Introduction
In the heart of Warsaw, Wolves Summit 2025 convened a vibrant collective of innovators, investors, and ecosystem builders from Europe, Asia, and beyond. This edition of the summit stood out not just for its scale and diversity, but for the clarity it provided on a question facing thousands of founders today: How do we grow globally—and where do we start?
GEM joined Wolves Summit 2025 not as mere observers, but as active participants in that conversation—capturing insights, building alliances, and positioning ourselves as strategic partners in the journey from local scale to global reach.
What the Event Was About
Wolves Summit 2025 continues to be one of Central and Eastern Europe’s premier innovation gatherings, bringing together 2,000+ startups, scaleups, investors, and government stakeholders.
This year’s thematic pillars included:
DeepTech and applied AI
FinTech, MedTech, and Smart Manufacturing
Green transition and industrial innovation
VC funding trends and cross-border expansion strategies
The structure combined high-level keynotes with hands-on roundtables, 1:1 meetings, investor matchmaking, and startup pitch contests—creating the perfect ecosystem for strategic dialogue.
Why GEM
At GlobalEdgeMarkets, we specialize in helping companies confidently navigate the complexity of entering and scaling in new markets—particularly the U.S. and Europe. Wolves Summit aligned perfectly with our focus areas:
- Identifying scale-ready startups and founders with U.S. ambitions
- Understanding cross-regional friction points in global expansion
- Building visibility as a trusted advisory partner in the European and Asian tech landscapes
- Creating branded content and interviews to reinforce GEM’s voice and perspective in the market
What We Learned: Insights That Go Beyond the Event
Among the many takeaways from Wolves Summit 2025, three stood out:
Everyone Wants the U.S. Market — But Few Know Where to Start
For founders from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Taiwan, and beyond, the U.S. remains the ultimate growth frontier—especially in sectors like e-commerce, SaaS, and IT services. But even among confident, well-funded teams, hesitation was a common thread.
“We’d love to expand, but we don’t know how.”
“Legal stuff is confusing—we don't want to lose focus.”
“We hear the costs are brutal.”
The perception gap between ambition and readiness is real, and that’s where competent guidance makes all the difference.
Home Turf First, Then the World
Most startups we spoke with emphasized conquering their local or regional markets first. Government grants, incubators, and EU-backed funding programs make scaling in markets like Poland and Romania more accessible and lower-risk. This phased approach is sound, but without a next-stage plan, it can become a ceiling rather than a launchpad.
At GEM, we see this as an opportunity: not to rush expansion, but to help founders think globally early, even as they grow locally.
That’s Where GEM Comes In
What many founders need is not a roadmap—they need a co-pilot.
At GEM, we walk with our clients through every phase of their global journey:
- Validating product-market fit for the U.S. or new EU markets
- Structuring go-to-market (GTM) plans tailored to each region
- Navigating U.S. legal frameworks, compliance, and IP
- Facilitating strategic partnerships, funding introductions, and operational support
We don’t just advise. We build context, provide focus, and reduce risk.
A Global Tapestry of Conversations
In one conversation, a representative from Taiwan’s Startup Terrace offered compelling perspectives on how cultural norms, language barriers, and economic dynamics differ between the U.S., European, and Asian markets.
In another conversation, a Romanian FinTech founder reflected on their earlier attempt to enter the U.S. market three years ago, noting that while the ambition was there, the funding wasn’t. Since then, they’ve focused on building a strong, resilient model at home—with the help of EU-backed funding—and now feel better positioned to scale internationally. Their view: grow solid roots locally before branching out globally.
These weren’t just success stories. They were strategic blueprints—ones that reflect the questions hundreds of other founders are asking.
Where We Go From Here
GEM’s presence at Wolves Summit 2025 didn’t end when the lights dimmed on Day 2.
In the days that followed, we began crafting follow-up offers for founders we met, editing six high-impact interviews with thought leaders and startup teams, and setting the foundation for upcoming collaborations—including virtual workshops and strategic U.S. soft-landing programs.
This is just the beginning.
Closing Thought: Why This Matters
If you’re reading this and wondering, “Are we ready to scale globally?” You’re not alone.
Many founders we spoke with at Wolves Summit 2025 voiced the same concern.
The difference between stagnation and breakthrough is not just in what you know — it’s in who helps you navigate the unknowns.
At GEM, we don’t claim to have every answer. But we know how to ask the right questions, build the right bridges, and guide you where your market wants you to be.
Let’s start with a conversation.
