Split once again hosting startup conference, this time with world experts.
Without much fanfare, as part of the Pioneers of the Balkans initiative, representatives from the best startups in the region have gathered in Split where for three days they have been mentored by experts from around the world. This startup competition is being held under the auspices of the World Bank and the European Commission, with an investment of 200,000 euros going to the winner. Over 600 ideas have entered the competition, of which about 200 have been selected for the second round. The pitching semi-finals will be held in Belgrade, while the finals will take place in Zagreb on December 3 and 4, reports Dalmatinski Portal on October 14, 2015.
The event in Split was organized by Codeanywhere, company known for the Shift Conference. The mentors have spend three days mentoring fifty “Pioneers of the Balkans” who had the opportunity to learn how to attract investment capital for their projects. Ana Paula Cusolito from the World Bank came to Split to check how the project is functioning in the first of the four cities in which people will learn how to turn ideas into products for the market. The award is not just 200,000 euros of investment capital, but also the opportunity to learn how to analyze business strategies, set goals, manage, target customers and potential partners.
“I am so glad that Codeanywhere helped to organize this event. We aim to ‘lift’ the whole region, either directly through our Shift Conference or indirectly by supporting initiatives such as this”, said Ivan Burazin, a founder of Codeanywhere.
During the selection process, the startups will have the opportunity to meet more than 100 representatives of venture capital funds, and among its partners are Speedinvest and J&T Ventures, which have provided the investment for the winner of the competition.
