In recent years, the PODIM conference in the Slovenian city of Maribor has increasingly positioned itself as one of the key events for startup ecosystems in the Adriatic region and the Western Balkans. This year, the three-day event in Maribor gathered over a thousand participants from around the world, all part of a dynamic program.
Statistics show that 188 startups from 23 countries applied to attend, 58 investment funds participated – managing over €8.2 billion dedicated to startup investments – more than 80 speakers took the stage, and over 1,300 one-on-one meetings were organized between startups and investors.
What makes PODIM special is not just the number of participants or the capital flowing through the conference halls, but the sense of regional unity – whether from Slovenia, Croatia, or Serbia – a shared ecosystem that is beginning to move in the same direction.
Which brings us to the question – where does Macedonia fit into all this? This time, the Macedonian delegation included over 30 representatives – from entrepreneurs and investors to media, mentors, and enthusiasts. It was clear that we have quality startups, technical talent, and many young people with vision and courage.
As Sanja Mitrovska, CEO of The Founder Games project, rightly pointed out, “PODIM is where the region’s heartbeat was felt.”
“Great 1-on-1 meetings in the Deal Room, new partnerships, and inspiring ideas,” shared Igor Mishevski, entrepreneur and investor with Zephyr Angels.
“Big shoutout to the Macedonian delegation of startups, unmatched energy as always!” added Boban Milosavleski, co-founder of Vendor, echoing the sentiment shared by a big part of the Macedonian delegation.
For Aleksandar Savov and Marija Naumovska from the DevOps startup Microtica, PODIM was an opportunity to gain strategic insight, connect with key players, and explore new collaboration opportunities beyond borders.
“From deep 1:1 meetings to investor roundtables, PODIM became the perfect environment for quality, unfiltered feedback. Every conversation helped us sharpen our positioning. Every exchange opened a door,” Aleksandar shared.
“PODIM sparked some great ideas for new meetups and cross-border conversations—and I’m excited to keep that momentum going,” Marija added.
“PODIM reminded us why we build, connect, and keep moving forward. We’re heading home with more than contacts – we’re bringing back clarity, energy, and stories worth hearing,” was the message from the team that represented StartUp Club Skopje.
Fragmented success won’t build an ecosystem
However, one thing that was visibly missing for the delegation was the coordination. The Macedonian startup ecosystem remains fragmented, often driven by isolated initiatives, individual successes, and limited collaboration.
We lack a central element – a platform or mechanism to unite all key stakeholders: startups, investors, incubators, public institutions, and organizations supporting innovation. Perhaps most importantly, we need everyone in the ecosystem to understand that true progress comes from working together.
At the same time, events like PODIM are not just opportunities for showcasing – they are a mirror reflecting how connected (or not) we are with the wider region. How many Macedonian startups got the chance to present? How many of our entrepreneurs made connections that will lead to investments or new markets?
As Matej Rus, PODIM’s director, put it – the conference is above all a central place for connecting and networking ambitious founders, experienced investors, and innovative companies. It’s time for Macedonia to recognize the value of such initiatives and make a concerted effort to build a united and coordinated presence that can truly showcase our startup ecosystem in the right light.
