Following a strong inaugural edition that gathered 450 participants, the 2026 forum is set to welcome 600 attendees, including seven country delegations, further cementing its role as a key platform for cross-border collaboration between Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the DACH region.
“Central and Eastern Europe is increasingly moving beyond its traditional perception as Europe’s periphery. With a strong base of technical talent and a growing number of globally competitive startups, the region is strengthening its role within the broader European ecosystem. We believe The Recursive CEE Forum will further enhance that contribution.”
The 2026 edition is designed around discussion and targeted introductions, creating meaningful opportunities for (1) Founders to meet investors and learn how companies scale across Europe; (2) Investors to discover high-potential startups and emerging trends; (3) Corporates to connect with innovation partners; (4) Policymakers to exchange approaches to enabling cross-border growth.
The agenda spans three stages and includes keynotes, panels, case studies, masterclasses, and curated matchmaking sessions. Highlights include: Keynotes on deep tech, energy, scaling and market expansion; Panels exploring AI implementation, GTM strategies, future of investing, tech transfer, and ecosystem building; Case studies and masterclasses from leading institutions and operators; A curated “Pitch & Match” session focused on facilitating partnerships rather than competition; Dedicated networking sessions designed to foster real collaboration.
Featuring Leading Voices from Across Europe
The forum will bring together a diverse group of high-profile speakers from across startups, venture capital, corporates, and institutions, including: Emily K. Genatowski, Experimental AI Researcher, Michael Kowatschew, Founder, Hezma, Andreas Muehlberger, SPM, Infineon Technologies, David Photien, Founding Partner, SCE Freiraum Ventures, Peter Nemcek, CTO, CyberGrid, Annu Gmeiner, Principal, Xista Science Ventures, Aleksandra Logar, Chief Operating Officer, ReCatalyst, Gerd Bommer, Investor & Strategic Advisor, James Langer, Communications Trainer & Coach, Rahul Mishra, Co-Founder, The Energy Bridge, Amore Philip, Founder, AOPR, Jelisaveta Pavlovic, Senior Energy Expert, OMV, Nina Dremelj, Managing Partner, Vesna VC, Marko Cadez, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Nebojsa Bjelotomic, Advisor to the President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
These speakers will share practical insights, real-world case studies, and strategic perspectives on scaling innovation across Europe.
Strengthening Europe’s Innovation Ecosystem
As Europe navigates a more disciplined investment climate and increasing global competition, The Recursive CEE Forum addresses key questions around scaling in fragmented markets, building resilient companies, and unlocking the full potential of regional collaboration. The forum aims to accelerate the integration of Central and Eastern Europe into the broader European innovation landscape.
The Recursive CEE Forum is an annual gathering of founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders dedicated to unlocking the potential of Central and Eastern Europe through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships. Learn more.
