The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, has opened its newest hub in Croatia. By bringing together regional actors, innovators and partners with Europe's largest innovation ecosystem, the new EIT Community Hub will strengthen cooperation between leading business, education and research organisations and serve as a focal point for community-based innovators and entrepreneurs seeking to seize the opportunities offered by the EIT Community in the fields of education, business start-up and innovation.
So far, between 2021 and 2023, the EIT has channelled €12 million and supported 110 entrepreneurial projects and 2572 participants in EIT education and training activities in Croatia.
The EIT Community continues to support innovation in Croatia by opening its first joint EIT Community Hub in the country. The aim of this hub is to strengthen cooperation between leading business, education and research organizations, which will increase the competitiveness of the region and contribute to sustainable economic growth. The new hub is part of the ‘EIT Regional Innovation Scheme’ (EIT RIS) designed to reduce the persistent innovation divide in Europe.
So on Thursday, 6 March 2025, at the National and University Library in Zagreb and co-organised by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth Opening Conference EIT Community Hub Croatia, which brought together stakeholders of the Croatian innovation ecosystem, including startups, investors, academics and institutions that support innovation and sustainable economic growth. The aim of the conference was to present the initiatives of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), connect local and international innovators and encourage further cooperation in order to strengthen the Croatian innovation ecosystem.
The conference opened Miro Hegedić, EIT Community Officer for Croatia, with welcome speeches Ilaria Tagliavini, Head of the Innovation, Education and Communications Unit of the EIT; Davor Ivo Stier, Member of the European Parliament, who addressed by video message, Christ of Christ from the Head of the Political Team in the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia, and Amalije Babić, Head of Sector for Scientific System and Technological Development from the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia. All speakers highlighted the importance of the EIT initiatives in Croatia, which make it possible to connect entrepreneurs, researchers and institutions with the largest European innovation ecosystem. In his introductory speech, Miro Hegedić, moderator of the conference, emphasized the importance of Croatia's openness to innovation as a key factor for further development.
During the conference, through three panels and two successful stories created with the help of the EIT, the establishment of the innovation ecosystem of Croatia was discussed, with a special emphasis on Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) and its role in fostering start-ups and the digital and green transformations. The panellists agreed that cooperation between academic institutions, industry and government agencies is crucial and the EIT can help with this through its programmes and financial instruments.
Panellists also touched upon the topics of access to finance for Croatian startups, researchers and innovators through EU programs such as EIT and Horizon Europe. Using these programs can ease the way to the market, and one of the programs is safe and EIT Jumpstarter; 7-month pre-acceleration program for startups in the initial stages.
The conference included success stories of Croatian startups that have made progress with the help of the EIT. Manuela Panić the Startup Nades Design She shared her experience through EIT Jumpstarter i EIT Food EWA initiatives, pointing out that participation in these programs has helped its startup to commercialize products and expand to the market. Port of Petro from DOK-ING told his successful innovation story about the project NRE ElectRA, which has achieved significant success in cooperation with EIT RawMaterials.
The conference laid the foundations for the further development of the Croatian innovation ecosystem, highlighting the importance of cooperation between different stakeholders and the use of initiatives such as the EIT to strengthen competitiveness.
If you missed the conference, it is available. Recording of the event.
If you would like to learn more about what the EIT offers and how it can help you along your innovation or entrepreneurial path, please feel free to contact the EIT Community Hub at croatia@eitcommunity.eu or follow LinkedIn page EIT Community RIS Hub Croatia as well as website huba
Photo by:Fran Žinić
