Recognizing the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in modern society and wishing to provide support to students and employees with entrepreneurial ideas, the University of Kragujevac established an Innovation Incubator in December 2023.

The purpose of the Innovation Incubator of the University of Kragujevac is to support entrepreneurial teams composed of students, researchers, and faculty from the University with a set of services to help them further develop and commercialize their innovations and business ideas that arise from creative thinking and research work, through the formation and development of newly established companies - startups and spin-offs. In this sense, the Innovation Incubator of the University of Kragujevac seeks to become a vital node in the network of knowledge and innovation, creating value that transcends academic boundaries and contributes to the development of the local economy and society in general.

The Innovation Incubator of the University of Kragujevac is open to all students, researchers, and young entrepreneurs with creative ideas and innovative projects they want to develop. Regardless of whether they are just starting their entrepreneurial journey or already have a startup, the Innovation Incubator of the University of Kragujevac provides a wide range of resources and services to support the development of innovative ideas and entrepreneurial projects, including:

1. Mentoring and counseling:

• Experienced mentors from various fields will work with entrepreneurial teams within the Innovation Incubator, providing them with expert support and guidance during the development and implementation of their innovative business ventures.
• Individual mentoring sessions and workshops to help entrepreneurs develop their skills and identify potential challenges on the path to success.

2. Workspace and access to technical resources:

• The incubator provides an inspiring and equipped workspace, including offices, meeting rooms, collaborative spaces for project work, and access to research laboratories within the University of Kragujevac.
• The Innovation Incubator can provide access to technical resources and equipment, including equipment and software tools available at the University of Kragujevac.

3. Financial support and connection with investors:

• The incubator supports entrepreneurial teams in accessing available sources of financing, including grants, subsidies, and investments.
• It assists in identifying potential investors and organizes meetings and presentations to establish connections with potential partners.

4. Training and education:

• Organization of various training sessions, seminars, courses, and workshops covering topics such as business model development, entrepreneurial skills, business planning, marketing, development of innovative products/services, financial management, intellectual property protection, etc.
• Providing access to online resources and literature for further learning.

5. Networking and connection with members of the startup ecosystem:

• The incubator enables entrepreneurs to connect with relevant stakeholders in the industry and academic community and with other entrepreneurs.
• Organizing events, conferences, and networking sessions to facilitate the exchange of experiences and business opportunities.

6. Marketing support:

• Providing expert support in marketing, branding, and business model development.
• Support in creating and implementing sales strategies.

7. Legal and administrative support:

• Consulting on laws, regulations, and administrative procedures related to the establishment and management of a business.
• Support in intellectual property protection and patents.

The establishment of the Innovation Incubator of the University of Kragujevac was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation within the "Program for the Establishment and Development of Innovation Incubators in Scientific-Research Organizations (NIO) in the Republic of Serbia".

Contact:

Innovation Incubator Coordinator
Nemanja Jovicic
inkubator@uni.kg.ac.rs