Archives: Актуелности

The Demo Day marking the end of the first phase of the Launcher program, intended for early-stage startups and innovative teams from all over Serbia, was held at the Science and Technology Park Niš. Over the past several weeks, 20 selected teams have been working on problem validation, solution development, and market testing, and, at the final event, they had the opportunity to present their projects to an expert commission, partners, and representatives of the innovation ecosystem.

The Launcher program has attracted great interest this year as well – 108 teams from all over Serbia applied to the public call. After evaluation, 20 teams entered the first phase, and the seven best teams were selected to continue to the second phase of the program, with mentoring and financial support.

This year, for the first time, the Launcher program was successfully implemented in Kosovo and Metohija, with the aim of providing support to local teams that want to turn their ideas into successful innovative projects. A demo day was also held in Kosovo and Metohija on July 2nd, and two startups – GrowthQ and BusLink – made it to the second phase of the program, thus confirming the high quality of their innovative solutions.

The teams that secured passage to the second phase and grants are:

• Eyestock – a smart mobile application that uses the phone’s camera and advanced AI technology to automatically recognize and count food and beverage stocks. It enables significant time savings, reduces errors, and increases profitability in the hospitality industry.
• Smart Greenhouse – a software platform for greenhouse production that uses sensors and artificial intelligence to analyze growing conditions and provide recommendations in real time, thereby increasing yields and reducing costs without the need for technical knowledge.
• MARINA INT – a web application that connects tourists and nautical service providers without intermediaries. It enables personalized trips, direct communication, lower prices, and contributes to the development of marinas in Serbia and the region.
• DoPerMed – smart socks that, with the help of electroactive polymers, actively massage the legs during movement and allow users to adjust the compression via an application. The solution improves circulation, comfort, and everyday quality of life.
• Fino App – an app for American influencers that automatically integrates revenue data from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch, simplifies tax calculations, and acts as a smart financial assistant thanks to a planned AI module.
• GrowthQ – an AI app for automated content creation and scheduling on social networks. It uses n8n automation tools and enables small businesses to have an effective digital presence with minimal engagement.
• BusLink – a comprehensive bus transportation management software system that includes route planning, ticket sales, GPS tracking, and financial reporting. Through AI route optimization and anomaly detection, the system improves safety and efficiency.

The teams received a total financial support of up to 1,150,000 dinars per team, which includes a basic grant of up to 1,000,000 dinars for further development of the solution and market validation and an additional grant of up to 150,000 dinars for attending an international startup conference of the team’s choice. They will have mentor support until the end of the year to prepare their projects for market launch.

In addition to financial support, the teams from the second phase were able to use the specialized services of the EDIH S4AI_Hub, with the support of the European Union. Services include digital maturity assessment (DMA), education, solution testing, access to funding, and connection to the European network of digital innovation hubs.

The success of this year’s teams confirms that quality ideas come from all parts of the country and that, with the right support structure, they can grow into sustainable businesses with international potential. Launcher continues to be a support program focused on fostering entrepreneurship, digitalization, and economic development based on knowledge and innovation.

*The Launcher program is implemented by the Science and Technology Park Niš, in partnership with the Startup Center Niš, the Regional Innovation Center Zubin Potok, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Niš, and the Faculty of Diplomacy and Security, with financial support from the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, the City of Niš, and the company Fazi, and is co-financed by the European Commission through the S4AI_Hub program.

The city of Niš, once one of the key technology centers, is once again becoming an important point of technological development in Serbia today. The Science and Technology Park Niš plays a central role in this process, having built a functional innovation ecosystem in a short period of time and set high standards in supporting startups and technology companies.
Since its establishment, more than 200 teams have developed ideas within STP Niš programs, over 120 companies have expressed interest in membership, and more than 70 actively operate within the Park. Today, these companies employ over 600 young professionals and are developing more than 200 new products and services. STP Niš is currently implementing four support programs aimed at different stages of company development.

