Rigerta Loku
Green Woman Entrepreneur

Rigerta returned home after living in Italy for 12 years, to give life to the abandoned land of her grandparents, setting up a breeding farm, where they raise about 200 goats of autochthonous breed to process and sell the biological milk by-products of goats raised in nature.

Ilda Humić
Social Star Woman Entrepreneur

Ilda is a mum of three (soon to be four), a fashion enthusiast and founder of HI by Ilda. Well known for her social media personality. Thanks to Instagram account, Ilda started her company of around 15 employees, producing handmade fashion products.

Hana Qerimi
Young Woman Entrepreneur

Hana started two big tech companies, Digital School, a leading coding institution for kids and teens founded in Pristina, with a presence in over 20 countries through its franchising model; and StarLabs, a software development company.

Nikolina Kovačević
Tourism Woman Entrepreneur

With over 10 years in the tourism industry, Nikolina’s career has spanned from enriching experiences in the USA to managing a family hospitality business, and ultimately founding a luxury venture, dedicated to making Montenegro a synonym for luxury travel.

Irena Chaushevska Danilovska
ICT Woman Entrepreneur

An accomplished entrepreneur, neurotech entrepreneur, startup mentor, and fervent advocate for space exploration, Irena actively supports the next generation of startup founders through the "Startup Founders Success Scale". Additionally, Irena is dedicated to developing neuro-technologies for high-demand professions and neuroplasticity under zero gravity to expand our understanding of the brain's potential.

Marija Ivanković Jurišić
Artistic Woman Entrepreneur

Marija is a textile designer and owner of Marija Handmade weaving atelier, for over 10 years. The artistic pieces of textile work produced by the atelier result from Marija’s thorough research of traditional weaving techniques by hand, as well of folklore motives of Serbia, and are based on a 5 principles of sustainable fashion production.

Dhurata Thanasi Daneri
Travel and Hospitality Woman Entrepreneur

Dhurata Thanasi Daneri is an Albanian food enthusiast and creator of Luga e Argjendte, the first Albanian food blog. Luga e Argjendte connects Albanian consumers with farmers and food producers in a way that is healthier and better for the environment and economy. Dhurata has worked for more than 20 years in development sector all over the Western Balkans, Europe and North Africa. She is an agro-environmental engineer and holds a Master‘s Degree in Public Administration and Policy from the Central European University in Budapest, including four Executive Courses from Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Zagorka Blazevska
Creative Woman Entrepreneur

Zagorka Blazevska is the CEO of Vita Nova from North Macedonia. She earned her Master‘s Degree in Entrepreneurship as part of UNESCO‘s SPARK programme, and is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at the Faculty of Technology in Veles. In December 2010, she published the first professional article on the topic "Let your food be your medicine", which will be just one of her many trade publications. Though a small company Vita Nova is exporting to neighbouring economies and has a positive impact on human well-being and good healthy habits in the region. In 2022, Zagorka established the first official Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians in North Macedonia. Years of experience in formulations for vitamin and mineral premixes for food fortification, formulations for nutritional supplements and for healthy food, and her intensive knowledge of EU and North Macedonian legislation are her key advantages. She has been invited to participate and teach at a number of seminars and congresses in the field of nutrition and pharmacy.

Mirjana Babic
Green Woman Entrepreneur

Mirjana Babic is the owner of OLIVMONT, Montenegrin family company engaged in production of olive oil soaps. The Babi? family has several hundred olive trees of indigenous variety of barberry. Their soaps are handmade, 100% natural, and environmental-friendly. Mirjana has graduated International Trade in Belgrade and is a member of many professional bodies such as NGO Business Women Association of Montenegro, Association of Women Entrepreneurs, and Committee for Women‘s Entrepreneurship at the Montenegrin Chamber of Economy. Olivmont pays special attention to preservation of nature and sustainable development. In 2011, Mirjana participated in the National network of mentors for women entrepreneurs project in Montenegro. As one of the mentors she generously shared her knowledge and experience and motivated other women entrepreneurs to develop their businesses.

Elki Shehu
Start-up Woman Entrepreneur

Elki Shehu is a Kosovar entrepreneur and owner of Elki Ricami tailoring business. Based on her extensive experience in trade, Elki came up with an idea of reducing waste from raw materials and products. By using a new software, Elki created an individualised product, with individual measures (made to measure), where customers online choose the fabric and model as desired. In 2021, her business was supported by UNDP. Today, the business keeps expanding with several other lines, such as: everyday clothing for women, coats, jackets, dresses, and a new line for men. They believe in expanding and working as much as possible since they do not lack the will to fulfil their dreams.

Snjezana Kopruner
Green Woman Entrepreneur

Snjezana Kopruner is the CEO and majority owner of GS-TMT company from Bosnia and Herzegovina, a rare example of successful privatisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Continuing the centuries-long tradition of metal processing in central Bosnia, GS-TMT applies high standards in the production of machine parts while also aiming to be energy independent. Snjezana has a Master‘s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture. She is a member of the Management Board of Association of Employers of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Association of German Economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She has won several distinguished awards, including European Top Manager and Regional Business Partner. Ms. Kopruner actively advocates for changes to the existing laws in view of better position of workers, and reorganisation and reform of educational system.

