Designed for companies that have moved past the early stage , Scaleup Fest is built for scaleups actively navigating growth, market entry, expansion, investment-readiness, and exits. It’s also relevant for mid-sized companies and mature startups looking to learn from others, sharpen their growth strategy, or meet potential partners and investors.
ScaleupFest brings together the brightest people building, funding and supporting the next generation of CEE/SEE tech companies.
In 2026, we are moving beyond the traditional one-venue conference format. ScaleupFest becomes a curated city-wide experience: focused meetups, roundtables, lunches, dinners, walks and networking moments across downtown Budapest.
The goal is simple: more valuable conversations, stronger connections and practical insights for the people who are serious about scaling.
Why attend?
ScaleupFest is designed for busy founders, operators and investors who want more than stage talks and 20-minute panel discussions.
The focus is practical: growth, funding, acquisitions, exits, customers, operators, investors and the real decisions companies face while scaling from CEE/SEE.
Learn from founders and operators who have actually scaled from this region.
Understand what investors are looking for now and how expectations are changing.
Discuss growth, funding, acquisitions and exits with relevant peers.
Meet people you would otherwise need months to reach.
Experience the beauties and taste of Budapest while building meaningful business relationships.
No sponsor pitches. No generic panels. Just practical scaling topics, better conversations, and Budapest experiences from lunch to afterparty.
ScaleupFest in brief
The Scaleup Fest 2026 brings together selected founders, C-level operators, investors and ecosystem leaders from Central and South Eastern Europe for two days of practical scaleup content, curated networking and Budapest experiences.
A curated regional business event for companies that are scaling from CEE and SEE.
ScaleupFest 2026 takes place on September 16–17, 2026 in Budapest.
To meet the right founders, operators, investors and partners in a focused, non-generic setting.
Great results come from blending different strengths and ideas.
