In order to support the endeavor of the countries of the Western Balkans, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) has been engaged in the entrepreneurial programmes for the last five years and its main objective is empowerment of young entrepreneurs from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Empowerment is understood in many layers – support in development of their idea, networking with colleagues from the region and wider, introducing them and their ideas to investors from all over the world as well as enable them to connect with peers from all across their country. The ultimate goal is to unite them in an informal setting that offers framework for cooperation, discussion and shaping of national policies. Encouraging young ones to contribute their perception of the world to the national policy process is essential for brighter future in their homeland.
Programme started in beginning of the year with two workshops in Sarajevo and Pristina and continued with online challenge where entrepreneurs needed to present their idea, team and business plans. Workshops were well visited which resulted in high number of submitted applications – 75 from Kosovo and 34 from Bosnia and Herzegovina. A selection committee selected best 10 ideas from each country and invited two people from each to come in May to Slovenia. Their transport, accommodation and meals were organized, along with ticket for PODIM conference.
CEP prepared an intensive and interesting programme which included meetup with Ambassadors from their countries, representatives of Slovene Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for the Western Balkan policies, pitches in front of experienced investors, discussion with start-up mentors and experts for entrepreneurship development. On 15 and 16 May 2018 the group of young and promising entrepreneurs moved to Maribor to participate in the biggest networking event for start-ups in the Alps-Adriatic Region, to take part in the PODIM Challenge pitching competition and to meet PODIM investors and blue-chip partners.
Programme in Maribor involved a number of intriguing lectures, panels and round-table discussions on business, business development, investments, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, block chain technology and ICOs and other topics that are of high interest to the young entrepreneurs. As part of the programme, PODIM Challenge TOP 20 took place in which the best 20 start-ups attending the conference pitched their ideas in front of an expert jury – and there was as well one start-up from Bosnia and Herzegovina among them – Meerkiddo.
Youngsters concluded their visit with bunch of positive stories, new contacts and connections, and even new ideas for their future developments. They have promised to stay in touch, support each other and in return for great opportunity, share their expertise with new start-ups that are yet to emerge in their local surroundings.
Programme is part of the Centre for European Perspective’s activities that are supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Slovenia’s Development Cooperation.
List of the selected BiH and Kosovo selected start-ups
Evaluation of the programme of BiH participant – start-up Meerkiddo
Some tips and hints from Dr Jernej Pintar, Technology Park of Ljubljana
The Civil Society Forum of the Western Balkans in its conclusions on the issues of economic stability in the region emphasise: “The per capita income of the Western Balkan countries is just 27 percent of the EU15 average. Over 50% of youth population is unemployed, with one country reporting the youth unemployment rate of 63 percent, the Europe’s highest. Women participation in the active labour market starts at 30 percent.
The small and medium enterprises and social enterprises provide less than 30 % of total employment. The economic hardships, poverty or a lack of jobs, lack of opportunities and future prospects result in sizeable migration that drains the region of its most educated and skilled residents.
The governments of the Western Balkans have so far rather failed to find solutions for development of the human capital, mobilizing youth entrepreneurship and supporting SMEs for the new economy.
A new growth model is needed to reach the digital frontier. It should be based on innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the new millennial generation. The process should begin with a serious policy discussion on (youth) entrepreneurship, the digital frontier, ecosystem and infrastructure, and conditions required to move key sectors towards a digital economy.”
In order to support the endeavour of the countries of the Western Balkans, the Centre for European Perspective has been engaged in the entrepreneurial programmes for the last five years, bringing together young entrepreneurs from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo in the first years of the programme, from the Danube macroregion in the past two years and from all the countries of the Western Balkans in this year.
Over 50 participants are gathering at Jable Castle today for a breakfast with the Ambassadors of their countries in Ljubljana and for a short discussion with members of Slovene start-up environment, together with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for the Western Balkan policies.
The event at Jable Castle started with a breakfast with Ambassadors and embassy representatives, attended by the representatives of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Participants were also greeted by Ms Nataša Adlešič Barba of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr Gorazd Justinek, CEP’s Executive Director.
In the discussion with Technology Park Ljubljana’s representative Dr Jernej Pintar, Entrepreneurship Development Expert, illustrated the CEOs of the TOP10 start-ups at the park: “Modest, creative, smart and super hard-working. Just like you.” He emphasized funding opportunities, coworking spaces and investors. Yet Dr Pintar exposed the most important aspect of entrepreneurship in a country – the community. He gave a group three advises: “Firstly, sales – technology, development are only one leg. It’s story-telling, it’s talking to your customers, it’s selling. Secondly, develop your team. Seek for energy, intelligence and integrity. And finally, learn how to make mistakes.”
Dr Aleš Pustovrh, co-founder of the ABC Accelerator, presented the accelerator and their programmes but also discussed how to remove barriers to success with the entrepreneurs. Besides the finances, networking opportunities and know-how, he emphasized business skills.
