On February 2, 2024, Hotel Aleksandar Palace in Skopje became the focal point for innovation as the First Demo Day was organized under the EU4EG Project.
Showcasing Emerging Talent
Fourteen start-ups, graduates of regional acceleration programs supported by the EU4EG Project, presented compelling business ideas, catching the attention from a diverse audience that included potential investors and ecosystem stakeholders.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring experienced investors and business angels who shared the challenges and opportunities for investments in the new generation of innovative start-ups outside of the capital city. They focused on the ingredients that trigger investments in early-stage start-ups.
Ms. Marie-Madeleine Kanellopolou, representing the EU Delegation in North Macedonia, delivered a keynote stressing the importance that the start-ups bring forth their innovative and high-value business ideas with a focus on circular economy and green growth and gain substantial investments that enables them to become leaders in the region and beyond.
Celebrating Success: BioHide Wins Best Pitch
Among the standouts was BioHide, a start-up from the Preda Plus Accelerator, recognized for its pioneering pitch on kombucha leather—a sustainable alternative to traditional leather. They underscore the potential of eco-friendly solutions in shaping the future of industries.
Investment and Expansion
Post-event, several start-ups have made significant strides. Notably, five out of six have already found investments or are in the final stage of negotiations to find investors. YOVA mobilized an initial 60.000 EUR from Kereitsu Forum, Best Online Assistant have reached an agreement with Pro Credit Bank to develop and deliver trainings, Fixigo has also ensured 10K and is in discussion for an additional 10K investment. Of the others, Justinizer has found a company from the ICT sector that will be part of the team and will also agree on investment and FleetOn has also ensured 20K from investors.
Similarly, three out of the eight start-ups from Preda Plus Accelerator (Kultiva, Agrimak and Desta) are in advanced talks for investments, signaling robust investor interest in their innovative propositions.
Global Outreach and Continued Support
The journey doesn’t end with Demo Day. Start-ups like YOVA and BioHide have already capitalized on their momentum by participating in international conferences and pitching events. These platforms not only facilitate networking with global investors but also pave the way for potential partnerships and market expansion.
Continued Support and Development
Looking ahead, the Area Science Park (ASP) is providing critical support to selected start-ups. They are assisting with intellectual property rights, market and technology studies, identifying potential partners, and exploring international market opportunities—further bolstering the ecosystem for sustained growth.
This first Demo Day not only celebrated entrepreneurial innovation but also laid a solid foundation for future collaborations and investments. With ongoing support from EU4EG, these start-ups will drive economic growth, innovation, and sustainability in North Macedonia and beyond.
EU for Economic Growth project is co-funded by the EU and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, implemented by GIZ North Macedonia and AREA Science Park from Trieste, Italy.
