Webinar Report: “Regional Startup Ecosystems – Current State and Development Directions” – Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and Montenegro
Date: January 23, 2025
Organizer: Local EURAXESS Startup Hub in University of Kragujevac within the project Horizon Europe ERA Talent – Call for Multiplying the Impact of EURAXESS Hubs
Speakers:
· Miloš Dimitrijević (Coordinator)
· Drago Gverić (Consultant)
Overview
The webinar focused on analyzing the current state and development directions of startup ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and Montenegro. It aimed to identify key players, trends, challenges, and opportunities in these ecosystems while considering strategies for growth and collaboration.
Miloš Dimitrijević opened the webinar, introducing its goals and the broader context within the Horizon Europe ERA Talent initiatives. Drago Gverić led the presentation and discussions as the primary speaker, providing in-depth insights into the ecosystems of BiH and Montenegro.
Key Insights from the Presentation
- Startup Landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
· Statistics: Low startup density, with approximately 16 startups per million inhabitants.
· Strengths: Significant potential in the ICT and software sectors; growing presence of innovation hubs and support organizations like ICBL and Mozaik Foundation.
· Challenges: Limited access to capital, weak innovation capacity, and a small domestic market for testing and scaling digital products.
· Opportunities: Development of science and technology parks, digital transformation, and increased collaboration with the diaspora.
2. Startup Landscape in Montenegro:
· Statistics: Over 761 active startups as of December 2023, with €78.1 million raised in total funding.
· Strengths: Favorable tax systems, access to EU funds, and supportive government initiatives like IEC Technopolis and IRF loans.
· Challenges: Brain drain, low entrepreneurial culture, and limited private investment in R&D.
· Opportunities: Expanding innovation centers, leveraging geographical advantages for market access, and fostering international collaborations.
Key Outcomes and Recommendations
1. Enhance Regional Cooperation: Strengthen ties between B&H and Montenegro through shared resources, joint platforms, and regional funds.
2. Foster Innovation and Education: Develop tailored programs to retain talent, encourage entrepreneurship, and support women in tech.
3. Promote Internationalization: Facilitate access to EU programs like Horizon Europe and COSME to support growth.
4. Expand Ecosystem Infrastructure: Build more coworking spaces, incubators, and science parks across smaller cities to foster local innovation.
Conclusion
The session concluded with a Q&A segment where participants shared their experiences and opinions on ecosystem development. The webinar underscored the potential for B&H and Montenegro to strengthen their startup ecosystems by addressing existing challenges and fostering collaboration.
This report summarizes the discussions and insights from the webinar. Follow-up activities and events are recommended to build on these findings and maintain momentum.
NOTE: Access to the webinar recording and presentation is restricted to registered members of mentoring program. If you are member and already have an account, please log in. If not, you can register to gain access.
