Highlights from the QBI Gala Dinner
The QBI Gala Dinner continued as an evening of meaningful exchange, where distinguished guests engaged in conversations that reflected the spirit of collaboration behind the Quantum Balkan Initiative.
Set within the Palace of Brigades, the atmosphere brought together diplomacy, culture, and innovation, creating a space for connection among ministers, academic leaders, industry experts, and international partners.
Moments from the evening captured not only celebration, but also the relationships and dialogue that will support long-term cooperation across the region.
The Gala remains a defining part of the initiative, reinforcing the importance of human connection alongside technological advancement.
🌐 Link in Bio 📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #QBI2026 #GlobalCollaboration #TechDiplomacy #InnovationLeadership
Key Moments - Panel: Quantum Technologies: Systems, Computing, and Integration
Panel IV focused on the technical foundations and system-level integration of quantum technologies across computing, communications, and sensing, highlighting how these capabilities are translated into real-world operational systems.
- Andrea Prince Lorenzoni, Chief Executive Officer of Laserman Industries,
- Mete Al, Founder of ICB Labs, and
- Tatiana Kárová from ALLATRA Global Research Center examined how quantum technologies interact with existing infrastructure and the role of engineering, software, and applied environments in enabling deployment.
The discussion emphasized the importance of bridging innovation with implementation, ensuring that system integration supports scalable, functional, and industry-relevant quantum applications.
As the ecosystem advances, integration remains a key step in transforming quantum capability into practical and operational impact.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech.
The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape.
🌐 Link in Bio
📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #InstitutionalKeynote #QuantumSovereignty #InnovationLeadership #Panel
Honored to have received the Medal of Humanism from the Albanian Red Cross, in recognition of contributions to humanitarian principles.
This moment carries particular meaning as it took place in the context of the launch of the @quantum.balkan Initiative, during a day that brought together institutional leadership, international partners, and cross-sector engagement.
The initiative is developed under the leadership of the Institute for Advanced Studies and Cooperation (@wcsiasc ) and its World Changers platform, in partnership with Vernewell Group Inc., the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Albania, and the Polytechnic University of Tirana as institutional host.
My sincere appreciation to the Albanian Red Cross for this distinction, and to Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli @gppandreoli and the IASC World Changers community for their leadership and vision in structuring this initiative.
Grateful as well for the presence and continued engagement of Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, who honored both the conference and the evening programme.
A special note to Rob Prior, whose artistic contribution added a unique dimension to the evening, connecting creativity and innovation in a powerful way.
This recognition is a reminder that beyond #technology, #strategy, and #systems, there remains a constant: the #responsibility to ensure that what we build continues to serve people, principles, and long-term impact.
Grateful for this moment.
#QuantumBalkanInitiative QuantumLeadership TechnologyDiplomacy DeepTech Innovation Humanitarian Leadership GlobalCollaboration Albania UAE WorldChangers IASC ArtAndInnovation
Highlights from the QBI Gala Dinner
The QBI Gala Dinner at the Palace of Brigades marked a distinguished evening celebrating the formal constitution of the Quantum Balkan Initiative, bringing together ministers, ambassadors, academic leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and international partners in a setting where diplomacy, culture, and innovation converged.
The evening began with a cocktail reception, followed by the presentation of Professor Quantum, the first interactive hologram of its kind, offering guests an immersive experience at the intersection of education, innovation, and visionary technology.
A special live by internationally renowned artist Rob Prior, accompanied by the extraordinary violinist Maestro Olen Cesari, created a powerful artistic dialogue between creativity, music, and the spirit of transformation embodied by the quantum era.
More than a celebration, the Gala reflected the broader vision of the Quantum Balkan Initiative: building the future through collaboration among government, academia, culture, and international partners, guided by responsibility and a shared commitment to innovation.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech.
The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape. 📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #IBM #QuantumLeadership #EnterpriseInnovation #QBI2026
Key Moments - Panel: Investment and the Quantum Economy
This panel explored how capital and institutional frameworks play a critical role in supporting the development and scaling of quantum technologies across the region.
- Matthias Winter, General Partner at Constructor Capital,
- Trevor Brennan, Director of Global Expansion at Cambridge Innovation Center, and
- Ivan Vulev, Chief Technology Officer of IBM Central and Eastern Territories, discussed investment strategies in deep technology and the importance of building strong ecosystems that connect research, industry, and financial systems.
The conversation highlighted how long-term value creation depends on strategic alignment between innovation, institutional support, and sustainable investment structures that can accelerate real-world adoption.
As quantum technologies continue to mature, investment remains a key driver in transforming scientific progress into scalable economic impact.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech.
The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape. 📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #IBM #QuantumLeadership #EnterpriseInnovation #QBI2026
Keynote Moments
IBM’s keynote brought a strong perspective on how enterprise technology leadership supports the transition into the quantum era.
Ivan Vulev, Chief Technology Officer for IBM Central and Eastern Territories, shared insights on capability building, technology strategy, and the role of quantum adoption across institutions and industries.
A valuable contribution to the regional dialogue.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech.
