Western Balkan Startup Alliance

Third Regional Butterfly Innovation Forum in Podgorica! The Science Technology Park of Montenegro opens its doors to the region's top innovative minds for two days of inspiring discussions and panels. Our very own Kosta Andrić 🌲 will take the stage to share insights during the session, Spotlight on Innovation: Regional Insights and Trends. This gathering is all about fostering collaboration and driving innovation across the region—stay tuned for highlights from this transformative event! #ButterflyInnovationForum #InnovationInAction #RegionalCollaboration #FutureOfInnovation

🌟 WBSA & ESNA! 🇪🇺🚀 We’re excited to share that the Western Balkan Startup Alliance (WBSA) is represented in ESNA - Europe Startup Nations Alliance through our cofounder, Nina Nikolich! Last year, Nina was invited to join the BoA of ESNA and last week together with 25 brilliant minds from across Europe’s startup ecosystem they gathered in Lisbon for the second in person ESNA Advisory Board meeting. Together with venture capitalists, founders, academics, and policymakers, the group is driving a bold vision for a united, innovative, and competitive European tech ecosystem. 🔍 Key Topics on the Table 1️⃣ Startup Taxonomy 🎯 Defining terms like “startup,” “scale-up,” and “deep tech” may sound mundane, but these unified definitions are vital. They allow policymakers to design targeted laws and allocate resources effectively, ensuring maximum impact. 2️⃣ Market Data 📊 How many startups does Europe have? What’s their economic contribution? ESNA is creating a comprehensive data platform to provide insights into Europe’s tech landscape, ensuring better decisions and more informed strategies. 3️⃣ Regulation vs. Innovation 🤖 We tackled the balance between protecting citizens with regulations like the AI Act and fostering innovation by supporting startups to create groundbreaking tech in Europe. Finding this harmony is key to driving progress without stifling creativity. 🌍 Why This Matters Europe stands at a crossroads, with a unique opportunity to position itself as a global leader in tech and innovation. By uniting policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and community builders, ESNA is building a cohesive European startup ecosystem that empowers bold ideas and fosters collaboration across borders. For the WBSA, it’s a privilege to have our voice heard in shaping this future, ensuring the Western Balkans play a pivotal role in Europe’s tech story. 💡 Here’s to creating the best playing field for innovation in Europe, together. #WBSA #ESNA #StartupNation #EuropeStartups #Innovation #WesternBalkans #TechLeadership #UnitedEurope #Reconomy Special thanks to the ESNA team for organizing this and to RECONOMY for supporting WBSA

PARTNERSHIP, INNOVATION, UNITY, COMMITMENT, TRUST, COLLABORATION, and EMPOWERMENT. Together, we're driving meaningful change across the Western Balkans! 🌍✨ Nina Nikolich Kosta Andrić 🌲 Kristijan Mileski Maja Todorcheva Dane Josifovski HUB387 Jovana Musić Dajana Dzindo Gogo Rafajlovski Vedran Šimunović Sasa Ivanovic Alema Pelesić Arber Kryeziu Avni Arifi Bojana Femić-Radosavović Djordjije Malovic Dorina Grezda Filip Ilić Hatidža Hadžimuhamedović Milos Matic 🌲 Denis Daut Željko Lučić #WBSA #TogetherForChange #InnovationAssembly #FutureBuilders #RECONOMY

Last week, the WBSA gathered in Sarajevo for an inspiring WBSA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, bringing together our incredible members and partners from across the region! The meeting was a celebration of collaboration, commitment, and innovation, as we reflected on our journey and mapped out our next steps. The energy and unity among our members was a true testament to our shared mission of strengthening the startup ecosystem in the Western Balkans. 🌍 Thank you to HUB387 for hosting us and for their incredible support in making this gathering possible! Thank you RECONOMY for making this possible for us! And last but not least important thank you. Thanks to everyone for your passion and contributions. We’re excited to keep building the future, together! #WBSA #WesternBalkans #Startups #Innovation #Partnership #BAS2024 #RECONOMY

📢📢 BIG NEWS Are you ready to take your startup to the next level? #Season2 of The Founder Games is here, and it's about to get intense The Founder Games is now an accelerator program! We’re talking six months packed with tailored mentorship, expert insights, all the right tools, and epic on-site events that’ll boost your networking and put you face-to-face with investors. The reality show is just one part of the magic! The show captures the full accelerator experience — expects startup challenges, on-site events, and a chance to win over both the audience and investors. Now, if you’re a startup ready to make waves, THIS IS YOUR SHOT! Here’s what we’re looking for: You’re pre-seed or seed-stage, with an MVP and around 100 days from the market You’re based somewhere in the Balkans incl. Turkey and Cyprus You’re ready to commit full-time from January to June 2025 You’re down to pack your bags for Skopje for on-site events and travel’s on us! You’re in for a real-deal experience! No fluff just chances to build, learn, and grow You’re excited to jump into the spotlight, gain some serious exposure, and supercharge your journey Don’t wait a minute longer and APPLY NOW on this link https://lnkd.in/dqQrni4f Applications are closing on December 15 at midnight sharp It’s real. It’s on. LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Not ready to be on our show but still looking for networking and mentorship opportunities? Join our network for free: https://lnkd.in/dTe__4Wk ----- Links: Faceboook: https://lnkd.in/d_r4fpAq LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dA7JGzMx Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dZQRyc4m

