TL;DR: Unlockit Conference 2026 to Accelerate CEE Startups' Global Scaling
The Unlockit conference in Belgrade, happening February 19, 20, 2026, aims to help Central and Eastern European (CEE) startups overcome scaling challenges, transitioning from local successes to global markets.
• Learn proven scaling strategies, global market readiness, and effective go-to-market tactics.
• Gain insights from keynote speakers like Damir Sabol (Photomath) and Mirko Novaković (Instana).
• Focus on commercialization, cultural adaptation, and navigating competitive VC environments.
Elevate your startup to global success, register at Unlockit.org.
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Scaling startups to a global level from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has always intrigued and challenged me as an entrepreneur operating within diverse European ecosystems. While this region is recognized for its engineering geniuses and groundbreaking innovation, the transition from regional recognition to global dominance has been elusive for many founders. This February, the Unlockit conference in Belgrade aims to crack the code for scaling effectively. With over 800 expected participants, including 100+ seasoned operators, this event is positioned to deliver invaluable insights for ambitious founders striving to scale globally from CEE.
Why Does Scaling Matter More Than Ever for CEE Startups?
The startup scene in CEE has massive potential but continues to face significant hurdles. Data from Digital Serbia Initiative (DSI) indicates that startups in the region often undervalue go-to-market strategies, leading to stagnation in scaling beyond pilot markets. Founders prioritize the perfect product and spend disproportionately on engineering while neglecting critical elements such as marketing, global sales funnels, and building commercial traction early on. This bottleneck isn’t just theoretical, it’s consistently visible in funding rounds, where VCs demand “global scalability proof.” At the same time, securing these funds is becoming increasingly competitive.
In an ecosystem with a deep talent pool of engineers but limited commercialization expertise, global knowledge disparity persists. The Unlockit conference, happening February 19, 20, 2026, seeks to address this knowledge gap by focusing on the art, and science, of scaling effectively. The organizers have made it clear: scaling globally is no longer optional if CEE wants to produce a steady stream of unicorns; it’s a defining factor for survival.
Key Challenges Faced by CEE Startups When Scaling
- Overemphasis on technical perfection while under-investing in marketing and global sales.
- Lack of understanding of cultural nuances in international markets.
- Limited exposure to scalable business models.
- Local market mindset that often inhibits global readiness from Day 1.
- An evolving but still nascent network of experienced mentors and investors focused on scaling.
Tanja Kuzman, the program director of Unlockit, emphasizes that “too often, founders in our region assume their product’s technical brilliance will naturally translate into sales. That’s not the case. Winning requires a precise understanding of global markets and commercial execution.”
What Will You Learn at Unlockit 2026?
Unlockit promises actionable insights delivered by operators who’ve achieved global success. The event is split into distinct tracks that cater to different levels of startup maturity, alongside practical workshops for hands-on learning.
Focal Points of the Conference
- Scaling Strategies: Learn the step-by-step process of building for global markets, with practical examples from founders who’ve done it successfully.
- Global Market Readiness: Sessions on tailoring your product, marketing, and sales pitch to fit global audiences and diverse cultural expectations.
- Mastering the Go-To-Market Motion: Insights into how to launch effectively, tighten your early customer acquisition funnel, and test for international scalability.
- Fundraising for Growth: Understand how investment criteria have shifted and gain strategies to attract global VCs.
If you’re a founder in CEE, this conference could serve as a crash course in unlearning regional limitations and adopting strategies that pave the way for international growth.
Confirmed Keynote Speakers
- Damir Sabol (Founder, Photomath), whose app was acquired by Google after accumulating over 500M downloads.
- Branko Milutinović (CEO, Nordeus), the team behind a global hit gaming product.
- Nick Velkovski, a SaaS founder scaling HeyReach to $10M ARR independently.
- Mirko Novaković, previous startup founder of Instana, acquired for $500M by IBM.
Hearing their journeys, from securing international clients to undertaking multi-million-dollar acquisitions, will fill in the missing pieces for emerging CEE startups.
How To Actually Win As a Startup in CEE
Here’s a simple framework I developed based on participating in multiple scaling journeys:
- Think Global From Day One: Build products for a global market, not just your local ecosystem.
- Prioritize Commercial Skills: Allocate resources towards hiring talent equipped with go-to-market experience.
- Start Early With Cultural Adaptation: Learn how to adjust your messaging and pitch for global audiences.
- Don’t Ignore AI: Leverage AI tools for customer acquisition, analytics, and scaling processes. If you aren’t doing this, you’re already behind.
- Invest in Relationships: Build connections with mentors, globally recognized VCs, and other scale-focused founders.
And most importantly, don’t fall into the trap of perfection paralysis; speed to execution is often the difference-maker in highly competitive markets.
Closing Thoughts
The Unlockit conference is more than an event; it’s an opportunity to redefine how CEE startups approach scaling. Attending can arm you with insights, strategies, and real-world advice that saves years of trial and error. This region has untapped potential, and together we can change the narrative. As someone who has navigated this journey, I urge you to claim your seat, learn from operators, and build a startup that transcends borders.
If this agenda resonates, don’t wait. Registration is open at Unlockit.org.
FAQ on Unlockit 2026 and Scaling Startups in CEE
What is Unlockit 2026, and why is it significant for CEE startups?
