< 30 June & 1 July, 2026, Mozaik Event Centre, Zagreb >
One of the biggest deep-tech events in the CEE - connecting scientists, startups, VCs, and industry to drive the deep-tech ecosystem growth and innovation
Experience the world of innovation
Experience the world of innovation the deep-tech ecosystem connections top-notch lectures exciting panel discussions funding opportunities
Dive into the vibrant CEE deep-tech scene at one of the biggest innovation launchpads!
Join us at the event, where we bring together VCs, startups, investors, tech industry, decision-makers, funding providers and many more. Liftoff is more than just a deep-tech event – it’s a window to the best that CEE can offer, and a launchpad for CEE innovation into the world
- A warm-up networking evening with key deep-tech players
- Main stage with the most relevant deep-tech experts
- Expo zone with the best deep-tech hubs and their brightest stars
- Big Bang Party to remember
Investors
Experience the best of the CEE
Get insights into the best of the CEE region at just one event which transforms the region into a united tech powerhouse
Get personalised matchmaking recommendations
We care for our investors. Every VC gets a personalised list of startups based on their region, funding phase and industry
Become Nuqleus partner and secure continuous deal flow
Build a long-lasting relationship with us. Nuqleus is on a mission to become the leading deep-tech hub in the CEE region
Enjoy exclusive side events
Whether you are looking for early-stage deep-tech future stars or deep-tech giants already ready to rule the world, we have an event ready for you
Access Startups Catalogue through Liftoff app
Buying a VC ticket grants you exclusive access to the list of all Liftoff startups available inside our app
Startups
Access most relevant opportunities for deep-tech
From policy-makers, over ecosystem-builders, to specialised VCs. Meet them all at Liftoff and accelerate your growth
Be part of the CEE deep-tech elite
Become part of the Liftoff community which gathers the best of the CEE. Start building relevant connections outside the region
Get featured in Liftoff Startups Catalogue
Be seen by the people who decide what scales next. Provide us with the information about your startup, and get featured on the exclusive list sent to all VCs
Network with top-tier VCs and accelerators looking for the next big thing
Meet the biggest European VCs and the best-performing accelerators who are usually not present in the region. Use the opportunity to build relationships and find partners for your next big step
1-on-1 meetings through Liftoff app
Use all the benefits of the Liftoff app and our networking zone, and make sure to book your 1-on-1 meetings with relevant participants
Innovation hubs
Showcase your ecosystem at Liftoff expo zone
You are a CEE Star Cluster. Showcase the best your hub and your country have to offer in our expo zone
Get insights in the best practices and emerging trends
Learn about the latest lab-to-market trends, deep-tech funding opportunities, and scaling challenges from the leading European deep-tech voices
Expend your international network
Become part of the Liftoff community, and find perfect partners for your local initiatives and projects
Build long-lasting relationships
Liftoff is just starting. Gain visibility and become one of the most relevant partners in the region
Be part of the change in the CEE region
Help us build the bridge between the CEE region and the rest of Europe. Help us unite the region and create better conditions for our startups
Speakers
MARKO PRIMORAC
VICE-PRESIDENT
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK (EIB)
MICHIEL SCHEFFER
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
EUROPEAN INNOVATION COUNCIL (EIC)
STEFAN DRÜSSLER
MANAGING DIRECTOR & COO
UNTERNEHMERTUM
VIKTOR OLSSON
INTERNATIONALISATION LEAD
KTH INNOVATION
HRVOJE MEŠTRIĆ
DIRECTOR GENERAL
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND YOUTH
CECILE THIORO NIANG
MANAGER
WORLD BANK GROUP
TOMISLAV TOMAŠEVIĆ
MAYOR
CITY OF ZAGREB
VIKTOR LUČIĆ
DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
KONČAR GROUP
VEDRAN BILAS
DEAN
FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING (FER)
DEAN KRUŠIĆ
CEO
COMBIS
DAMIR PRUSAC
VP RESEARCH ALLIANCES
INFOBIP
SLAĐANA ĆOSIĆ
HEAD OF EIB GROUP OFFICE IN CROATIA
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK (EIB)
FREEK SMOES
HEAD OF INCUBATOR
YES!DELFT
FRANKO VRHOVAC
INVESTMENT MANAGER
EMERALD TECHNOLOGY VENTURES
NEVEN TKALČEC
MANDATE MANAGER
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT FUND (EIF)
ANNU GMEINER
PRINCIPAL
XISTA SCIENCE VENTURES
ANDREA ČOVIĆ VIDOVIĆ
HEAD OF MEDIA
EUROPEAN COMISSION
DALIBOR MARIJANOVIĆ
PARTNER
VESNA DEEPTECH VC
GORDAN KUVEK
HEAD OF STRATEGY
CROATIAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (HBOR)
MARTIN GOROSKO
SUPERVISORY BOARD MEMBER
LATITUDE59
TODOR MILCHEVSKI
SENIOR PRIVATE SECTOR SPECIALIST
WORLD BANK GROUP
URBAN LAPAJNE
PROGRAM MANAGER
PODIM CONFERENCE
MARIJANA FLEGO
PRINCIPAL
AYMO VENTURES
DENI NURKIĆ
VENTURE ADVISOR
NUCLEUS CAPITAL
PEUPEDJE MENDY
STARTUP NETWORK MANAGER
HELLO TOMORROW
MIRTA ANJOŠ
HEAD OF MARKETING AND PR
INNOVATION CENTRE NIKOLA TESLA
ANTE MAGZAN
CO-FOUNDER
HUB385
MATIJA SRBIĆ
HEAD OF NUQLEUS
INNOVATION CENTRE NIKOLA TESLA
Agenda
19:00
Deep Space Dinner
Meet the deep tech ecosystem at the exclusive* warmup networking dinner with policy makers (EIB, EIF, EIC, Ministry of Science, Croatian Bank for Development and Reconstruction, …), industry, investors, startups, speakers, and Nuqleus partners.
