07 Oct 2026 Jane Whitmoore
Southeast Europe’s top 100 startups gear up to join the world’s biggest tech and AI network
A new generation of highly ambitious tech and AI entrepreneurs is emerging across Southeast Europe, and 100 of the region’s most promising startups are about to be placed in front of influential investors, buyers and tech leaders shaping the global digital economy.
GITEX AI Belgrade today launched SEE 100, an initiative selecting 100 tech and AI startups from across the region to feature at its inaugural edition from 25-27 May 2027, taking place as the official technology and business event of EXPO 2027 BELGRADE.
Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, SEE 100 is designed to give early- and late-stage companies direct access to the GITEX network, the world's largest AI and technology ecosystem network, spanning six continents and 14 markets, annually converging 18,200 tech companies and 5,050 investors managing US$ 3.5 trillion worth of assets.
At the launch of SEE 100 today, Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, said: “Southeast Europe’s startups possess both the technical ingenuity and the entrepreneurial ambition to compete worldwide, but talent alone doesn’t open doors in global markets; the right network does. SEE 100 puts our region’s most innovative minds in close proximity to the investors, buyers and partners who can take them international.”
“With EXPO 2027 bringing the world to Belgrade and GITEX bringing the global tech economy with it, there could not be a better moment for our region’s startups to demonstrate not simply the depth of talent, but the scale and sophistication of the innovation being built here.”
The Expo multiplier for a startup ecosystem growing 40% year on year
SEE 100 arrives as investor confidence in the region reaches new heights. Venture capital investment in Southeast Europe surged nearly 40% in 2025 to €398 million, with capital flowing into enterprise software, cybersecurity, aerospace hardware and industrial tech. SEE 100 will now accelerate this momentum.
The timing is fitting. As the official technology and business event of EXPO 2027 BELGRADE, GITEX AI Belgrade will take place when high-level ministerial, business, technology and investment delegations from the 140 countries will be in the city. For Southeast Europe’s startups, it offers a level of international exposure seldom available so close to home.
From regional champions to global contenders
Each of the 100 selected startups will exhibit from a dedicated branded pod at GITEX AI Belgrade, with around 95% of participation fees covered by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
SEE 100 will also introduce ‘SEE Fintech – Powered by AiKBank’, a dedicated fintech category designed to move promising startups beyond visibility and into direct engagement with one of the region’s leading banking teams. One standout finalist will earn an exclusive AiKBank growth opportunity, combining a one-week technical speedrun with the bank’s technical team, access to senior leadership, and follow-on sponsorship for international expansion trips in 2027 and 2028.
The programme begins even before GITEX AI Belgrade kicks off, with two curated virtual workshops in March 2027 where investors and accelerators will work with founders to sharpen their pitch and growth strategy.
During the event, a dedicated matchmaking service will orchestrate hundreds of meetings between SEE 100 startups, investors and corporate buyers, turning visibility into commercial partnerships, pilots and investment.
Selected startups will also be eligible to compete in the Supernova Challenge, one of the world’s largest startup competitions, offering a cash prize pool and acceleration support package.
SEE 100 is supported by a network of regional ecosystem partners, including Netokracija, SEE UP, Startup Cafe, Startup Club Skopje, and The Recursive, extending the programme’s reach into founder communities across Southeast Europe.
Dušan Obradović, Founder and CEO, SEE UP Accelerator, said, “Across Southeast Europe, we see founders building genuinely competitive products, but the biggest challenge is gaining access to the right customers, investors and commercial partners early enough to scale.”
“SEE 100 by GITEX AI Belgrade can help close that gap by giving 100 promising startups a direct route into an international network. For us at SEE UP, that is what ecosystem building should deliver: practical connections that help founders turn strong products into real sales, investment and expansion beyond their home markets.”
A geography of new talent
SEE 100 is open to startups headquartered or registered in Serbia, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, as well as companies founded or co-founded by entrepreneurs from those countries. A committee of ecosystem experts will assess applications on innovation, business model, scalability and the strength of the founding team.
SEE 100 is built on a proven track record across the GITEX network. First launched as Morocco 100 at GITEX Africa, the initiative became a sought-after fixture within the continent’s startup community, expanding this year to spotlight 300 startups. The model was also extended to the Egypt 100, creating another gateway for local founders into the wider GITEX ecosystem.
GITEX AI Belgrade will bring the global technology economy to Southeast Europe at scale, convening over 700 enterprises and startups and over 200 investors managing US$50 billion in assets, alongside business and tech executives from more than 120 countries.
For three days, Belgrade will become a global convergence hub for capital, innovation and commercial ambition; a high-density marketplace where investment conversations can scale startups, pilots can become deployments, and regional companies can begin mapping their route into international markets.
Applications for SEE100 will close on 27 November 2026. To apply, visit link https://innovate.expandnorthstar.com/en/challenges/see100-2027
Crypto Event
