CEE Startup Network

🎉 Thank you for an incredible CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final 2025 in Žilina! Yesterday, Žilina hosted the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final, bringing together startups, investors, and innovators from across Central and Eastern Europe. Special thank-you to Erika Jurinová, President of the Žilina Self-Governing Region, for officially opening the event and for her continuous support of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. 🌍 Special THANKS to INOVIA and MSIC - Moravskoslezské inovační centrum for organizing such a complex and amazing event. Congratulations!! 🥇 The winner of the 5th edition is the Czech startup SensomediX s.r.o., developing real-time diagnostic technology for infection detection during surgical procedures. 🥈 Second place went to OWASmooth, a Slovak deep-tech startup improving the quality of sensor data for industrial applications. 🥉 Third place was awarded to AdvaMat, helping manufacturing companies increase efficiency through advanced PVD coatings that extend material performance and durability. A special highlight of the event was the Microbiome Explorer Challenge, powered by iProbio and Martin Haranta, which opened new discussions on microbiome innovation at a European level. 🏆 The Challenge was won by Lucie Křenková and her startup shealed, focusing on microbiome-based solutions for women’s health.🧬 💬 “The CEE Startup Voucher program proved once again to be an ideal opportunity for innovators who want to elevate their ideas to a global level,” Michal Porubän, Innovation Manager at INOVIA. 🙏 Huge thanks to all partners, judges, speakers, and participants who helped make this day a celebration of inspiration, ideas, and connections. Together, we’ve shown once again that the CEE region has enormous innovation potential — and that great ideas don’t only come from capital cities. 💡 📍 Žilina is becoming the heart of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Thank you for being part of it. 💙 #CEEStartupVoucher #GrandFinal #Innovation #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Žilina #CEEStartups #INOVIA #Networking #Success #Inspiration

🚀 Meet the next 5 finalists from the TOP 10 of the CEE Startup Voucher 2025. Here comes the second group of bold innovators who made it to the Grand Final in Žilina — showcasing groundbreaking ideas in health, AI, mobility, materials, and sports tech. 🌍 Here are the second five teams that made it to the TOP 10 finalists: 6️⃣ Ena Melvan Optibiomics (Metabelly) – https://metabelly.com/ 7️⃣ Pavol Turcina - AquaSense AI (Meratch - Water Management) – https://www.meratch.com/ 8️⃣ Jan Hroncak - ParkingAround – Mobility HUB – https://lnkd.in/eY-6adyv 9️⃣ AdvaMat Coatings – https://www.advamat.cz/ 🔟 Simon Kostka - Scorespots – https://lnkd.in/esrfdDzg 💡 Each of these teams brings a distinct vision — from microbiome innovation and AI-driven water analytics to next-gen materials, mobility, and sports data. They’ll compete live on stage for the title of CEE Startup Voucher Winner 2025 in Žilina! 🏆 📅 When: 11. november 2025 📍 Where: Nová synagóga, J. M. Hurbana 220/11, 010 01 Žilina, Slovensko 👉 Join us and celebrate the most promising startups in Central & Eastern Europe: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #GrandFinal #Žilina #CEEStartups #Pitching #Inspiration #FutureOfInnovation #TOP10 #Part2

🌍 Grand Final is coming to Žilina, Slovakia! From almost 100 startups across 21 countries, the TOP 10 teams from 8 CEE countries made it to the Grand Final — and will soon compete for the win. Thanks to the organizer INOVIA and partners, it will end in Slovakia for the first time and will bring a day full of innovation, energy, real stories and connections. 🗓 11 November 2025 📍 Nová synagóga, Žilina (J. M. Hurbana 220/11) 🔥 Who is this event for: - Startup founders and innovative entrepreneurs – get a fresh dose of energy, meet investors, and learn how to grow even in challenging times. - Investors, mentors, and business angels – discover the region’s best startups and new talent selected through a rigorous process across 21 countries. - Students and early-stage innovators – see how startups are born from scratch and gain both courage and know-how. - Corporate innovators and business leaders – get fresh inspiration on bringing innovation and well-being into teams. Connect with people who are shaping the region. - Anyone who wants to feel the CEE innovation vibe live – if you love new ideas, solutions, and people with vision, this event is for you. In one day, you’ll leave charged with inspiration, energy, and valuable contacts. What to look forward to: - Levosphere - Business Marketing Strategy live podcast: “What You Don’t See When You See a Successful Startup” - Game Devs Ostrava – hands-on gaming zone - Eventee matchmaking app – find people by interests, schedule meetings, and rate sessions - …and much more Speakers & jury (selection): Tomas Eichler, Martin Haranta, Jan Čeladín, Ivan Kristel, Simona Gulisova, Michaela V. Viskupičová. If you want to feel the pulse of the CEE ecosystem live, this is it. 👉 See you there! Register now: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #Zilina #startup #innovation #networking

