You have an idea for a new product, service or business model, but you are not sure if it is really an innovation and how to turn it into a concrete project?
These are the questions that education deals with. Development of innovation and opportunities for financing from EU funds, intended for entrepreneurs, but also for anyone who develops projects with innovation potential.
The aim of the training is to provide a better understanding of innovations and their application in business, tools for assessing and structuring innovation projects and an overview of concrete sources of funding and ways of applying.
What does innovation mean and how to turn an idea into a project?
In a business context, innovation is not just a "new idea", but a solution that brings concrete value to the market, users or organisation. During the training you will get a clear insight:
what constitutes innovation and what are its key dimensions;
the difference between different types of innovation according to their impact,
how to identify and describe the innovativeness of your own idea or project.
One of the key challenges for entrepreneurs is to turn the idea into a structured project. The training will cover:
how to assess the level of innovation and technology readiness (TRL);
how to define the objectives and expected impact of innovation;
what are the typical activities and costs of developing an innovation project,
how to assess the market potential and sustainability of an idea.
The aim is to provide a practical framework for the development of projects that have a realistic chance of funding.
EU funds and funding opportunities
Education provides an overview of current and announced innovation funding opportunities, including:
national EU tenders such as programmes to demonstrate an innovative concept, digital vouchers and strengthening the innovation capacity of companies;
specific initiatives such as STEP SPIN and the Smart Skills Development Programme;
opportunities for young researchers’ start-ups and spin-offs.
The aim is to get a clearer picture of which source of funding is best suited to the project depending on the stage of development.
Participation is free of charge and registrations are limited and accepted here.
The Rijeka Development Agency Porin provides professional support to entrepreneurs, institutions and organizations in the preparation, application and implementation of projects financed from EU funds and other sources of financing. Through counselling and mentoring, we aim to help you turn your idea into a project that has real market and financial potential.
In the space Sinergane, a new business incubator in Rijeka dedicated to creative technologies and IT industry, was held at the CroAI Legal Club – an expert panel discussion dedicated to one of the most pressing issues of European digital policy: the future of the regulatory framework for the technology sector and the possible changes brought about by the European Commission's proposal, the so-called Digital Omnibus.
We organized the event with Europe Direct Centre Rijeka i CroAI (Croatian AI Association) to open an expert debate on the impact of European digital regulation on the development of the technology sector, entrepreneurship and innovation.
On behalf of the organizers, he welcomed Emira Brkić Karninčić, Head of business incubators at the Rijeka Development Agency Porin, stressing the importance of the space of Sinergana as a meeting place for innovation, entrepreneurship and technological development. The participants were then addressed by the director of the Rijeka Development Agency Porin Nenad Antolović, Welcoming representatives of the European Commission, experts from industry, academia and the public sector gathered to discuss one of the key issues of European digital policy.
Introductory speech started Tomislav Nikočević, Member of the Management Board of CroAI, who spoke about the role of the association in the development of the Croatian AI ecosystem and the need to find a balance between protecting users and encouraging innovation.
Mayor of Rijeka Iva Rinčić emphasized the symbolism of the event in the space of Sinergana, recalling that it was a space of former industrial production in which innovations changed the world, expressing the expectation that new content in this space will continue Rijeka's industrial tradition of innovation.
For the first time in the history of the European Union, AI has been given a comprehensive regulatory framework. The question now arises – should and how this framework be adapted to keep Europe competitive in the global race without compromising the standards of privacy, security and human rights protection that we have built for years?’
On behalf of the European Commission, the participants were contacted Zrinka Ujević, Head European Commission Representations in Croatia, stressing that Europe is undergoing significant technological and economic transformation. According to the European Commission's analysis, the European Union faces a competitiveness challenge vis-à-vis global markets, making it one of the Union's key priorities to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy while preserving fundamental values, including the protection of citizens and their rights in the digital environment.
This event takes place at a time when the European Union is working intensively to adapt the regulatory framework, while encouraging the development of new technologies and preserving a high level of protection of citizens and their rights. The EU is undergoing a significant transformation, and fostering innovation is a key priority.
Introduction to the topic was given by a lawyer Filip Ožić, Presenting the context of European digital regulations, including the GDPR, AI regulation and cybersecurity rules. He referred in particular to possible changes in the definition of personal data and the issue of pseudonymisation, as well as to the need for a clearer and simpler regulatory framework that would be more understandable for both businesses and citizens.
The central part of the event was a panel discussion called "A new EU roadmap for the tech sector: smart reform or risky deregulation?’, moderated by a lawyer Vanda Štimac Uravić. Participated in the discussion Alex Buvač (Own.Solutions), Andrea Čović Vidović (Representation of the European Commission in Croatia), Stefan Martinić (CroAI), prof. dr. sc. Ivana Kunda (Faculty of Law, University of Rijeka) and Emira Brkić Karninčić (Rijeka Development Agency Porin).
Panellists discussed the possible impacts of the Digital Omnibus on the technology sector, including: simplifying the legislative framework and reducing the administrative burden for businesses. It was pointed out that the European Commission through the so-called Omnibus packages seeks to simplify existing legislation and increase its effectiveness, with estimates that such measures could bring significant savings to the economy.
