The BizLabJunior project, implemented by the Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism in Split in cooperation with Cemex Croatia, is an innovative business academy for upper-year pupils from four Eco-Schools in Kaštela and Solin. Its aim is to bring them closer to the real-world operations of local companies and organisations and give them insight into business, production and social processes.

Through twelve modules running until April, pupils will gain key knowledge of the sustainable economy, finance, entrepreneurship, management, marketing and digitalisation, with the opportunity to connect with local companies and develop business skills useful for their future careers.

As part of the programme and its planned modules, pupils will gain practical experience and insight into real business processes through visits to local companies. Accordingly, on 7 March Split Technology Park welcomed 40 pupils, the first generation of programme participants. The pupils toured Split Technology Park and learned about its work and its tenants. The startups SplxAI and Metabelly introduced themselves, presented their projects and answered the pupils’ questions. The pupils also took part in a 3D modelling training session led by a representative of the Split Technology Park 3D Lab. Through practical examples, they gained insight into the basic principles of 3D design and model-making technology.

This visit was an extremely valuable experience for the pupils, giving them insight into innovative business models and modern technologies.

Split Development Agency – RaST took part in the second edition of the Aj+Ti conference, held on 7 March at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FESB) in Split. Organised by the Neutroni Association, the conference brought together pupils, students and experts from various fields to exchange knowledge and experience.

The programme included lectures and workshops on topics such as information technology, mental health and financial literacy. Distinguished speakers shared their experiences and advice for career success. Participants had the opportunity to take part in interactive workshops that enabled them to acquire practical skills.

We thank the organisers for an excellent opportunity for networking and learning.

From March to June 2025, Split Development Agency – RaST, through the RaST+ Entrepreneurship Centre, is organising free workshops for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The workshops are designed to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity and cover a wide range of topics: from business basics and drawing up business plans, financial and risk management, communication skills and business internationalisation, all the way to EU funds for beginners and public procurement. Everyone who attends a workshop also receives a certificate of participation.

The workshops are also suitable for people with no previous entrepreneurial experience, as well as for those thinking about starting their own business, while experienced entrepreneurs who wish to broaden their knowledge and improve their skills in specific areas of business are also welcome to apply. The workshops will be held at Split Technology Park.

Before registering, please note:

• Registered participants who are unable to attend must cancel no later than three days before the scheduled session so that the place can be offered to other participants
• If registered participants who have signed up for several workshops fail to notify the organisers of their absence, they will be considered to have withdrawn from all the sessions they registered for

A detailed description of each workshop and registration are available at this LINK. Registration is currently open for the March workshops, and registration for each month’s workshops will open at the beginning of that month.

List of all workshops:

1. Sole trader or company, 3 March 2025, 16:00–20:00
   Objective: Introduction to the basic forms of business entities, their advantages and limitations
   Lecturer: Kristina Zekić
   
2. How to run a sole tradership under flat-rate taxation, 12 March 2025, 16:00–20:00
   Objective: Understanding the regulatory framework for sole traders under flat-rate taxation
   Lecturer: Kristina Zekić
   
3. Budgeting for beginners, 13 March 2025, 8:00–14:00
   Objective: Introduction to the fundamental concepts of budgeting and its role in business planning
   Lecturer: Alen Halilović
   
4. How to draw up a business plan, 14 March 2025, 8:00–14:00
   Objective: Understanding the importance of planning when launching a business venture
   Lecturer: Alen Halilović
   
5. Running a company, 19 March 2025, 16:00–20:00
   Objective: Overview of the basic provisions of the Companies Act and employers’ obligations under the Labour Act
   Lecturer: Kristina Zekić
   
6. Specifics of accounting for sole traders, 31 March 2025, 14:00–19:00
   Objective: Improving entrepreneurs’ financial literacy
   Lecturer: Željana Aljinović Barać
   
7. How to read financial statements, 3 April 2025, 9:00–14:00
   Objective: Increasing financial literacy through the analysis of financial statements
   Lecturer: Željana Aljinović Barać
   
