Western Balkans Summer Investment Program 2024
Join the WB Summer Investment Program (WBSIP) for a top expert-led boot camp, tailored advisory, one-on-one VC and corporate mentorship, and founders' experience sharing to refine your investment strategy. Apply now to be among the top 20 high-potential startups presenting at the MatchIn Summit in Skopje and matched with corporates and VCs eager to invest in the Western Balkans.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR ALL WESTERN BALKAN STARTUPS RAISING 200k - 2M €
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Focus
We are looking for tech startups operating in one of the following verticals and sectors (not exclusively):
Business & ICT
AI & Analytics & Big Data
Fintech & Insurtech
Smart Cities & Home
Industry 4.0 & Proptech
Transport & Logistics
Planet & Sustainability
Healthcare & Wellbeing
Food & Agritech
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Startups with a developed tech product (see sectors above).
The product is launched on the market or tested with clients.
The founding teams of the startups are based in the Western Balkans.
Targeting the CEE/Global Market and seeing the Balkans only as a Testing Ground.
The Startup is searching for equity investment more significant than 200,000 €.
Presenting Live at the MatchIN Summit and discussing funding with over 50 investors.
Timeline
June 26th, 2024
Applications open
July 21th, 2024
Closing applications
July 29th, 2024
Top 50 selection
August 4th - 5th, 2024
Investment Readiness Bootcamp
August 7th - 14th, 2024
Evaluation by Investors
August 15th, 2024
Start of Individual Mentoring and Advisory Program
September 2024
1on1 Advisory and Masterclasses
October 2024
Introductions to Investors and Demoday
Participation Benefits
Investor Mentors
Engage with investors to understand their expectations before meeting them in person
Masterclasses
Work with experienced experts and get valuable feedback on your work
Corporates
Connect with leading corporate partners interested in validating your solution or starting a pilot
Community
Meet Founders from all over the region who have raised and been a part of the regional founders network
Advisors
Engage with Mentors and Advisors from NEST and EBRD who can help you use every bit of your company know-how to close an investment
Proffessional Deal Room
Well prepared deal room ready for due diligence
Free Credits and Special deals form Partners
Free tickets to MatchIN Summit: Skopje, October 2024
Selection Committee & Mentors
Meet Selection Committee and Investors who will be bringing their industry and market knowledge to support participants' business development!
Maria Carolina Romero
Angel Investor, Efino
Igor Madzov
Investment Director, NEST
Ewa Chronowska
CEO, Vestbee & Partner, Next Road Ventures
Vojta Rocek
Partner, Presto Ventures
Alexandru Bogdan
CEO, ROCA X
Valerii Petrov
Partner, 11.vc
Szymon Bolczyk
Head of Platform, N1
Matej Micek
Associate, Credo Ventures
Dilan Sisu
Investment Analyst, 500 Emergin Europe
Csaba Kakosy
Managing Partner, Day One Capital
Jordan Boskov
Partner, Fidler Capital
Bence Banhalmi
VC Investor, Portfolion
Onur Can
First-Cheque Investor, Heartfelt
Tatjana Zabasu Mikuž
Managing Partner, South Central Ventures
Eli Zhabevska
Principal, South Central Ventures
Enis Hulli
General Partner, 500 Emerging Europe
Martin Kesner
Early Stage Investor, J&T Ventures
Tamara Čolić Milosavljević
Co-Director, Founder Institute
Martin Jankoski
Junior Investment Manager, Constantia New Business
Nedeljko Milosavljevic
Co-Director, Labena Ventures
Cristobal Alonso
Global CEO & El Patron, Startup Wise Guys
Davor Sakac
Director, TS Ventures
Vuk Lau
Partner, Silicon Gardens
Julien Coustaury
Managing Partner, Filrouge Capital
Stephane Gantchev
Partner, LAUNCHub Ventures
Max Gurvits
Board Member, Bulgarian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association
Edi Demaj
Co-Founder, KODE Labs
Eli Velasquez
Managing Partner, Investors of Color Network
Mirela Yordanova
Network & Community Manager, Seedcamp
Ardian Hoxha
President, Keiretsu Forum SEE
Suzana Tunteva
Owner, FD Faktor Trust
Mateja Lavrič
Managing Director, QLECTOR
Marco Stutz
Partner, Redstone
Milen Ivanov
Managing Partner, Sofia Angel Ventures
Angel Hadijev
Regional Manager, SeedBlink SEE
Jan Kustra
Strategy and Corporate Development, NLB Bank
Uranik Begu
Director, Plug&Play SEE
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- TEAM: Commitment and ability of a team to execute the vision
- BUSINESS MODEL: Is there a compelling business model and stable revenue stream?
- PRODUCT: Does the company have an innovative technology/product/service?
- MARKET: Is there an apparent demand for the product and market size?
- UVP: How unique is the startup's overall offering?
- TRACTION: What are the current stages of the product, pipeline, and partnership?
- MATCH: Is the company a potential fit for engaged investors?
Program Partners
Investors & Partners
Supporting Team & Contributors
Igor Madzov
Investment Director, NEST
Dejan Aleksov
Aleksov Memishi Law Office
Ivana Stankovic
Investment Facilitator, SwissEP
Hristijan Volkanovski
Program Coordination, Startup Macedonia
Jakov Jovanoski
Project Manager, Startup Macedonia
Anait Petrosyan
CEO, Viva la Ventures
Aleksandar Ubavkov
Head of Growth, Demanster
Bojan Stojkovski
Editor-in-Chief, Itlogs
Maria Carolina
Early Stage Investing Expert
ABOUT NEST GROUP
NEST Group is a venture studio and advisory company in the startup and investment scene in the Western Balkans and CEE.
NEST experts actively contribute to multiple incubation and acceleration programs in the WB and implement the annual Investment Readiness Program.
Since 2022, we have directly facilitated the investment of over 7M in SEE Startups from angels and VCs and continuously built tech-enabled startups with founders from the Western Balkans.