Southeast Europe / Tech
Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance, censorship to suppress opponents
Use of biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies is expanding rapidly across the Balkans, according to a new BIRN report.
Serbia’s gaming sector sees 22% revenue surge in 2024
Serbian Games Association report shows a maturing sector with robust output, increased gender diversity and sustained innovation, despite signs of slowing job growth.
Bulgaria-based crypto lender Nexo to return to US market
"America is back — and so is Nexo," says company's co-founder after meeting with Donald Trump Jr.
Bulgaria's fastest-growing startup Lace AI raises $19mn in seed funding
Lace AI, which has developed AI-powered call centre technology for home services companies, posted 1,000% growth in 2024.
Advent International buys Bulgaria-based digital bank tbi
Private equity investor says tbi’s digital-first business model and customer-focused approach has created one of the leading and fastest growing challenger banks in the region.
Bosqar’s Mplus expands with Conectart and Valoris acquisitions
Croatia-based BPO company announces takeovers in Romania and Slovakia expanding its footprint in the CEE region.
Tech startups in Turkey raise $58mn in worst quarter since 2023
Figures make Turkish sector "second league".
Durana tech park launches in Albanian capital
PM Edi Rama hopes new tech park to ultimately bring €0.5bn in budget revenues by backing Albanian tech talent.
TikTok reports intense fraudulent activity related to elections in Romania
Video sharing network reveals the scale of online manipulation around Romania's cancelled 2024 presidential election, with nearly 100,000 fake accounts blocked.
SplxAI raises €6.45mn backed by Bulgaria-based LAUNCHub
Funding to be used to further develop SplxAI’s platform, which provides automated security testing, remediation and monitoring for AI agents and applications.
Albanian journalists and rights groups challenge TikTok ban in court
The government ordered internet providers to block TikTok for one year from March 13, citing safety concerns.
Albanian opposition Democrats protest against TikTok ban
The Democrats have accused the ruling Socialist Party of exploiting a teenager's death linked to an online dispute to tighten control over online speech ahead of this year’s general election.
Turkish logistics startup Navlungo raises $6.5mn across pre-Series A rounds
Search engine enterprise seen as potential unicorn.
Albania bans TikTok for one year
Albanian PM Edi Rama said TikTok exposes children to violence and toxic content.
Croatian Telecom to spin off mobile infrastructure
HT follows model that has become increasingly popular as telecom operators seek to cut costs, boost profitability and prepare for future 5G expansions.
Romanian prosecutors investigate suspected ‘troll farm’ promoting far-right candidate
Prosecutors say Turkish IP addresses and Russian email accounts were to boost the online presence of Calin Georgescu ahead of the cancelled 2024 presidential election.
Cellebrite halts product use in Serbia after Amnesty warns over digital surveillance
Amnesty International accused Belgrade of misusing surveillance tools to target journalists, activists and civil society members.
Bulgaria-founded Chaos strengthens role in AI-powered architectural design with EvolveLAB takeover
Companies join forces to "redefine architectural design through AI, generative workflows and automation".
Romanian startup Bible Chat raises $14mn in Series A led by True Ventures
Bible Chat is 13th among the most downloaded apps on the App Store, alongside WhatsApp and Instagram, and has so far reached 10mn users.
Tech startups in Turkey raise $1.1bn in 2024
Excluding anomalies created by activities of Getir and Bigg, 237 enterprises raised $804mn, up from $236mn in 2023.