By strengthening the startup ecosystem, Montenegro is building the foundations of a modern and sustainable economy. In an environment where young people are increasingly choosing to develop their ideas locally, programs like BoostMeUp are becoming a key meeting point for innovation, knowledge, and support. Among the institutions that have been building such an environment for years, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis stands out, while among the partners who share this vision is One, a modern telco company that has emerged as the driver of digital transformation in Montenegro. Ten teams have been selected as part of the BoostMeUp pre-acceleration program. Among them, three projects have the potential to change the energy, tourism, and cities of Montenegro.
When innovation preserves energy stability: SAMST
Project idea SATURDAY It arose from a real crisis – a massive power outage that hit several countries in the region in June 2024. At that moment, as he explains, Milan Maric from the company Lorasi, it became clear how much we lack a system that can provide an answer to the question of what is happening with the power grid in real time.
“That’s how SAMST was created – a project that uses sensors to monitor the condition of transmission line poles and the entire network,” says Marić.
Data is sent in real time to dispatch centers, which can then react in a timely manner and prevent major consequences.
Tehnopolis provided initial funding and mentoring support through BoostMeUp, and the team’s ambition goes further – towards a regional project. Montenegro is a major transit and export energy hub. To take a step towards the future, the system must be reliable and secure,” Marić points out.
“Our system also covers areas without a mobile signal. This is precisely the space where, together with the One network, we can enable coverage and functionality of the system even in the most demanding conditions.”
New paradigm of tourism: Ugosti.me
Ugosti.me has the ambition to change the way Montenegro is positioned on the digital tourism map. The platform, launched by a team from Bar, led by Vladimir Jovanović, is conceived as a local alternative to global tourism services.
“Ugosti.me wants to offer a systemic solution for tourism – safe, financially viable and fully compliant with laws, with a focus on sustainable development,” explains Jovanović.
The platform combines accommodation, local services, and experiences into a unique offering, with a strong reliance on AI technologies and modern financial services.
“Montenegro has gained a great opportunity by joining the SEPA region. By using digital money and new payment models, tourism services can be more accessible and cheaper, for both guests and hosts,” says Jovanović.
Jovanović describes BoostMeUp as a watershed moment. “The energy, mentors, and knowledge we gained are incalculable. BoostMeUp has reborn our organization,” he says.
“We have had the support of One from the very beginning of the project. This synergy between an infrastructure company and an innovative startup shows how to build best practices in the market.”
Smart cities start with smart traffic: TrafficSense
TrafficSense is focused on one of the biggest urban challenges – traffic. The solution being developed by the team, Amelе Muric It is based on IoT sensors and real-time data analysis, so that cities are governed by facts, not assumptions.
“Our idea would allow cities to identify bottlenecks and optimize scenarios, so that there is less congestion and pollution, and movement is more efficient,” explains Murić.
BoostMeUp enabled the team to turn a technical idea into a viable business model. “We see the program as a bridge between a good idea and the real market. Without that support, such a complex project would be much more difficult to develop,” she points out.
In this idea, the telco network is crucial. “They have infrastructure spread across the country, which is an ideal basis for expanding the IoT network. In this way, our project can be the first step towards smart cities and a better quality of life,” she concludes.
