Building Connections, Driving Growth

WBSA serves as the bridge for startups, investors, and ecosystem builders in the Western Balkans to create an environment of innovation, growth, and sustainability.

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Milestones

2021

First regional workshops held, supported by GIZ.

2022

WBSA forms working groups on early-stage funding, advocacy, and corporate innovation.

2023

First Board of Advisors selected to shape strategy and action plan.

2024

WBSA registers as a legal entity in Skopje, covering WB6. First General Assembly held; new BoA elected. Supported by Reconomy.

2025

WBSA expands with new members and launches strategic regional partnerships and events.

What is WBSA

The Western Balkan Startup Alliance (WBSA) is a regional network of key startup ecosystem actors, including professional hubs, accelerators, and innovation-driven organizations across the Western Balkans. WBSA fosters collaboration, supports innovative entrepreneurs, and accelerates economic, social, and sustainable development through joint regional efforts.

By promoting a unified regional voice, we connect startups, investors, and ecosystem builders while making the region more visible and attractive to international partners. WBSA serves as a trusted platform for knowledge exchange, policy advocacy, joint programs, and strategic partnerships that shape the future of innovation in the Western Balkans.

Mission

To foster regional collaboration by uniting startup ecosystem actors across the Western Balkans and creating opportunities for innovation, inclusive growth, and shared success.

Vision

A region transformed - innovative, urban, and connected - where people and startups thrive in harmony with opportunity and quality of life.

Alliance goals

Unite the Western Balkans Startup Ecosystem

Create a strong, collaborative network of ecosystem actors across all WB6 economies to foster innovation, exchange best practices, and amplify regional strengths with one unified voice.

Promote Regional Opportunities Globally

Position the Western Balkans as an emerging hub for innovation by showcasing its talent, startups, and ecosystem potential to international investors, donors, and diaspora communities.

Accelerate Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Support founders, hubs, and accelerators with meaningful initiatives, events, programs, mentorship, and early-stage funding to spark new ventures and scalable impact across the region.

Shape Better Policies for Innovation

Advocate for startup-friendly policy frameworks through research, dialogue, and regional coordination, helping governments create environments where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive.

Establish the Western Balkans as a Smart Region

Drive the adoption of green, digital, and urban innovation to position the region as a dynamic, future-ready, and desirable place to live, work, and invest in.

Board members

Nina Nikolich

WBSA Co-founder & BoA International partnerships and collaborations

Experienced program manager and ecosystem builder with a talent for strategic collaboration. Bridging startups, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem actors, fostering funding and suppor...

Kosta Andrić

Executive director at ICT Hub

Kosta is the CEO and partner at ICT Hub. Since its founding in 2014, ICT Hub has grown under his leadership into one of the leading private initiatives in the regional innovation ecosyste...

Dorina Grezda

Incubator and Project Manager Innovation Centre Kosovo (ICK)

Dorina is an accomplished professional specializing in project management and information and communication technology (ICT) skills. Currently serving as the Incubator & Project Manager a...

Saša Ivanović

Program manager at Innovation Fund of Montenegro

More than 18 years of professional experience in R&D and innovation policy sector, i.e. development of regulatory and institutional framework for innovation, creation and implementation o...

Kristijan Mileski

Co-founder of Business Impact Lab

Kristijan is a social innovator and entrepreneur passionate about empowering people and organizations to create impact through enterprise and innovation. As a co-founder of Business Impac...

Alema Pelesic

Co-founder Elevate.ba

Empowering startups, building ecosystems, and driving innovation—one connection at a time. With over 8 years of experience in impact investing and startup development, Alema is a passiona...

Event

Western Balkans Startup Alliance holds midterm Strategy Meeting

The Western Balkan Startup Alliance recently held a significant strategy workshop in...

Event

GITEX EUROPE 2025

GITEX EUROPE, Europe’s most global and collaborative tech and startup event, will...

Creating Opportunities and Making Impact

Join WBSA in shaping the future of the Western Balkans. By partnering with us, you’ll engage with a region full of potential, driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to sustainable economic development.