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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.