Before everything was official, before there was a place, a name or a date, there was just a shared meaning of “we need this”. The idea of Eth Belgrade did not come from a financing tour or a flashy vision game. There were born conversations, often in the corridors of other web3 events, between people who found themselves around the world. Balkan manufacturers were everywhere.
This idea was returned by Tanja Mladenovic and Petar Popovic, who then co-founded Eth Belgrade and constitute a team around a simple mission: to create an Ethereum event based on the manufacturer’s needs and community values.
From Lisbon to Belgrade: the birth of Eth Belgrade
For Petar, the idea took root at Liscon 2021.
“The energy was unforgettable. I imagined bringing this same spark to Belgrade, ”he says.
He and Tanja did it in June 2023. The vision was supported by the data: the Balkan manufacturers were everywhere: Lisbon, Dubai, Paris.
“Serbs, Croats, Macedonians … still present,” adds Petar. “It showed us that we needed ourselves.”
Belgrade, with companies like Tenderly and Defi Saver and more than 50 startups, was the natural choice. It was not only a location, but the center of regional innovation.
FIRST BUILDERS: Mission of Eth Belgrade
Eth Belgrade has never been the flash. It was a question of utility.
“There is often a gap between infrastructure and the use of the real world,” explains Petar.
The team decided to close it. Conferences have extended beyond the code, covering product design, regulation and GTM strategies. The track of Eth Belgrade Ventures supported the founders with pitch sessions and free stands.
And the commitment did not stop at the Balkans: the team stolen in pirates of Eth Global Prague, launched “Road to Devcon” meetings in Southeast Asia, and sown world community hubs.
Beyond an event: a living ecosystem
Eth Belgrade has become an ecosystem: local to its roots, but global within reach.
“It’s not just a conference,” says Tanja. “We have coworking days, bootcamps, meetings. We have advised teams of ETH events, sponsored Eth Safari and ETH Rwanda. It’s bigger than us. “
Culture vs code: where Ethereum is heading
Ethereum’s technical roadmap is well documented. Its cultural future is less clear.
“There is no roadmap for culture,” explains Petar. “We see changes in the leadership, tone and priorities of the community. This will define the next 12 to 18 months more than the code. ”
Make at home
Eth Belgrade is known for his hospitality, something deeply intentional.
“It’s not only us – the whole community acts like hosts,” explains Tanja.
Residents help customers, share advice and establish connections. Internally, small rituals keep chaos under control.
“I always have my essential cover and I take 15 minutes of calm every day,” shares Tanja.
Quality first, always
Applications go through a strict examination process led by Nikola Vukovic (Defi Saver) and Natasa Bujosevic. The objective is quality, not fame.
“No one can buy a talking slit,” explains Petar.
Secondary events, however, are open-source: anyone can welcome one. Even logistical reverse has become moments of learning.
“Once we ended up creating hackathon tables at 4 am due to poor communication,” said Tanja. “Now we are on-commune and document everything.”
Legal guarantees: starting with the structure
Ilija Rilakovic, who oversees legal issues for Eth Belgrade, highlights one thing above all: start early.
“Most legal challenges can be avoided with clear contracts and appropriate planning,” he says.
This includes agreements with places, sponsors and service providers, covering everything, payment conditions for cancellation policies.
Ilija also monitors regulatory executives, especially in the EU.
“For certain markets, such as the EU, due to the regulation of the mica, the not EU projects can face restrictions on the promotion of their services unless you specifically invite; A concept known as the opposite solicitation.
Although Serbia currently authorizes more flexibility, understanding these distinctions is essential when organizing an international event.
The hackathons add another layer of complexity. Ilija recommends clear conditions for participants and sponsors, in particular to mitigate the risks of intellectual property.
“As an organizer, you want to avoid being responsible for everything that is created during hackathon, in particular the functionality and transferability of the product,” he notes.
From website to partnership contracts, the objective is to reduce ambiguity and protect all parties involved, finally creating a secure and professional environment for innovation.
Advice to future organizers
The team’s advice is clear:
- Start with local energy and some strong manufacturers
- Build a team in which you trust to stay calm when things are going out outside the scenario
- Focus on what adds value: significant content, real connections and a sustainable community
Conclusion
Eth Belgrade was not built during the night. He went from shared belief, confidence and concentration in the relentless community. Although the team is made up of many contributors, from Nikola’s strategic contribution to Aljosa’s operational coordination, it is the synergy between them and the wider Balkan web3 scene which feeds Eth Belgrade.
It’s not just an event. It is a reflection of what Ethereum can become when people, not the media threw, are at the heart.
– Website: https://ethbelgrade.rs/
– x: https://x.com/ethbelgrade
– Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eth-belgrade
– Founders: Petar Popovic | Tanja Mladenovic
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