MeOut Summit 2026 Puts Spotlight on Women Entrepreneurs in CEE

MeOut Summit 2026 will convene more than 50 speakers and hundreds of participants in Budapest from 25-26 November, with a special focus on the challenges and opportunities for women in Central and Eastern Europe’s (CEE) entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The event, according to organisers cited by EU-Startups, aims to foster collaboration between founders, investors, and policymakers to strengthen innovation and startup growth in the region. A Day Zero event on 24 November will kick off proceedings with the BizHack AI marketing hackathon, offering practical exposure to artificial intelligence tools that are reshaping startup funding and marketing.

While the CEE region has seen growing interest from investors, startups—particularly those led by women—still face significant funding barriers. The summit is expected to address these issues directly through dedicated panel discussions and pitches, creating visibility for women founders and exploring alternative funding models.

Organisers emphasise that the presence of ecosystem builders and corporate innovators is intended to broaden networking opportunities, with the goal of increasing participation from underrepresented groups. The summit will also provide insights into overcoming structural biases and the practical steps needed to support women’s entrepreneurship.

For Europe and Latin America, the summit’s outcomes could signal a shift toward more inclusive innovation practices, potentially influencing investment patterns and diversity initiatives across emerging markets. Investors and policymakers in both regions will be watching for concrete measures to improve gender balance and entrepreneurial access.

Despite the region’s momentum, challenges remain in securing capital and scaling female-led ventures. The summit’s focus on actionable strategies and cross-sector engagement is seen as a test of the region’s commitment to building a more equitable innovation ecosystem.