Investor Talks Tirana: Igniting Albania’s Startup Momentum

On July 3rd, Tirana will host Investor Talks at the House of Europe, marking a pivotal moment for Albania’s startup ecosystem. With over 100 founders, investors, and corporate leaders converging from across Europe and beyond, this event is not just a milestone for the local scene - it’s a signal to international organizations and investors that Albania is slowly but steadily becoming a serious partner in the global innovation race.

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.

Meet the speakers: Who’s joining Tirana on July 3rd

Investor Talks Tirana features a powerhouse lineup of speakers and mentors, each bringing global perspective and deep expertise. Here are some of the speakers:

Denada Rauch

Co-founder and Director of ADLR PARTNERS AG and Prime Rauch Capital, Denada has a strong track record in investment across finance, technology, sustainability, AI, and health. She’s a mentor, award-winning business leader, and advocate for women in leadership.

Kristian Kabashi

COO of Radicant Holding and Co-Founder of Numarics, Kristian is a business transformation expert with a €10M fundraising track record. Recognized as Swissalbs Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, he’s also an author and thought leader on the future of work.

Brent Christiaens

Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Seven Capital, Brent is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and author. He has scaled multiple ventures and works with VC firms and family offices to back disruptive technology startups.

Tal Catran

A global accelerator expert, Tal has founded and managed over 20 startup accelerators, graduating more than 2,000 tech startups worldwide. He is a sought-after mentor, angel investor, and speaker at major international conferences.

Shefqet Avdullau

A serial founder and angel investor with a background in software engineering, Shefqet invests in AI, Adtech, Healthtech, FinTech, and B2B SaaS startups in the US and UK. He brings hands-on mentorship and strategic guidance to the companies he backs.

Ludovica De Pieri

Founder and CEO of Reveal My Food, Ludovica combines scientific research with entrepreneurship to tackle health and nutrition challenges through AI. She is also a published author and speaker on food tech and behavior change.

Shkelzen Marku

Co-founder of Yunus Social Business Balkans, Shkelzen is a veteran mentor, consultant, and advisor on economic development, with experience across 15+ countries. He is a lecturer and advocate for social impact entrepreneurship.

Don´t miss the event !

📅 Thursday, 3 July | ⏰ 14:30 – 17:30

📍 Europe House, Tirana

Registration is required and subject to approval. Places are limited!

REGISTER NOW

Albania’s Next Chapter: A Hub for Innovation

With its vibrant talent pool, growing international partnerships, and a new wave of private capital, Albania is poised to become a regional hub for innovation. Investor Talks Tirana is not just an event - it’s a launchpad for the country’s next generation of unicorns and a call to action for international partners ready to shape the future of European tech.

As Investor Talks continues its roadshow across major European cities—Barcelona, Brussels, Berlin, and soon Zurich and Dubai—Tirana’s edition stands out as a pivotal moment for the country’s ecosystem. For those looking to be part of the next big story in European tech, the time to engage with Albania is now.

For those seeking the next big opportunity in Europe’s innovation landscape, all eyes are on Tirana this July.

For partnership and sponsorship opportunities, visit albanglobal.com or contact Ermelinda Hajdari at e.hajdari@albanglobal.com.