Startups in the spotlight
In 2025, startups have taken center stage in Albania—gaining legal recognition, a government agency, a planned science park, rising media attention, political backing, and even public conversations about locally developed apps.
The Albanian startup ecosystem has steadily evolved over the years. When Swiss EP first began its work in the country a decade ago, there were already various initiatives, organizations, and programs supporting startups. However, most of these efforts were short-lived, with many lasting less than a year.
A high turnover of ecosystem actors created confusion among founders, who often struggled to identify where to turn for consistent support. The lack of continuity made it difficult to build lasting structures or momentum.
Given that some foundation already existed, we had expected a more rapid and dynamic development. Instead, progress has been gradual and uneven, marked more by persistence than by breakthrough moments.
Fast forward to 2025: for the first time in ten years, startups are finally taking center stage in Albanian society. Startups are now legally recognized as distinct entities; the government has established an agency dedicated to startup development only and is on its way to building the first Science-Technology park in the country; media coverage is increasing; the political establishment acknowledges them; and finally, we can hear people on the street talking about the apps developed by local startups.
Increased government support
In 2023, the Albanian government formalized its support for the startup ecosystem with the launch of the Startup Albania Agency, anchored in the Startup Law of 2022. The Agency serves as a strategic partner to the innovation community, helping Albanian startups succeed both nationally and internationally, building the capacities of ecosystem players, and promoting Albania as an attractive destination for digital nomads.
One of the essential instruments the Agency has introduced is financial support for startups. With three open calls running in 2022, 2024 and 2025, the government supported several startups and ecosystem actors with their grants. With a total fund of € 10 million, we can expect another new call and grant in the near future.
Another emerging government initiative is Durana—a future science and technology park designed to meet the needs of startups and Albania's burgeoning tech community. Despite being in its early stages, Durana has already attracted over 50 virtual tenants and generated significant interest from the startup community, signaling a promising step forward.
New international players
Beyond government support, startups in Albania can now also rely on support from international organizations. In spring 2025, Plug and Play launched its first accelerator program in Albania to support more mature early-stage tech startups. Operating from the Innovation Hub at the Pyramid of Tirana, the organization will run multiple accelerator batches over the coming years, offering startups mentorship, pitch training, business development support, and valuable networking opportunities.
Blendina Cara, Swiss EP Country Program Officer in Albania, explains:.
The arrival of international acceleration programs in Albania is more than just a boost for startups, it is a validation of the ecosystem itself. Their presence sets new standards of quality, brings global visibility, and signals to investors that Albania is ready to play on the international stage.
The presence of international initiatives, such as Plug and Play, is quite significant. It elevates the quality of the local startup scene and, at the same time, lends credibility to the ecosystem in the eyes of investors and funders.
More space for startups in public life
Although still emerging as a mainstream phenomenon, startups in Albania are gaining increasing recognition. The general public is aware of their existence and role in the development of the Albanian economy.
Media coverage, though sporadic, now highlights major events and demo days, while everyday Albanian consumers are embracing innovative products. For example, Patoko, with nearly 200,000 users, has become a household name in Tirana, and T-Blocks is drawing attention from the government for its role in facilitating foreign investment.
Startups are entering the stage in Albania
The future looks bright for startups in Albania. With government-backed initiatives, international accelerator presence, and public support, they are becoming a viable choice in the lives of many people, not only as a tool they use, but also as a career path.
However, despite significant achievements, challenges remain, notably in accessing finance. Government grants can help startups get off the ground and test their ideas, but sustainable growth requires access to private capital—something that remains limited in Albania. Currently, the Keiretsu Forum is the only active angel investor network in the country, working to promote angel investing and train new investors. However, it has made just one investment in Albania so far. There are still no venture capital firms registered locally. While there is some emerging interest from regional VCs (such as Croatia's Fil Rouge Capital, which invested in ConsciESG) these instances are still rare.
It's clear that much work lies ahead. Yet, the Albanian startup ecosystem is undoubtedly on the right track. With ongoing support and collaborative efforts, we are confident that the pace of progress will continue to accelerate—and with it, the promise of an even brighter future for startups in Albania.