8. How to price a product, 4 April 2025, 9:00–17:00
   Objective: Presentation of pricing strategies for products and services
   Lecturer: Jelena Šišara
   
9. Marketing and branding of products and services, 8 and 9 April 2025, 10:00–18:00
   Objective: Introduction to the basic concepts of marketing and branding
   Lecturer: Kristijan Sedak
   
10. Business digitalisation and security, 24 April 2025, 9:00–16:00
    Objective: Information on digital transformation and co-financing opportunities
    Lecturer: Mislav Kovač
    
11. Improving communication skills, 8 and 9 May 2025, 9:00–15:00
    Objective: Developing communication skills to improve business and personal interactions
    Lecturer: Radoslav Barišić
    
12. Managing human resources and business processes, 12 May 2025, 12:00–17:00
    Objective: Organising and running a business to increase productivity and employee satisfaction
    Lecturer: Radoslav Barišić
    
13. Career and mental hygiene, 13 May 2025, 9:00–16:00
    Objective: Raising awareness of the importance of mental health in the business environment
    Lecturer: Radoslav Barišić
    
14. Introduction to EU funds for entrepreneurs, 20 May 2025, 9:00–15:00
    Objective: Information on (co-)financing opportunities for business ventures
    Lecturers: Boško Ljubenkov and Goran Pavlov
    
15. Business transfer, 22 May 2025, 13:00–19:00
    Objective: Business transfer strategies and processes, including converting a sole tradership into a company
    Lecturer: Jurica Tomić
    
16. Business internationalisation, 4 June 2025, 9:00–15:00
    Objective: Understanding the key elements of expanding a business into international markets
    Lecturer: Stipe Režić
    
17. How to protect your product or service, 5 June 2025, 9:00–15:00
    Objective: Introduction to intellectual property protection with a focus on international business
    Lecturer: Boško Ljubenkov
    
18. Practical examples of public procurement from the bidder’s perspective, 9 June 2025, 10:00–15:00
    Objective: Introduction to opportunities for participating in public procurement procedures
    Lecturer: Albina Zanze
    
19. Problem-solving workshop, 14 April 2025 and 19 May 2025, 11:00–16:00 (2 teams, 2.5 hours each)
    Objective: Analysing and solving specific business problems in interaction with a moderator
    Lecturer: Goran Pavlov

On 19 February 2025, Split Technology Park hosted a speed date mentoring session for startups taking part in the Split Technology Park INVENTO accelerator. Speed date mentoring gave the startups the opportunity to receive valuable advice from experienced mentors from a range of industries in short one-to-one sessions.

A total of 8 mentors took part: Marko Maljković (Locastic), Tomislav Zović (Klikeri), Dora Tripalo Čikeš (Kancelarija), Boško Ljubenkov (IRI Centar), Đulijano Nola and Dražen Drnas (GammaChef), Vedran Vukotić (Tripadvisor) and lawyer Bruno Skelin.

The entrepreneurs had the chance to ask questions and receive concrete guidance for developing their ideas. The fast-paced, dynamic format allowed participants to gain useful insights and new business contacts, and this style of mentoring has proven to be an effective tool for improving startups’ strategies and business models.

On 5 and 6 February, Split Technology Park hosted working meetings between the Korea Development Institute (KDI), the City of Split, Split Development Agency – RaST and representatives of local entrepreneurs.

The meetings focused on further cooperation in implementing the Korea Development Institute’s knowledge sharing programme, which enables the transfer of the Republic of Korea’s development experience to partner countries. The aim of the cooperation is to strengthen the management capacity of Split Technology Park in order to improve services for entrepreneurs and increase its appeal to new users and for cooperation at national and international level. The planned activities include an analysis of the entrepreneurial environment in Croatia and locally, with the aim of better understanding the conditions for establishing and growing SMEs. A review of TPS’s organisation and business processes will also be carried out with a view to optimising them, taking into account KDI’s experience and recommendations.

The meetings focused on collecting key data through desk research and surveys among potential and current TPS tenants. The data collected will be used to analyse the entrepreneurial environment, identify the needs of SMEs and define guidelines for improving TPS’s operations so as to respond effectively to the key challenges facing the local economy.

