9:00-9:15 Building a Financial Ecosystem for Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation:
Enabling Growth in Regional Markets
Keynote Speaker: Goce Dimovski, Director of the Directorate for Technological Industrial Development Zones
9:15-10:30 Panel Discussion: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Aligning Youth Skills with Regional
Market Demands
A panel of experts (investors, corporate leaders, startup founders) will discuss opportunities and challenges in the Balkan regional market and economy.
Moderator:
Verica Jordanova (Journalist, PDY 2005)
Speakers:
Zoran Martinovski (President of Prime Blue Institute, Ohrid)
Ivana Bilić (Professor at the Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, University of Split)
Meldina Kokorović Jukan (Dean of the Faculty of Economics, University of Tuzla)
Gadaf Rexhepi (Professor of Strategy and innovation at South-East European University)
10:30-11:00 Coffee and Tea Break
11:00-12:30 AI-related Solutions for Youth Start-Ups
Roundtable Networking
In this session, small mixed-country roundtable groups will engage in a structured problem-solving exercise on key AI applications for youth-led start-ups, and include the following topics:
Conversation 1: AI in Product Development
Leveraging AI to Accelerate Start-up Product Innovation (Facilitator: Olga Rajčić, YTILI 2022)
This conversation will explore how AI can drive innovation in product design and development for start-ups, from automating prototyping processes to personalizing product features based on customer data. Participants will discuss strategies to integrate AI into the product lifecycle for quicker, more efficient innovation.
Conversation 2: AI-Driven Business Models for Start-ups
Creating Scalable and Sustainable Business Models Using AI (Facilitator: Dančo Dimkov, WorldChicago PFP 2022)
Participants will examine how AI can be a game-changer in building scalable business models, helping start-ups optimize operations, predict market trends, and create more sustainable growth strategies. The discussion will focus on how to leverage AI tools to adapt to market needs and develop long-term business success.
Conversation 3: AI in Marketing and Customer Engagement
Optimizing Marketing Strategies with AI (Facilitator: Pranvera Kasami, Open World Program 2023)
This conversation will delve into how AI can be used to optimize marketing efforts, from personalized advertising to automated customer interactions. Participants will discuss AI-powered tools that improve customer engagement, enhance targeting strategies, and drive brand loyalty in a competitive market.
Conversation 4: AI in Education
Transforming Learning and Skill Development with AI for Youth Start-ups (Facilitator: Marina Nacka, Fulbright Visiting Scholar 2021)
This session will explore the transformative potential of AI in education, focusing on how AI-driven tools can enhance learning experiences, personalize skill development, and support the growth of start-ups in the education sector. Participants will discuss how AI can be used to equip youth entrepreneurs with the necessary skills for success.
Conversation 5: AI Ethics and Responsible Start-up Practices
Building Ethical AI Solutions in Youth-Led Start-ups (Facilitator: Biljana Sanev, IVLP 2010)
This conversation will tackle the importance of ethical considerations when developing AI solutions. Participants will explore best practices for ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI systems, and discuss how start-ups can build responsible AI solutions that align with social good and community values.
Conversation 6: Funding and Scaling AI Start-ups
Accessing Capital and Scaling AI Solutions for Growth (Facilitator: Blagica Eftimova, IVLP 2021)
Participants will discuss strategies for accessing funding for AI-driven start-ups, with a focus on pitching to investors, leveraging grants, and securing venture capital. The conversation will also explore strategies for scaling AI solutions to meet growing demands and expand market reach.
Conversation 7: AI Tools for Start-up Operations
Using AI to Optimize Internal Processes and Operations (Facilitator: Monika Rizovska Tanevska, WorldChicago PFP 2022)
In this session, participants will discuss how AI tools can streamline internal operations, from automating administrative tasks to improving resource allocation and decision-making. The conversation will explore practical ways AI can enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and free up time for strategic growth.
