Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo Launches November 28-30: A Game-Changer for Bosnia’s Emerging Innovation Hub

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entrepreneurial landscape is about to experience a revolutionary moment. Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo (November 28–30, 2025) is igniting a new wave of collaboration, confidence, and lasting startup culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This groundbreaking event marks the very first time this globally recognized program comes to Sarajevo, promising to transform how local entrepreneurs think, work, and build their startups.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s startup ecosystem grew +27.8% in 2025, ranks #91 globally, with 57 startups and total startup funding over $6.04M. This remarkable growth demonstrates the country’s readiness for an accelerated innovation boost that Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo will provide.

What Makes Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo Special?

Learn how to think, work, and build like a startup in 54 thrilling hours. Techstars Startup Weekend is an exciting and immersive foray into the world of startups. However, what makes this particular weekend in Sarajevo extraordinary goes beyond the standard format.

But what makes this very first Startup Weekend truly special is the transformation we expect to see: people walking in as strangers with raw ideas and walking out as teams with prototypes — more confident, more inspired, and more certain that they can build something real. This transformation reflects the unique potential of Bosnia’s emerging tech ecosystem.

The event represents more than just another startup competition. Startup Weekend is exactly the environment Sarajevo has been waiting for. It arrives at a moment when the local entrepreneurial community has been gaining momentum, creating the perfect storm for innovation acceleration.

The 54-Hour Transformation Journey

During this intensive Sarajevo entrepreneurship event, participants will experience a carefully structured program designed to maximize learning and collaboration. Over an action-packed three days, you’ll meet the very best mentors, investors, co-founders and sponsors to show you how to get more done faster and, maybe even start that Business.

The weekend follows a proven methodology. Ideas are pitched on Friday night, and teams form organically around the best ideas. Many successful startups have been formed by people who met at the event. This organic team formation process ensures that participants can leverage diverse skill sets and perspectives.

How to Join Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo

Participation in this transformative startup events in Bosnia requires minimal prerequisites. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, the answer is most likely yes! Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or new to the startup scene, you’ll fit right in as long as you are motivated to build a product or startup and are open to new ideas.

The accessibility of the event breaks down traditional barriers. Do I need to have a team or idea before attending? No! You can come alone or with a team. This inclusive approach makes Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo perfect for anyone wanting to dive into the entrepreneurship world.

Age Requirements and Ticket Types

Participants must be 18 years or older to attend. The event offers various ticket categories to accommodate different skill levels and backgrounds. Events typically offer different ticket types based on skill sets (e.g., Business, Designer, Technical). Choose the ticket that best matches your background.

Planning ahead is crucial for this high-demand event. Some events allow payment at the door, but it is recommended to buy tickets in advance to help organizers plan catering and supplies.

The Broader Impact on Bosnia’s Startup Ecosystem

Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo arrives during an unprecedented period of growth for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s innovation landscape. In the first half of 2025, the top-20 startups supported by the Swiss EP generated 361 jobs (compared to 332 recorded in 2024). 108 teams have completed various programs run by startup support organizations supported by Swiss EP.

This growth reflects a systemic transformation. We’re seeing talented students, professionals from local companies, and first-time founders, people who rarely have the chance to collaborate, spending more time together, connecting deeply, exchanging ideas, and replacing hesitation with confidence and uncertainty with action.

Techstars Community Partnership Program

The weekend event is part of a larger commitment to Bosnia’s entrepreneurial development. The Techstars Startup Community Partnership is a long-term model of a global initiative designed to accelerate the growth of startup communities. These partnerships connect local founders, mentors, investors, and community builders to the Techstars Network and provide access to proven community products, including Founder Catalyst, Startup Weekend, Startup Week, Community Development Lab, and Startup Digest.

This comprehensive approach ensures sustainable impact beyond just one weekend. With a four-year obligation, Techstars will be around for a while, and we’re certain it will help boost startup and ecosystem performance across the board.

Building Teams and Protecting Your Ideas

One common concern among first-time participants involves intellectual property protection. Yes, you and your team will own 100% of the idea and any work created during the weekend. Techstars Startup Weekend doesn’t take any equity in your startup. This protection ensures participants can fully engage without worrying about losing control of their innovations.

Team formation happens naturally during the event. No, participants join and form teams at the event. Teams should have diverse skill sets to develop a strong minimum viable product (MVP) by Sunday. This approach maximizes the potential for successful collaboration and learning.

Post-Event Continuation

The weekend represents just the beginning for many teams. Many teams continue working on their projects after the event. You’ll have access to mentors, resources, and a network of alumni to help you continue your journey. This ongoing support network proves invaluable for teams serious about developing their startups further.

Exclusive Perks and Partner Benefits

Participants gain access to significant value through partner programs. Techstars Startup Weekend founders get 30,000 points after spending $1,000 on their Brex card, $5,000 AWS Credits, access to $150K in SaaS discounts, and Empower essential for free.

Google’s involvement adds another layer of value. Google for Startups is Google’s initiative to help your startup thrive, no matter where you live. As a participant of Startup Weekend, you are now part of the Google for Startups community, which gives you access to the best of Google. This includes Google products, connections, and best practices to help your startup grow.

Additional Corporate Support

Startup Weekend Participants can get 10% off the first 12 months on all Deel SaaS products plus Deel HR is free! Deel HR is a powerful SMB to enterprise-grade HRIS seamlessly integrated into your hiring and payment solution. These partnerships demonstrate the serious commitment to supporting participant success beyond the weekend event.