⚖️ Meet the Judges of the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final 2025! The stage is set for the TOP 10 startups from across Central and Eastern Europe — and this exceptional panel of judges will decide who becomes the next CEE Startup Voucher Winner. 🏆 Representing venture capital, innovation, law, and science, our judges bring unmatched expertise and perspective to evaluate the most promising ideas of this year’s competition. 🌍 🎓 CEE Grand Final Jury: Veronika Zrubakova – Investment Associate, Zero One Hundred VC Michaela V. Viskupičová – Investment Manager, Impact Ventures Vanda Seidelova – Managing Partner NeoZone Collective Miroslav Beblavy – CEO, CB ESPRI Ivan Kristel – CEO & General Partner, Czech Founders VC Samuel František Mičuda – Lawyer & Partner, Hronček & Partners, s. r. o. Martin Haranta – CEO, iProbio (Special Judge for Medical Startups) 💡 These leaders will assess innovation, scalability, and real-world impact — helping us crown the most outstanding startup in the CEE region. 📅 When: November 11, 2025 📍 Where: Nová synagóga, CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final Žilina 👉 Be there and witness the best startups in Central and Eastern Europe pitch live: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #GrandFinal #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #CEEStartups #Žilina #VentureCapital #Networking #Judges #PitchCompetition #StartupEcosystem

🧬 The Microbiome Explorer Challenge at the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final in Žilina! We’re thrilled to announce a unique addition to this year’s CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final — the Microbiome Challenge, proudly powered by iProbio. 🌱 As the first pan-European competition for early-stage startups focused on the microbiome, this challenge connects science, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the frontier of health and biotechnology. From dozens of applications, five European startups have been selected to compete live in Žilina — not only for prizes, but for a chance to become part of the European microbiome ecosystem through the International Probiotic Conference. 🎓 Jury members: Martin Haranta – CEO and Co.Founder iProbio, innovation and biotech entrepreneur, co-organizer of the International Probiotic Conference. Dr. Benjamin Jensen – Associate Professor in Nutritional Immunology Dr. Peter Krüti – Strategist with deep expertise in the probiotic market 📅 When: 10:15 – 13:00, November 11, 2025 📍 Where: Café Stage, CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final, Žilina Join us to see how science meets startups — and discover the future of microbiome innovation in Europe 🌍 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #MicrobiomeChallenge #iProbio #Innovation #Biotech #HealthTech #GrandFinal #Žilina #Entrepreneurship #ScienceMeetsBusiness #Startups #ProbioticConference #CEEStartups

🚀 Meet the first 5 finalists from TOP 10 of the CEE Startup Voucher 2025! Get to know the innovative startups that will take the stage at the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final in Žilina — representing the best ideas, technologies, and entrepreneurial spirit from across Central and Eastern Europe. 🌍 Here are the first five teams that made it to the TOP 10 finalists: 1️⃣ Matej Daniel - SensomediX s.r.o. – https://www.sensomedix.cz/ 2️⃣ Octavian Richea - BauBlocks – https://lnkd.in/eaxyhkst 3️⃣ Miroslav Hennel - OWASmooth – https://owasmooth.io/ 4️⃣ Gabriel Horvath, Ph.D, MBA - Cyrkalogy – https://cyrkalogy.com/ 5️⃣ Adriana Pobehova - FLOMONI – https://flomoni.family/ 💡 Each of these startups brings a unique solution that pushes the boundaries of innovation — from med-tech and sustainability to smart data and circular economy. They’ll pitch live on stage at the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final 2025 in Žilina, competing for this year’s winner title. 🏆 📅 When: 11. november 2025 📍 Where: Nová synagóga, J. M. Hurbana 220/11, 010 01 Žilina, Slovensko 👉 Link for the event: https://lnkd.in/e4sNecjz 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #GrandFinal #Žilina #CEEStartups #Pitching #Inspiration #FutureOfInnovation #TOP10

