The CEE Connection Forum (a Bits & Pretzels side event)

​About the Event

The CEE Connection Forum is a high-impact networking and pitching event designed to connect the most promising scale-ups and tech leaders from Central and Eastern Europe with top-tier investors, corporates, and ecosystem builders from across the European continent, and beyond!

Taking place alongside Bits & Pretzels 2025 under the theme Connecting Europe, the forum will spotlight the region’s fastest-growing companies, foster cross-border partnerships, and spark investment opportunities that accelerate international expansion.

​Who Should Attend

• ​Scale-up founders & tech leaders from CEE ready to expand across Europe

• ​Venture capital & private equity investors looking for high-potential companies

• ​Corporate innovation & business development leaders seeking partnerships and market access

• ​Ecosystem organizations & national agencies building international bridges

​Why Attend

• ​Curated networking with decision-makers and innovators

• ​Live pitch sessions from select CEE scale-ups

• ​Insight-sharing on scaling, funding, and cross-border collaboration

• ​Direct access to investment and partnership opportunities

​Partners
This event is made possible through the collaboration of:

• ​The Bulgarian SME Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) – The national body supporting the international growth of Bulgaria’s small and medium-sized enterprises, fostering trade missions, and connecting Bulgarian companies to global markets.

• ​The Recursive – A leading CEE-focused media and ecosystem builder, amplifying the stories of founders, investors, and innovators shaping the region’s future.

​Together, we’re committed to showcasing the best of CEE’s innovation and creating bridges to new opportunities across Europe.