After only three years of operation, the conditions for expanding the capacity have been created and an expansion project has been launched with an investment of over 20 million euros. The works are underway, and new members are expected to move in in the first half of next year. In addition to supporting existing startups and companies, the expansion project is also aimed at attracting development centers of global companies, with the aim of making Niš a recognizable location for R&D investments.
Through various initiatives, the Park has supported the establishment or development of nine regional startup centers and two incubators at faculties. Within the framework of international cooperation, the establishment of the European digital innovation hub S4AI_HUB, which is part of the Digital Europe program, is particularly noteworthy. This consortium brings together 28 partners from Serbia, and focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in fields defined by the Smart Specialization Strategy of the Republic of Serbia.
STP Niš initiated the establishment of the Alliance of Science and Technology Parks and Innovation Ecosystems in South East Europe, in cooperation with partners from Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, and Turkey, while cooperation with international partners was also established in 2024.

In order to further develop the innovation infrastructure, the TechNis initiative was launched, aimed at creating an innovation district that will unite university, research, and business resources. In the area that already includes STP Niš, university capacities, and several investments, around 7,000 students study, 400 researchers work (of which 300 are PhDs) and over 50 innovative companies with more than 1,200 employees operate today. The goal is to double all these capacities in the coming period.

As a result of all that has been achieved, and for its significant contribution to the development of scientific and technological activity in Serbia, at the proposal of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, the Science and Technology Park Niš has received a high state award – a decoration for the occasion of Vidovdan, presented by the President of the Republic of Serbia. This award represents an official confirmation of five years of dedicated work and the results achieved by the Park in the field of innovation, development of the startup ecosystem, and promotion of technological entrepreneurship. At the same time, the award testifies to the importance of STP Niš as a driver of technological development not only in southeastern Serbia, but also at the national level, setting the Park as a model of good practice for strengthening the innovation ecosystem and developing innovation infrastructure in the region. This recognition further obliges the STP Niš team to continue improving the conditions for the development of innovations, attracting new partners and investors, as well as creating an even

We are proud to present the report “Mapping report of the state-of-the-art good practices for tackling UHI in the Danube region”, a comprehensive document developed within the international project Be Ready, which focuses on identifying solutions to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands in cities across the Danube region. The report offers an overview of contemporary and innovative approaches in urban planning and design aimed at enhancing resilience to climate change.
The report is the result of joint efforts by project partners. Ten cities from across Europe participated in its development, including the City of Niš and the Science and Technology Park Niš, which contributed by identifying and mapping good practice examples at the local level. In addition to an analysis of the current state and challenges, the report provides concrete recommendations and solutions for mitigating the UHI phenomenon in urban environments.
This mapping report brings together the latest technical solutions, community-based approaches, and policy frameworks that can reduce the risks of urban heat islands in the Danube region.
An integral part of the document is an Annex with detailed descriptions of good practices that have been identified and documented as inspirational models for other cities in the region and beyond. These practices include a variety of approaches — from the implementation of blue and green infrastructure and urban design solutions to participatory planning and community engagement.
This report represents an important step toward strengthening the resilience of cities to climate challenges and promoting knowledge exchange among stakeholders from different European countries.

👉 The report is available HERE

 

The 9th Forum of Advanced Technologies – TechMomentum, was held on 11th and 12th June at the Science and Technology Park Niš, and once again confirmed its position as one of the most important events in the fields of innovation, technology, and smart development in the region. Over the course of two days, the Forum brought together more than 1,000 visitors, over 150 speakers, within 70+ sessions, distributed in 10 thematic zones, with more than 50% of the speakers being women.

Organized in cooperation with the Startup Center Niš, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia – Regional Chamber of Commerce Niš, RISC Zubin Potok, the City of Niš and with the support of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, the Forum focused on the most important issues of modern society: how to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence, how to increase the capacity for technology transfer from science to industry, how to build a successful innovation district, and how Serbia can strategically strengthen its global position through sustainable and smart development.