🚀 Get ready for the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final 2025 in Žilina! The biggest startup event of the year is almost here — and our partners from INOVIA, the main organizer of the Grand Final, have a special message for you. 🎥 In this video, Vlastimil Kocián, CEO of INOVIA, and Michal Porubän, Innovation Manager in INOVIA, share why you shouldn’t miss this unique day full of innovation, inspiration, and networking opportunities. 📅 When: November 11, 2025 📍 Where: Nová synagóga, J. M. Hurbana 220/11, 010 01 Žilina, Slovensko Join hundreds of founders, investors, and innovators from across Central and Eastern Europe as we celebrate creativity, entrepreneurship, and the power of ideas. 💡 👉 Watch the video, feel the energy and register now: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #INOVIA #GrandFinal #Žilina #Startups #CEEStartups #Networking #Inspiration #Ecosystem

🎙️ LIVE PODCAST by Levosphere - Business Marketing Strategy – straight from the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final in Žilina Get ready for an authentic and inspiring conversation with Anna Sabolova and Naďa Kacera from Levosphere, who will host a live podcast with successful startup founders. 🎯 “What don’t you see when you see a successful startup?” This special session will uncover what’s behind every startup success story — the real struggles, lessons, and mindset shifts that shape entrepreneurs on their journey to growth. 🕓 When: 13:30 – 14:15 📍 Where: Café Stage, CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final, Žilina 📅 Date: November 11, 2025 💡 Why you should join: ✅ Hear honest stories from founders who made it happen ✅ Gain practical insights on business growth and resilience ✅ Experience the energy of a live Levosphere recording Startup stories form: • AT Crystals – Peter Marcus , Tomas Gregor • CloseRocket – Katarina Šimková • Umevia® | Book artists – Benjamín Bekeš, Ing., MBA • AbrFabr – Libor Zikla 🎧 Join us for a dose of authenticity, inspiration, and startup reality — live from Žilina! 👉 Link for the event: https://lnkd.in/e4sNecjz 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #Levosphere #Podcast #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #GrandFinal #Žilina #StartupJourney #Inspiration #CEEStartups

🗞️ Let’s meet the speaker at the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final in Žilina! The media plays a crucial role in shaping how we see innovation, entrepreneurship, and success stories. But can they truly help the startup ecosystem grow? 🎯 Join an inspiring discussion: “Can the media help the startup ecosystem?” 🎤 Speaker: Simona Gulisova , Forbes Slovensko Journalist – covers topics on startups, tech companies, and venture capital investing. She’s also the person behind the podcast Unicorn Buzz. 🎙️ Hosted by: Kristína Gáliková, CEO Full Time PR 🕓 When: 18:25 – 19:00 📍 Where: Main Stage, CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final, Žilina 📅 Date: November 11, 2025 💡 Why you should join: ✅ Gain insights into how media can amplify startup visibility ✅ Learn how storytelling shapes public perception and investment ✅ Hear firsthand from one of the leading voices in startup journalism 🌟 Don’t miss this conversation that connects media, innovation, and the startup mindset.  👉 Link for the event: https://lnkd.in/e4sNecjz 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Media #PublicRelations #Forbes #UnicornBuzz #GrandFinal #Žilina

💬 Let’s meet the speakers at the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final in Žilina! Join us for a dynamic panel discussion on how to build and sustain a truly functional startup ecosystem — through collaboration, support services, and the experiences of those who live it every day. 🎯 “Design and services for a functional startup ecosystem from a participant’s perspective.” Hosted by Michaela V. (Viskupičová), Investment Manager at Impact Ventures, this session brings together leaders shaping the CEE innovation landscape: 👥 Panelists: Pavel Csank, CEO Innolive consulting Veronika Zrubakova, Zero One Hundred VC, Investment Associate Adela Hradilova, CEO MSIC - Moravskoslezské inovační centrum Boris Žitný, CEO BFT Slovakia 🕓 When: 15:30 – 16:45 📍 Where: Main Stage, CEE Startup Voucher Grand Final, Žilina 📅 Date: November 11, 2025 🔍 Why you should join: ✅ Hear real-world insights from innovation leaders and founders ✅ Discover what makes collaboration across CEE truly work ✅ Learn how ecosystem builders design impactful startup support programs 🌟 Be part of the conversation shaping the next chapter of the CEE startup ecosystem! 👉 Link for the event:https://lnkd.in/e4sNecjz 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e5TFzBPD #CEEStartupVoucher #Innovation #StartupEcosystem #GrandFinal #Žilina #Entrepreneurship #CEEStartups #Collaboration #Networking #ImpactInvesting #PanelDiscussion