Key insights from the study visit to Samobor, Zagreb & Dubrovnik

After the completion of the 5th secondment in Croatia, on the 10th of June 2025 at 11 AM at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, the insights gained by the researchers were presented.

Our researchers briefed colleagues and partners on best practices from study visit to Croatia:

• Assistant Professor Jadranka Petrović, PhD – “How to Set Up a Student Incubator” – Dr Petrović showcased incentive models used by Zagreb’s Faculty of Economics, Libertas University and ZICER: 108 modular workspaces, a prototyping FAB-lab and a €300,000 city start-up fund.

• Assistant Professor Ljubiša Mićić, PhD – “Lessons from the First Round of the Croatia Secondment” – The presentation was focused on the diversification of the Mirnovec group (pyrotechnics, Ethno Farm, Fun Park Biograd) and success indicators such as new jobs, export growth and overall economic impact.

• Milica Bogdanović, PhD, Foreign-Language Lecturer – “The Role of IIE Samobor in the Local Ecosystem” – Dr Bogdanović highlighted training programmes run by the International Institute of Entrepreneurship and presented family brands like Filipec Bermet and the patisserie “U prolazu,” stressing the link between tradition and innovation.

• Associate Professor Mirjana Milijević, PhD – “Infrastructure for Student Incubators and Successful Samobor Enterprises” – Prof. Milijević covered several facets: from the Business Incubator at the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Forestry & Wood Technology to Blachere Illumination – Gospodarisvjetla. She illustrated how physical and digital infrastructure accelerate start-ups and the circular economy, and how local entrepreneurs thrive through links with global firms.

• Full Professor Saša Petković, PhD – “Training in Samobor and the USE IPM Session at the 2025 BEE Conference” – Prof. Petković summarised Prof. Marko Kolaković’s workshop on launching a university incubator and presented the conclusions of the dedicated USE IPM session at BEE 2025 in Dubrovnik.

• Milica Marić, MA, Senior Teaching Assistant – “BEE 2025 Conference: Key Take-aways” – Ms Marić reported the main messages from keynote speakers and the USE IPM team’s results at BEE 2025—among them, AI in entrepreneurship education, the importance of international partnerships, and additional needs of student entrepreneurs.

Why it matters?

These lessons feed directly into the design of the student incubator model, that will be established at universities in the region as a part USE IPM project.