GIZ Startup Camp – Side Event to WB Digital Summit
Overview
SmartUp co-facilitated the GIZ Startup Camp for GIZ North Macedonia, the official startup side event of the Western Balkans Digital Summit in Skopje, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation stakeholders from all six Western Balkan economies. SmartUp helped deliver a programme of mentoring, an investor workshop, and an Open Innovation Lab for 15 entrepreneurs from across the region, working alongside internationally recognized entrepreneurs and investors.
SmartUp supported a regional Pitching Competition where 10 startups presented to a jury of experts, investors, and Digital Summit participants, with the winning startup earning a place at the 1Million Startup Conference in Vienna. The event drew on SmartUp's experience running regional entrepreneurship competitions to help connect Western Balkan startups with investors and policymakers.
The challenge
Early-stage startups in the Western Balkans often have limited opportunities to access investors, mentors, and regional business networks that support business growth and internationalization.
Many entrepreneurs require stronger pitching, communication, and investment-readiness skills to successfully present innovative ideas and attract funding.
The regional startup ecosystem needs stronger cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange to accelerate innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
Young startups need greater visibility and opportunities to present their solutions to policymakers, investors, companies, and international innovation stakeholders.
Activities and methods
1. Brought together 15 entrepreneurs from all six Western Balkan economies, creating opportunities for regional networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
2. Delivered a comprehensive startup development programme featuring inspirational talks, an investor workshop, an Open Innovation Lab, and practical mentoring by internationally recognized entrepreneurs and investors.
3. Organized a regional Pitching Competition where 10 startups presented their innovative solutions before a jury of experts, investors, and Digital Summit participants, strengthening participants' pitching and investment-readiness skills.
4. Connected startups with investors, mentors, policymakers, and private sector representatives, providing valuable exposure and opportunities for future partnerships and business development.
5. Recognized entrepreneurial excellence by awarding the winning startup with participation in the 1Million Startup Conference in Vienna, providing access to an international startup ecosystem and investment opportunities.
Impact and learning
The Startup Camp strengthened regional cooperation within the Western Balkans startup ecosystem by creating lasting connections between entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and innovation stakeholders. Beyond the pitching competition, participants gained practical entrepreneurial skills, increased visibility, and valuable feedback that helped improve their business ideas and market readiness.
The event demonstrated the importance of combining policy dialogue with entrepreneurship by connecting innovative startups directly with decision-makers attending the Western Balkans Digital Summit. It contributed to promoting digital entrepreneurship, innovation, and cross-border collaboration while encouraging startups to think beyond national markets and pursue regional and international growth opportunities.
Planning similar work?
SmartUp can support research, co-creation, facilitation, digital tools, implementation, or learning documentation for related programmes.