12 startups from various industries such as artificial intelligence, fashion, agriculture, e-commerce, tourism, cyber-security were selected to join Uplift Albania, the first European startup accelerator in Albania.
On January 12, 2024, 20 startups were invited at Selection Bootcamp, racing for a spot at the fifth cohort of Uplift Albania, a startup accelerator which has graduated 40 startups since the start of its journey in 5 years ago.
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, Uplift Albania represent a challenge but also an opportunity for the 12 selected startups will be cultivated in an environment where they evaluate their business and test their product.
Uplift Albania Selection Bootcamp took place at ICTSlab with the participation of Mr. Eduard Shalsi, Chairman of Economy and Finance Committee of Albanian Parliament, Mr. Sebastian Berwagner, Director of EU for Innovation programme and Ms. Edina Kozma, vice-representative of UNICEF Albania who welcomed the event.
Ms. Briseida Gjoza, CEO of ConsciESG – one of the winning startups of the previous edition of Albania Albania, was invited to share her success story that concluded with a foreign investment of thousands of dollars.
Managing Partner at ICTSlab and co-founder of ICTSmedia, Mr. Kushtrim Shala opened Selection Bootcamp by holding a minute of silence honoring the well-known entrepreneur Mr. Dritan Mezini who passed away unexpectedly a few days ago. During his speech, he highlighted some key takeaways of Uplift acceleration program which later was introduced in detail by event moderator Ms. Arjola Pazaj.
Selection Bootcamp began with a short 1-minute pitch in front of the audience and mentors for each of 20 participating startups. Lean Canvas workshop from Ms. Anila Golemi followed.
After the workshop, startups were mentored by 15 experts from different fields and industries, assisting with the pitching preparation. Selection Bootcamp was concluded with 3-minute pitching in front of the jury consisting of mentors: Igor Magzov, Gent Selenica, Andreas Rugova, Reita Haçkaj, Cameron Price, Driton Musolli, Ravik Mima, Patrik Fetahaj, Tomi Kallanxhi, Mirela Kolli, Valer Pinderi, Fatjon Gjata, Arlind Haxhiaj, Eric Czuleger, Artemida Alltari and Anila Golemi.
Beach Master, Future Block, Marigo, Dialogo AI, Nullius in Verba (Niv), Kungul app, Patoko, Cyber Morphosis, Rumio App, Altvista, UnyoCorp-Blite and GreenGuard are the startups selected to follow the 3-month program of Uplift Albania.
Uplift Albania is a 3-month acceleration program were startups are trained intensively on business modeling, fundraising, networking, brand identity, sales and marketing strategies, pitching skills, market development, trademarks, legal matters and finance and accounting.
The 5th edition invited applicants until January 4, 2024 with more than 50 startups and 72 co-founders expressing their interest while a high participation of female entrepreneurs was observed.
The acceleration program began the same day of Selection Bootcamp. Considered to be the big final of Uplift Albania, the Demo-Day will take place on April 18, 2024 where startups will unveil the progress made during the program and race each other prizes valued at 12,000 euros.
4 startups will be selected to join Bridge2EU, a studying trip in one of the EU countries that will take place on May, 15-18, 2024. The selected startups will be exposed to an European innovation and startups ecosystem.
