Presentations held after the 7th secondment in Croatia by USK

On 7 November 2025, the Faculty of Economics – Skopje hosted a reflective and insightful dissemination event dedicated to sharing the experiences and learning outcomes from the USE IPM secondment in Zagreb and Samobor. The session brought together four presenters—Prof. Aleksandar Naumovski, Phd, Prof. Aleksandra Janeska-Iliev, Phd, Assist. Jasna Tonovska, Phd, and Assist. M.Sc. Todor Tocev—each offering a unique perspective on Croatia’s fast-evolving innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The speakers guided the audience through what they observed, discovered, and encountered on the ground rather than offering abstract summaries.

What emerged was a clear picture of how Croatia is turning entrepreneurship, research, and policy into a cohesive innovation engine—and how these lessons can spur comparable advancements in the region.

The event began with a dynamic presentation by Naumovski and Janeska-Iliev about Nuqleus, the deep-tech venture builder based at ICENT and FER (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing) at the University of Zagreb. They defined Nuqleus as a bridge, where scientific excellence is methodically translated into actual businesses, rather than just a program. The audience followed them as they explained why Nuqleus was initially required: Croatia had excellent universities and scientific research, but very inadequate systems for commercializing that knowledge. Industry found it difficult to access academic ideas, and researchers seldom became founders. Nuqleus was created specifically to bridge that gap. The model’s three-phase venture-building process—Validate, Build, Launch—was explained by the presenters, demonstrating how researchers progress from concept to market readiness. They gave examples of actual spin-offs that resulted from this system, such as advanced visual intelligence platforms, ozone-based agricultural systems, AI-enhanced safety technologies, and sustainable biotech solutions. Their explanation of Nuqleus’s governance—a scientific committee guaranteeing technological rigour and an investment committee guaranteeing market viability—was equally persuasive. They contended that this dual strategy is one of the reasons Nuqleus is successful in turning concepts into long-term businesses. The message that small nations can develop powerful innovation engines through organised, disciplined, and cooperative processes was the most noteworthy.

Tonovska and Tocev went on to change the narrative from one center on universities to one center on cities—ZICER, the Zagreb Innovation Centre. They vividly depicted a vibrant setting where engineers, mentors, startups, and students all live together with the common goal of creating high-tech solutions that are competitive on a global scale.

First, they described ZICER as an ecosystem rather than a building—an integrated set of programs ranging from early-idea pre-incubation to acceleration and market expansion. They spoke about how the City of Zagreb acts not as a distant policymaker but as an active supporter, enabling an environment where experimentation and entrepreneurial risk-taking are encouraged. The audience got a glimpse into distinct program pathways such as Startup Factory, Tech Transfer, and Global Growth—each designed for different maturity levels of a startup. Tonovska and Tocev illustrated how Croatian teams receive support through mentoring, prototype development, and exposure to global markets. One of the most impressive parts of their story was the ZICER Lab infrastructure—development centers equipped with EU-funded technology for 3D prototyping, electronics, environmental testing, IoT, and more. These labs, they explained, are heavily used not only by startups but also by universities and companies, turning ZICER into a shared innovation resource for the entire city. They concluded with real metrics: more than 120 teams supported, over 230 workshops, and a strong mentor network—demonstrating that ZICER’s model is not only inspirational but measurable and replicable.

Although each presentation highlighted a different institution, the combined narrative revealed a broader insight: Croatia’s innovation and entrepreneurial landscape is not built around isolated organizations—it is woven into the fabric of the community, local culture, and public institutions. The agenda of the secondment clearly demonstrated this interconnectedness which was shared by all the presenters as an additional aspect. From the very first days in Samobor, the team experienced how local identity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship coexist as part of the same ecosystem. The visit to the Samobor City Day celebration, the open-air exhibition of local products, and the Samobor craft fair showed that innovation in Croatia is grounded not only in high-tech labs but also in strong local traditions, micro-entrepreneurs, and heritage-based crafts. Visits to institutions such as the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts revealed how regulatory bodies and craft organizations support micro-businesses, artisans, and family firms, ensuring they remain a vital part of the innovation and economic fabric.

Across all these experiences, sustainability emerged as a consistent theme—from green technologies and digital transition to the preservation of traditional crafts and local products. The Macedonian team emphasized that these experiences are not only inspiring but also highly transferable. Many Western Balkan regions share similar cultural strengths and institutional challenges. With structured support, strong community identity, and targeted programs for researchers and entrepreneurs, these ecosystems can also evolve into dynamic hubs for sustainable entrepreneurship. Through their presentations, the team illustrated how Croatia’s approach—rooted in both high-tech development and strong local craftsmanship—provides a practical and adaptable model for shaping the next stages of the USE IPM project. Through their detailed and personal accounts, the four presenters not only conveyed what they learned during the secondment—they translated those experiences into actionable insights for shaping the next phase of the USE IPM project.