KosICT 2024: A Resounding Success with Innovation, Inspiration, and Global Collaboration
Prishtina, October 13, 2024 – The 13th edition of the KosICT Technology Festival has come to a close, marking yet another milestone for Kosovo’s tech industry. Held at Tech Park Prishtina on October 11-12, the event surpassed expectations, bringing together global experts, industry leaders, startups, and tech enthusiasts for two days of knowledge-sharing, networking, and innovation. With over 3,000 participants, 104 companies represented, and speakers from 15 different countries, KosICT 2024 cemented itself as a premier technology event in the region.
A Dynamic Platform for Global Perspectives
This year’s festival featured 30 distinguished speakers across both the Main and Developers’ Stages, offering insights into the latest technological trends and challenges. With 9 keynotes, 1 panel discussion, 6 fireside chats, and 1 presentation on the Main Stage, and 3 presentations, 1 panel discussion, and 4 workshops on the Developers Stage, the event provided diverse content that catered to various interests and sectors.
Among the highlights were the keynote from Dex Hunter-Torricke, Head of Global Communications & Marketing at Google DeepMind, who spoke about navigating the decade of technological revolution, and the fireside chat with Oskari Pétas, Co-founder of Wolt, detailing the startup’s journey to a €7 billion acquisition by DoorDash. Sabine Singer, a pioneer in Value-Based Engineering, also moderated a key session on public policy and technology with Përparim Rama, Mayor of Prishtina, offering valuable insights into the city’s future growth and digital transformation.
Innovation and Startups Shine
The Innovation Fair provided a platform for 11 groundbreaking startups to showcase their solutions to investors, tech enthusiasts, and potential clients. Supported by the EU-funded Startup project and implemented by STIKK, the fair highlighted how these early-stage companies are leveraging innovation to disrupt industries ranging from virtual reality to peer-to-peer car-sharing platforms. Among the startups were The Lobby Boy, TERMINI, LABVR, and SPARE, each bringing fresh perspectives and inventive solutions to the table.
On the other side of the venue, the Trailblazers Fair featured 11 established companies, including ProCredit Bank, IPKO, Ericsson, and Nettxio, showcasing their innovative products and services. This fair offered attendees a glimpse into the leading-edge technologies driving industry transformation in Kosovo and beyond.
Future Developers Corner: Fostering Tomorrow’s Innovators
One of the most inspiring elements of KosICT 2024 was the Future Developers Corner, where 30 young prodigies, aged 8-16, demonstrated their coding and tech skills. Representing schools such as Finnish School, J-Coders, and Algorithmics, these future developers presented projects ranging from games and web applications to robotics and hardware solutions, captivating attendees with their creativity and passion.
A Hub for Networking and Collaboration
The festival also served as a networking powerhouse with its B2B Brokerage Event. Over 150 B2B meetings took place across two days, providing a unique opportunity for companies to connect and explore potential partnerships. Day one featured an international B2B event organized under the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), where 30 local and foreign companies participated. On the second day, a cross-sectoral B2B event focused on women-owned businesses, organized by STIKK in collaboration with DigiWomen Cluster Kosovo and USAID Kosovo Compete Activity.
KosICT eSports Showdown
The eSports Showdown returned to KosICT with two thrilling tournaments. The first was a charity Counter-Strike competition between companies, which culminated in a final between Starlabs and Telos Labs, with Starlabs emerging as the winner. The second tournament, a professional Dota 2 showdown, saw 8 competitive teams battle for glory, with BLINK taking home the top prize.
An Unforgettable Pre-Event Reception
One day before the festival officially kicked off, KosICT hosted an exclusive reception for speakers, STIKK members, and special guests. Co-hosted by Advantage Austria at Hotel Prishtina, the reception provided a relaxed and informal setting for attendees to connect, network, and build relationships ahead of the main event.
A New Era with OctoberTech Kosova
KosICT 2024 also served as the opening event for OctoberTech Kosova, a new initiative supported by the Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo. This initiative brings together Kosovo’s most prominent digital technology events, including DOKU.TECH and GrowthTank, creating a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.
Looking Ahead
As the 13th edition of KosICT concludes, the success of this year’s event highlights the ever-growing importance of the tech industry in Kosovo and the region. With world-class speakers, impactful discussions, and groundbreaking innovations, KosICT continues to serve as a platform where technology meets business, and ideas meet opportunity. We look forward to seeing what the next edition will bring, as KosICT continues to set new benchmarks for tech festivals in the Balkans and beyond.
For more information, visit the KosICT website or follow us on our social media platforms.