Marijana Gligoric
Young Woman Entrepreneur

Marijana Gligoric is the owner of BrigIT - a software and product agency from Serbia specialised in making high-quality mobile, web, and blockchain applications based on the latest technologies. Marijana has specialised in computer science and has multiple awards from math and physics competitions. She completed her Software Engineering undergraduate and master‘s studies while working on various professional projects. BrigIT has a vision to revolutionise the way start-ups and enterprises approach technology by providing innovative solutions that drive growth, efficiency, and sustainability. The agency aims to use technology to create value for its partners and society, and empower women to reach their full potential. Marijana is actively involved in women‘s support programmes to encourage more women to join the world of entrepreneurship.

Blerina Ago, owner of Active Albania
Woman Entrepreneur of the year in the position Travel and Hospitality Woman Entrepreneur

Blerina Ago is the founder of Active Albania, an innovative tourism company from Albania that offers active holidays in the Western Balkan. With AA, Blerina is working to boost sustainable tourism, contributing to the development of new tourism products with a small impact on the environment such as packrafting, kayaking, birdwatching, snorkelling, etc. In 2020 Blerina developed virtual travel show Blerina Travels in Quarantine, sharing past travel experiences, aspirations, predictions and advice with various experts worldwide on how tourism will look during and after COVID-19. She is the author of 3 digital campaigns Albania: Unparalleled, Exceptional and Authentic; Stay Safe Now and Visit Albanians Later; Be Taken by Albania. Blerina is committed to saving the natural ecosystem of Osum Canyons from the construction of hydropower plants, in close cooperation with the national and international community. She stands up for strengthening cooperation of tourism sector in the region, exchanging best practices and contributing to the drafting of legal framework for active tourism in line with international standards.
More about Blerina: www.activealbania.com, www.instagram.com/activealbania

Aida Zubcevic, owner of Faveda
Woman Entrepreneur of the year in the position Green Woman Entrepreneur

Behind the company Faveda is entrepreneur Aida Zub?evi? from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Master of Pharmacy, owner and director of the company. Her vision was to produce plant-based medicinal products and she created a unique brand recognisable primarily by its quality and thus by excellent efficiency.
Together with her team, she is constantly working on educating women from rural areas aiming to strengthen the rural economy and raise awareness on the importance of proper consumption and protection of natural resources.
Today, Faveda has 10 employees, 50 subcontractors and exports to a number of countries, including distant Australia.
More about Faveda: www.faveda.ba

Valentina Taseva, owner of Semos Education
Woman Entrepreneur of the year in the position Creative Woman Entrepreneur

Valentina Taseva is the owner of one of the biggest IT training providers in South East Europe with over 110.000 people who have successfully completed the training. Semos Education from North Macedonia operates since 1995 in over 34 countries globally with over 140 experts and over 400 courses offered to businesses, governments, customers and students starting their IT, creative and business careers. The company develops a system of IT education and certification as an informal education increasing the level of computer education and digital skills of its customers.
More about Semos education: www.semosedu.com
More about Valentina Taseva: www.linkedin.com/in/valentinataseva

Dragana Calija, owner of Saint Di
Woman Entrepreneur of the year in the position Travel and Hospitality Woman Entrepreneur

Saint Di is a Serbian solutions delivery company founded in 2013 by Dragana ?alija. It provides Consulting, Solutions Delivery, and Product Development. The primary focus is on web and mobile solutions and also includes an in-house product for Restaurant & Hospitality, called OrderEngine, enabling simpler and more efficient ordering process. OrderEngine has managed to increase digital literacy of older population in the hospitality industry by switching them to a mobile app-based ordering systems. The Covid-19 pandemic refocused the company‘s B2B (business-to-business) direction into the B2C (business-to-consumer) strengthening the company and bringing it from Serbian to international market.
Saint Di also believes in returning to society, and it deems important to help those less fortunate through means of donation, teaching new skills and helping in any other way possible.
More about Saint Di: www.saintdi.com

Pakize Pajazitaj, owner of Craft Business
Woman Entrepreneur of the year in the position Roma Woman Entrepreneur

Pakize Pajazitaj is one of the Montenegrin business owners under the umbrella of Montenegrin Business Incubator - a unique place in which nine Roma and Egyptian adults are employed as entrepreneurs aiming to promote legal employment and decrease grey economy. Through the incubator, Red Cross of Montenegro (RCM) provides free of charge registration in relevant institutions, free space for work and tools and materials, covers utility costs, and in cooperation with the Municipality of Podgorica, provides free accounting services. Pakize attended a 3-month course, learning the basics of sewing, after which she started her own business. She is producing baby and adult bad sheets and covers, woman clothing and curtains. In addition, Pakize adapted her business to the market requirements and is now also making face masks for adults and children. Most of her customers are people from RE community, but she strives to expand the business and make it more visible through marketing tools.
More about Pakize Pajazitaj and the Business Incubator: www.ckcg.me/otvoreni-biznis-inkubatori-za-romske-i-egipcanske-preduzetnike-na-koniku

Arta Shehu Zaimi, owner of Labbox
Woman Entrepreneur of the year in the position Startup Woman Entrepreneur

Arta Shehu Zaimi is the owner of Kosovar company Labbox, o?ering a learning experience in electronics and computer engineering for kids of age 8+.
More about Arta Shehu Zaimi and Labbox: www.labbox.education