Location: Met Boutique Hotel
*for invited guests and Networking, Startup, Investor and Industry tickets holders
09:00
Registrations
Register, grab a coffee, and join our Tech Tour.
Guided tours will take place in the expo zone, where Croatian industry, startups, and scientists will showcase their game-changing solutions. Led by the Nuqleus team, these tours will follow a pre-set schedule, giving an insider’s look at the coolest innovations around.
10:00
Opening Remarks
- Matija Srbić, Nuqleus
Matija Srbić, Nuqleus - Vedran Bilas, FER
Vedran Bilas, FER - Cecile Thioro Niang, World Bank Group
Cecile Thioro Niang, World Bank Group - Tomislav Tomašević, City of Zagreb
Tomislav Tomašević, City of Zagreb - Hrvoje Meštrić, Ministry of Science, Education and Youth
Hrvoje Meštrić, Ministry of Science, Education and Youth
10:45
Investing in Europe’s Next Tech Frontier
- Marko Primorac, EIBMarko Primorac, EIB
11:05
What the Heck is Europe Doing?
- Michiel Scheffer, EIC
Michiel Scheffer, EIC 
Andrea Čović Vidović, European ComissionModeratorAndrea Čović Vidović, European Comission
11:30
Rising Europe to New Heights
Powered by: Rise Europe
- Stefan Drüssler, UnternehmerTUM
Stefan Drüssler, UnternehmerTUM - Viktor Olsson, KTH Innovation
Viktor Olsson, KTH Innovation - Freek Smoes, YES!Delft
Freek Smoes, YES!Delft - Matija Srbić, NuqleusModeratorMatija Srbić, Nuqleus
12:15
Lunch
13:30
Beyond the Talent and Tourism: Croatia as the Leading Deep Tech Hub
- Viktor Lučić, Končar Group
Viktor Lučić, Končar Group - Damir Prusac, InfobipDamir Prusac, Infobip
- Dean Krušić, Combis
Dean Krušić, Combis 
Ante Magzan, HUB385ModeratorAnte Magzan, HUB385
14:15
Let's CEE - Breeding Unicorns or Barely Breathing?
- Franko Vrhovac, Emerald Ventures
Franko Vrhovac, Emerald Ventures - Marijana Flego, AYMO VenturesMarijana Flego, AYMO Ventures
- Dalibor Marijanović, Vesna DeepTech VC
Dalibor Marijanović, Vesna DeepTech VC - Annu Gmeiner, Xista Ventures
Annu Gmeiner, Xista Ventures 
Deni Nurkić, Nucleus CapitalModeratorDeni Nurkić, Nucleus Capital
15:00
CEE 2030: Financing the Region’s Next Leap
- Neven Tkalčec, EIF
Neven Tkalčec, EIF - Todor Milchevski, World Bank Group
Todor Milchevski, World Bank Group - Gordan Kuvek, HBOR
Gordan Kuvek, HBOR 
Slađana Ćosić, EIBModeratorSlađana Ćosić, EIB
15:45
From Estonia to Europe: Building a World-Class Startup Ecosystem
- Martin Gorosko, Latitude59
Martin Gorosko, Latitude59 
Urban Lapajne, PodimModeratorUrban Lapajne, Podim
16:10
Nuqleus Demo Day - Top 3
- Finalist 1Finalist 1
- Finalist 2Finalist 2
- Finalist 3Finalist 3
16:40
Award Ceremony & Closing Remarks
- Mirta Anjoš, Nuqleus
Mirta Anjoš, Nuqleus
18:00
Big Bang Party
Where the beats drop, the bites hit, and the networking sparks fly. Get ready for a night of cosmic connections, DJ-fueled vibes, and all-around stellar fun.
