Zagreb, Croatia, October 29, 2024 – The 7th Eureka International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition (Eureka IIEC 2024 Croatia) recently held its grand finale in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, marking the event's successful conclusion. Organized by Eureka TechIN, in partnership with the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM), this global competition brought together top innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in science and technology.
This prestigious event received strong support from Croatian governments, academia, and international innovation organizations. In the lead-up to the finals, Croatian media outlets, including HRT, RTL, OTV, and Mreza, highlighted key projects and preparations, drawing significant local interest.
Mr. George Georgiou, CEO of Eureka International Group, Mr. Davor Štern, former Croatian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Dr. Mato Njavro, Dean of the Zagreb School of Economics and Management, were interviewed by the media.
Prominent Guests and Opening Remarks: The opening ceremony was graced by notable figures, including Croatia’s former President Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, and Mr. Marko Erdeljac, head of Investment Promotion at the Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Diplomats from various countries attended as well, adding to the international significance of the event. Distinguished guests included H.E. Qi Qianjin, Ambassador of China to Croatia, H.E. Nakhla Kechacha, Ambassador of Algeria, Deputy Head of the Australian Embassy Anna Robens, and Sylvain Géranton, Head of the Economic Department at the French Embassy.
In the welcoming ceremony, Mr. George Georgiou, CEO of Eureka International Group, and Dr. Mato Njavro, Dean of ZSEM, extended gratitude to all participants and supporters. They emphasized the competition’s role in fostering new innovation opportunities for Croatia.
Mr. George Georgiou delivered a significant speech, expressing gratitude for the strong support shown toward the Eureka IIEC. He outlined the core business areas of Eureka International Group and underscored the mission of Eureka TechIN in the global innovation space: to foster the growth of emerging enterprises and SMEs through technological innovation and the strategic integration of international resources. Mr. Georgiou emphasized that Eureka IIEC serves not only as a platform for showcasing innovation but also as a critical venue for advancing global technology collaboration and resource sharing. He urged attendees to work together to bridge technology and business, aiming to achieve sustainable development goals.
Following this, Ms. Anna Robens, Deputy Head of the Australian Embassy, delivered an enthusiastic speech, highlighting Australia’s leading position in innovation and the value of cross-border platforms like Eureka IIEC in fostering global technology collaboration and resource sharing. She expressed hopes for strengthening partnerships between Australia, Croatia, and other nations in the global tech ecosystem.
Pitching and Judging: The competition kicked off with a full day of project pitches spanning fields like big data, AI, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology. Seventeen teams from countries including Australia, China, the USA, Croatia, Italy, and Kenya participated, with fierce competition particularly noted in big data and advanced manufacturing, where teams demonstrated both technical depth and significant commercial potential.
The judging panel, comprised of experts from diverse industries and countries, evaluated projects across critical dimensions such as innovation, market potential, and financial strategy.
Judging Panel members included：
Mr. Davor Štern, Former Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Croatia
Dr. Ruchong Ou, Senior Research Fellow at Monash University, Australia, and Chairman of Oculus Biomed
Mr. Boris Debić, Former Chief Historian at Google
Dr. Mato Njavro Dean of the Zagreb School of Economics and Management
Mr. Petar Šimić CEO of Primaco
Ms. Anita Mišković Founder of FIZIO VITA
Mr. Guillaume Rabhi, Chief Digital Officer of Agrivi
Mr. Borko Moric Milovanovic, CEO of Chagala Group
Mr. Davorin Štetner, President of CRANE Association
Prof. Andrej Novak, Professor of ZSEM
Ms. Marijana Oreb, Co-founder of Kardio Metabolički Centar
Mr. Zoran Barac, Managing Director of ZSEM
Prof. Mirna Koričan Lajtman, Professor of ZSEM
Their insights provided valuable feedback to participants, guiding future advancements in global innovation.
Celebrating Global Innovation: In recent years, Eureka International Group has been building a bridge for sustainable industry between Europe and Asia, and this year's competition introduced a special Environmental Innovation Contribution Award to recognize exceptional project in environmental technology.