🤝 In so many ways, this year's #BusinessAngelSummit proved to be a powerful platform for regional collaboration. On its sidelines, we had the privilege of hosting the Western Balkan Startup Alliance (WBSA) General Assembly, uniting key regional startup stakeholders, alliance members and setting the stage for defining WBSA's strategic direction, identifying key initiatives that will drive innovation forward. We’re incredibly grateful to have hosted such inspiring leaders and for the impactful discussions that unfolded. Together, we’re building a stronger, more interconnected startup community in the Western Balkans! 👏 A heartfelt thank you to RECONOMY for making this opportunity possible. #BAS24 #WBSA #RECONOMY

WBSA was part of the BAS - Business Angel Summit 2024 in Sarajevo, hosted by Fondacija 787 (Foundation 787). The summit served as a key meeting spot for regional and international ecosystem actors and investors. The event kicked off with opening remarks from Dajana Dzindo from Foundation 787, board member of the WBSA and featured panels, discussions, and networking focused on advancing angel investment in the Western Balkans. Our board members and advisors, Kosta Andrić 🌲 and Gogo Rafajlovski, represented WBSA impressively, with Kosta speaking on the “Investment Landscape of the Western Balkans” and Gogo engaging in a panel discussion on making angel investing mainstream. In attendance were our members Kristijan Mileski, Nina Nikolich, Dorina Grezda, Avni Arifi, Jovana Musić, Sasa Ivanovic, Arber Kryeziu, Željko Lučić , Bojana Femić-Radosavović, Vedran Šimunović, Filip Ilić, Milos Matic 🌲, Djordjije Malovic, Hatidža Hadžimuhamedović, Natasa Kučera and Alema Pelesić, all contributing to the rich exchange of ideas and insights. Special thanks to RECONOMY for making this opportunity possible for us! And thank you Foundation 787 team for hosting us and bringing the community together. #WBSA #BASSummit #Foundation787 #RECONOMY #InnovationEcosystem

Our Nina Nikolich, a founding member of the Western Balkan Startup Alliance (WBSA), recently participated in the Recreating Innovation Summit in Chania, Crete organised by Founderhood. The event, held from October 24th to 26th, brought together global innovation leaders, startup program managers, policymakers, and more to collaborate and share knowledge. Nina's experience as an ecosystem builder and program manager made her a great addition to the summit, where she contributed to discussions on strategic collaboration across startups, investors, and innovation policy. This event contributed to create links between WBSA and international partners to explore collaborations and joint projects. A big thank you to #RECONOMY for supporting our participation! RECONOMY is a regional inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in partnership with WBSA] and others in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkans. #InnovationEcosystem #GlobalInnovation #RecreatingInnovation #WBSA

§ Excited to join #SouthSummit25, where innovation meets opportunity! We’re on the lookout for startups with unique solutions that can drive change. 🌍 Ready to make your mark? Let’s connect! https://lnkd.in/eWPFESps § Our mission at #SouthSummit25: find visionary startups pushing the boundaries of tech and business! 🔍 If you're building something that can disrupt the ecosystem, we want to meet you! https://lnkd.in/eWPFESps § The energy at South Summit is electric! We’re here to discover bold entrepreneurs and groundbreaking ideas. Let’s collaborate and elevate innovation to the next level. Are you ready? 🌟 https://lnkd.in/eWPFESps

We are thrilled to share with you the BOLD Fellowship for Entrepreneurship, an exciting startup incubator program based in New York City for young aspiring entrepreneurs from the Western Balkans. Hosted by Entrepreneurs for Global Change (EGC), this fully-funded fellowship offers a unique opportunity to transform your entrepreneurial ambitions into reality. Program Details: Who can apply? Individuals aged 18-25 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with a startup idea at the ‘Ideation to Pre-MVP’ stage. Program overview: The fellowship includes a 2-month virtual program, followed by a 1-month in-person program in New York, and concludes with 2 months of scaling and collaboration. What’s covered? The fellowship is fully funded, including travel, accommodation, meals, and program components – with no equity required. Why Apply for the BOLD Fellowship? Method: Develop your entrepreneurship skills with our experiential growth model. Step into the founder's shoes and refine your startup idea while testing it in the U.S. Dedication: Gain ongoing support for your entrepreneurial mindset and future startup ventures. Network: Connect with top mentors, industry experts, and like-minded peers from NYC and beyond. Location: Immerse yourself in the heart of NYC's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Application Deadline: November 4th at 11:59 PM ET Don’t miss out on this opportunity to bring your startup idea to life and join a community of bold and innovative young entrepreneurs!