The Recursive CEE Forum returns to Vienna and gathers Europe’s tech leaders

On May 20th 2026, the Recursive CEE Forum will once again gather Central and Eastern Europe’s as well as the DACH region’s leading voices in the tech sector. This year, the event will enter its second edition as part of ViennaUP 2026, and the upcoming occasion promises to be even bigger than last year’s. In its inaugural edition, the Forum already managed to gather 450 participants. This year, 600 attendees are expected. Those who are interested in joining the forum can sign up here.

CEE region is gaining importance

The Recursive CEE Forum brings together founders, investors, policymakers and ecosystem builders from Central and Eastern Europe and the DACH region. Seven country delegations have been confirmed. The forum positions itself as a platform for cross-border collaboration, moving beyond networking toward tangible partnerships and deal flow.

Teodor Antonio Georgiev, CEO of The Recursive, frames the event within a broader shift in how Europe views its eastern innovation hubs. “Central and Eastern Europe is increasingly moving beyond its traditional perception as Europe’s periphery,” he says. “With a strong base of technical talent and a growing number of globally competitive startups, the region is strengthening its role within the broader European ecosystem. We believe The Recursive CEE Forum will further enhance that contribution.”

The Recursive CEE Forum emphasizes outcomes over presentations

The 2026 program spans three stages and emphasizes outcomes over presentations. Founders connect with investors and learn scaling strategies across fragmented European markets. Investors have the opportunity to discover emerging startups and trends. Meanwhile, corporates have a chance to identify potential innovation partners. Policymakers can discuss approaches to enabling cross-border growth.

Included in the agenda are keynotes on deep tech, energy, and market expansion, alongside panels exploring AI implementation, GTM strategies, and the future of investing. A curated “Pitch & Match” session replaces traditional pitch competitions, focusing on facilitating partnerships rather than selecting winners.

Large variety in expert speakers

The speaker lineup reflects the forum’s cross-sector approach. Confirmed participants include Emily K. Genatowski, experimental AI researcher; Andreas Muehlberger from Infineon Technologies; David Photien of SCE Freiraum Ventures and Annu Gmeiner from Xista Science Ventures.

Energy sector representation comes from Rahul Mishra of The Energy Bridge and Jelisaveta Pavlovic, senior energy expert at OMV. Nina Dremelj, managing partner at Vesna VC, joins alongside Marko Cadez, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, and his advisor Nebojsa Bjelotomic.

Vienna as a gateway between east and west

The forum addresses challenges facing European startups in 2026: a more disciplined investment climate, fragmented markets, and intensifying global competition. ViennaUP 2026 serves as the broader context, operating as a city-wide startup festival that attracts participants from over 90 countries.

The Recursive positions its forum as accelerating the integration of CEE into the European innovation landscape, leveraging Vienna’s geographic position between Western Europe and emerging tech hubs in the east.

Those who want to participate in the Recursive CEE Forum can find additional information here. To sign up for the event, please follow these steps:

• Open the following link: The Recursive CEE Forum.
• Sign up in the ViennaUP system by clicking on “To book a ticket, please kindly register or log in here”.
• Fill in your personal details and create a password. You will receive an email with an activation link (check your spam folder as well).
• Once you activate your account, select a ticket, answer the required questions, enter the provided code (TR20), and complete the process.
• You will receive a confirmation via email.