Location: HoB Caffe
Get your ticket
Regular Bird:
STUDENT
- Full conference access
- Lunch
- Bing Bang Party
- Networking app
17.00€
Regular Bird:
BASIC
- Full conference access
- Lunch
- Bing Bang Party
- Networking app
40.00€
Regular Bird:
NETWORKING
- Full conference access
- Lunch
- Bing Bang Party
- Networking app
- Deep Space Dinner
120.00€
Regular Bird:
STARTUP
- Full conference access
- Lunch
- Bing Bang Party
- Networking app
- Deep Space Dinner
- Promotion through the Startup Catalogue
100.00€
Regular Bird:
INVESTOR
- Full conference access
- Lunch
- Bing Bang Party
- Networking app
- Deep Space Dinner
- Startup Catalogue access
- VIP Zone access
- Personalised recommendations for 1:1 meetings
- Logo on Liftoff webiste
300.00€
Who joined us at Liftoff 2026
Ecosystem Builders
Cosmic Partners
Galactic Partners
Star Partners
Community Partners
Investors
Researchers
Startups
Supporters
In-kind Supporters
Media Partners
Investors
Startups
Researchers
Supporters
In-kind Supporters
Media Partners
Relive Liftoff 2026
See the moments and experience the highlights which made last year’s conference unforgettable.
Feel the ground shaking during the Liftoff!
Previous Speakers
MICHIEL SCHEFFER
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
EIC
NICOLE IRVIN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
GOLDMAN SACHS
LANA DINIĆ
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FLAGSHIP PIONEERING
ALAN CLAYTON
HUMAN CAPITAL LEADER
SOSV
ROBIN WAUTERS
FOUNDER
PROFOUNDO
JOŠKO BOBANOVIĆ
PARTNER
SOFINNOVA PARTNERS
IZABEL JELENIĆ
FOUNDER & CTO
INFOBIP
ANNA STODOLKIEWICZ
HEAD OF UNIT
EIB
SANDRA BUDIMIR
GENERAL PARTNER
EXPANSION
HRVOJE ĆOSIĆ
FOUNDER & CEO
AIRCASH
IVA VUKINA
CCO
GIDEON
ANA BARJAŠIĆ
BOARD MEMBER
EIC
ANIA MLEKO
MANAGER
OTB VENTURES
ARI HUCZKOWSKI
DEPUTY HEAD
HELSINKI INCUBATORS, UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
AGATA ZBOROWSKA
COO
CONCEPTION X
IVAN PAIĆ
BOARD MEMBER
KONČAR GROUP
MARIA JUESAS PORTOLES
VENTURE PARTNER
VSQUARED VENTURES
BOŽIDAR PAVLOVIĆ
PARTNER
AYMO VENTURES
LUISA LEROY
BUSINESS DEVELOPER
IMEC.ISTART
LUKA PETRO
COO
DOK-ING MINING
News about the program, events, and startups. Sign up for the newsletter!
Who is it for
Investors
Enjoy in exclusive side events and personalized matchmaking. Let us know your preferred sector, development phase and location, and we will help you find your next investment.
Startups
You are fundraising? We got you. Participate in 1-on-1 meetings with carefully selected angels and VCs. Find out about the latest deep-tech trends and connect with the leading global accelerators.
Hubs
Gain insights into the emerging technologies and hottest innovations. Discover the potential of the startup ecosystem and find new clients or potential business partners.
Agenda
2nd July
Investors Meetup
Meet the relevant VCs from the CEE region, connect and make plans for the future coinvesting.
Investors & Startups One-on-One Meetings
It’s a date! Meet with your perfect match from our network of (future) unicorns and trustworthy VCs.
Deep Space Dinner
Meet the ecosystem at the invite-only dinner with Nuqleus partners, sponsors, speakers, VCs and startups.
3rd July
Tech Tour Warmup
Join one of our thematic, guided tech tours in our expo area before the conference starts.
Future Fusion Conference
Enjoy deep tech-focused keynotes and panels with global experts on topics like building the deep tech ecosystems, investing in deep tech startups, IPO tips & tricks, and many more.
Nuqleus Demo Day
Meet 10 upcoming deep tech stars from the current Nuqleus cohort.
Big Bang Party
Let’s end it with a bang!
