Center for European Perspective has this year, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, in cooperation with the GIZ Regional Office in Sarajevo, implemented a project ‘WB6 Startup Academy’. The main purpose of the project is to empower innovative young entrepreneurs from all six Western Balkan countries to strengthen their knowledge and increase the opportunities for realizing their business idea.
The last module of the project started in Ljubljana, on 20th of May, at ABC Accelerator. 25 young people, representing 15 entrepreneurial ideas from all six Western Balkan countries, met with the Business Angels of Slovenia, where the best 5 got a chance to pitch in front of the investors. Ivmax, Marleq, ELS Development, Blocknify and Tratics got 6 minutes to present their innovative idea. Investors gave them feedback with critical comments and tips, enabling them to further develop and improve their concept.
The group will move to Maribor, where the international conference Podim will be held from May 21 through May 22. The latter is largest conference for start-ups, investors and other experts in the region. The young entrepreneurs will be able to present their ideas at the event, look for potential partners, investors and learn a lot through participating in various lectures from world-renowned experts. One of the main dimensions of the whole workshop is also the peer-to-peer networking of young people, who often face similar challenges in the region.
The project is part of the activities that are through the Slovenia’s Development Cooperation financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia.
The founder of the winning start-up of the Start:up Balkan programme Meerkiddo from Bosnia and Herzegovina will at the beginning of September travel to London and visit a global start-up hub. With the 5-day visit of the winning start-up to the global capital and financial centre, the Start:up Balkan programme will conclude its this year’s activities.
A special networking and business boosting programme supported by the British Startup Manufactory company includes several activities from visit to Google Campus and different entrepreneurial meetups to appointments with representatives of some tech start-ups and few entrepreneurship trainings on recent business topics.
Different opportunities and challenges on the British and Irish markets and business support prospects are foreseen topics for the discussion with the representatives of British government’s Department of international trade and Slovenian Embassy in London.
Meerkiddo is one of the over 30 start-ups from the Western Balkan region that were presented on start-up conference in Maribor and were selected as the most perspective through the Start:up Balkan tour. Meerkiddo created a parental control app that helps parents supervise their children using a mobile phone.
Start:up Balkan tour was a part of the Start:up Balkan programme that was conducted in February 2018 through all Western Balkans capitals. In each capital an event was organized with renowned international speakers and guests to support local young entrepreneurs and encourage them to be even better. The main objective of these events was to give local start-ups a chance for a three-minute pitch that was followed by a feedback delivered by experts and potential investors. The best start-ups from each capital were in May 2018 invited to the PODIM conference in Maribor and to take part in the PODIM Challenge pitching competition.
Three wining start-ups of the PODIM Challenge, were awarded with all-inclusive tailor-made programme in London that will take place from the 3rd to the 7th September 2017.
Start:up Balkan was program in the framework of the project ‘Establishing an Integrated Start-up Ecosystem in the Western Balkans’ powered by CEP and PODIM and supported by the BritishEmbassy in Ljubljana.
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:
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. Young entrepreneurs are therefore indispensable and very resourceful part of each society. Active and creative minds are important for economic development, prosperity as well as for positive outlook.
This is why CEP for the second year in a row identified start-ups from the Danube region to participate in a fully funded entrepreneurial programme “Facilitating Enhanced Cooperation among Young Danube Experts” at the largest start-up conference in the region, PODIM Conference. PODIM conference is a leading start-up conference in Alps-Adriatic region that has been first time organized 38 years ago. In this time, it developed from a smaller entrepreneurial conference to leading gathering in the region. It shows how actors from various fields and levels can work together and reach much more than they ever could alone.
Having started by supporting the young entrepreneurs from Bosnia and Herzegovina and later on from Kosovo, the programme expanded to additional 9 countries participating this year: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
CEP supports entrepreneurs and young people with entrepreneurial ideas who would like to develop and upgrade/advance their ideas, assists them to meet and connect, as together, with different approaches and broader pressures, they can influence the entrepreneurial climate in their own country.
Best entrepreneurial ideas were selected through a “PODIM Challenge” competition that we organized together with the PODIM Conference. Young entrepreneurs had to present their idea, team and business plan. The expert commission has reviewed a large number of very competitive applications and made the final selection.
CEP as the PA10 Coordinator will host them in Maribor, Slovenia during the PODIM Conference between 14 and 16 May 2018.
The project is part of the activities that are through the Slovenia’s Development Cooperation financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia.
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.
