The Croatian Agency for Small Business, Innovation, and Investment (HAMAG-BICRO) organized the final competition for the best student solution within the Network of Student Entrepreneurship Incubators (MSPI) program at the Zagreb Innovation Center (ZICER). This program, initiated by HAMAG-BICRO, aims to raise awareness of entrepreneurship among students and encourage the younger population to be proactive in realizing entrepreneurial ideas.

To mark the completion of this year’s pilot projects within the NSPI program, Vjeran Vrbanec, the CEO of HAMAG-BICRO, stated, “Through the Network of Student Entrepreneurship Incubators program, we address young people who are yet to realize their ambitions in the business world. We want to recognize those with entrepreneurial instincts, encourage them to develop entrepreneurial awareness, and proactively bring their ideas to the market, thereby contributing to the competitiveness of the Croatian economy.”

After presenting their entrepreneurial ideas in the “Zavrti priču!” pilot project, the HAMAG-BICRO Evaluation Committee assessed and selected the best among them:

• 1st prize – 15,000 kuna was awarded to Dominik Badel for the Buzzles project (an electronic puzzle set to promote STEM learning in early childhood) and Tin Doždor for the Toothcam project (3D intraoral camera for dentistry).
• 2nd prize – 10,000 kuna was won by Ana Goleš for the Easy Oil project (an automatic fuel payment system through vehicle registration).
• 3rd prize – 5,000 kuna was awarded to Matija Srbić for the Noomly project (a smart motion sensor designed for use in preschools).

In the “Riješi problem!” pilot project, five student solutions were selected, earning them a cash prize of 10,000 kuna. For solving the challenge posed by the company Development Strategies Ltd., promoting the Croatian brand of gluten-free products “MOJE MALO ZLATO,” the Double “A” team – Ana Bogić and Ana Pušić, mentored by Prof. Ivona Jukić from the University Department for Professional Studies in Split, received the award. Another team offering a solution to the same challenge, consisting of Ivona Mikulčić, Karla Skok, Morana Bunić, Katarina Zidar, and Mateja Cestar, also won a prize. Their mentors were Lidija Kralj and Mirela Marović Omerzu.

The company Sailboat RC Ltd. set the task of improving procurement processes in business for students. The project team Poculum, comprising Alen Dostal, Filip Štivičić, and Josip Paladin, won a 10,000 kuna prize for their solution. Prof. Krešimir Fertalj from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing at the University of Zagreb mentored the project.

The company Studio Rebus tasked students with developing a B2B marketing plan for corporate sales. The B2B team, presented by Zoran Mičuda, won a 10,000 kuna prize for their solution, created with the assistance of mentor Dario Vuljanko. Another team, Take a Chance, presented by Kristina Puce, also won a 10,000 kuna prize for their solution to the same challenge. Dimitrije Milojević from the Nikola Šubić Zrinski University mentored Kristina.

Throughout the pilot projects, students had access to advisory support from mentors in academia and the real sector, as well as financial support from HAMAG-BICRO amounting to 5,000 kuna, which could be used for project implementation costs. By participating in the Network of Student Entrepreneurship Incubators, students gained experience working in teams, a sense of responsibility for project realization, and insight into communication within a structured business community. The knowledge and skills acquired are essential for their adaptation to the business environment and success in the entrepreneurial world.