Balkonnect Festival 2026 - B2B Matchmaking Event 

21–22 May 2026 | Tirana, Albania

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Balkonnect Festival 2026 - B2B Matchmaking Event 

DAY 2 – Green, Infrastructure & Digital Economy

Morning Session: Renewables & Green Growth in the Western Balkans
A pragmatic, investment-driven discussion on renewable energy deployment, grid readiness, permitting challenges, and financing structures. Thematic cubes and exhibitions focus on:

  • Renewable energy

  • Green buildings and energy efficiency

  • Circular economy solutions for SMEs

Midday Session: Infrastructure Investment
Integrated infrastructure investments supporting urban development and tourism competitiveness. Topics include:

  • Urban regeneration and place-making

  • Tourism-supporting infrastructure (airports, roads, utilities)

  • Energy distribution, mobility systems, and smart transport

  • Circular infrastructure and waste management

  • Financing models and implementation challenges

Afternoon Session: Digital Economy & Banking
This session explores trust as the foundation of the digital economy, addressing:

  • Digital identity and cybersecurity

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Fintech and open banking in Southeast Europe

  • SaaS and digital export potential from the Western Balkans

Parallel Sessions

Masterclasses

  • Investors’ Masterclass: “What Do Investors Invest In?”
    Led by Baybars Altuntaş, Chairman of WBAF

  • e-Wallet Masterclass: “How the European Digital Identity Wallet Boosts Digital Transformation”
    Led by Prof. Dr. George Dimitrov, President of Evrotrust

  • e-Banking Masterclass: “e-Banking and the Programming World”

Startup & SME Pitching – Investment-Ready Businesses
Startups and growth-oriented SMEs pitch to investors and financial institutions, focusing on:

  • Scalable business models (not lifestyle businesses)

  • Proven revenue and growth strategies

  • Execution capacity and governance

  • Clear investment structures, funding needs, and exit potential

  • Strategic partnerships and regional expansion

Closing Session & Festival Awards

The closing session summarizes key insights, announced deals, and partnership commitments from the two-day program. It includes:

  • Changemaker Awards for standout startups, investors, and public-sector leaders

  • A follow-up framework to ensure post-festival deal continuity

  • Official announcement of the Balkonnect 2027 host city, reinforcing the festival’s rotating regional model