BALKONNECT Festival 2026 Successfully Concludes in Tirana, Advancing Regional Cooperation, Innovation and Investment Across Southeast Europe
Tirana, Albania | 21- 22 May 2026
The second edition of BALKONNECT Festival - Business Without Borders 2026, powered by Prishtina REA and supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Enterprise Europe Network Kosovo, successfully concluded in Tirana, bringing together an exceptional community of entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, innovation leaders, financial institutions, development organizations and business support actors from across Europe and beyond.
Held on 21–22 May 2026 at the iconic Piramida of Tirana, the festival transformed Albania’s capital into a vibrant hub of international cooperation, innovation, entrepreneurship and investment, reinforcing its growing role as one of the leading regional platforms dedicated to fostering cross-border collaboration and sustainable economic development throughout the Western Balkans.
The festival was organized in partnership with 21 international co-organising partners from 14 countries, including Germany, Türkiye, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Hungary, France, Poland, the Czech Republic and Chile. Through their active engagement, these organizations contributed to expanding the festival’s international reach, facilitating participation from businesses and institutions, promoting matchmaking opportunities and strengthening strategic partnerships across multiple sectors and markets.
Over two intensive days, BALKONNECT Festival 2026 delivered a comprehensive programme featuring 7 high-level mainstage discussions, 14 thematic sessions, 3 specialized masterclasses, a dedicated startup pitching event, international B2B matchmaking activities and strategic networking events designed to connect businesses, investors and institutions around common opportunities for growth and cooperation.
The programme addressed some of the most important topics shaping the future of the region, including tourism investment, renewable energy, green growth, sustainable infrastructure, digital finance, fintech, open banking, SaaS and digital exports, ESG implementation, startup financing and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Discussions highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing the Western Balkans while identifying concrete pathways toward greater competitiveness, resilience and regional integration.
One of the defining strengths of this year’s edition was its highly international speaker programme. The festival welcomed 58 speakers, moderators and contributors from 14 countries, representing leading organizations, development institutions, innovation ecosystems, financial institutions, technology companies and investment networks.
Experts from Albania, Kosovo, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Philippines shared valuable perspectives on investment readiness, digital transformation, sustainability, infrastructure development, startup growth and international market expansion. Their participation contributed to a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences, creating meaningful dialogue between regional stakeholders and international experts.
Throughout the festival, participants explored practical solutions for enhancing business competitiveness, increasing access to finance, accelerating innovation and supporting the transition toward a greener and more digital economy. The discussions repeatedly emphasized that regional cooperation and international connectivity are becoming increasingly important for unlocking the full economic potential of the Western Balkans.
The event attracted significant participation from both the public and private sectors, welcoming 281 onsite participants and 299 online participants. The audience included entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, investors, business associations, universities, public institutions, chambers of commerce and international organizations, creating a diverse and collaborative environment for networking and knowledge exchange.
Particularly noteworthy was the participation of approximately 186 SMEs and companies, demonstrating the strong interest of the private sector in exploring new markets, identifying investment opportunities and building international partnerships. The active engagement of businesses throughout the festival reflected the increasing demand for platforms that facilitate internationalization, business growth and cross-border cooperation.
A cornerstone of BALKONNECT Festival 2026 was the international B2B Matchmaking Event, implemented through a hybrid format combining onsite meetings with virtual matchmaking sessions facilitated through the B2Match platform.
The programme generated approximately 632 B2B meetings, including 251 onsite meetings and 381 online meetings, connecting companies, startups, investors, chambers of commerce, innovation agencies and business support organizations from numerous countries. These structured meetings created opportunities for commercial partnerships, technology transfer, investment discussions and future collaborative projects.
Beyond the impressive numbers, the matchmaking programme generated meaningful business connections and laid the foundation for long-term cooperation initiatives that are expected to continue well beyond the festival itself. Several participants, initiated follow-up discussions related to joint projects, market expansion activities and future investment opportunities.
Another major highlight of the festival was the Startup & SME Pitching Event, organized in partnership with Keiretsu Forum Southeast Europe. The initiative was designed to connect promising startups and innovative SMEs with investors, mentors and international business leaders.
The pitching competition attracted 24 startup applications from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other markets. Following a competitive evaluation process, five innovative startups were selected to present their business models, growth strategies and investment opportunities before a distinguished panel of investors and ecosystem leaders.
The pitching event produced tangible outcomes, including the initiation of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between participating startups and investors. These agreements focused on investment readiness, mentorship, strategic cooperation, international expansion and access to new markets, highlighting the growing maturity and potential of the regional startup ecosystem.
Throughout the two-day programme, speakers consistently emphasized that the future prosperity of the Western Balkans will depend on the ability of businesses, institutions and innovation actors to collaborate across borders, embrace innovation and sustainability, and create stronger links with European and global markets.
The festival reinforced a shared vision of a region that is increasingly recognized not only for its economic potential but also for its entrepreneurial talent, innovation capacity and ability to attract international partnerships and investment.
Speaking at the conclusion of the festival, Ahmet Jetullahu- Meti, Founder of BALKONNECT Festival and Executive Director of Prishtina REA, stated:
"BALKONNECT Festival continues to evolve into much more than an annual event. It has become a regional platform where entrepreneurs, investors, institutions and innovators come together to build meaningful partnerships and create new opportunities for growth. The strong international participation and concrete outcomes achieved this year demonstrate that the Western Balkans is increasingly being recognized as a region of innovation, talent, entrepreneurship and investment opportunity. Through cooperation and connectivity, we are helping transform ideas into partnerships and partnerships into tangible results."
The successful implementation of BALKONNECT Festival 2026 further confirms the growing importance of platforms that support innovation, entrepreneurship, investment and international cooperation while strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of businesses throughout Southeast Europe.
Guided by its vision of “Business Without Borders,” the festival continues to build bridges between businesses, investors, institutions and innovation ecosystems, contributing to a more connected, sustainable and prosperous future for the Western Balkans and beyond.
Media Contact
Prishtina REA
BALKONNECT Festival
Email: info@prishtina-rea.net