This cooperation brings multiple benefits – enhanced management capacity will enable TPS to provide higher-quality and better-tailored services to its users, thereby fostering their growth and success. Implementation of KDI’s recommendations is expected to attract new entrepreneurs, investors and partners and to strengthen TPS’s capacity to support the development of innovative companies. In the long term, this initiative can contribute to job creation, greater competitiveness of the local economy and the economic progress of Split and the wider region. In addition, the project represents an important step in strengthening international cooperation and knowledge exchange between Croatia and South Korea, with a particular focus on supporting innovation and sustainable economic development.

The second round of applications to the Public Calls for the lease of office space at Split Technology Park opens on 12 February 2025. The second round is open to all interested start-up entrepreneurs up to 5 years old and to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the high-tech sector.

The “Become a Tenant” section of the Split Technology Park website provides documentation explaining the conditions under which entrepreneurs may apply to use TPS services, to help them prepare thoroughly and in good time for the public calls, which will open on 12 February at 10 a.m.

The Technology Park offers ideal conditions for start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from Split and the surrounding area. Start-up entrepreneurs up to 5 years old can apply for the remaining 7 furnished incubation offices with an average size of 45 m2, along with a shared kitchen and a meeting room. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises can apply for the remaining 14 unfurnished office units of various sizes, from 50 m2 to 216 m2, finished to a fully functional standard without furniture or equipment, together with shared spaces such as kitchens and meeting rooms. The office space for SMEs will be ready for future tenants to move in during the third quarter of this year.

Split Technology Park (TPS) is business support infrastructure managed by the Split Development Agency – RaST, aimed at entrepreneurs operating in the high-tech sector, i.e. start-up entrepreneurs whose activities or products involve innovative solutions, services and technologies. Future tenants will have access to all the infrastructure they need to work (premises, furniture, equipment), free education and training, and a range of services that foster the development and commercialisation of innovations, digital transformation, and business improvement and internationalisation.

Split Technology Park facilities:

• office space for start-ups and SMEs
• a 390 m2 coworking zone with 52 workstations
• a conference centre with 4 multimedia halls
• meeting rooms, shared kitchens and fun zones with a terrace
• a kindergarten, restaurant/canteen, 2 café bars, a shop and a fitness centre
• a 3D lab, Smart City lab and data centre

All information on the public calls is available on the Split Technology Park website in the Become a Tenant section. Any questions from interested entrepreneurs regarding the public calls can be sent to tps@agencija-rast.hr; they will be addressed regularly and the answers published on the TPS website.

On 13 and 14 March 2025, Split Technology Park and EDIH Adria are organising a DIT Bootcamp at Split Technology Park, which will provide entrepreneurs with free expert support to improve their business in the field of digital innovation and digital transformation.

This two-day intensive programme focuses on developing digital ideas and optimising business processes with mentoring from experienced experts, during which participants will go through a digital maturity assessment, a business analysis and the shaping of concrete ideas. To take part, you need to have a project or idea you want to develop and ensure the participation of up to 3 key people from your team who make strategic decisions and know the organisation’s business processes.

The EDIH Adria consortium brings together leading technology and academic institutions such as Ericsson Nikola Tesla, Infobip, Step RI, the Rijeka development agency Porin and the Universities of Rijeka and Pula.

What do you get by taking part in the Bootcamp? By taking part in the DIT Bootcamp, you will receive concrete guidelines and solutions that help you save time and increase the chances of success of your business idea. With the support of experienced mentors, participants will:

• develop a digital transformation project
• define an MVP (minimum viable product), if they are developing a digital solution
• structure key business challenges and identify optimal technology solutions
• receive a plan for integrating new technologies into business processes
• be able to use an additional 15 days of mentoring support after the Bootcamp

What happens after the Bootcamp? Once you have developed your digitalisation project, we help you increase your readiness to implement it and give you access to additional EDIH Adria services, including:

• TBI (Test Before Invest) – testing digital solutions before investing
• DAP (Digitalization Action Plan) – drawing up a detailed digital transformation plan
• FCO (Financial Capabilities and Opportunities Assessment) – assessment of financial options and co-financing opportunities

How to apply? Register for the Bootcamp via this link, and our team will take care of further communication. Once your application has been processed, we will contact you with detailed information. Places are limited to 10 companies, so secure your place in good time!