Unlockit 2026 is a major conference designed to help startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) scale globally. It focuses on addressing the region’s challenges in commercialization, go-to-market strategies, and global scalability. Held on February 19, 20, 2026, in Belgrade, Serbia, the event will feature over 800 participants and 100+ seasoned speakers, including founders and operators from internationally successful startups. The conference aims to close the knowledge gap that prevents many CEE startups from achieving global recognition, fostering critical skills such as marketing, global sales funnel optimization, and fundraising strategies. Founded by the Digital Serbia Initiative, it also seeks to cultivate long-term mentorship networks for entrepreneurs. Learn more about Unlockit.
Why do startups in Central and Eastern Europe struggle to scale globally?
Startups in CEE face challenges such as over-prioritizing technical innovation at the expense of marketing and sales expertise. Many assume that having a technically brilliant product will automatically lead to sales, which isn’t the case in the competitive global market. Data shows that these startups often undervalue critical elements like go-to-market strategies and cultural adaptation, resulting in a bottleneck for scaling outside regional markets. Tanja Kuzman, Director of Unlockit, emphasizes the need for these startups to address cultural nuances in global scaling while allocating resources toward commercialization. This insight highlights why scaling knowledge is a key focus of Unlockit 2026. Learn more about scaling challenges.
What are the main topics covered at Unlockit 2026?
Unlockit 2026 will offer curated tracks and workshops to address the specific needs of startups across different maturity levels. Key focal points include scaling strategies, global market readiness, go-to-market motion optimization, and fundraising approaches. Workshops will provide hands-on learning opportunities, allowing founders to engage directly with operators who have scaled successful startups globally. The educational tracks aim to equip participants with actionable insights and practical strategies that can help overcome regional limitations and pave the way for international growth. This approach ensures participants leave with a clear roadmap for scaling their startups effectively.
Who are the keynote speakers at Unlockit 2026?
Featured speakers at Unlockit 2026 include several experienced founders and operators who have modernized global scaling practices. Among the keynote presenters are Damir Sabol (Founder of Photomath, acquired by Google), Branko Milutinović (CEO of Nordeus), Nick Velkovski (a SaaS founder scaling HeyReach independently), and Mirko Novaković (Instana founder, sold to IBM). These speakers will share their journeys of navigating international markets, building scalable teams, securing global clientele, and achieving multi-million-dollar acquisitions. Hearing their success stories offers invaluable lessons for CEE entrepreneurs aiming to replicate such accomplishments. Discover the speaker lineup.
How can founders in CEE prepare to scale globally?
Founders aiming to scale globally should adopt several strategies: build products with a global audience in mind from Day 1, invest in commercialization and go-to-market expertise early, and prioritize understanding cultural nuances of international markets. Allocating resources to hire talent with proven expertise in global expansion and adapting products for diverse audiences is essential. They should also leverage AI tools for customer acquisition and analytics, a trend increasingly popular among startups seeking rapid scalability. Unlockit 2026 will provide detailed insights and actionable methods for implementing these approaches effectively.
How does the Unlockit conference address scaling knowledge gaps?
The Unlockit conference addresses scaling knowledge gaps by providing CEE startups with access to seasoned mentors, successful operators, and global VC investors. Participants will learn actionable insights from hands-on workshops and tailored educational tracks that focus on overcoming commercialization and sales challenges specific to the region. By facilitating networking opportunities with experts in scaling, the conference creates an environment where founders can exchange ideas, gain mentorship, and understand global best practices for scaling their startups beyond regional borders.
What role does commercialization play in scaling CEE startups?
Commercialization is crucial for scaling startups, particularly in CEE, where the talent pool often excels in engineering but lacks practical knowledge in global sales and marketing. Unlockit 2026 emphasizes that building commercial traction early is as important as creating a technically perfect product. Without addressing critical commercialization elements, such as customer acquisition funnels, cultural adaptation, and tailored marketing strategies, scaling beyond pilot markets becomes exceedingly difficult for startups. Tanja Kuzman, Director of Unlockit, describes commercial execution as the foundation for scaling successfully.
What is the impact of cultural adaptation on global scalability?
Cultural adaptation plays a significant role in a startup’s ability to succeed globally. Founders need to tailor their product messaging, sales pitches, and marketing strategies to resonate with international audiences. Misunderstanding cultural differences can lead to alienation of potential customers or failure to penetrate diverse markets effectively. At Unlockit 2026, participants will gain insights into navigating cultural nuances during the scaling process, learning from operators who have successfully adapted their strategies to expand internationally.
How can AI tools help startups scale internationally?
AI tools are transforming the scaling process by enabling quicker customer acquisition, streamlining operations, and providing real-time analytics for decision-making. Startups can leverage AI for lead generation, personalized marketing campaigns, and predictive analysis of market trends. Unlockit 2026 introduces participants to these AI applications, helping them understand how to incorporate automation into their scaling strategies and stay competitive in rapidly evolving markets. This practical knowledge equips founders to use technology as an enabler for global growth.
Where can I register for the Unlockit conference?
Registration for the Unlockit conference is open online. Entrepreneurs interested in scaling their startups globally from CEE can visit the official Unlockit website for detailed information on agenda, speakers, workshops, and ticket availability. Register for Unlockit.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
