Five days of ideas, innovation, and entrepreneurship
Today, the five-day Startup Camp for students was officially opened at Vucje, organized by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics of the University of Montenegro. The camp brings together 17 students from the Faculty of Economics, Maritime Studies, Tourism and Hospitality, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Biotechnical Sciences, and Electrical Engineering of the University of Montenegro.
The camp is taking place from April 7 to 12 at the Vucje tourist complex in Niksic. During these five days, participants will have the opportunity to develop their innovative ideas with the support of experienced mentors through an intensive program that includes workshops, lectures, practical exercises, and teamwork.
At the official opening, attendees were addressed by Djordjije Malovic, Executive Director of IEC Tehnopolis, Prof. Dr. Zdenka Dragasevic, Vice Dean for Teaching at the Faculty of Economics, University of Montenegro, and Nemanja Vukovic, President of the Municipal Assembly of Niksic.
“Investing in young people means investing in the future of innovation, and Tehnopolis is proud to organize this initiative for the second year in a row in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics. It brings people together, creates new opportunities, and lays the foundations for sustainable development. Students need practice and experience, and the Startup Camp is an exceptional platform where they can apply theoretical knowledge in real-world conditions. Through such programs, they also develop teamwork, leadership, and innovative thinking skills,” said Malovic.
Prof. Dr. Zdenka Popovic emphasized the importance of connecting academia with the economy: “At the Faculty of Economics, we strive to foster a spirit of research, openness, and constant progress. We believe that students are not just passive recipients of knowledge, but drivers of change. This camp is an opportunity for them to prove it.”
The President of the Municipal Assembly of Niksic, Nemanja Vukovic, highlighted that Niksic remains committed to supporting young people and the development of innovative entrepreneurship: “I am glad to see so many young people eager to engage in innovation and develop their startups. I truly believe this is the future of Niksic and the future of Montenegro.”
Through the Startup Camp program, students will get to know the startup ecosystem in Montenegro and the process of developing business ideas, master the Lean Canvas methodology and the Design Thinking approach, explore funding sources, and learn how to pitch their ideas to investors. They will also develop concrete business models that address real-world problems.
In addition to the educational part, participants will enjoy extra activities such as hiking tours, movie nights, and evening gatherings. At the end of the camp, teams will present their ideas to an expert jury, and the best ones will be awarded.
