The Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025 has successfully concluded its satellite events in Sarajevo and Pristina, bringing together over 200 women entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to reshape the business landscape in the Western Balkans.
Organized by UN Women under the EU-funded “EU4 Gender Equality” initiative, the events focused on connecting female founders with the capital, networks, and skills necessary to scale their ventures.
Sarajevo: “Seen. Found. Funded.”
On November 10, Sarajevo hosted the “Seen. Found. Funded” event, designed to help women refine their brand stories and approach investors. We hope that the discussions held here will not only advance business growth but also strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem here and across the region,” said Jo-Anne Bishop, UN Women Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tech and digital solutions took center stage among the participants:
- Irma Jakić, founder of MojObrt.ba, showcased her online bookkeeping platform. Aimed at artisans and small business owners, the service has gained 180 users in just three months.
- Ivana Ćulibrk, founder of DroidMate, a web and mobile solutions firm, emphasized the importance of networking. It is a great honor to connect with other entrepreneurs, especially women, who are still a minority in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” she said.
Kosovo: Innovation and Leadership
In Pristina, 150 participants engaged in “Business Connection Hubs,” segmented by industries such as digital innovation, fashion, and agri-value chains to foster direct market linkages.
Stephen O’Malley, UN Development Coordinator in Kosovo, highlighted a significant shift in the local economy: “Nearly one in three new businesses is now led by a woman, proof that when women are given opportunity and support, they lead, innovate, and drive economic transformation.”
Bardha Ajvazi, co-founder of Andrra, a digital health platform for pregnant women, exemplified this spirit. “They told me that women do not belong in the tech industry. I didn’t listen, and I built a platform that now supports thousands of women around the world,” Ajvazi stated.
A Legacy of Support
Over the past four years, the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO has supported thousands of women through expert-led sessions and peer mentoring. The 2025 satellite events continue this mission, moving beyond basic participation to ensure women are leading and influencing the regional economy.
