Archives: Актуелности

When we observe the available “startup statistics” for the last few years, a significant step forward has been made in the development of the innovation ecosystem in Serbia. However, an increasing number of startups face the challenges of product development and market validation when launching their business. Although the development of the startup ecosystem is a reason for optimism, significantly helped by numerous sources of support available through science and technology parks, innovation centers, and similar institutions, this same growth indicates the need for additional support programs, including the availability of financing, customer acquisition, and developing adequate personnel.

Nevertheless, challenges remain – the number of startups from academia is smaller than it could be, and startups that are ready for larger investments are still rare.

In order to support the startup community, the Science and Technology Park Niš secured the rights to publish several leading world titles that will contribute to the development of innovations in Serbia. The first publication that we present to you is the book “The Startup Owner’s Manual” by Steve Blank and Bob Dorf, pioneers of the Customer Development methodology. This book is one of the most important manuals for anyone who wants to properly develop products and conquer the market in the startup world. “The Startup Owner’s Manual” seeks to respond to these challenges and provide startups as well as academic and innovation centers with development and growth methodologies through the application of the Customer Development approach.

The promotion of this globally known book will be held on October 24 at 6 p.m. at the Book Fair in Belgrade (stand of the Center for the Promotion of Science). This is an excellent opportunity to learn how this book can help your startup achieve success in the market and to learn more about the experiences of successful entrepreneurs.

At the 41st IASP World Conference, which is being held from September 24 to 27, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, the managing director of the Nis Science and Technology Park, Milan Ranđelović, PhD, was one of the participants in the panel “Building Hubs for Innovation and Social Transformation”, where he exchanged experiences with representatives of institutions from Kenya, Australia, the Netherlands, and Argentina. The conference, hosted by Konza Technopolis, focuses on the topic “Demographics, Entrepreneurship and Technology: Defining the Frontiers of Future Economies”, exploring how regions such as Africa and Asia, with their growing youth populations, can harness entrepreneurship and technology for economic growth.

During the panel, he spoke on the role of science and technology parks in empowering regions to use their development potential and the development of the innovation ecosystem in the Republic of Serbia and further plans, which include strengthening cooperation with domestic and international partners. He also emphasized the importance of international cooperation in strengthening the capacity of innovation ecosystems and announced future projects, including the implementation of the Tehnis project and the launch of new support programs for the sustainable development of startups.

This conference, which returns to Africa for the first time in 20 years, gathered participants from over 50 countries, confirming the importance of Nairobi and Kenya as growing centers of digital innovation and technological development. The conference will explore how regions such as Africa and Asia, with their growing youth populations, can harness the potential of entrepreneurship and technology for economic growth. At the same time, the challenges that come with the aging of the population in other parts of the world will be discussed. Special focus will be on the role of science and technology parks in encouraging innovation and opening new markets.
Through panels such as this, science and technology parks continue to be the main link between innovators and industry, ensuring sustainable growth and global competitiveness of the Serbian innovation ecosystem.

With the signing of the Membership Contract, the development center for engineering design of one of the largest global technology companies, the American microchip manufacturer AMD, was officially opened within the Science and Technology Park Niš. In addition to the STP Niš team, the initial meeting, organized with the aim of establishing cooperation, was attended by representatives of the City of Niš, headed by Mayor Dragoslav Pavlović, the University of Niš, as well as representatives of the Faculties of Electronic Engineering and Sciences and Mathematics. The new center will focus on the development of software solutions for leading AMD platforms, including Instinct accelerators and AMD Radeon graphics cards.

The center will cooperate closely with the University of Nis, enabling students to acquire practical knowledge through educational workshops and practice during their studies. This cooperation aims to attract young talents and provide them with opportunities to work on globally competitive technologies, without having to leave their city.
The Science and Technology Park Niš managing director, Milan Ranđelović, PhD, emphasized the importance of opening development centers of global companies in Niš: “The fact that AMD decided on Niš shows that this city still has the resources and strength to be part of the most serious global technological trends. The presence of large technology companies in the Park, such as CISCO and AMD, will further strengthen the economy of the city and the region, providing young people with opportunities to study, work, and live here in world-class conditions.”

Andrej Zdravković, vice president and software director at AMD, also emphasized the importance of this investment for the city of Niš and pointed out that they are looking forward to cooperating with the faculties of the University of Niš: “The presence of AMD brings new technology and opportunities for young engineers to prepare for work in the latest technological trends, while staying in their city. We plan to work together to create programs and lectures in order to move technology closer to world standards.”

AMD is a global company with over 27,000 employees, annual revenue of more than $22 billion, and a market capitalization that has grown tenfold in the past five years, placing it among the 40 largest companies in the world.
The opening of the AMD Research Center in Niš confirms, once again, the importance of the Science and Technology Park Niš as a key factor in the development of innovation and technological progress, not only for the city, but also for the entire Southern and Eastern Serbia Region. This way, STP Niš contributes to the establishment of a knowledge-based economy, the creation of strong connections between the industry, academia, and innovative companies, thereby opening new opportunities for young talents, further strengthening Serbia’s competitiveness on the global technology market.

As a partner in the project “Urban heat islands resilience, preparedness and mitigation strategy – Be Ready”, financed by the Interreg Danube Program project, the Science and Technology Park Niš organized a working session with representatives of the local self-government on May 9, 2024 in order to collect relevant information that can be useful for the development of methodology and tools for risk assessment related to urban heat islands and the strategy of preparedness and resistance to climate change. The meeting was attended by representatives of the City of Niš, the Local Economic Development Office, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Niš, and the Faculty of Occupational Safety in Niš, who contributed fully to the analysis of the current state of equipment and materials and their potential impact on the formation of urban heat islands.
The project brings together 19 partners and 9 ASPs from 12 different countries, and the primary goal of the project is to improve the capacity of local and regional authorities and the civil sector in planning, mitigation, and management of climate change and natural disasters with a focus on urban heat islands.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a development strategy proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. It is focused on trade and development linking China with the rest of Eurasia. A big part of that strategy is the Digital Silk Road, and an important stop on that road is Serbia. This new Silk Road is a way to technologically network China with other participating countries and Western actors in the global technological ecosystem.

Representatives of the Hangzhon delegation visited Niš to sign a cooperation agreement with the Science and Technology Park on April 15, 2024. This way, the cooperation between Serbia and China is strengthened through two cities with a high potential for technological development. During the visit, the delegation toured STP Niš. They got acquainted with the capacities of the park and heard about its mission and vision as well as plans for further business.

STP Niš and the Hangzhou High-Tech Zone signed the agreement to strengthen mutual connection, communication, and exchange for the sake of mutual progress. Using geopolitical and industrial advantages, they will cooperate in order to improve the digital economy, namely working on concepts such as e-commerce, smart city, modern logistics, and payment with smart mobile devices.
We are pleased to have hosted the Hangzhou delegation and look forward to cooperation. We believe that this is another important step on the path through the digital ecosystem.