The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape. 📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #IBM #QuantumLeadership #EnterpriseInnovation #QBI2026
Key Moments - Panel: Post-Quantum Security and Critical Systems
This panel focused on the transition toward quantum-resilient systems and the growing importance of protecting critical infrastructure and institutional security in the quantum era.
- Selene Giupponi, Managing Director Europe at Resecurity and Secretary General of Women for Cyber Italy,
- Serafino Sorrenti from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Italy,
- Jan Kára from ALLATRA Global Research Center, and
- Utku Tefek, Chief Technology Officer of Qubitrium, examined how advances in quantum computing are reshaping cryptographic standards, system integrity, and data protection frameworks.
The discussion emphasized the need for strong coordination between policy, technical execution, and operational requirements to ensure national systems remain secure, resilient, and prepared for post-quantum transformation.
As institutions move toward long-term quantum readiness, security remains one of the most critical pillars of implementation.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech.
The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape. 📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #InstitutionalKeynote #QuantumSovereignty #InnovationLeadership #Panel
Key Moments - Fireside Chat: Quantum Technologies and Sovereignty
The Fireside Chat on Quantum Technologies and Sovereignty established the strategic foundation of the Quantum Balkan Initiative, positioning quantum technologies within the broader context of national capability, infrastructure, and long-term institutional readiness.
Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, President of IASC, Malak Trabelsi Loeb, Founder of Vernewell Group Inc., and Simon Fried, Vice President of Classiq, explored how sovereign capability is built through advanced computing, system architectures, and coordinated policy and industrial alignment.
The discussion highlighted how the Quantum Balkan Initiative is structured through its institutional framework and core pillars, supported by regional execution models across the MENA region and the enabling role of software-based quantum platforms in building readiness across institutions and industries.
Together, these perspectives connected institutional strategy with practical implementation, setting the direction for the broader discussions on security, investment, systems integration, and coordinated regional action.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech. The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape. 📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #InstitutionalKeynote #QuantumSovereignty #InnovationLeadership #FiresideChat
Key Moment - Institutional Keynote
H.E. Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Albania, delivered the Institutional Keynote on “Sovereignty Through Capability: Positioning Nations in the Quantum Era.”
The keynote highlighted the importance of national capability, strategic preparedness, and long-term institutional vision in ensuring countries are ready to lead in the emerging quantum landscape.
A powerful message on sovereignty through innovation.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech.
The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape.
📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #InstitutionalKeynote #QuantumSovereignty #InnovationLeadership #Albania
The official opening of the Quantum Balkan Initiative 2026 was marked by welcome addresses from Prof. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, President of IASC, and Malak Trabelsi Loeb, Founder of Vernewell Group Inc.
Their remarks established the institutional foundation of the day, emphasizing the importance of coordinated leadership, regional cooperation, and long-term strategic commitment in shaping the future of quantum technologies across the Balkans.
A strong beginning for an important initiative.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech.
The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape.
📩 [email protected]
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #QBI2026 #Leadership #InstitutionalDialogue #QuantumFuture
Speaker Announcement | Quantum Balkan Initiative 2026
We are pleased to welcome Matthias Winter, Managing Partner at Constructor Capital, as a speaker at the Quantum Balkan Initiative 2026 Founding Ceremony.
Matthias Winter is the Managing Partner at Constructor Capital. He was a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company until 2022, where he managed TMT (Telecom, Media, Tech) software practice in Germany and Switzerland and the Enterprise Transformation Practice in Europe.
Matthias Winter has advanced degrees in computer science and a doctorate in economics, and now devotes his time to supporting early-stage deep tech and software start-ups in the Constructor ecosystem.
He additionally serves on the executive boards of Gcore, Nordic Propeye, IRÄYE, and Quantum Diamond Technologies Inc. A respected angel investor in the tech space, Matthias Winter is based in Zurich.
At the Quantum Balkan Initiative, he contributes a perspective on venture development, deep tech investment, and the scaling of innovation ecosystems across global markets.
The Quantum Balkan Initiative is a high-level institutional platform designed to connect governments, academia, industry leaders, and international organizations, advancing collaboration across quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and deep tech.
The Founding Ceremony marks the beginning of a coordinated regional effort, positioning the Balkans within the global emerging technology landscape.
Participation is limited and subject to confirmation. 📅 April 24, 2026 📍 Polytechnic University, Tirana, Albania 🌐 Link in Bio
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #DeepTech #VentureCapital #MatthiasWinter #EmergingTechnologies #InnovationEcosystem #StartupGrowth
The Quantum Balkan Initiative 2026 connects regional efforts with global developments in quantum technologies and deep tech.
As part of a broader sequence of engagements across Dubai, Riyadh, and Tirana, it positions the Balkans within an international framework shaping emerging technologies.
This approach supports alignment between regional priorities and global developments, contributing to ongoing dialogue across technology, policy, and innovation.
📅 24 April 2026
📍 Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania
📩 [email protected]
🌐 Link in bio
#QuantumBalkanInitiative #GlobalEcosystem #QuantumTechnology #TechDiplomacy #DeepTech
