The first European accelerator dedicated to innovative start-ups in Albania, Uplift Albania will crown its 5-th edition with the Demo-Day big event scheduled to take place on April 23, 2024, in Tirana.
Founded in 2019 and today transformed into a broad network of founders, experts, investors and industry partners with the mission to support some of the most innovative and inspiring start-ups in Albania, part of the legacy of Uplift Albania today are more than 40 start-ups graduated from this program.
Uplift is an acceleration program designed for early-stage start-ups to help them achieve their full potential by guiding them towards a future of sustainable growth.
Every year a cohort of 10-12 start-ups are selected to follow a 4-month intensive program where through a dedicated and tailored mentoring program they learn about business models, intellectual property, pitching to investors and fundraising.
Artificial intelligence, fintech, mode, e-commerce, agriculture, tourism and cyber-security are some of the industries represented by the 12 start-ups selected to follow Uplift Albania 16-week program led by some of the best local, regional and European experts.
On April 23, Beach Master, Future Block, Marigo, Dialogo AI, Nullius in Verba (Niv), Kungul app, Patoko, Cyber Morphosis, Rumio App, Altvista, UnyoCorp-Blite and GreenGuard will jump on the stage of Demo-Day in front of an audience consisting of investors from Albania, Region and Europe.
The 5-th edition of Uplift Albania welcomed applications until January 4, 2024. 50 start-ups and 72 founders showed interest in joining this program.
On January 12, 2024, the Selection Bootcamp took place with 20 startups raced for a spot and 12 of them were selected to join the 16-week intensive acceleration program. Start-ups were mentored by Igor Madzov, Peter Brunner, Genti Selenica, Henrik Lezi, Eneid Lika, Kushtrim Shala, Kushtrim Xhakli, Rovena Beqiraj, Xhesika Lulaj, Reita Hackaj, Kamen Bankovski, Ina Haxhihyseni, Anxhela Mastori, Albion Isaj, Milos Matiç, Eli Zhabevska, Gert Boshnjaku, Eric Czuleger, Anila Golemi, Mirela Kolli, Andreas Rugova, Cameron Price, Fatjon Gjata, Arlind Haxhijaj, Anila Golemi, Driton Musolli, Ravik Mima, Patrik Fetahaj, Tomi Kallanxhi, Valer Pinderi etc.
Uplift Albania Demo-Day
The big stage of Uplift Albania will shine on April 23, 2024 at the premises of “Jordan Misja” Artistic Lyceum with an entire community of founders, startups, enthusiasts and dreamers will celebrate the achievements of 12 start-ups of the 5-th edition of this acceleration program.
This unique event begins with “Investor Connect – Speed Dating with Investors” session where each start-up will pitch for 7 minutes in front of donors and investors. Part of Investor Connect will be a panel composed of the most prominent VCs and Angels clubs in the region such as: Julien Coustaury from Fil Rouge Capital, Eli Zhabevska from South Central Ventures, Mergim Cahani from Gjirafa, Kamen Bankovski from Planet Nine Ventures, Igor Madzov from Nest, Ardian Hoxha from Keiretsu Forum SEE, Rezart Lahi from SmartVest Ventures, Diana Xhumari from Tegeria etc.
The Head of Cooperation from the Delegation of the European Union in Albania, Mr. Hubert Perr, German Ambassador in Albania Mr. Karlfried Bergner, General Director of GIZ for Europe, the Mediterranean and Central Asia, Mr. Carsten Schmitz-Hoffmann, Representative of UNICEF Albania Mr. Murat Sahin, Deputy Ambassador of Italy in Albania Mr. Luigi Mattirolo, Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland in Albania Mr. Philipp Aenold, Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Mr. Blendi Gonxhe and the Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate, Mrs. Delina Ibrahimaj will join Uplift Albania Demo-Day.
The jury of the 5-th edition of Uplift Albania consists of: z. Julien Coustaury from Fil Rogue Capital Venture, znj. Eli Zhabevska from South Central Ventures, z. Kamen Bankovski from Planet Nine Ventures dhe Mërgim Cahani from Gjirafa.
To become part of Uplift Albania Demo-Day we invite you to register by filling out the form in this link: https://uplift.al/uplift-demo-day/
The full Demo-Day agenda is as follows:
- 17:00 – 17:30 Opening Remarks
- 17:30 – 19:00 Presentation of startups on the Demo-Day stage
- 19:00 – 19:30 Evaluation of Startups
- 19:00 – 19:30 Speech by Lorenzo Ait
- 19:30 – 19:50 Winner announcement and prize distribution
- 19:50 – 20:30 Networking/Cocktail
At the Demo-Day, some of the start-ups will be awarded prizes will the total value of 12,000 euros, as well as other surprise prizes.
Supporters and Partners of Uplift Albania
Uplift Albania is powered by EU for Innovation, implemented by ICTSlab in the framework of “Qëndro” Project with the support of Italian Government, UNICEF, Deloitte, SwissEP, Star Venture and various local and foreign actors.
