On June 4th, 2024, Vukica Maričić, head of the group for the national innovation system of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, visited the Faculty of Technical Sciences Čačak and the Faculty's Innovation Incubator. The aim of the visit was to present the activities realized so far and the achieved results of the Innovation Incubator work, as well as the activities that are carried out in cooperation with the formed startup teams that develop innovative ideas. Future activities were also presented, such as the development of new support programs for startups, the organization of workshops and training for the improvement of entrepreneurial skills, as well as networking opportunities with national and international innovation ecosystems.

Before the tour of the faculty and the premises of the Innovation Incubator, a meeting was held in the dean's office at the Faculty of Technical Sciences where the opportunities that the Ministry provides to the participants of the innovation ecosystem were discussed. Vukica Maričić highlighted the key guidelines for future work in the field of innovation development, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between educational institutions, the economy and state authorities. The ways of the Ministry support through financing innovation projects, providing expert support and mentoring, as well as promoting successful startups at the national and international level were also discussed. The next steps in the development of Innovation Incubators within scientific research organizations were agreed, including the formation of joint working teams to identify problems in the economy, the development of a strategy to attract investors for local startups and the organization of events to monitor progress and exchange best practices.

 

 

This visit to the Faculty of Technical Sciences Čačak and the Innovation Incubator is of a significant importance for the further development of the innovation ecosystem in the region. The Ministry's support of the work of the Innovation Incubator, which is planned to be continued in the following years, indicates a strong commitment to the improvement of innovation and entrepreneurship and provides a solid foundation for the incubator's future activities.