How an accelerator helped Albania step onto the global startup stage

Over the years, the local startup ecosystem has shown sporadic growth, with slowly growing founder ambition, institutionalized public support, and coordination among ecosystem actors. However, when the world-famous accelerator Plug and Play came to Tirana, things started to accelerate in all fields.

This event catalyzed the local startup ecosystem, pushing it towards new stages of growth and development.

Introducing a global accelerator to the local ecosystem

Plug and Play is one of the world’s leading innovation platforms, headquartered in Silicon Valley and operating across more than 60 locations worldwide. It focuses on connecting high-potential startups with large corporations, investors, and industry leaders, enabling partnerships, pilots, and investment opportunities without taking equity. On the other hand, Plug and Play also has their VC outlet that invests in startups from seed to series C stages.

When Plug and Play launched its Tirana program in early 2025, it introduced a proven acceleration model, direct access to international networks, and clear performance standards—resources previously difficult to access in emerging ecosystems like Albania’s.

The launch event and open call for startups attracted significant interest from Albania and the region, showing both demand and readiness for a more ambitious acceleration platform.

In spring, Plug and Play launched the first cohort of the Tirana accelerator, bringing together 22 teams. With founders based in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and thanks to the Albanian diaspora in Austria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK, it established Tirana as a hub for the global startup community.

Arber Kadia, founder of Patoko, one of the participating startups in the first Plug and Play cohort says:

Joining the first Plug and Play cohort is not just a win for Patoko, it's a step forward for the Albanian tech ecosystem. It proves that innovation built in Albania belongs on global platforms. Access to international networks, knowledge, and partnerships helps us grow faster and brings new momentum back to our local startup community.

Over the next eight months, startups participated in a structured acceleration program that included bootcamps, mentorship, targeted meetups, and investor exposure. Swiss EP experts were part of it too. They contributed to the program through open talks, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring sessions. The first experts supporting Plug and Play were Sydney Wong and Jamie Reynolds, followed by Kevin Chavanne, Manon Ligato, and Ryan Fagan.

Uranik Begu, Managing Director of Plug and Play Tech Center for CEE region, shares:

Our collaboration with Swiss EP represents a strong alignment of global reach and local ecosystem expertise. Together, we are building a more connected, resilient, and investment-ready startup environment in Albania and the Western Balkans.

The first cohort concluded in October 2025, with a two-day EXPO at the Pyramid of Tirana Innovation Hub. The event gathered more than 1000 startup enthusiasts, featuring local and international innovators, hosting 80 international speakers, and presenting more than 20 startup pitches.

Apart from the numbers, the event validated Tirana’s ability to attract, host, and sustain internationally relevant innovation platforms.

A long-term devotion to ecosystem development

Plug and Play’s presence in Tirana is a long-term commitment. With plans to run multiple batches over the next three years, including an annual Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning (GOAL) program in Silicon Valley, the accelerator is ready to be a key ecosystem actor.

Urank shared their plans:

Plug and Play is committed to positioning Albania as a strategic innovation hub in the region, by accelerating high-potential startups, attracting international corporates and investors, and building long-term programs that drive sustainable growth and global integration.

Supported by the Albanian-American Development Foundation, in collaboration with the Municipality of Tirana and the Pyramid of Tirana, and sponsored by IDEMIA Smart Identity, the program represents a coordinated public–private effort to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship at scale.

The presence of Plug and Play in Tirana also shows the progress of the local startup ecosystem. It signals that the local environment can produce and attract enough talent to run their businesses from Albania.

Another interesting observation is the overlap between public support and global acceleration: nine startups previously supported by Startup Albania Agency grants (including Swiss EP-supported Patoko, T-Blocks, and Tegeria) were selected for the Plug and Play program. Their trajectory showcases a functioning pipeline: early-stage public funding enabled experimentation and validation, while the global accelerator provided international exposure, partnerships, and scale-readiness.

A systemic impact on the startup ecosystem

Plug and Play’s presence in Albania has already had an impact beyond individual startups. It has raised quality standards, strengthened international connectivity, and reinforced confidence among founders, investors, and institutions. Alongside increased government prioritization of startups, expanded grant funding, and platforms such as Startup Albania, the ecosystem now operates with greater coherence and ambition.

Additionally, high-profile events such as Tirana Slush’D and All Web Tirana have further increased visibility, attracted international attention, and positioned Tirana as an emerging regional hub.

Albania’s startup ecosystem is no longer defined by promise alone. With the addition of a global accelerator like Plug and Play, coordination with public institutions, and support from international expertise, it is now functioning as a credible, connected, and increasingly competitive ecosystem.
The shift is clear: Albania is moving from momentum to maturity, and from participation to performance on the regional and global startup stage.