Some innovation and technology initiatives for Medjimurje.
Technology-Innovation Centre Međimurje (TICM) is an entrepreneurial centre and technology incubator which supports technology-based and innovative entrepreneurship. It was established in December 2011. At the beginning, TICM was a department within Regional Development Agency of Međimurje. The first phase of its activities included the renovation and furnishing of office spaces, building operational capacity, setting up a partner network and positioning at national, regional and international level, in addition to providing a range of services to target groups. TICM operates in two buildings which include modern office spaces and meeting rooms. Entrepreneurs can use a computer lab with sophisticated equipment and software as well.
One of the main goals is to help innovative companies which are able to use high-quality office spaces and common areas, equipped with all necessary infrastructure at extremely favourable costs. Services include advisory and mentoring assistance in the area of business management. Currently, there are 21 companies with about seventy employees working in the centre, with occupancy rate of 93 percent.
TICM is a part of the Knowledge Centre of the Međimurje County, which is being developed in the former barracks in Čakovec and includes a number of business support institutions which are key for development of the region. Such clustering of key elements necessary for the development of the knowledge-based economy leads to a number of synergies in the fields of education and entrepreneurship.
County Prefect Matija Posavec said that Međimurje is the locomotive of the Croatian economy. It makes just 2.5 percent of the Croatian economy, but represents as much as 4 percent of total Croatian exports and just 1.9 percent of imports. The local economy is traditionally export and foreign trade oriented. TICM is the most important project of Regional Development Agency of Međimurje. So far, it has made an important step forward towards the promotion of innovative entrepreneurship and technology infrastructure development.
