During the past two years, the crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus has somewhat forced entrepreneurs to get used to the newly formed digital environment which, as it turned out, significantly made their business easier. Within the “Digital Business in the Microsoft Ecosystem” conference, organized by the GoPro Company, in partnership with STP Niš and the Microsoft Company, entrepreneurs, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, were able to hear what the first steps are if they were ready to completely digitalize their business.
With clear guidelines about the process of digitalizing business itself and practical examples, speakers made an effort to bring the possibilities, but also the threatening risks if the process is not entered on time, closer.
We were pleased to accommodate representatives of the Microsoft and GoPro Companies in this innovative community of ours, share experiences, and use the opportunity to start a narrative about some future joint projects an potential cooperation.
The first live training for teams from the region of Niš at the Raising Starts program was held in the Science and Technology Park Niš.
After a series of online workshops and 1-1 mentor sessions in the fields of business development, IPs, defining KPIs and the budget, the topics this time were – the team as the key player (strengthening competencies and work in a team) and presentation skills, which will be particularly important for startups when preparing future pitches for passing into Phase 2 of the program.
Sandra Savanović, a long-term coach for developing business skills and the president of CEFA Serbia, worked with the startups.
After DemoDay, we come to the finale of the first part of the program.
This year’s Advanced Technologies Forum had over 50 panelists from the coutry and abroad take part, and within 10 of the panels, discussions were about topics of exceptional importance for the development and improvement of the innovation ecosystem, as well as for the development of the information-communication infrastructure important for improving the global competitiveness of Serbian economy.
Even though the impressions after the sixth Advanced Technologies Forum have not settled down yet, even though most of the panels left room for thought – which steps to take going forward, we can conclude that the innovation and startup ecosystem of our region, even being this young, most certainly has potential for further development!
The best in the field of advanced technologies were rewarded, and within the scope of the Forum, the Specialized Job and Professional Orientation Fair was held, as well as a workshop on the topic “Introduction to the Smart Specialization Process.”
Forum participants pointed out what the priorities and shortcomings when forming startups are, gave answers to the questions of how to overcome the connection between startup companies and the scientific research community, and also what kind of support is needed for business and the public sector in order to strengthen the position of the Serbian innovation ecosystem.
The Science and Technology Park Niš (STP Niš) and Infostud signed an Agreement on Mutual Cooperation with the goal of improving work in the fields of its activities and strengthening both organizations’ cooperation in order to achieve the best results possible. On behalf of STP Niš, the Agreement was signed by Director Dr Milan Ranđelović, and on behalf of Poslovi Infostud, by Sonja Ćetković, the Employment and HR websites Director.
This mutual cooperation also means the development of a joint online platform for the needs of the www.ntp.rs website, which will significantly facilitate the search for open job positions in STP Niš member companies for members down the line. We will work together on activities directed towards mutual education and promotion, as well as the establishment of collaboration between Poslovi Infostud, STP Niš, and its member companies.
This Agreement also encompasses special financial benefits to STP Niš member companies when using services provided by Poslovi Infostud.
STP Niš was founded in 2020 with the goal of providing infrastructural support and professional services to companies and scientific research and innovation organizations. It also dedicates itself to attracting innovative technology development companies, be they domestic or foreign, and creating conditions for the founding of a larger number of startup and spin-off companies. It gathers and creates a network of partners and associates with the goal of creating and improving the innovative ecosystem. Currently, over 40 innovative companies from this dynamic community work on developing their globally competitive products and services every day.
Poslovi Infostud has leading employment websites within it, which provide solutions for candidates as well as employers. The very mission of Poslovi Infostud is to efficiently connect candidates and employers and assist them in the processes of employment and career building, thus making Serbia a better place to work in.
In accordance with the goals and measures of the Strategy for the Development of artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the Period from 2020-2025, the Government of the Republic of Serbia provided the National Platform for Artificial Intelligence (AI Platform).
The first National Platform for Artificial Intelligence in the State Data Center in Kragujevac is a supercomputer of the latest generation, high-performance, and computer performance of 5 petaFLOPS, produced by NVIDIA, ready to process a huge amount of information in a short time period.
The Office for Information Technologies and Electronic Administration (ITE) signed agreements on using the first National Platform for Artificial Intelligence (AI Platform) with the Science Technology Park Belgrade, the Science Technology Park Čačak, the Science and Technology Park Novi Sad, and the Science and Technology Park Niš, with the goal of supporting the parks’ work on implementing, Improving, and spreading artificial intelligence in the Republic of Serbia, supporting scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as ensuring the application of artificial intelligence in the industry of the Republic of Serbia.
On the basis of the agreements, ITE provides and grants resources on the AI Platform to science-technology parks, with the science-technology parks having the possibility of sharing those resources with startups who are their members as well.
Questionnaire for startups
Information and questions regarding the Public Call can be obtained by sending an inquiry to the following e-mail address: platforma_ai@ite.gov.rs
