The second Innovation and Technology Forum, titled “TechBridge 2026”, was held in Zubin Potok, bringing together representatives of the innovation ecosystem from the Western Balkans and Europe with the aim of exchanging knowledge and experience, as well as discussing the future of technology, innovation, and regional cooperation.
The Forum was dedicated to key topics shaping contemporary development – from strengthening innovation infrastructure and connecting science and industry, to the role of the startup community, institutions, and young talents in creating sustainable economic growth.
As part of the panel “Innovation Infrastructure of Serbia”, which brought together representatives of the Science and Technology Parks of Niš, Novi Sad, Belgrade, and Čačak, the participants included Miloš Grozdanović, Assistant Director of STP Niš, Prof. Dr Srđan Kolaković, Acting Director of STP Novi Sad, Dr Marija Milić, Acting Director of STP Belgrade, and Darko Vasilić, Acting Director of STP Čačak. The discussion focused on the development of innovation infrastructure and the ways in which a system is being built where ideas grow into startups, and startups into companies. Special emphasis was placed on connecting science, industry, and institutions, as well as on strengthening mechanisms for supporting innovation.
The second panel, “Western Balkans and Europe 2030 – A Shared Vision of Innovation and Development”, moderated by Mina Matić from STP Niš, gathered representatives of various institutions and innovation organizations from the region and Europe. Participants included Sava Stambolić from the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, Martin Mössler from Science Park Graz, Nikola Dragović from STP Republic of Srpska, and Marija Gačić from STP Kragujevac. The discussion focused on the long-term perspective of developing the regional innovation ecosystem, strengthening cooperation, and positioning the Western Balkans within European innovation trends by 2030.
Emphasis was also placed on the importance of science and technology parks as key points of connection between different stakeholders – from institutions and research centers to startups and young entrepreneurs. Through the exchange of different perspectives, the discussion opened the question of how the Western Balkans can better position itself within European innovation flows by 2030.
TechBridge 2026 confirmed the importance of continuous cooperation among institutions, organizations, and individuals involved in the development of the region’s innovation ecosystem, with a shared goal – creating a connected and sustainable environment for the development of knowledge, technology, and new opportunities.
