On July 3rd, 2025, Tirana will host a remarkable gathering of international and Albanian speakers at the “Investor Talks” event — a forum that brings together investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals from the startup ecosystem in Albania. Below are some of the key speakers who will be part of this inspiring event.
Albania’s recipe for success: ambition, drive, and creativity
Albania’s startup ecosystem is undergoing a transformation. Once overlooked, the country is now attracting the attention of major accelerators, venture capitalists, and international organizations. Sectors like cybersecurity and agrotech are at the forefront, with local founders building solutions that address both regional and global challenges. The arrival of Plug & Play, one of the world’s most influential startup accelerators, and the endorsement from leaders like Managing Director Philipp—who called Albania “maybe the next place where unicorns can come from”—underscore the country’s growing reputation as a launchpad for high-impact ventures.
“The ecosystem in Tirana has a recipe for success: ambition, drive, and creativity. I think companies like Odoo in Belgium already saw this, and are working more and more with local technology providers. We have everything to be a hub for innovation – with the right partners and, of course, a vote of confidence through private capital.”
— Ermelinda Hajdari, Founder, ALBAN Global
Why Investor Talks Tirana matters
Investor Talks Tirana is designed to catalyze this momentum. The event brings together a curated mix of international investors, seasoned founders, and forward-thinking corporates for an afternoon of actionable discussions and strategic matchmaking. The agenda covers critical topics for early-stage growth: from bootstrapping vs. external investment to navigating global funding trends and Albania’s evolving role in the European tech ecosystem.
Why this event matters – for Albania and beyond
Investor Talks Tirana is designed to catalyze Albania’s momentum. The event connects founders with international investors, angel networks, VCs, family offices, and accelerators from over 13 countries. It’s a platform for:
- Investor Matchmaking: Facilitating high-value connections between startups and global capital.
- Internationalization Support: Empowering founders to expand beyond Albania, leveraging international networks and expertise.
- Strategic Partnerships: Fostering collaborations that bridge local talent with global opportunity.
- For international organizations and investors, Tirana now offers a gateway to Southeast Europe’s most dynamic and untapped market. The event provides targeted exposure, exclusive networking, and the chance to engage with Albania’s next generation of tech leaders.
Denada Rauch – Global Investor & Entrepreneur
Director and co-founder of ADLR PARTNERS AG and Prime Rauch Capital, Denada brings vast experience in the investment sector, covering finance, technology, AI, healthcare, sustainability, and real estate. Internationally recognized, she was named “Woman of the Year 2025” and received the “Achievement in Business Career” award in 2023. Denada is also an active mentor for young leaders and a speaker at global events such as Creative Women Gateway in London.
Kristian Kabashi – Digital Transformation Expert
COO at Radicant Holding and co-founder of Numarics, Kristian is a business transformation leader with over 15 years of experience. He has collaborated with major brands like Havas and Dentsu International. Winner of the “Swissalbs Entrepreneur of the Year 2023” award, he is also the author of the “Blank Collar” concept, which explores the human-tech relationship in the modern workplace.
Brent Christiaens – Visionary Investor & Author
Co-founder of Seven Capital, Brent is known for strategic investments in technology and partnerships with venture capital funds. He has built and scaled several successful companies and is the author of “The Hidden History of Military Technology in Everyday Life.” As host of the podcast “Deeper Than Tech,” Brent brings forward the human stories behind tech innovation.
Tal Catran – Global Mentor & Ecosystem Builder
Founder of over 20 startup accelerators in more than 30 countries and with over 2,000 startups graduated, Tal is a pivotal figure in developing global startup ecosystems. He is an angel investor and board member in several tech startups. Known as a speaker at TEDx and Forbes events, Tal shares his “professional toolbox” to motivate and guide new founders.
Shefqet Avdullau – Angel Investor
With a strong background as a founder and software engineer, Mr. Avdullau is one of the most active members of the Albanian diaspora in the USA and the UK. He has invested in startups in AI, AdTech, HealthTech, FinTech, and B2B SaaS, with a particular focus on serial founders. So far, he has made 11 investments, one of which has led to a successful exit.
Ludovica De Pieri – Innovator in FoodTech & Health
Founder and CEO of “Reveal My Food,” an AI-powered platform for the hospitality industry, Ludovica is also a science journalist and expert in food behavior. She focuses on the intersection of technology and food to build a healthier and more equitable world. As a speaker at international conferences and podcasts, she shares her journey as a founder and investor.
Shkëlzen Marku – Consultant in Economic Development & Social Entrepreneurship
Co-founder of Yunus Social Business Balkans, Mr. Marku is a recognized voice in the field of economic development and policy-making for impactful entrepreneurship. With over 20 years of experience in mentoring, training, and providing technical assistance to SMEs, he is also a lecturer at various universities in Albania.
This carefully selected panel represents a rare opportunity to meet and learn directly from professionals who are truly reshaping how businesses are built and funded in Europe and beyond.
Don’t miss it!
Register here
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