Five start-ups – Solar Data Collector, Jamatu, blablaDev, Happy Feet and The Badger – pitched in front of a jury consisting of Dr Aleš Pustovrh, Dr Gorazd Justinek, Jose Antonio Morales, Lincoln Island Initiatives and Dr Jernej Pintar.
Mr Peter Grk and Ms Alenka Košir from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the Positive Agenda for Youth and led a discussion with the participants on the topic of economic development of the Balkans, employment prospects, entrepreneurial policies, youth initiatives and the challenges of start-upers in the Western Balkans.
On 15 and 16 May 2018 the group of young and promising entrepreneurs moved to Maribor, Slovenia to participate in the biggest networking event for start-ups in the Alps-Adriatic Region, to take part in the PODIM Challenge pitching competition and to meet PODIM investors and blue-chip partners.
The programme in Maribor involved a number of intriguing lectures, panels and round-table discussions on business, business development, investments, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, block chain technology and ICOs and other topics that are of high interest to the young entrepreneurs. As part of the programme, PODIM Challenge TOP 20 took place in which the best 20 start-ups attending the conference pitched their ideas in front of an expert jury. Meerkiddo (BiH), Integromat (Czechia), Agremo (Serbia), Aeriu (Hungary) and Flawless App (Ukraine) were selected among our participants.
Centre for European Perspective also actively participated in one of the discussions, focusing on Europe’s tech Ecosystem. Dr Gorazd Justinek, CEP’s Executive Director presented our Start:up Balkan initiative and discussed business development with Mr Fabio Pianesi, EIT Digital, Mr Jure Mikuž, South Central Ventures, Dr Aleš Pustovrh, ABC Accelerator, Mr Matej Rus, Start:up Slovenia, Minister Boris Koprivnikar, Ministry of Public Administration, and Mr Jakob Gajšek, ABC Accelerator.
With the final ceremony in Maribor, Centre for European Perspective also concluded the Start:up Balkan tour and selected the winning start-up that will get a chance to travel to London for a business-boosting visit in a global start-up hub. The winner is Meerkiddo from Bosnia and Herzegovina, that created a parental control app that helps parents supervise their children using a mobile phone.
Project is part of CEP’s program activities financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia in the framework of Slovenia’s Development Cooperation.
Young entrepreneurs are an important part of the today’s societies as they bring an important energy and enthusiasm to the daily life. CEP has been with support of the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the official development cooperation engaging BiH and Kosovo young entrepreneurs for last four years. They have been given an opportunity to meet among themselves, discuss hot topics with various investors and experienced business men and women. Many of them have received valuable feedbacks, useful suggestions and important contacts. They have spread their business network importantly and have been able to assists younger start ups in their home country.
Workshops in Sarajevo and Pristina in beginning of the year were well attended which proved that young are interested and willing to actively shape their future. They were encouraged to present their idea and apply for participation at the regional conference Podim, organized in Slovenia in May 2018. They have widely taken the opportunity as 34 ideas from BiH and even 75 ideas from Kosovo submitted their pitches. Best 10 from each country have been carefully selected by an expert committee and invited to join the programme in Slovenia.
All participants will gather on Monday, 14 May at Jable Castle for a breakfast with the Ambassadors of their countries in Ljubljana for short discussion with members of Slovene start up environment – ABC accelerator, Technology Park Ljubljana, together with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for the Western Balkan policies.
Selected participants will attend PODIM Conference in Maribor, Slovenia on 15 and 16 May 2018, participate in the biggest networking event for start-ups in the Alps-Adriatic Region, take part in the PODIM Challenge pitching competition and be presented in the PODIM Start-up Catalogue for the one-on-one meetings with PODIM investors and blue-chip partners.
By joining forces, CEP and PODIM conference offer young entrepreneurs an additional learning dimension in the creative process and empowers them to step ahead and present themselves in front of the investors that can help them transform their ideas into a promising start-up company. Additionally, connecting like-minded from the country might bring longer and wider impacts on national entrepreneurial environment and possibly, policies.
The start-ups chosen from Bosnia and Herzegovina are:
Centre for European perspective (CEP) has successfully concluded half of its way with fourth pit-stop of the Start:up Balkan tour in Pristina. 70 young entrepreneurial people participated in the workshop and 15 start-ups pitched their idea in front of business experts and potential investors.
Event in Pristina was opened by H.E Mr Bojan Bertoncelj, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, who thanked CEP for organizing the event and stressed CEP is one of the leading organizations in development cooperation field in the region. He expressed his satisfaction with the turnout at the event, and the importance of such events for Kosovo, which is facing large brain drain and is in need of such opportunities. Participants were at the venue welcomed by host, Uranik Begu, Executive Director, Innovation Centre Kosovo, presenting start-up ecosystem in Kosovo, and arguing such events are not only important for the region, but especially to Kosovo, as one of the most isolated countries in the region, and involving them into such conferences presents a window of opportunity for Kosovo youth, a meeting space for meeting peers from the region, and removes a big communication barrier. Third on the agenda was Tatjana Zabasu, Managing Partner, South Central Ventures, who strongly encouraged the participants to apply for Podim challenge, and is looking forward meeting youth startups, since they have not yet had any investments in the region. She was followed by Meliha Muherina, CEP Project Manager, who gave an insight into the beginnings of the project started by CEP within Positive Agenda for the Youth in the Western Balkans, adopted at the Brdo-Brijuni process summit in Slovenia in April 2015. Finally Matej Rus presented Podim conference and ways for startups to join.
