The Grand Finale
One open call. One shot at the stage. At the CEE Startup Voucher Grand Finale, the top early-stage founders from across CEE pitch live for up to €20,000 — non-dilutive. No equity. No catch. Just the big names finally looking your way.
Countdown to the Grand Finale
12.11.2026 · Žilina
What is the Grand Finale?
The Grand Finale is where the CEE Startup Voucher programme comes together. Our top finalists will take the stage to pitch their ideas to investors and industry experts, compete for funding, and meet people from across the CEE startup community.
But there's more to the day than pitching. Attendees can get inspired by interesting keynotes, join practical workshops, learn something new, and connect with people from across the startup world.
Where it happens
A striking early-20th-century synagogue in the heart of Žilina, designed by renowned architect Peter Behrens and reborn as a cultural and event space beneath its landmark concrete dome.
Nová Synagóga · J. M. Hurbana 220/11, 010 01 Žilina, Slovakia
Meet the judges
Judge #4
Name & affiliation TBA
Bio coming soon.
Judge #5
Name & affiliation TBA
Bio coming soon.
Speakers
Founder | MedTech Makers Lab | Venture Builder | Investor in MedTech, DeepTech & Life Sciences | Limited Partner VC
Startup & Investment Ecosystem | Capital Access | International Growth | Strategic Partnerships | CzechInvest | CFA | CFA Europe Steering Committee
Gallup®-Certified Strengths Coach | Certified Mentor Microsoft | Femme Palette TOP Rated Mentor | INMEE Podcast
Who's pitching
19 startups across three tracks will take the stage. Names and logos will be announced as finalists are confirmed.
CEE Startup Voucher10
Finalist #1
To be announced
Finalist #2
To be announced
Finalist #3
To be announced
Finalist #4
To be announced
Finalist #5
To be announced
Finalist #6
To be announced
Finalist #7
To be announced
Finalist #8
To be announced
Finalist #9
To be announced
Finalist #10
To be announced
EnviBooster3
Finalist #1
To be announced
Finalist #2
To be announced
Finalist #3
To be announced
Health6
Finalist #1
To be announced
Finalist #2
To be announced
Finalist #3
To be announced
Finalist #4
To be announced
Finalist #5
To be announced
Finalist #6
To be announced
The day's agenda
Main Stage
Café Stage
Registration & lunch snack
Opening
Keynote Speech - Christian Kumar - Beyond Grants: Battle-Tested Strategies from Bench to Boardroom
Grants can fund innovation, but they do not create customer demand, regulatory readiness or a sustainable venture. The keynote explains how to work backwards from adoption and release capital against clear, evidence-based milestones. It also exposes common mistakes—from chasing grants without customers to entering multiple markets before the fundamentals are proven.
SensomediX - CEE Startup Voucher 2025 winner
Guided matchmaking with food & drinks
We're using Eventee to help you connect & plan meetings
EnviBooster TOP 3 pitching
Keynote Speech - Zuzana Michalíková - Growth Is More Than Fundraising: Lessons from 90 Startups
Guided matchmaking with food & drinks
We're using Eventee to help you connect & plan meetings
TOP 10 CEE Startup Voucher pitches
Guided matchmaking with food & drinks
We're using Eventee to help you connect & plan meetings
Winners announcement
Closing remarks, speech & group photo
Afterparty with food & drinks
Dr. Mikulas Hurta (NIL Textile): Grants as a Boost for Innovation: A Practical Workshop from a Founder’s Perspective
Includes up to 2 hours of 1:1 consulting time with Mikulas after the workshop, for participants who want help with their own grant needs.
HealthTech TOP 6 pitching
Tina Žák (INMEE®) You built the company. But are you in the right role to grow it?
Tina will guide founders through a practical framework for identifying where their natural talents create the most value — and where they might be working against themselves. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of your own founder profile and how it reads to investors, co-founders, and your team.
- 12:00 – 13:00Main Stage
Registration & lunch snack
- 13:00 – 13:15Main Stage
Opening
- 13:15 – 13:45Main Stage
Keynote Speech - Christian Kumar - Beyond Grants: Battle-Tested Strategies from Bench to Boardroom
Grants can fund innovation, but they do not create customer demand, regulatory readiness or a sustainable venture. The keynote explains how to work backwards from adoption and release capital against clear, evidence-based milestones. It also exposes common mistakes—from chasing grants without customers to entering multiple markets before the fundamentals are proven.
- 13:15 – 14:00Café Stage
Dr. Mikulas Hurta (NIL Textile): Grants as a Boost for Innovation: A Practical Workshop from a Founder’s Perspective
Includes up to 2 hours of 1:1 consulting time with Mikulas after the workshop, for participants who want help with their own grant needs.
- 13:45 – 14:00Main Stage
SensomediX - CEE Startup Voucher 2025 winner
- 14:00 – 15:00Main Stage
Guided matchmaking with food & drinks
We're using Eventee to help you connect & plan meetings
- 15:00 – 15:20Main Stage
EnviBooster TOP 3 pitching
- 15:00 – 15:40Café Stage
HealthTech TOP 6 pitching
- 15:20 – 16:00Main Stage
Keynote Speech - Zuzana Michalíková - Growth Is More Than Fundraising: Lessons from 90 Startups
- 16:00 – 17:00Main Stage
Guided matchmaking with food & drinks
We're using Eventee to help you connect & plan meetings
- 16:00 – 16:50Café Stage
Tina Žák (INMEE®) You built the company. But are you in the right role to grow it?
Tina will guide founders through a practical framework for identifying where their natural talents create the most value — and where they might be working against themselves. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of your own founder profile and how it reads to investors, co-founders, and your team.
- 17:00 – 18:10Main Stage
TOP 10 CEE Startup Voucher pitches
- 18:10 – 19:00Main Stage
Guided matchmaking with food & drinks
We're using Eventee to help you connect & plan meetings
- 19:00 – 19:45Main Stage
Winners announcement
- 19:45 – 20:00Main Stage
Closing remarks, speech & group photo
- 20:00 – 23:59Main Stage
Afterparty with food & drinks
Get your seat
Tickets are on sale now — pick the pass that fits you.
Startup Entry
For founders, ideamakers, and startup team members or students with a startup idea. Includes everything in the Regular Pass.
- Full conference access
- Startup pitches & competition
- Keynotes & panel discussions
- Hands-on workshops
- Founder & investor networking
- Coffee breaks included
- Afterparty access
excl. VAT
Regular Pass
For mentors and experts, business, university, and public sector attendees, and IT & tech enthusiasts.
- Full conference access
- Startup pitches & competition
- Keynotes & panel discussions
- Hands-on workshops
- Founder & investor networking
- Coffee breaks included
- Afterparty access
Early bird — then €79, excl. VAT
Investor & Executive Pass
For investors, corporate representatives, and founders who want to maximize business contacts in minimal time — with premium service.
- Full conference access
- Startup pitches & competition
- Keynotes, panels & workshops
- VIP Lounge access
- Smart Matchmaking
- Curated 1:1 meetings
- Premium catering & drinks
- Afterparty access
- Digital participant directory
excl. VAT
Ticket sales close 08.11.2026 · 23:59
Investors in the room
Questions about the Grand Finale?
Reach out and we'll point you in the right direction — whether you're a partner, a press contact, or just curious.
Get in Touch