Speakers – Tirana Slush'D

Speakers

Meet with our speakers

Peter Vesterbacka

Serial Entrepreneur: Founder of Angry Birds, Slush and more

Peter Vesterbacka is an entrepreneur from the Finest Bay Area at the Heart of Eurasia, Helsinki, Finland. Peter Founded and Branded the Angry Birds, Slush, Startup Sauna , HP Bazaar, Mobile Monday to name a few. He was the Mighty Eagle at Angry Birds for many years taking that brand to unprecedented heights. Peter is also currently adjunct professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Tongji University, one of the leading universities in China. In 2011 Time Magazine named Peter one of the 100 most influential people on the planet.

Karin Edström

GreenTech & DeepTech Investor, Board Worker, Strategic Advisor

Investment Manager at Almi Invest Green Tech, the leading climate tech venture capital investor in the Nordics. Karin has evaluated hundreds of climate tech startups and supported dozens to grow internationally into profitable businesses with a substantial positive environmental impact. As an entrepreneurial, business-focused doer, Karin brings strategic, tactical, and operational expertise to the table. She leverages her board working skills by empowering the founders and management teams of the companies she invests in and advice. Karins mission is to address the really big climate issues, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing long-term global sustainability.

Walid O. El Cheikh

Venture Partner at Baltic Sandbox Ventures

Walid is a Venture Partner at Baltic Sandbox Ventures, operating from our Helsinki office. He is responsible for portfolio support and business development coaching. As a pitching coach and startup mentor, he has worked in dozens of accelerators, incubators, and universities. Walid is the author of the "Pitching For Life" ebook (500k downloads), which he has used to coach over 125k participants. He is active in the startup ecosystem in Finland and Europe, attending conferences as a guest speaker, panelist and pitching judge.

Margarita Khartanovich

Startup Services & Investor Relations at Platform6

With nearly 20 years of experience in technology and media communications, Margarita Khartanovich is passionate about building ambitious and impactful projects. Her expertise spans PR, journalism, digital marketing, investor relations, and venture-building. As a co-founder, team leader, and ecosystem operator, Margarita thrives in multi-stakeholder environments, collaborating with diverse teams to bring ideas to life. Driven by a desire to positively impact industries and lives, she specializes in simplifying complex concepts and delivering tangible results through innovation.

Michal Csonga

General Partner at Zero One Hundred VC

Michal brings a 360-degree view of the global tech market, having led teams at Sony, operated tech companies, spearheaded educational NGO initiatives, and made bold bets on early-stage ventures. Now back in Eastern Europe, he’s on a mission to bridge innovation ecosystems and accelerate venture capital activity in often-overlooked tech talent hubs. As General Partner at Zero One Hundred, Michal backs exceptional founders across Europe and the Middle East. He enjoys geeking out over driving social and economic impact through innovation and education, fostering cross-border collaboration, and exploring all things emerging tech.

Edlira Muka

CEO at BALFIN Group

Edlira Muka has served as Chief Executive Officer of BALFIN Group since 2016, after holding key leadership roles including Vice President and CFO. Under her leadership, the Group has expanded into 9 countries across Europe. A member of the World Economic Forum’s Competitiveness and Innovation Accelerator, and Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania, Edlira is dedicated to fostering innovation and growth. With a degree in Finance from the University of Tirana and further training at London Business School, she drives BALFIN’s vision of creating opportunities and transforming industries.

Armando Coppola

Partner & Fund Manager at Wellstreet Fintech

Armando Coppola is a Partner and Fund Manager at Wellstreet, specializing in fintech investments. He manages the Fintech Fund I and leads the Fintech Loft accelerator, in collaboration with AWS, to support innovative startups. With over 13 years of experience, he has a strong background in finance and insurance, including roles at Avanza and Nordnet. A successful entrepreneur, Armando founded 15 companies, exiting 9, and continues to be an active angel investor and advisor

Delina Ibrahimaj

Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate

Ms. Delina Ibrahimaj is the Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate in Albania. With a PhD in Banking and Finance from "Tor Vergata" University in Rome, she has a strong background in finance, innovation, and public administration. Previously serving as Minister of Finance and Economy, she has played a key role in fostering entrepreneurship, improving the business climate, and promoting economic reforms. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping policies that encourage innovation and support startups in Albania.

Krešo Gotovac

Partner at Silicon Gardens VC

Krešo Gotovac is a partner at Silicon Gardens VC. He is a former athlete with an international master's degree in Technology Management and substantial experience in product development and team building. He has led Silicon Gardens VC's operations for the past five years and is a member of the Fund's investment team. Previously, he acted as CEO at Danu and co-founded and led several international startups, including Witsports and Sconnected.

