In my years of launching startups and bootstrapping businesses, I’ve learned one truth about entrepreneurs in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), money isn’t their biggest challenge. It’s actually much deeper than that. While investment in CEE startups has surged in recent years, what most founders crave is access to experienced mentors, global networks, and strategic insight. These are the missing pieces that can elevate the region’s startups from local heroes to global champions. Let me walk you through what CEE startups truly need and why every entrepreneur, regardless of location, should take note.
Why Money Alone Isn’t the Answer
CEE startups have proven they can stretch every euro to its limit. For example, Ukraine’s Grammarly scaled to an impressive $13 billion valuation while navigating a war-torn economy. Similarly, Polish unicorn ElevenLabs reached a valuation of $3.3 billion in its Series C round in 2025, showing how lean and focused teams can achieve global impact with limited resources.
The issue isn’t funding, it’s what comes after. Many startups in this region raise a round and then face the "what’s next" question. Scaling into global markets? Building out leadership? Expanding tech capabilities? These require more than capital. They require networks, guidance, and strategic vision.
Four Key Needs for CEE Startups Beyond Funding
-
Mentorship from Founders Who’ve Exited
When UiPath became Romania’s first decacorn (valued at over $10 billion), it wasn’t just a win for the company, it was a signal to the country’s growing tech ecosystem. Yet, few exited founders choose to stay and mentor the next generation. Transitioning local knowledge to emerging entrepreneurs means passing down lessons learned from scaling globally, raising larger investment rounds, and managing international teams.
As an entrepreneur myself, I’ve always seen mentorship as a key building block. We founded the Fe/male Switch startup game for this very reason, to put aspiring founders into situations where they can learn to navigate the real-world challenges of running a lean startup. -
Global Networks for Scaling
Many CEE startups have to leave their home markets due to their small size. Estonia, for instance, has produced over 10 unicorns, but more than half relocate their headquarters abroad for better market access. There’s a lesson here: scaling globally doesn’t mean cutting ties at home. Founders need help building a bridge between local operations and international markets. Programs like those offered by RTP Global emphasize this mentality by linking globally ambitious CEE founders to cross-border expertise. -
Product Leadership and Strategy
Too many founders in CEE focus on surviving rather than winning. As Bogdan Iordache, a key figure in the Romanian startup scene, explains, this can hold them back from creating products that dominate on the global stage. Founders need frameworks for customer discovery, market validation, and product roadmaps to leapfrog the competition. My work with CADChain involved creating intellectual property strategies tailored to global markets, ensuring we stayed one step ahead. -
Access to Technical Talent and Leadership Development
There’s no lack of highly skilled developers in CEE. Poland alone boasts over 280,000 software engineers, with most countries across the region offering some of Europe’s most cost-efficient tech talent. But technical people don’t automatically become great leaders. Leadership development programs are essential to help talented teams grow into organizations with the capacity to scale.
Five Lessons for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs in Europe
As someone paving the way for women to enter STEM and entrepreneurship, I know there are unique challenges for female founders. These are my top lessons:
-
Find Your Tribe Early
Women entrepreneurs often face biases in the investment world. Joining communities such as the Fe/male Switch program or networks like Women Who Tech can offer invaluable support and mentorship. -
Get Comfortable Asking for Help
It’s tough to reach out, but it can change your trajectory. Focus on finding mentors who share your vision. Often, I look for women leaders who’ve successfully built businesses and aren’t afraid to share their mistakes. -
International Focus from Day One
CEE entrepreneurs, and especially women, need to think globally. Early on, figure out if your market exists beyond borders. Understand your audience’s needs deeply and plan for scalability. -
Learn What Investors Value
Investors today want more than an exciting pitch. They expect proof of traction, validated growth strategies, and, increasingly, a product-led approach to scaling. Build data-supported milestones to make investors want to back you. Resources like Vestbee’s funding reports can provide a regional perspective on what VCs are interested in. -
Leverage Smaller Resources to Build Strong MVPs
Don’t have enough funding? Don’t panic. CEE startups are masters of resource efficiency. Focus on building a lean Minimum Viable Product that solves a clear, narrow problem. For instance, we launched our beta version of Fe/male Switch with just grant funding and bootstrapping before scaling. You can do more with less.
