Fifteen new innovative student ideas were presented yesterday during the closing event of the ParkUP! student startup camp at the Science Technology Park Belgrade (July 11–16). The camp brought together over 90 students from across Serbia.
On the first day, students were divided into teams and faced challenges in five key areas, requiring them to define problems and develop solutions. Simulating the development of a startup, the teams—guided by interactive lectures, workshops, and experienced business development experts—developed their innovative ideas within three working days and a weekend. They then pitched their solutions to a professional jury during the program’s finale.
From innovative products in agriculture and urban gardening to apps designed to assist people with diabetes, VR glasses for detecting ophthalmological diseases, phishing defence solutions, and technological advancements in sports like basketball and golf, the students demonstrated remarkable creativity and a strong interest in innovation.
– ParkUP! was a unique experience for me. The most valuable aspect was meeting mentors and peers who share the same ambitions as I do and learning how to develop a startup. Most young people interested in this type of entrepreneurship don’t know where to start or what to do with their ideas, but during this program, we gained insights into the next steps: how to validate problems, research markets, identify competition, and whom to approach for help and mentorship. It’s invaluable. Participating in ParkUP! showed me there are no limits when you genuinely want something, and I’d recommend it to anyone interested in entrepreneurship. It could be the most productive six days of summer for a student – said Milena Đurić, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade.
The students received valuable feedback on their pitches from Miloš Perović, business angel and COO of New Strategy; Rade Rakočević, business angel and founder of Senzal Capital; and Jovana Vasić, Director of the Business Technology Incubator of Technical Faculties Belgrade (BITF).
ParkUP! is Serbia’s first student startup program to encourage young people to step into the startup world and gain knowledge and skills in technological entrepreneurship. Over 400 students from the University of Belgrade have participated in the program so far, and this year, for the first time, ParkUP! welcomed students from universities across Serbia, including those in Niš, Kragujevac, Zrenjanin, Novi Sad, Bor, and Užice.
This year’s ParkUP! was organized by the Science Technology Park Belgrade as part of the Program for the Promotion and Popularization of Innovation Activities of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, with the support of the Technopark Serbia 2 project.