12 startups\u00a0from various industries such as artificial intelligence, fashion, agriculture, e-commerce, tourism, cyber-security were selected to join\u00a0Uplift Albania, the first European startup accelerator in Albania.<\/p>\n
On\u00a0January 12, 2024,\u00a020 startups\u00a0were invited at\u00a0Selection Bootcamp, racing for a spot at the fifth cohort of Uplift Albania, a startup accelerator which has graduated\u00a040 startups\u00a0since the start of its journey in 5 years ago.<\/p>\n
Powered by EU for Innovation, implemented by\u00a0ICTSlab\u00a0in the framework of \u201cQ\u00ebndro\u201d Project with the support of\u00a0Italian Government,\u00a0UNICEF,\u00a0Deloitte,\u00a0SwissEP,\u00a0Star Venture\u00a0and various local and foreign actors, Uplift Albania represents a challenge but also an opportunity for the 12 selected startups to be cultivated in an environment where they evaluate their business and test their product.<\/p>\n
Uplift Albania Selection Bootcamp took place at ICTSlab with the participation of Mr.\u00a0Eduard Shalsi, Chairman of Economy and Finance Committee of Albanian Parliament, Mr.\u00a0Sebastian Berwagner, Director of EU for Innovation program and Ms. Edina Kozma, vice-representative of UNICEF Albania who welcomed the event.<\/p>\n
Ms.\u00a0Briseida Gjoza, CEO of ConsciESG \u2013 one of the winning startups of the previous edition of Uplift Albania, was invited to share her success story that concluded with a foreign investment of thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n
Managing Partner at ICTSlab and co-founder of ICTSmedia, Mr.\u00a0Kushtrim Shala\u00a0opened Selection Bootcamp by holding a minute of silence honoring the well-known entrepreneur Mr.\u00a0Dritan Mezini\u00a0who passed away unexpectedly a few days ago. During his speech, he highlighted some key takeaways of Uplift acceleration program, which were later introduced in detail by event moderator Ms.\u00a0Arjola Pazaj.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0Anila Golemi\u00a0followed.<\/p>\n
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:\u00a0Igor Magzov,\u00a0Gent Selenica,\u00a0Andreas Rugova,\u00a0Reita Ha\u00e7kaj,\u00a0Cameron Price,\u00a0Driton Musolli,\u00a0Ravik Mima,\u00a0Patrik Fetahaj,\u00a0Tomi Kallanxhi,\u00a0Mirela Kolli,\u00a0Valer Pinderi,\u00a0Fatjon Gjata,\u00a0Arlind Haxhiaj,\u00a0Eric Czuleger,\u00a0Artemida Alltari\u00a0and\u00a0Anila Golemi.<\/p>\n
Beach Master,\u00a0Future Block,\u00a0Marigo,\u00a0Dialogo AI,\u00a0Nullius in Verba\u00a0(Niv),\u00a0Kungul app,\u00a0Patoko,\u00a0Cyber Morphosis,\u00a0Rumio App,\u00a0Altvista,\u00a0UnyoCorp-Blite\u00a0and\u00a0GreenGuard\u00a0are the startups selected to follow the 3-month program of Uplift Albania.<\/p>\n
Uplift Albania is a 3-month acceleration program where 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.<\/p>\n
The 5th<\/sup>\u00a0edition invited applicants until\u00a0January 4, 2024\u00a0with more than\u00a050 startups\u00a0and\u00a072 co-founders\u00a0expressing their interest, while a high participation of female entrepreneurs was observed.<\/p>\n The acceleration program began the same day of Selection Bootcamp. Considered to be the big final of Uplift Albania, the\u00a0Demo-Day\u00a0will take place\u00a0on April 18, 2024\u00a0where startups will unveil the progress made during the program and race each other prizes valued at\u00a012,000 euros.<\/p>\n 4 startups\u00a0will be selected to join\u00a0Bridge2EU,\u00a0a studying trip in one of the EU countries that will take place on\u00a0May, 15-18, 2024. The selected startups will be exposed to a European innovation and startups ecosystem.<\/p>\n\r\n