In addition to the central panels, presentations, and international delegations, the Forum offered numerous pieces of interactive content, intended for direct support to innovators and entrepreneurs. In the zones dedicated to startups, specialized workshops were held, led by representatives of Microsoft Garage and the Innovation Fund, focused on product validation, business model development and access to support programs. In cooperation with NALED, speed dating between startups and VC funds was also organized, which enabled networking and concrete discussions about potential investments, as well as presenting opportunities for cooperation and exporting innovative products to the Nordic market.

“TechMomentum brings continuity and also new energy. Through concrete discussions about systemic challenges and examples of good practice, we build a common understanding of the development directions that Niš and all of Serbia should follow,” said Milan Ranđelović, Managing Director of the Science and Technology Park Niš.

The contents of the Forum were also enriched through a podcast zone, implemented with the “Zalet Inovacija” (Innovation Rush) project, which hosted inspiring conversations with ecosystem leaders – startup founders, researchers, investors and decision-makers. These conversations documented not only experiences but also visions of the future development of the domestic technology scene.

The significance of the Forum is also confirmed by the presence of high-ranking guests and institutions – among which were the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the Embassy of Canada, representatives of the EBRD, UNDP-A, BIO4 Campus, the Institute of Nuclear Energy, the Institute of Chemistry and Metallurgy, the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, the BioSense Institute, as well as experts and policymakers from several European and regional countries. Their presence contributes to the internationalization of the event and the connection of the domestic ecosystem with global innovation trends.

The head of this year’s Forum, Miloš Grozdanović, emphasized that the Forum is not just a conference, but an event that, for the ninth year in a row, brings together people with knowledge, experience, and capacities to create change and improve the innovation environment of Serbia:
“We connect startups, scientists, companies, and institutions in one place. It is a space where concrete ideas are transformed into joint initiatives and strategic directions.”

This year’s edition of the Forum also emphasized the importance of balanced regional development through innovation, including sessions on the role of local startup hubs, the importance of early financing, and integration with European innovation networks.

TechMomentum 2025 demonstrated that Niš is not just a host for innovations – but a vibrant hub, ready to lead changes in the future of Serbia and the region through collaboration and knowledge.

Following the closure of the public call for participation in the Launcher program, which generated great interest and attracted 108 applications, the first phase began with 20 carefully selected startup teams. Over the next five weeks, these teams will be working intensively on developing their ideas through a structured educational process and practical exercises.

Phase 1 of the program focuses on defining and developing startup ideas, with a special emphasis on validating the problem and shaping a clear value proposition. Teams go through eight educational modules that guide them from an initial idea to a sustainable business model. The education is based on the principles of the Running Lean methodology, which allows startups to systematically test business assumptions, identify key risks and receive feedback directly from users.

“We are very pleased with the large number of applications received for this year’s Launcher program cycle, especially since they come from different parts of Serbia, including regions from which we have not had representatives before. This shows us that the entrepreneurial spirit is growing and spreading, and it is a strong incentive for us to build the program even more carefully.”

Launcher is designed to provide early-stage startups with concrete and comprehensive support exactly where they need it most. Teams are provided with a structured educational process that guides them through key steps – from problem identification and validation, through market testing, to defining a minimum viable product (MVP).

“In addition, through regular sessions with experienced mentors from the business and technology community, participants receive concrete advice, support, and guidance that help them turn their ideas into viable solutions. We look forward to working with this diverse and talented group of teams in the coming weeks,” stated STP Niš.

The first phase of the program ends in July with the presentation of results at the Demo Day, when teams present their progress to the Commission. On the basis of clearly defined criteria, a decision will be made on which teams move on to the second phase of the program, which lasts up to five months, being an intensive development period focused on market preparation and further scaling.

The goal of the Launcher program is to provide early-stage startups with systemic support, help them develop solutions with real market potential, and contribute to the development of sustainable technological entrepreneurship in Serbia – with a special focus on the territory of AP Kosovo and Metohija.

*The program is being implemented by STP Niš in cooperation with the Startup Center Niš, the Regional Innovation Center Zubin Potok, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Niš, and the Faculty of Diplomacy and Security, with financial support from the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, the City of Niš, and the company Fazi,co-funded by the European Union through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (S4AI_Hub) project.