Inside MeOut Summit 2026: What CEE's Startup Scene Has Planned

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-17

Budapest is about to become the unofficial capital of Central and Eastern European innovation. On November 25-26, founders, investors, corporate innovators, researchers, and policymakers will converge on Akvárium Budapest for MeOut Summit 2026 — two full days of conversations, practical insights, and the kind of networking that actually leads somewhere. If you've been watching Europe's startup ecosystem, you know CEE has been quietly building momentum for years. This summit feels like the moment that momentum gets a proper stage. ### What's on the Agenda The program packs 50+ speakers (with more still to be announced), two stages, and a mix of keynotes, fireside chats, panel discussions, pitches, and side events. But it's not just talk — there's real substance here. Day Zero kicks off on November 24 with BizHack AI, a three-day international marketing hackathon. Companies and experts from seven countries come together to help small and medium-sized businesses turn actual business challenges into AI-powered solutions. Think hands-on workshops, mentoring, and low-code and no-code tools — teams building solutions around real marketing problems. The hackathon runs straight through the summit. ### The Main Stage: Big Ideas, Real Stories The Main Stage brings together voices from technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and deep tech. You'll hear from Bruno Santos, founder of Exobiosphere, who took his company from ambitious idea to space biotech business in just 18 months. Andrea Basilova, co-founder of Sensoneo, will share her keynote: "Solving the World's Waste Problem: From Startup Idea to Global Scale." There's also a panel focused on women founders in CEE, examining the barriers that still limit participation — access to funding, structural challenges, all of it. As one organizer put it, "We're not just celebrating wins. We're asking hard questions about who gets to build and who gets left out." The Global Startup Awards will also be hosted as part of the summit, bringing together founders and ecosystem builders from across the region. ### Stage Two: Where the Ecosystem Comes Together Stage Two adds another layer — dedicated formats, community initiatives, and side events alongside the main conference. Here's where things get practical: - **AI and sales:** Jan van Schuppen, Drew Calin, and Christian Voss explore how AI is moving beyond automation to reshape customer engagement, decision-making, and growth. - **Alternative funding:** Andrei Dudoiu, Nora Szeles, and Ciprian Man discuss ways founders can finance and grow beyond traditional venture capital. - **Your First Angel Cheque:** Anikó Ivanics leads an interactive introduction to startup investing built around real investment decisions. You'll also find the Pitch Marathon, HunBAN activities, Scaleup Fest, and the BizHack AI finale. The Pitch Marathon gives startups a chance to present to founders, investors, and ecosystem professionals — no competition, just visibility and constructive feedback. ### Why This Matters CEE's startup scene has been growing fast, but it often flies under the radar compared to Western Europe. Events like MeOut Summit 2026 change that. They create space for the conversations that lead to partnerships, funding, and real growth. Whether you're a founder looking for your next investor, an investor scouting fresh talent, or just someone who cares about where European innovation is heading, Budapest in November is where you'll want to be.