Eureka International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

Eureka IIEC 2024 ZSEM is a prestigious national-level entrepreneurship competition held in Zagreb, supported by the local government, universities, and global innovation organizations. Co-hosted by the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM), Croatia’s leading business school, the event serves as a dynamic platform that brings together entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, investors, and policymakers from around the world, aiming to enrich Croatia’s technology innovation ecosystem.

On October 12, 2024, the Startup Day was held at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management, serving as an ideal preparation for students for the upcoming Eureka International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition. The focus of the event was on mentorship, providing participants with the opportunity to engage in full-day workshops and listen to inspiring lectures from experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

The event kicked off with an introductory speech by the dean of ZSEM, Dr. Mato Njavro, who encouraged students to seize the opportunities presented by the Eureka IIEC competition. His speech inspired participants to approach the upcoming challenges with enthusiasm.

Following that, attendees participated in mentorship workshops, where they received feedback on their startup projects from experienced mentors. Teams worked on developing their ideas, refining strategies, and learning how to present their projects more effectively. Mentorship was a crucial part of the day, allowing students to communicate directly with entrepreneurs and professionals from various sectors, gaining valuable advice to assist them in the competition ahead.

After that, participants had the opportunity to listen to an inspiring speech by Mate Knezović, the Chief Operating Officer of Agrivi, who shared his entrepreneurial journey. Mr. Knezović spoke about the challenges, failures, and successes that have shaped him, providing valuable lessons on perseverance and the importance of innovation in entrepreneurship.

One of the key parts of the day was the expert lectures. Matko Hrvatin, a business development specialist from Margin, delivered a presentation on “How to Deliver an Effective Pitch Presentation?” where he provided students with essential tips and tricks on how to convincingly present their ideas. His talk equipped students with the tools to create a successful pitch, which will be invaluable in the upcoming stages of the competition.

Startup Day was an exceptionally successful event, providing students with the opportunity to enhance their skills, gain new knowledge, and prepare for the Eureka IIEC. The event offered valuable support to students, allowing them to connect with mentors and experts while strengthening their entrepreneurial projects for the upcoming challenges.

We wish all participants the best of luck and success in their future preparations!