Today, 50 domestic startups and enterprises showcased their innovations at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS). Out of these, 44 of the most promising startups will represent Serbia at the “Web Summit 2024” in Lisbon.
The global technology event is scheduled to take place from November 11 to 14. The final selection of the 44 startups will be confirmed following a review by the “Web Summit” expert committee. The summit is expected to attract over 71,000 participants from 160 countries, including more than 2,600 startups, 340 partners, and over 1,500 investors, Beta reported.
Marko Čadež, President of PKS, highlighted the growth of Serbia’s startup ecosystem, which has expanded by 60% from last year to a current valuation of 1.2 billion euros. Čadež noted that three-quarters of new startups are targeting global markets.
Last year, approximately 450 representatives from Serbia attended the event in Lisbon, engaging in negotiations and networking. Čadež expressed hope that the participation in 2024 would match or exceed this level.
“The innovations I’ve seen are outstanding, showcasing the incredible creativity and problem-solving capabilities of our people,” Čadež said.
The selection criteria for the startups will focus on innovation, global market potential, business model, social and environmental impact, team competence, and marketing quality.
Jelena Begović, Serbia’s Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, emphasized that the event is more than a competition; it represents a validation of the passion, courage, and ingenuity driving the country’s economic and social development.
“Serbia may be a small market, but it is a hub of creativity thanks to its vibrant startup community,” Begović noted. She stressed the importance of materializing scientific research into tangible innovations and fostering more startups from the scientific community.
As part of the subsidized participation program for “Web Summit 2024,” managed by “Web Summit Serbia,” 84 startups applied for inclusion. Katarina M. Vasiljević Galić, Executive Director of “Web Summit Serbia,” expressed gratitude to PKS for its support and outlined the vision for the Serbian stand in Lisbon.
“Our stand will showcase the Serbian ecosystem in a way that reflects our culture and tradition, highlighting how innovations are rooted in our heritage. It is crucial to present a unique combination of our diverse components,” Vasiljević Galić said.
