Applications Open

RiSEE Summit
2026

The gateway for Southeast European startups to the global market — a curated gathering of founders, investors and corporate innovators building the next generation of global companies from Southeast Europe.

View the Program

When: 4–5 June 2026
Where: Ložionica, Belgrade

Why RiSEE Summit

A summit for the people who actually make things happen

We curate the room, set the agenda around real outcomes and leave room for the conversations that matter.

Not another conference

RiSEE is built around outcomes, not panels. Every hour of the program is designed to start a conversation that turns into a deal.

SEE → U.S. Bridge

We connect Southeast European founders to the U.S. market through our network of investors, operators and accelerators on both sides of the Atlantic.

Built on Scale SEE DNA

Anchored in the proven Scale SEE accelerator network — a community that has already produced rounds, hires and partnerships across the region.

What happens at RiSEE

Two days, four formats, one room

The summit is intentionally small. Every component is built to maximise the chance that the right people meet.

Powerful Panels

“The $100M Question: Can SEE Founders Compete Globally — and How?” Three €100M+ founders share real failures and successes, on stage, in front of the people who can act on it.

Startup Showcase & Pitch Competition

8 startups pitch live in front of a panel of investors. The top 2 win a trip to San Francisco — and an introduction to U.S. capital and customers.

Curated Matchmaking

20 startups are paired with 20 investors for 1:1 meetings, based on a profile you fill in when you register. No speed-dating chaos — every meeting has a reason to happen.

Side Events

Networking party on Thursday evening, founder breakfast on Friday morning, investor lunch on Friday — designed for the conversations the main program can’t hold.

Program preview

Thursday, June 4 — at a glance

A working day designed to start conversations and end with deals. The full Thursday + Friday program lives on the program page.

📍 Peron Conference Hall in Ložionica, Belgrade, Ulica Ideja 2

Where conversations start — and deals begin.

09:00 – 09:30

🟢Registration

Arrive, grab your badge, coffee in hand.

09:30 – 09:45

🎤Scale SEE Opening Session

Why RiSEE exists — and why now.

09:45 – 10:00

🇺🇸Opening Remarks — US Embassy

Why cross-Atlantic collaboration matters more than ever.

10:00 – 11:15

🔥Panel: "The $100M Question — Can SEE Founders Win Globally, and How?"

Three founders. $100M+ raised. No filters.

11:15 – 12:00

☕Coffee Break & Networking

Not a "break" — this is where most of the value happens.

12:00 – 13:30

🚀Startup Pitch Competition

8 startups. 6 investors. No room for fluff.

13:30 – 14:15

🍽️Lunch Break

Eat, reset, and continue the conversations that actually matter.

14:00 – 14:45

🧠Parallel Workshops (Track A & B)

Choose one of two deep-dive, practical sessions designed for founders scaling to global markets.

15:00 – 15:45

⚡Startup Pitching Sprint

Venue: Peron Hall

20 startups. 2 minutes each.

15:45 – 17:00

🤝Meet the Speakers and U.S. Operators

Direct access to experienced founders, operators, and U.S. experts.

19:00+

🥂Thursday Night Party — Powered by Startech

Venue: TBD

You made connections during the day. Now let's see which ones actually stick.

Tickets

Pick the room you belong in

Each ticket comes with a curated experience tailored to your role. Group discounts available for startup teams and delegations.

Startup Ticket

For founders and growing teams

Curated investor meetings
Access to Thursday Party & Founder Breakfast
Growth & fundraising sessions
Pitch practice & feedback

Business Ticket

For corporates and ecosystem builders

Curated networking
Practical group sessions
Partnership opportunities
Access to all side events

Investor Ticket

For VCs, angels and family offices

Startup pipeline access
Speed dating with top 20 startups
Co-investment opportunities
Curated investor networking
Access to Thursday party & Investor lunch

Hotel Partner

Stay at Moxy Belgrade — 30% off for RiSEE Summit attendees

Belgrade · part of Marriott Hotels

Moxy Belgrade is a boutique hotel in the heart of the city — 131 smart, cozy rooms, a gym, a vibrant community space next to a 24/7 bar, and a full-service restaurant serving international specialties. A fresh, playful twist on the Belgrade hotel scene.

The spirit of Belgrade runs through every corner — striking murals, urban details, and unmistakable local vibe woven into the design, décor, and storytelling.

Moxy is an official partner of RiSEE Summit. Use the link below to book with a 30% discount on room + breakfast during the conference.

• Reservations include bed and breakfast.
• City tax of €1.37 per person / night is not included.
• Free cancellation up to 2 days prior to arrival. Late cancellation or no-show will be charged 1 night's stay.

Moxy Belgrade restaurant and community space

Who speaks at RiSEE Summit

The $100M Question: Can SEE founders compete globally?

Three founders. Three different paths to scale. One honest conversation about what it actually takes.

Raised €8.2M

Stjepan Zelić

CEO, Hypefy.ai

AI influencer campaign platform.

CEO of Hypefy.ai, an AI-powered platform that enables brands to run influencer campaigns with a single prompt.

In 4.5 years, Hypefy delivered 1,700+ campaigns across 43 countries for global brands like McDonald's, Nivea, and Philips, raising €8.2M and expanding rapidly into Western Europe and the US.

Raised $12M (2025)

Branko Džakula

Co-founder & CISO, Secfix

Cybersecurity for fast-moving teams.

Co-founder and CISO of Secfix, which raised $12M in 2025, and founder of Un1quely, a global cybersecurity services company with 300+ employees.

Branko specializes in cybersecurity, compliance, and AI, helping companies scale securely in complex regulatory environments.

$300M+ ARR

Luka Prelevic

Managing Director, Hellas Direct

Insurtech operating across Southern Europe.

Managing Director of Hellas Direct, one of Europe's fastest-growing insurtech companies with $300M+ ARR.

With a background spanning Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and McKinsey & Company, Luka brings deep expertise in scaling businesses and navigating global markets.

Pitch Competition Jury

Who judges at RiSEE Summit

Investors from across SEE and Europe will pick the two startups headed to San Francisco.

Goran Stevanović

South Central Ventures

Shefqet Avdullau

Serial Angel Investor

Vuk Lau

Silicon Gardens

Ivana Henckel von Donnersmarck

Skybound VC

Dan Lupu

Earlybird Venture Capital

About Scale SEE

Founded to bridge Southeast European startups with U.S. market access

Scale SEE is the accelerator behind RiSEE Summit. We pick a small cohort of founders each year and put them in the room with the U.S. operators, investors and customers who can make the next 12 months count.

70+

applicants in cohort #1

startups accepted

150%

revenue growth in 4 months

$500K

raised by alumni post-program

Partners & Ecosystem