Sandra Milanović Zbiljić: Evaluating and Developing Start-Up Founders’ Soft Skills

On June 13, 2025, Sandra Milanović Zbiljić delivered a presentation titled “Evaluating and Developing Start-Up Founders’ Soft Skills.” The session highlighted the growing importance of emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication, and leadership in the success of entrepreneurial ventures – especially in the era of rapid technological and societal change.

Through clear structure and research-backed insights, the presentation outlined why soft skills are essential for start-up founders, how they can be effectively assessed, and which innovative teaching methods – such as flipped classrooms, serious games, and simulations—show the most promise in fostering long-term development.

Particularly noteworthy were findings showing that startups which prioritize soft skill evaluation demonstrate higher levels of innovation, team cohesion, and investor engagement. The presentation also shared tangible strategies for integrating soft skill training into entrepreneurship education and called for early, continuous investment in these areas to build resilient and high-performing teams.

This thought-provoking presentation underscored the transformative role soft skills play in sustainable entrepreneurship and contributed valuable knowledge to the wider conversation on innovation process management.