Each year, Podim brings together a carefully curated selection of startups that reflect where innovation is heading next. The 2026 batch of 200 startups offers exactly that: a snapshot of emerging trends, ambitious founders, and technologies that are already reshaping industries.
From health and enterprise software to energy, fintech, and mobility, this year’s cohort demonstrates both sector diversity and a clear shift toward AI-driven solutions.
Below is a closer look at the numbers and signals behind this year’s selection.
Podim Strengthens Its Role as the Region’s Startup Hub
This year’s startup batch once again confirms Podim’s strong regional footprint, with teams coming from 22 countries. Slovenia leads with 59 startups, followed by Croatia (30), Serbia (25), and Italy (22), with strong participation also from Austria (14) and Hungary (9). A diverse mix of startups from Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and other emerging ecosystems further enriches the landscape. The overall geographic distribution clearly reflects Podim’s growing role as the central meeting point for startups and investors across the wider CEE and Southern Europe region.
A balanced industry mix, led by health and enterprise software
The Podim 2026 startup batch shows a strong distribution across industries, with no single vertical dominating the landscape.
The largest segment is Health, with 31 startups (15.5%), followed by Enterprise Software with 28 startups (14.0%) — many of them building AI-powered solutions for business use.
While the leading industries account for a significant share of the batch, the remaining 82 startups (41%) are spread across a wide range of smaller but highly relevant sectors — including EdTech, cybersecurity, proptech, retail, and future-of-work solutions.
Early-stage roots, with clear momentum toward growth
Podim has always been a meeting point for early-stage companies, and the 2026 batch continues that trend. In total, nearly 70% of startups have raised €300k or less, making this cohort particularly relevant for early-stage investors and partners looking to engage at the right moment. At the same time, the data shows a clear next step: growth.
Strong demand for scale-up capital
When looking at what startups are currently raising, the picture shifts toward expansion. Altogether, more than 70% of startups are seeking €300k or more, indicating readiness for:
- market expansion
- product scaling
- team growth
- internationalization
This positions Podim not only as a discovery platform, but as a bridge between early traction and scalable growth.
Think Podim Is Just Early Stage? Think Again.
Podim is not just about early-stage deal flow. For investors looking beyond seed, the Builders Stage brings a curated selection of scaleups and breakout companies already backed by strong rounds and showing serious traction. From companies like FLOWX.AI ($44M raised) and 57HOURS ($9M) to fast-growing startups like InsiderCX, MilyTech, Hypefy, and Hylosense — this is where you meet teams already scaling fast.
And here’s the twist — Podim is a unique opportunity not only to meet these founders, but also their investors, all in one place. Check out 50+ VC funds already confirmed for Podim — and join them.
AI at the core of the 2026 startup landscape
If there is one defining trend in this year’s batch, it is clear. AI is no longer a category — it is the foundation.
More than half of all startups identify AI as their primary technology, spanning across industries from healthcare and fintech to enterprise software and mobility.
This reflects a broader shift:
- AI is embedded across products, not positioned separately
- deep tech and data-intensive solutions are gaining traction
- hybrid models (software + hardware) are increasingly common
Beyond investment: unlocking collaboration opportunities
While funding remains a key focus, the Podim 2026 batch offers much more than investment potential.
For:
- corporates, it is a source of innovation and partnership
- SMEs, a gateway to digital transformation
- enterprise teams, access to AI-driven solutions
- ecosystem players, new collaboration opportunities
With 200 startups, strong sector diversity, and a clear push toward growth, this year’s selection provides a unique environment to connect, test, and scale ideas together.
Podim Deals Don’t End on Stage — They Start There.
Prepia met Silicon Gardens and Inovo.vc at Podim 2025 and closed a €1.5M seed round two weeks later. Jentis turned a Podim handshake into an €11M Series A. Farseer, InsiderCX, Hedepy, Hypefy, Kinderpedia, ZenOwn, CloudCart, Dwelt, Ding.jobs — all connected with key investors or partners at Podim that changed their trajectory. These aren’t outliers — they’re what happens when the right founders meet the right investors in the right room. Read more success stories here.
How to meet this year’s startups
- Get your ticket
- On April 24, we’re releasing the full 2026 Startup Catalogue
- Attend the Online Demo Day on May 5, 2026: Witness short pitches from all startups.
- Schedule 1:1 Meetings: Use the Podim App to connect with startups, investors, and mentors.
- Engage at the Event: Network during sessions, the Deal Room, and informal gatherings like the Podim Party.
The Deal Room: no cap, +1300 meetings last year
Every investor at Podim gets access to the Deal Room with unlimited 20-minute 1:1 meetings — no cap, no extra fee. The most active investors, our Deal Room Ninjas, hammer through 30 to 50 curated meetings over just two days. Last year, the Deal Room hosted over 1,300 meetings in total. Whether you prefer a surgical approach or the full ninja mode, this is the most efficient way to screen deal flow from 22 countries in 48 hours.
👉 Get your ticket now to secure early access to the catalogue and start building your meeting schedule.
For more information about startups or recommendations, feel free to reach out to our Startup Scout, who has the best insights for you.
Sašo Djoković, Podim Startup Scout
