Podim 2026 will bring together founders, investors, and technology leaders from across Europe and beyond for a two-and-a-half-day startup and tech conference in Maribor, Slovenia, from May 11–13, 2026. Positioned as one of the leading startup events in the Alps-Adriatic and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, Podim aims to connect ambitious founders with capital, partners, and customers.
Context and purpose
Podim focuses on creating meaningful interactions between startups and investors rather than hosting a large-scale exhibition-style conference. The event is designed as a curated environment where founders, venture capital firms, corporates, and ecosystem leaders can exchange insights, explore partnerships, and discuss the future of technology and innovation in Europe.
The event brings together a carefully selected group of participants, including 150 startups and more than 150 international investors. Through structured networking and one-on-one meetings, the conference aims to support fundraising opportunities, cross-border collaboration, and global market expansion for startups from the CEE region.
Podim 2026 program
The Podim agenda is structured around several thematic program blocks focused on real-world startup building and technology innovation.
Key topics include:
- Founder Confessions — honest founder stories and lessons from scaling companies
- The Global Tech Race — Europe’s role in the global tech ecosystem
- The AI Revolution — robotics, applied AI, and next-generation intelligent systems
- Digital Disruption — fintech innovation and digital finance infrastructure
- Deep Tech Frontiers — commercialization of scientific research and emerging technologies
- Builders Stage — practical B2C and B2B growth strategies
- Investors Academy — insights from leading European venture capital investors
The program is designed to move beyond inspiration and deliver practical insights founders, operators, and investors can apply in today’s competitive technology landscape.
Startup participation and curated investor meetings
A core element of Podim 2026 is its structured startup-investor matchmaking program designed to support fundraising and international expansion.
The event will bring together:
• 150 carefully selected startups
• 150+ active international investors
• Corporate leaders and ecosystem partners
Selected startups gain direct access to global investors and strategic partners through pre-arranged one-on-one meetings designed for focused business conversations rather than traditional conference networking.
Participating startups receive:
• Direct access to international investors
• Pre-arranged 1:1 meetings with venture capital firms
• Opportunities to connect with potential customers and corporate partners
• Increased visibility within the European technology ecosystem
With more than 500 startup applications already submitted, Podim remains one of the most competitive startup platforms in the Central and Eastern Europe region.
First speakers announced
Podim 2026 has already revealed the first group of speakers joining the program, including founders, venture capital investors, and ecosystem leaders.
Among them are Kimeshan Naidoo, co-founder of Familiar and Unibuddy, who scaled products to millions of users and significant annual recurring revenue; Maximilian Fleitmann, founding partner at Wizard Ventures and serial entrepreneur; and Ivan Bešlić, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Sofascore.
Additional speakers include Slavomir Hruška, COO and co-founder of Spacebrains; Yusuf Özdalga, partner at QED Investors, a fintech investment firm managing billions in assets; Vedran Bajer, general manager Adriatic at Wonderful; Robin Wauters from the European Startup Network; and Kristiana Kuneva from The Recursive.
Event details
- Maribor, Slovenia
- May 11–13, 2026
- Startup applications close March 15, 2026