Archives: Актуелности

In order to be ready to present at leading international technology conferences – How to Web, Web Summit, Slush, before the actual trip, selected startups went through a structured and intensive preparatory program as part of the “STARTUP QUEST: Going Global” initiative. The preparatory program was designed to systematically train teams to effectively present themselves on the global stage, clearly position their products, and establish quality business contacts.

The program was implemented in two blocks, with the first part taking place in the spring, while the continuation of the activities is planned for September, after the summer break. The central activity of the first block was the Conference Readiness Bootcamp, which was held on May 29 and 30 on the Science and Technology Park Niš premises. Live work was a key part of the concept, enabling direct interaction with the lecturer, practical work, and networking among the teams participating in the program.

The Bootcamp was led by Faris Šehović, an international expert in business development and sales, with significant experience in working with global companies and startups that have successfully entered international markets. As one of the founders of the domestic startup Orgnostic, which was later acquired by the American company Culture Amp, Faris shared concrete, practical knowledge based on his own experience with the participants.

During the preparatory program, startups worked on defining clear goals for their appearance at conferences, improving pitches adapted to different formats and audiences, developing effective networking strategies and approaches for subsequent communication, as well as strengthening online visibility and personal and corporate branding. Special attention was also paid to the practical aspects of preparation and logistics, so that teams could fully focus on business opportunities during the actual events.

The preparatory program conceptualized this way ensured that startups went to international conferences not only as participants, but as clearly prepared and positioned actors, ready to make the most of their presence at global events and concretize opportunities for further growth and internationalization.

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. 

The Forum of Advanced Technologies, one of the leading regional events in the field of innovation, technological development, and entrepreneurship, which has been traditionally held in Niš for nine years, expanded its activities to the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija this year for the first time.

In cooperation with the Regional Innovation Startup Center RISC from Zubin Potok, the Science and Technology Park Niš organized the first Innovation Technology Forum – Smart Tech, with the aim of supporting the development of the innovation ecosystem and empowering young talents in this region.

The forum program included current topics such as: building an innovation ecosystem, the role of universities in cooperation with industry, applications of artificial intelligence in local startups, the development of innovation centers, as well as mechanisms for financing innovations.

Smart Tech is a strategic initiative aimed at connecting young people, educational institutions, and businesses, through the promotion of modern technological trends and entrepreneurial skills. By providing insight into examples of good practice, support opportunities, and perspectives in the domain of innovation, this event set the foundation for the long-term development and encouragement of the technological community in AP Kosovo and Metohija.

*The forum was realized by the Innovation Center Zubin Potok, STP Niš, the Startup Center Niš, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia – Regional Chamber of Commerce Niš, and the City of Niš, with the support and patronage of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia.

 

The 9th Forum of Advanced Technologies – TechMomentum will be held on June 11 and 12, 2025 at the Science and Technology Park Niš and will bring together more than 100 speakers from the country and abroad, representatives of technology companies, research organizations, startups, investment funds, public institutions, and international partners.

Over the course of two days, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a content-rich program that includes thematic panels, international sessions, workshops, pitch presentations, B2B meetings and a special segment dedicated to women in science and engineering. The focus of the Forum will be on current topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biotechnology, industry 5.0, technology transfer, innovation districts, and support for technological entrepreneurship.

The Forum is intended for everyone involved in the development and application of advanced technologies – researchers, university professors and students, startup and R&D teams, representatives of companies and industry, as well as decision-makers and institutions that support innovation.

Registered participants will be able to organize business meetings, meet other participants, and take advantage of all the networking opportunities that the Forum provides through the RU4M networking platform.

Registration is open via the website www.fnt.rs
The number of spots is limited.

*This year’s Forum of Advanced Technologies is being realized in partnership between the Startup Center Niš, the Science and Technology Park Niš, the City of Niš, the Regional Innovation Startup Center Zubin Potok and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia – Regional Chamber of Commerce Niš, with financial support from the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, as part of the program for the promotion and popularization of innovation activities in the Republic of Serbia.

Do you know if there are urban heat islands in your city? Where the “hot spots” are and where the cooler zones in the urban environment are? Do vulnerable social groups, such as senior citizens or people with lower incomes, live in warmer parts of the city? How many local self-governments in Serbia have the capacity for long-term monitoring and response to the intensity of urban heat islands?

The answers to these and many other questions can now be found thanks to a new digital platform that allows cities to assess their own vulnerability to the effects of climate change, with a special focus on the urban heat islands phenomenon. This tool is intended for decision makers, urban planners, researchers, and citizens who want to understand the spatial and social challenges related to rising temperatures in cities better. The platform was created as part of the “Be Ready” project and is available at the link BE READY UHI.

In order to address the need for effective ways to assess and mitigate the effects of urban heat islands (UHIs), partners on the Be Ready project have developed a methodology for self-assessing the risks and vulnerabilities of cities. The detailed methodology is available on the official website of the Be Ready project.
This platform represents a simplified version of the methodology, adapted for use in different cities, regardless of the level of data availability. The goal of the UHI online assessment platform is to support local authorities and other relevant actors in assessing the degree of their vulnerability to urban heat island effects, identifying vulnerable groups, recognizing opportunities to improve existing policies and practices, as well as assessing their ability to adapt and prepare for climate challenges.

Through an intuitive interface and available data, the platform allows users to identify the most vulnerable parts of the city, analyze temperature distribution, as well as to plan and monitor the effectiveness of climate change adaptation measures. This initiative represents an important step towards improving local resilience and better planning for sustainable urban development.