12:30-13:00 Coffee and Tea Break
13:00-14:30 Forum: Unlocking Opportunities for Innovation and Investment + Q&A session
Roundtable format with investors, business leaders, and officials: representatives from AmCham, American companies, Technological Industrial Development Zone (TIDZ) and the Fund for Innovation and Technology Development (FITD)
Moderator:
Nikica Mojsoska-Blažeski, CEO at Macedonia 2025
Speakers:
Aleksandra Nakjeva Ružin, WorldBank and European Commission Consultant, Professor at University American College Skopje, Pitt Alumna,
Katerina Bosevska, Managing Director at EOS Macedonia and Kosovo
Vanja Stojanovski, Head of Operational Excellence, Telamon EMEA
Vasilka Salevska Trajkova, Manager of External Affairs, Philip Morris Tutunski Kombinat Prilep
Borijan Borozanov, Operations Director Europe, Johnson Matthey (Fulbright 2014, MBA Thunderbird School of Global Management)
14:30-15:30 Networking and Lunch
15:30-17:00 Fireside Chat: Brain Gain - Empowering Talent for Regional Growth
This session will explore how young professionals, institutions, and cross-border networks can drive a regional shift from brain drain to brain gain. The discussion will focus on empowering talent, fostering meaningful engagement, and leveraging regional initiatives — such as RYCO — to create opportunities for youth, enhance mobility, and strengthen long-term development in the Balkans.
In this session, small groups will discuss specific aspects of brain drain. Each group will analyze the current challenges related to their assigned topic and brainstorm practical strategies to prevent brain drain using a structured framework (e.g., key challenges, solutions, stakeholders, and timelines) to guide the conversation and develop actionable recommendations.
Speakers:
Petar Peshev, Former Software Engineer at Meta
Teodora Stolevska, Head of Programs at Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO)
Breakout Session: In this session, small groups will discuss specific aspects of brain drain. Each group will analyze the current challenges related to their assigned topic and brainstorm practical strategies to prevent brain drain using a structured framework (e.g., key challenges, solutions, stakeholders, and timelines) to guide the conversation and develop actionable recommendations.
Conversation 1: Economic Opportunities and Job Creation
(Facilitator: Pranvera Kasami, Open World Program 2023)
How creating more job opportunities, especially in key industries, can help retain talent by offering attractive career prospects within the region.
Conversation 2: Education and Skill Development
(Facilitator: Marina Nacka, Fulbright Visiting Scholar 2021)
How improving educational systems and offering advanced skill-building programs can ensure that local talent is well-equipped for the local and regional job market.
Conversation 3: Political Stability and Governance
(Facilitator: Irena Popovska, IVLP 2012)
How political stability and governance contribute to brain drain, and strategies for improving political environments.
Conversation 4: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem
(Facilitator: Olga Rajčić, YTILI 2022)
How fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation can encourage local talent to stay and create businesses, contributing to regional economic growth and job creation.
Conversation 5: Mentorship
(Facilitator: Blagica Eftimova, IVLP 2021)
The role of mentorship programs in helping young professionals and entrepreneurs navigate their careers, fostering a sense of community and development that encourages talent retention.
Conversation 6: Role of Alumni Associations in Retaining Talent
(Facilitator: Monika Rizovska Tanevska, WorldChicago PFP 2022)
The role alumni associations in supporting professional development, offering networking opportunities, and creating pathways for collaboration.
Conversation 7: Job Shadowing
(Facilitator: Biljana Sanev, IVLP 2010)
How job shadowing programs, where young professionals can learn from experienced individuals in their fields, can help retain talent by offering real-world experience and demonstrating the potential for growth within the region.
Solution Presentation and Feedback:
Each group will present their findings in a 5-minute pitch, followed by a 2-3 minute feedback session from the larger group.
19:00–21:00 Networking Cultural Event at Tribeca Park (Restaurant & Bar)
Music by Beni Non-Stop