The Growing Investment Landscape

Bosnia’s startup ecosystem faces both opportunities and challenges in funding. With two active angel investor networks—Vrbas Capital based in Banja Luka and BHBAN from Sarajevo—we expected to see increased investment activity in the country. However, we have not recorded any investments in local startups in 2024 and in the first half of 2025. The exact reason for such unfortunate results is unknown, but it could be due to several factors, including complex local legislation and a mismatch between the performance of local startups and investors investment strategies.

However, new developments offer hope. The first venture capital fund in Bosnia and Herzegovina debuted this month, an encouraging sign that a startup scene is taking shape there 30 years after the Dayton Peace Accords ended the country’s brutal four-year war. Cloud Health EuroVentures has been in the works for more than a year, but it officially launched Oct. 15 at Sarajevo Slush’d, a localized spinoff of Slush, a leading startup event originally founded in Helsinki, Finland.

Success Stories Emerging from Bosnia

The country has already produced notable tech successes. Among the tech success stories in the Bosnian ecosystem so far have been: Pik.ba acquired by OLX group, MojPosao.ba – an online job portal that has expanded across the region, and NSoft.ba – a betting software provider that has turned into one of the biggest companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Emerging companies show promise across various sectors. There is also an emerging line of most promising young ventures: Rolla: a suite of gamified fitness apps that enable users to monitor and track their performance. Tayra: inspired by sports dynamics, employee performance analytics software, making staff recognition and rewards easy. Bsmart: IoT solutions for heating and cooling. Ozon: an AI recruiting platform with a candidate evaluation system.

Industry Performance Rankings

Bosnia shows particular strength in specific technology sectors. Bosnia and Herzegovina startup ecosystem ranks #78 globally for the Fintech industry. Bosnia and Herzegovina startup ecosystem ranks #91 globally and #23 in Eastern Europe.

The fintech sector demonstrates significant potential. The top three Fintech startups in Bosnia and Herzegovina have raised more than USD 4.07M. Bosnia and Herzegovina startup ecosystem ranks #78 globally for the Fintech industry.

Key Organizers and Community Leaders

The event benefits from experienced leadership. According to the official website, Simone serves as a key facilitator. Lifelong learner, Product Manager, and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and innovation. Simone has facilitated and organized events in communities around the world, inspiring participants with his energy and providing guidance that helps ideas come to life. He thrives on connecting people, sparking collaboration, and turning challenges into opportunities. With every event, Simone brings not only motivation but also practical tools that empower participants to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.

Local Partnership Support

The event receives backing from significant local partners. In spring 2025, ZenDev and F787 joined forces with 38x Ventures to form a consortium and, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, brought the globally renowned accelerator Techstars to Sarajevo.

This government support signals a meaningful commitment to entrepreneurship development. The support from the Federal Government in introducing the TechStars community partnership is a signal towards creating a more friendly climate for entrepreneurship and startup development in the country.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Practical preparation enhances the weekend experience. Bring your laptop, charger, and any other tools you might need for development or design. Beyond equipment, participants should come with an open mind and readiness to collaborate.

Yes, participants are expected to attend all three days to ensure a complete experience and minimize disruptions for their team. This commitment ensures maximum benefit from the intensive learning experience.

The Cultural Shift in Bosnia’s Entrepreneurship Scene

Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo represents more than an event—it symbolizes a cultural transformation. When you want to create an innovation ecosystem, you need entrepreneurs – leaders with a fresh mindset to bring the community to the next level. We still don’t have a culture where failure is acceptable. Very often, you’d be judged for trying to build something new or for failing; it’s somewhat legacy from the old system.

This weekend can help change those attitudes. The new generation needs role models, somebody to look up to and to show them being an entrepreneur is a viable career choice. It’s possible to happen here – you don’t need to go across Europe to start your tech venture. The first few startup success stories will change the mindset, and the employees of these startups are likely to start their own ventures and give back knowledge and know-how to the ecosystem.

Regional Collaboration and Global Connectivity

The Balkan startup competition aspect connects Bosnia with broader regional initiatives. By uniting two very different startup communities — Omaha, Nebraska, and Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina — into one integrated class, we are creating a bridge that connects local communities to a global stage. The 20 selected founders now have direct access to Techstars’ worldwide network of mentors, investors, and over 10,000 alumni, while their local communities gain visibility, knowledge, and momentum that will fuel long-term impact.

Looking Beyond November 28-30

Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo represents just the beginning of Bosnia’s entrepreneurial acceleration. We are immensely proud of the selected founders and eagerly anticipate the transformative impact this program will have, not just on their startups, but on the entire startup ecosystem of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It took a community willing to step up, founders stepping out of their comfort zone, and a shift in mindset, believing that Bosnia and Herzegovina can be more than an outsourcing hub, and that they can be the ones to prove it. This country doesn’t need more people talking about change. It needs founders like this to make it happen. And in a few years, when Sarajevo has a thriving startup ecosystem, people will look back and say — it began here, with this.

The momentum building around this event suggests sustainable impact. Since the Techstars Kick-Off event, something has shifted. The momentum is undeniable. This shift represents the beginning of a new chapter for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s position in the global innovation landscape.

As November 28-30 approaches, the excitement continues building throughout Bosnia’s entrepreneurial community. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, a student with big dreams, or a professional ready for a career change, Techstars Startup Weekend Sarajevo offers an unparalleled opportunity to be part of history in the making.

The weekend will undoubtedly produce new startups, forge lasting partnerships, and inspire a generation of Bosnian entrepreneurs to think bigger and bolder than ever before. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformational moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s startup ecosystem.

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