The B2B and Matchmaking Event took place from 13 to 14 June 2022 in Milan, Italy. Four Kosovar ICT companies and three ICT startups had the opportunity to meet with Italian ICT companies and startups to explore potential business opportunities and establish direct cooperation. The event was organized in partnership with Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini SRL, Innovation Centre Kosovo, and Enterprise Europe Network Kosovo (Prishtina REA & STIKK).
The first day of the event, held on 13 June 2022, took place at Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini. It featured B2B meetings, as well as visits to PoliHub and Milano Luiss Hub for Makers and Students. Additionally, the event included a workshop titled “Thematic Salon – Digitalization – The Way We Prosper” at the Kosovo Consulate in Milan.
The event opened with Mr. Fabio Sgaragli from Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini moderating the session. Mrs. Virginia Bonsignore, from the Municipality of Milan, welcomed the Kosovo delegation and discussed the ICT industry in Milan and Italy.
H.E. Ambassador Lendita Haxhitasim of Kosovo in Italy expressed gratitude to the participants and encouraged collaboration between Kosovo and Italy. Following this, three presentations focused on Digital Transformation, SMEs, and New Technologies.
The next session, moderated by Mr. Jetullahu-Meti, explored Kosovo’s ICT industry and the EU-funded project “ICT for Kosovo’s Growth”. Discussions also covered Kosovo government investments in ICT and the national startup ecosystem, presented by the Innovation Center Kosovo (ICK).
The day’s main highlight was the B2B matchmaking event, facilitated through the B2match platform. 45 meetings were arranged between Kosovar and Italian ICT companies. Each of the 8 Kosovar participants (startups and businesses) had the chance to present their work through 3-minute pitch presentations.
These meetings offered valuable one-on-one discussions, enabling participants to explore potential business partnerships and mutually beneficial opportunities.
In the evening, from 19:00 to 21:00, the “Thematic Salon – Digitalization – The Way We Prosper” workshop took place. Organized in cooperation with the Kosovo Embassy in Rome, the workshop took place at the Kosovo Consulate in Milan. 46 students and startups participated in the session.
The panel included H.E. Ambassador Lendita Haxhitasim, Mr. Ahmet Jetullahu (Director of Prishtina REA), Mr. Uranik Begu (ICK Kosovo), Albi Hoxha (digitalRELIGHT PMI), Palolo, and Redi. Panelists discussed the importance of digitalization, and participants had the opportunity to ask questions and share their insights.
On Day 2, participants from Kosovar ICT companies visited three major tech giants in Milan: Google, IBM, and Microsoft. These visits gave valuable insights into the latest trends, innovations, and potential opportunities for collaboration.
The day began with a visit to Google’s offices in Milan. Google is part of a global network that spans 34 regions and 103 zones, offering Google Cloud services to users in over 200 countries and territories.
The Google Cloud senior team in Milan presented the company’s mission, vision, ongoing projects, and strategic direction. This presentation was followed by a Q&A session, allowing participants to engage with the team.
The next stop was the IBM Studios Milano, where attendees learned about IBM’s latest activities and strategic decisions. The IBM team shared insights into the company’s technological innovations and projects.
A discussion session followed, where participants explored cooperation and partnership opportunities, particularly in outsourcing, promotion, and business development. Attendees had the chance to ask questions and exchange ideas.
The final visit was to Microsoft’s Milan office. Mr. Andrea Cardillo, Director of the Microsoft Technology Centre, presented innovative projects, including the Microsoft Metaverse.
The presentation was followed by a discussion session, where participants explored potential collaborations with Microsoft. The session focused on how businesses can integrate Microsoft’s advanced technologies into their operations.