Mistakes to Watch Out For
No list is complete without a heads-up on what not to do. Here are some common pitfalls CEE founders face:
- Overfunding too early: Chasing large funding rounds without understanding how to deploy the capital effectively can kill momentum. Polish startups have shown better success when scaling incrementally.
- Losing touch with home ecosystems: Relocating for market access is understandable. Do keep your base connected. It ensures that future entrepreneurs can learn from your journey.
- Neglecting culture in startup growth: Growing fast can create a leadership vacuum and a misaligned company culture. Be intentional from day one.
A Quick How-To for Building Beyond Borders
If you're a female entrepreneur eyeing success in Europe and beyond, here’s a concise roadmap:
- Start Lean: Use funding gaps as an advantage. Focus on customer feedback and iterate.
- Scale your talent: Invest in leadership training for your team.
- Leverage grants and networks: Explore funding opportunities through platforms like EU Horizon Europe grants.
- Build Cross-Cultural Connections: Markets like the US or UK often act as springboards for European companies. Look into ecosystems that connect you, like London & Partners startup programs.
Conclusion
For CEE startups, scaling a globally competitive business takes more than investment. What makes the difference is access to seasoned advice, networks, and strategic focus. It’s also up to founders to reinvest time into their communities to create a cycle of talent and growth. Being a woman entrepreneur in a space primarily dominated by men means being intentional in fostering connections and leveraging resources smartly. And if there’s one lesson I’ve learned in both my ventures and mentoring journeys, it’s that no startup rises alone. Together, we build smarter and better businesses.
FAQ
1. What is the main challenge for CEE startups apart from funding?
CEE startups often face hurdles such as limited access to mentorship, global networks, and strategic guidance, which are crucial for scaling internationally. Learn more about challenges for CEE startups
2. What role does mentorship play for CEE startups?
Mentorship from founders who have successfully exited startups provides invaluable guidance on scaling globally and building leadership teams, as highlighted in the growth of UiPath in Romania. Check out programs for aspiring founders like Fe/male Switch
3. Why are global networks essential for CEE startups?
Many CEE startups relocate headquarters to access larger markets. Establishing global networks helps them bridge local operations with international markets. Explore RTP Global’s initiatives
4. What tips can help female entrepreneurs succeed in CEE?
Female founders are encouraged to find supportive communities, focus on scalability from day one, and understand investor expectations. Discover networks like Women Who Tech
5. How can CEE startups optimize technical talent?
While CEE boasts cost-efficient and skilled developers, leadership development is necessary for scaling organizations effectively. Learn more about Ukraine's tech talent pool
6. What is the significance of Poland in the CEE startup ecosystem?
Poland leads the CEE region in startup development, housing over 280,000 software engineers and hosting unicorns like ElevenLabs and Docplanner. Read Poland's startup success story
7. Why is resource efficiency a strength for CEE startups?
CEE startups excel at building MVPs and growing conservatively with limited resources, as showcased by companies like Grammarly and ElevenLabs. Learn about how ElevenLabs scaled globally
8. What are some common mistakes CEE founders make?
Overfunding too early, failing to maintain connections in home ecosystems, and neglecting company culture during rapid growth are frequent missteps. Insights from RTP Global
9. How has the CEE ecosystem grown in recent years?
The combined startup enterprise value in CEE has grown 15.5 times since 2014, showcasing the region’s growing innovation potential. Details in The Recursive’s report
10. How can CEE founders stay competitive globally?
CEE startups can leverage international grants, focus on lean strategies, and foster cross-border collaborations for global competitiveness. Check out EU Horizon Europe grants
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 Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
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 POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
