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Edition 10

The Regional Grand Finale of the Central European Startup Awards for Season 2023 was successfully hosted in the vibrant city of Bratislava, Slovakia. On February 1st, the prestigious event unfolded at the Radošina Naive Theater, marking a significant milestone as it made its debut in Slovakia’s capital.

Finalists hailing from 18 countries and esteemed guests representing 24 nations converged for an evening filled with anticipation and celebration. With 12 categories highlighting the best of regional innovation and entrepreneurship, the stage was set for a memorable occasion.

The evening commenced with an air of excitement as attendees gathered for a warm welcome and networking opportunities. Keynote speeches by industry luminaries Zsolt Budavári-Nagy and Peter Pašek set the tone for an inspiring evening ahead.

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the award ceremony, where 12 deserving winners emerged victorious, each recognized for their outstanding contributions to the startup ecosystem. From groundbreaking technological advancements to disruptive business models, the winners exemplified the spirit of innovation and resilience.

Agenda

5:30 PM – 6:00 PM Arrival & welcome drinks

6:00 PM – 6:10 PM Opening ceremony

6:10 PM – 6:15 PM Keynote by Zsolt Budavári-Nagy

6:15 PM – 6:30 PM Keynote by Peter Pašek

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Award ceremony (6 categories)

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Networking break

7:30 PM – 7:45 PM Award ceremony (3 categories)

7:45 PM – 8:15 PM Panel discussion

8:15 PM – 8:30 PM Networking break

8:30 PM – 8:45 PM Awards ceremony (3 categories)

8:45 PM – 9:00 PM Closing – a showcase of traditional Slovak dance

 

What was covered in the ticket price?

✔️ Welcome drink          ✔️ Non-alcoholic beverages       ✔️ Food

This event is powered by

AceON Accelerator
Accace Slovakia
ZAKA VC
Simplicity
Pierre Baguette

Regional Owner

MeOut Group

Regional Winners 2023

PatronGo

Startup of the Year 2023

Czechia

Renergia

Best Newcomer 2023

Romania

Jozef Šimko

Founder of the Year 2023

Czechia

Georgina Lupu

Ecosystem Hero of the Year 2023

Romania

Soulmates Ventures

Best VC 2023

Czechia

Mindspace

Best Coworking Space 2023

Romania

MIT Enterprise Forum CEE

Best Accelerator/Incubator Program 2023

Poland

Tanja Dzido

Diversity Role Model of the Year 2023

Croatia

Blue Planet Ecosystems

Best GreenTech 2023

Austria

MAIA LABS

Best HealthTech 2023

Czechia

Herity Network

Best Web3.0 / AI Startup 2023

Romania

Fumbi

People's Choice

Slovakia

Regional Finalists

ALBANIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
AUSTRIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA REGIONAL FINALISTS
BULGARIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
CROATIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
CZECHIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
ESTONIAN REGIONAL FINALISTSTS
HUNGARY REGIONAL FINALISTS
KOSOVO REGIONAL FINALISTS
LATVIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
LITHUANIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
MONTENEGRO REGIONAL FINALISTS
NORTH MACEDONIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
POLAND REGIONAL FINALISTS
ROMANIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
SERBIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
SLOVAKIA REGIONAL FINALISTS
SLOVENIA REGIONAL FINALISTS

Ecosystem Partners

Startup Grind Warsaw

Poland

Commly

Poland

TechBand

Bratislava

StartuPeak

Bratislava

Ambassadors

Marta Janczewska-Bażak

Poland

Damian Wielechowski

Poland

Vlad Andriescu

Romania

Alex Janusek

Slovakia

Přenosilová Markéta

Czechia

Ahmad Piraiee

Poland

Mariam Kharazishvili

Georgia

Jury Members

Anette Nørgaard

Denmark

Endre Kluge

Hungary

Osman Salih

Czech Republic

Carl Hinrichsen

United States

Mohit Agarwal
Mohit Agarwal

United States

Lukáš Konečný
Lukáš Konečný

Czechia

Jose Antonio Blanco

Spain

Péter Győri

Hungary

Pašek Peter

Slovakia

Punit Dewani

United States

Categories

Startup of the Year

Description

A startup that inspires the next generation of founders while positively impacting the economy and the world in general. It is a product and/or service which is already a success on the market, disrupting its industry with an innovative approach.

Criteria: The startup must be maximum 5 years of age (calculated from establishment date until public nominations open).

Best Newcomer

Description

A startup up to 2 years of age with the potential to become Startup of the Year in the future. Its product and/or service is already on the market on a path to disrupt its industry and positively impact the economy and the world.

Criteria: The startup must be maximum 2 years of age (calculated from establishment date until public nominations open).

Founder of the Year

Description

A startup founder or co-founder who has shown strong leadership skills and achieved exceptional business results while being an inspiration to their team and a role model for the next generation of founders.

Criteria: The individual must be a founder or co-founder of a startup that is a maximum of 5 years of age (calculated from establishment date until public nominations open).

VC of the Year

Description

A VC who has created impressive financial results while investing bravely in innovative companies which can positively impact the economy as well as the world, supporting them also with resources other than just financial.

Criteria: The VC must be established in the country it is participating in.

Best Co-working Space

Description

A co-working space that deserves recognition for its services, support, and resources to fast-growth startups, and for creating a culture and environment that fosters innovation and focuses on positively impacting the world.

Criteria: The co-working space must be established in the country it is participating in.

Best Accelerator/Incubator Program

Description

A fixed-term, cohort-based, mentorship-driven program that helps and empowers entrepreneurs to foster the growth of their innovative companies by providing tools, resources, connections, knowledge and expertise.

Criteria: The Accelerator/Incubator Program must be established in the country it is participating in.

Ecosystem Hero of the Year

Description

An individual known by its passion for entrepreneurship and ability as well as willingness to help startups and entrepreneurship grow.

Criteria: The individual must perform their activity in the country that they are participating in.

Best Green Tech Startup

A startup with a good business model that has a green impact on the world with its product and/or service that reduces energy consumption, creates renewable energy and/or makes process optimization.

Criteria: The startup must be maximum 5 years of age (calcuated from establisment date until public nominations open). The product and/or service needs to fall into one of the following areas; energy saving, renewable energy or resource optimization.

Best HealthTech Startup

Description

A startup that is on the path to disrupt the healthcare industry through the use of technology and by developing new business models improving the lives of patients. The startup’s product and/or service is already showing early traction on the market.

Criteria:
The product and or service has to fall under one or more of these areas: Clinical efficiency, Patient engagement, Medical devices, Digital health, Predictive analytics, New technology solution, Fitness and wellness.

Best WEB 3.0 and AI Startup

Description

A startup with an innovative addition to the global Web 3.0 or AI Scene that incorporates decentralization, blockchain technologies, and token-based economics at the core of its added value, in addition to a commitment to increased data security, scalability, and enhanced privacy.

Criteria: The product and or service needs to contain one of the following technologies: Smart contracts, Blockchain solutions, Crypto wallets, Tokenisation and NFTs, AI / Machine Learning.

Diversity Role Model of the Year

Description

An individual who is known for their outstanding achievements and contribution to the mission of empowering more women and/or members of underrepresented groups to become founders, investors and leaders in their local and/or international startup and innovation ecosystem.

Criteria: The individual leads a specific organization and/or an activity to promote and enable more women and/or members of underrepresented groups to become professionals in the startup and innovation ecosystem.

People's Choice

Description

A company that got the most accumulated votes throughout the regional round.