals, and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.
The Plug and Play Tirana Accelerator Program will run for five cycles over the next three years, offering selected startups access to a Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning (GOAL) program in Silicon Valley. This initiative will provide Albanian and regional startups with unparalleled access to Plug and Play’s international network, enabling them to scale, attract venture capital investments, and test their technologies in global markets.
While Tirana serves as the epicenter of this initiative, the accelerator is open to startups from across the Balkans, positioning Albania as a regional hub for technology-driven entrepreneurship. Beyond its rich history and vibrant culture, Tirana is rapidly establishing itself as a digital innovation hub, attracting an increasing number of innovators and investments in tech infrastructure.
Applications for the accelerator are now open, offering ambitious startups the chance to elevate their ideas and gain access to world-class mentorship, funding, and market expansion opportunities.
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