The DIT Bootcamp does not count as de minimis aid, which means that taking part does not affect the maximum amount of minor aid a company may receive over a three-year period. The programme is funded by the EU Digital Europe Programme and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Split Technology Park tenants took part in the workshop “EU Calls for Proposals in 2025”, intended for entrepreneurs interested in current and upcoming EU funding calls. Particular emphasis was placed on calls from the indicative annual plan of calls in the Republic of Croatia and on the HORIZON and INTERREG programmes.

The workshop was led by consultancy firms, which are also future tenants of Split Technology Park, and which shared their knowledge and experience to help participants prepare and apply for relevant EU calls. The speakers included UHY Savjetovanje, experts in auditing, financial and business consulting and EU funds; Research and Innovation Services (RISE), a consultancy for international research and innovation management; and Eupolis Grupa, an organisation focused on agile development, innovation and projects.

After the presentations, participants had the opportunity for one-to-one consultations with representatives of each company on the calls that interested them most. In addition to expert advice and guidance, the workshop provided an opportunity for networking, exchanging experiences and gaining a better understanding of funding opportunities through EU funds.

The Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) organised a competition of the most innovative projects of pre-acceleration phase beneficiaries under its Acceleration Programme, with the aim of supporting newly established innovative companies, development teams and individuals and increasing their investment readiness.

During the largest competition of innovative projects ever held in Croatia, organised over 5 days in 3 Croatian cities (Zagreb, Osijek and Zadar), a total of 172 contestants presented their innovative projects at TRL 5–8, among them 12 start-ups developing within the INVENTO accelerator of Split Technology Park, which achieved impressive results, with every one of them progressing to the next phase of the acceleration programme. The start-ups are: BELLYY, SplxAI, WORKSPACE, Reeinvent, ELNAV.AI, Verus Consilium, Apex Academy, Decentralized Reader, Warp Code, Pakra, Black & White Solutions and Marteching Solutions.

A jury of three international experts – Noah Paul/Alessio Caracci, Michael Handschur and Robert Bruckner – evaluated the contestants’ pitching sessions, on the basis of which a ranking was drawn up of the contestants who successfully presented their innovations. In the next phase of the programme, all successful contestants and their start-ups are entitled to financial support of 25,000 euros per project, as well as vouchers for business internationalisation and continued support from Split Technology Park through business infrastructure and advisory services.

Since September this year, Split Technology Park has been running the INVENTO accelerator in cooperation with Invento Capital Partners. The accelerator programme provides a comprehensive support system for start-up entrepreneurs, i.e. newly established companies up to 5 years old whose activities or products involve innovative solutions, services and technologies, as well as development teams working on an innovative product/service. The accelerator includes support in the form of an initial business assessment, individual business advice, mentoring by expert mentors, support in communicating with investors, internationalisation activities and more.

On Friday, 13 December, Split Technology Park hosted a tax advisory session for start-up entrepreneurs, organised by Split Development Agency – RaST and the Kancelarija za porezno savjetovanje tax advisory firm. The session was held as part of the “Nemoj da te POREŽe” (“Don’t Get Cut by Taxes”) initiative, which marks December as tax awareness month and focuses on educating entrepreneurs, especially those just starting out. The aim is to help them better understand their tax obligations and regulations, and thus ensure successful and compliant business operations.

The lecture was given by Dora Tripalo Čikeš, a certified tax adviser and co-owner of Kancelarija za porezno savjetovanje. During the lecture, participants learned what it means to be tax literate, who a tax adviser is and what their role is, and what entering the VAT system involves. Particular attention was also paid to the announced changes to tax rules coming into force in 2025.

In an interactive discussion, the entrepreneurs asked numerous questions about taxes and business operations, which the lecturer answered with concrete and practical advice. This training was particularly useful for start-up entrepreneurs, who gained valuable information for understanding tax matters.