Plug and Play Tirana Expo 2026
Expo
Plug and Play Tirana Expo 2026 is the grand finale of the Plug and Play Tirana Accelerator Program, bringing startups, investors, corporate leaders, technology executives, and ecosystem partners together for two days of startup discovery and business engagement. Taking place on 7-8 October 2026 at the Pyramid of Tirana - Innovation Hub in Tirana, Albania, the event connects Albania’s growing startup community with Plug and Play’s wider international innovation network.
The Expo combines live startup pitching, an exhibition of accelerator companies, keynote presentations, panel discussions, investor meetings, and networking. Its program is organized around four key formats: the Main Stage for industry keynotes and panels, the Startup Fair & Expo for startup and ecosystem showcases, the Pitch Arena where founders present directly to investors and corporates, and the Investor Lounge for one-to-one meetings with venture capitalists and investors.
Event Highlights
- Grand finale of the Plug and Play Tirana Accelerator Program
- Main Stage featuring keynotes and panel discussions from industry leaders
- Startup Fair & Expo showcasing startups, corporates, and ecosystem partners
- Pitch Arena with founders pitching directly to investors and corporate leaders
- Investor Lounge for one-to-one meetings with investors and venture capitalists
- 2026 startup exhibition spanning AI, healthtech, drones, ConTech, mobility, agritech, SaaS, logistics, and digital platforms
- Direct networking between founders, investors, corporates, and technology leaders
- Startup and investment connections linking Albania with the wider international innovation ecosystem
- Official 2026 agenda to be announced
Featured Speakers
Plug and Play Tirana Expo 2026 has already announced an extensive international speaker lineup spanning technology, venture capital, corporate innovation, finance, academia, and entrepreneurship. Confirmed speakers include:- Jeff Burton - Co-Founder, Electronic Arts
- Fatos Ismaili - Chief AI Architect, Microsoft
- Dario Anderoli - Head of Cloud Platforms, Google Italy
- Jeff Burton - Co-Founder, Electronic Arts
- Fatos Ismaili - Chief AI Architect, Microsoft
- Dario Anderoli - Head of Cloud Platforms, Google Italy
- Ivan Hajdov - Business Development, Mastercard
- Sheila Gemin - Partner Digital Services, KPMG
- Matthias Timm - Digital Finance, IFC
- Max Gurvits - Managing Partner, Vitosha Venture Partners
- Ekaterina Gianelli - Venture Partner, Calm/Storm Ventures
- Aditya Kathpalia - Managing Director, Orbit Startups
- Carolin Wais - Partner Venture and VC, Plug and Play
- Dr. Philipp Gneiting - Partner, Plug and Play
- Benjamin Wilkening - Vision Lab Partner, Earlybird Venture Capital
- Julien Coustaury - Managing Partner, Fil Rouge Capital
- Hannes Awe-Ortmeier - VC & Startup Partnerships EMEA, Deel
Press & Media
Plug and Play Tirana Expo 2026 offers strong opportunities for journalists, technology media, analysts, and content creators covering startups, venture capital, emerging technology, and the Western Balkans innovation ecosystem. The event brings together accelerator startups, international investors, corporate leaders, and technology experts through live pitches, keynote sessions, panel discussions, and the Startup Fair & Expo.
Media attendees can follow founder stories, new technologies, investment activity, corporate partnerships, and startup growth across areas including AI, digital health, drones, ConTech, mobility, agritech, logistics, and enterprise software, while connecting directly with founders and ecosystem leaders throughout the event.