Laura Saro

Executive Director . A.I.D.A . Albanian Investment Development Agency

Since September 2023, Laura Saro has served as Executive Director of the Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA). She holds a Law degree and an LLM in International Law and International Relations from the University of Kent. With over 12 years of experience in management and strategic consulting across public and private sectors, she is also a licensed lawyer in Albania since 2017. Laura actively promotes civic engagement and has authored several publications, contributing to Albania's alignment with European perspectives.

Tai Tran

Innovation & Startup Ecosystem Builder | Ex-Head of Global Ops @ Junction

Tai Tran is recognized for his contributions to building the innovation and startup ecosystem in Finland and the Nordics. With a strong focus on supporting early-stage startups, he has played a crucial role in fostering innovation throughout the region. As a dynamic young entrepreneur, Tai is committed to empowering emerging founders and bridging the gap between ideas and impact. His deep insights into the startup landscape, along with extensive hands-on experience, make him a valuable asset to Slush D Tirana. Tai will join as a moderator during the event.

Florenca Haxhiaj

Senior Expert on Business Development and Economic Zones at AIC

Florensa Haxhi is a senior expert specializing in economic development, investment strategies, national strategic programming, and fostering start-up and innovation ecosystems, with a particular focus on technology-driven initiatives, such as the establishment of the first Science & Tech Park in Albania. Currently, she serves as a Senior Expert on Business Development Issues at the Albanian Investment Corporation (AIC), where she is instrumental in designing sustainable business models for AIC projects. Florensa integrates the strengths of both the public and private sectors to optimize the value of state assets, driving economic growth for Albania.

Blendi Gonxhja

Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation of Albania.

Blendi Gonxhja currently serves as the Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation as of January 2024. He previously led the Road Transport Services Directorate from 2018, overseeing major digital transformations and infrastructure improvements. Gonxhja has held various leadership roles, including Deputy Mayor of Tirana and Director of the city's Parks and Recreation Agency, where he initiated key urban development projects. With extensive experience in both public administration and private sector ventures, he has been instrumental in advancing Albania’s innovation and cultural sectors.

Ardian Hoxha

Entrepreneur & Investor: Founder of Keiretsu Forum SEE, Albafone and more

Ardian is a passionate entrepreneur, investor, and diplomat with a diverse background spanning industries such as education, media, telecommunications, jewelry, and construction. He has founded and invested in numerous ventures, including Keiretsu Forum SEE, Albafone, American School of Kosova, Coders Lab Kosova, Comfy Living etc. He serves as Treasurer of the Board of Governors at the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo. A founding member of the Rotary Club Prishtina, Ardian is committed to driving innovation and positive change.

Sokol Duma

Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation

Sokol Duma has the role of Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation since March 2024. With a strong background in economics and over a decade of experience in project management, publishing, and the automotive industry, Sokol has led initiatives such as AutoMotoPark and organized Albania’s first international automotive fair. He has been instrumental in advancing road safety standards and shaping innovative mobility solutions in Albania.

Arjan Ymeri

Director General | Startup Albania

Arjan Ymeri is the General Director of Startup Albania, leading efforts to grow and support the country's startup ecosystem. With a strong background in entrepreneurship and innovation, Arjan is dedicated to fostering local startups and connecting them with vital resources, investors, and mentors. His leadership has positioned Startup Albania as a key player in promoting Albania as a hub for innovation and technology

Ravik Mima

CEO of Keiretsu Forum Southeast Europe

Ravik Mima is the CEO of Keiretsu Forum Southeast Europe, driving innovation and collaboration to support startups across the Western Balkans. He leads the region’s first cross-border Angel Investor Network, providing vital financing for founders in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. With a PhD in Economics from Peking University, Ravik is also a university lecturer and research associate, specializing in regional development. His expertise spans nearshoring, green industrial policy, and sustainable development in the Western Balkans.

Genti Selenica

CEO and Founder @ Baboon Delivery, SDA Bocconi, TED Speaker

Genti Selenica With over 15 years of experience in the startup ecosystem, I have honed my entrepreneurial skills and developed a deep understanding of business dynamics, from conception to scaling internationally. As the founder and CEO of Baboon Delivery, an industry-leading on-demand delivery platform, I transformed an idea into a company with a dominant 95% market share in Albania and Kosovo. My leadership steered a diverse team of over 150+ people towards achieving a staggering +38% growth in 2023, with projections of exceeding 45% growth in 2024.