Award Project:
Special Contribution and Excellence in Environmental Innovative Technology
CMOR: Utilizing bio-based synthetic leather materials, committed to sustainable development through eco-friendly production.
Awards Ceremony:
The competition offers three awards: the "Eureka Award for Excellence in Innovation and Entrepreneurship" (First Prize), the "Eureka Award for Acceleration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship" (Second Prize), and the "Eureka Award for Growth in Innovation and Entrepreneurship" (Third Prize), with prize money of €10,000, €5,000, and €2,500, respectively.
Award Projects:
Eureka Award for Excellence in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Arkensight:An AI-powered drone platform for agriculture and environmental monitoring, enabling smart management through multimodal data analysis.
Eureka Award for Acceleration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
1. NADES Design: A sustainable solvent for the chemical industry.2. Textiloop: A textile waste management platform focused on optimizing recycling for the fashion industry.
Eureka Award for Growth in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
1. Human iPSC Artificial Skin: Innovative artificial skin technology for healthcare and beauty industries.2. TINFE: A method that extends data accuracy tenfold in laboratories, reducing material and cost.3. Bionala: A biotech company transforming seafood waste into valuable bio-products, addressing global environmental needs.
Additionally, an "Award for Most Ambitious Goal" was also introduced to honor young entrepreneurs with bold visions and long-term goals, encouraging further progress in technological breakthroughs and business model innovation.
Award project:
Total Energy: Application of Halide Perovskite Materials in Solar Cells
Future Outlook: New Chapters in International Collaboration: Looking ahead, Eureka TechIN and ZSEM will deepen collaboration in fostering global innovation exchange. Eureka aims to build a robust platform connecting technology and capital worldwide, helping high-potential projects enter global markets. Participants will also have post-event opportunities to connect with international investors, scholars, and experts, fostering future collaborations that fuel global innovation.
Acknowledgments
We extend heartfelt thanks to the esteemed guests and supporters who played a vital role in making this event a success, including:
Ministry of Economy, Croatia Marko Erdeljac, Head of Investment Promotion Services
Zagreb School of Economics and Management Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Former President of Croatia, Special Advisor to the Dean, Independent Member of the International Olympic Committee
Embassy of the People's Republic of China H.E. Ambassador Qi Qianjin
Embassy of the People's Republic of China Du Heting, Science and Technology Counselor
Embassy of the People's Republic of China Xu Zhiquan, First Secretary for Education
Embassy of the French Republic Sylvain Géranton, Head of the Economic Department
Embassy of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria H.E. Ambassador Nakhla Kechacha
Embassy of Australia Anna Robens, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul
Embassy of Australia Dijana Grahovac, Consular and Public Diplomacy Officer
Embassy of Australia Dijana Padezanin, Political and Economic Research Officer
Croatian Chamber of Commerce Antun Trojnar, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, President of the Zagreb Chamber of Commerce
Zagreb School of Economics and Management Mato Njavro, Dean
Zagreb School of Economics and Management Đuro Njavro, President of the Board
Zagreb School of Economics and Management Zoran Barac, General Manager
Advisory Board, Zagreb School of Economics and Management Ivan Artuković, CEO of Franck
Advisory Board, Zagreb School of Economics and Management John Gasparac, Partner at PwC Croatia, Country Managing Partner, Regional Audit Leader
Advisory Board, Zagreb School of Economics and Management Marko Nožica, CEO of Aretis
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computing, and Information Technology (FERIT) Tomislav Matić, Dean
Faculty of Textile Technology Anica Hursa Šajatović, Dean
Podravka Nataša Mikuš Žigman, Director of Business Sustainability and Green Transformation
Zagreb University of Applied Sciences Lidija Tepeš Golubić, Vice Dean
China-Central Europe Business Association (CSEBA) Connie Li, Asia-Pacific President
China-Central Europe Business Association (CSEBA) Robert Perko, Project Manager
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