Keynote speech was delivered by Igor Madzov, South Central Ventures Partner, giving an insight into what it means to be investable, what funding to consider, how to be prepared for the avalanche of questions when pitching, and gave five essential elements that lead to success: idea; team/execution; business model; funding; timing. Fireside chat was done with Mergim Cahani, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Gjirafa, who presented the beginnings of their start-up journey, current start-up ecosystem in Kosovo, advices on keeping competitive, stressing the use of local languages, and importance of minimalizing the risks, dealing with failures and improving after recognizing the failures. Investors and startups joined into a panel on current funding landscape in the region, where good pitching, red flags, team dynamics, role of advisors and many more were discussed.
15 local start-ups were given a chance for a three and one-minute pitch, followed by a feedback delivered by experts and potential investors. Event concluded with informal meeting in relaxed environment between investors and startups.
Event in Pristina is part of the project ‘Empowering Kosovo young entrepreneurs’, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Slovenia in the framework of Slovenia’s development cooperation.
Entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking are the foundation of a healthy growth of the economy, which in turn ensures prosperity and an adequate level of development for all inhabitants. This is particularly important in less stable economic environments and countries where youth unemployment is quite high, as in Kosovo, for example. CEP has been with project ‘Empowering Kosovo young entrepreneurs’ for the third consecutive year supporting young Kosovo entrepreneurs and young people with entrepreneurial ideas who would like to develop and upgrade/advance their ideas. CEP assist them to meet and connect, as together, with different approaches and broader pressures, they can influence the entrepreneurial climate in their own country. Through our engagement we brought together over 300 individuals who are aware that for making some changes, they must be active and take part for the changes – only in this way they will be able to change their environment for the better.
CEP with leading regional startup conference PODIM, which takes place every year in May in Maribor, organizes a competition through which the best entrepreneurial ideas and presentations are selected. For 20 young entrepreneurs (team members and their mentors) transport, accommodation and a ticket to the PODIM conference are provided. We are thus spreading their knowledge of entrepreneurial steps, offering them the opportunity to meet potential investors, and, last but not least, with the like-minded from the entire Alpe-Adria region.
Young people have to submit a presentation of their entrepreneurial idea for the competition, which is then reviewed by the expert commission. As we have seen in recent years that presentations submitted from the region could be better, we will organize a workshop, where young people will find out all about the competition, the conference and get opportunity to pitch in front experts and colleagues. At the same time, they will be able to listen to experienced investors on how to scale the company’s growth, when/how investors decide to support the idea and what are the forecasts for investments in the region in 2018. The whole workshop program is available here.
The workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 20 2018, in Pristina, at the premises of Innovation Centre Kosovo. Participation is free, but the previous registration is recommendedhere.
The project ‘Empowering Kosovo young entrepreneurs’ is part of our program activities, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Slovenia in the framework of Slovenia’s development cooperation. Similar project in the framework of the Slovenia’s development cooperation is running as well for empowering youth entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. More about the workshop in Sarajevo can be read at this link.
As CEP events were well attended and involved actors provided very good feedback, some countries from the region expressed their interest for similar program. CEP will therefore this year, with support of British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), widen its activities to four additional states – Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia – through program Start:up Balkan. Read more about it here.
The Center for European Perspective (CEP) will continue its work to support the development of an integrated start-up ecosystem in the countries of the Western Balkans. With the new project, which is financially supported by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, CEP, in addition to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, will spread its activities to Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia.
The main aim of the project titled ‘Establishing an Integrated Start-up Ecosystem in the Western Balkans’ is to establish, consolidate and integrate the start-up ecosystem in the Western Balkans, focusing on start-up entrepreneurs and young people with innovative business ideas. The cooperation between young entrepreneurs in the Western Balkan region is insufficient, very poorly connected and not systematically stimulated, although this is exactly that what young entrepreneurs want. The same derives from CEP’s previous experience and the cooperation with young entrepreneurs from BiH and Kosovo over the past years, which was financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia in the scope of international development cooperation.
The project will be implemented from October 2017 to the end of March 2018. CEP will conduct a series of promotional activities, educational events and will support establishment of a strong network of key start-up stakeholders in all countries in the Western Balkans.
Project is part of CEP’s program activities financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia in the framework of Slovenia’s Development Cooperation.
The project ‘Empowering Kosovo young entrepreneurs’ is part of our program activities, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Slovenia in the framework of Slovenia’s development cooperation. Similar project in the framework of the Slovenia’s development cooperation is running as well for empowering youth entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. More about the workshop in Sarajevo can be read at this