The discussion also highlighted how regulation for tech companies does not necessarily represent an obstacle to development, but can open up space for new business models and innovative solutions. At the same time, participants pointed to the need for a clearer and more understandable legislative framework, as entrepreneurs and citizens often struggle to navigate increasingly complex rules.
Highlighted in particular the importance of education and strengthening digital and regulatory literacy to make it easier to understand European digital rules, but also to make them more effective in practice. In this context, the role of institutions active on the ground, such as Europe Direct Centres and entrepreneurial support institutions, in informing and connecting entrepreneurs with relevant European initiatives was also highlighted.
It was concluded that Europe is at a turning point in the development of the digital economy and that open dialogue between institutions, industry and academia is key to finding a balance between technology development, the competitiveness of the European economy and the protection of citizens in the digital environment.
Representatives of the European Commission during their stay in Rijeka the City of Rijeka, where they met with Mayor Iva Rinčić and Director Nenad Antolović in the City Salon. In addition to the Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, Zrinka Ujević, the meeting was attended by Andrea Čović Vidović, Deputy Head of the Representation and Head of the Media Team, and Dijana Kuzman Štaudinger, Coordinator for Partnerships and Networks. The topical policies and priorities of the European Union were discussed, as well as the activities that will be implemented in Rijeka through EUROPE DIRECT Rijeka.
The visit was also an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between the local community and the European institutions, especially in the context of the new mandate of EUROPE DIRECT Rijeka, which will continue to provide citizens with information on the policies and programmes of the European Union and organise events dedicated to the future of Europe.
On 4 March, from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., the CroAI Legal Club will be held in Sinergana (Ružićeva 39, Rijeka), an expert panel discussion dedicated to one of the most pressing issues of European digital policy: the future of the regulatory framework for the technology sector.
The focus of the event is the proposal of Fr. Digital Omnibus which European Commission suggests a possible relaxation of regulatory requirements in areas such as GDPR, AI Act, NIS2 Directive, DORA and Data Act. While part of the industry sees this initiative as an opportunity to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and administrative burden on business, others warn of the risk of weakening the protection of fundamental rights and security standards.
What is behind the new EU plan?
Will it bring smart reform or open up space for regulatory uncertainty?
How will it affect tech companies, entrepreneurs and public institutions?
These issues are discussed in the panel:
"A new EU roadmap for the tech sector: smart reform or risky deregulation?’
Panellists:
Alex Buvač, CEO@Own.Solutions
Andrea Čović Vidović, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia
Stefan Martinić, Member of the Supervisory Board of CroAI, LL.M., Harvard Law School
Prof. dr. sc. Ivana Kunda, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Law (PRAVRI)
Emira Brkić Karninčić, Head of Business Incubators, Rijeka Development Agency Porin
The moderator of the panel is Vanda Štimac Uravić.
An introduction to the panel will be given by a lawyer Filip Ožić, The European Commission's priorities closely related to the regulation of artificial intelligence will also be addressed. Zrinka Ujević, Head European Commission Representations in Croatia.
Event with EUROPE DIRECT Rijeka, we organize with CroAI (Croatian AI Association) CroAI is the leading Croatian association for artificial intelligence, which brings together more than 400 members from the business, academic and public sectors and actively contributes to the development of the AI ecosystem through education, public policy making and international cooperation. Through the initiative Legal Club, CroAI encourages expert dialogue on regulatory, legal and ethical aspects of the development and application of artificial intelligence.
The panel will be held in the space Sinergane, a modern centre dedicated to innovation, entrepreneurship and cooperation, which is the new hub of Rijeka’s start-up and technological ecosystem. Synergana's concept of connecting entrepreneurs, technology companies and development institutions provides an ideal environment for discussing the future of digital regulation in Europe.
You have a good product or service. Your clients are coming to you. However, some of them do not complete the purchase, do not return or remain dissatisfied even though you are doing everything right.
In practice, the problem is very often not in the offer, but in how the user Experience the way through your business. This is where it helps User Path Folder (Customer Journey Map).
What is a User Path Folder?
The User Path Map is a visual representation of all the steps that the user goes through in contact with your business, from the first knowledge for you to cooperation, use of the service and re-purchase.
It allows you to stop looking at the business only from your perspective and to clearly see how the user thinks, feels and decides at every step.
In other words, the folder answers the question “What does my business look like from my customer's shoes?’
What's being mapped?
When creating a user path map, four key things are considered:
1. Phases of the user's path
how the user hears about you for the first time
how to request information
How it makes a decision
how it uses your service
What happens after the end of the collaboration
2. Touchpoints
website
social networks
Email, phone call
offer, account, follow-up message
customer support
3. Expectations and emotions of users
what the user expects
which is obscure or confusing to him
where he feels safe and where he feels frustrated
4. Problems and Opportunities
where users give up
where they lose their trust
where there is an opportunity for improvement brought about by a concrete business result
Why is the user path map important and why do we make it at the workshop?
User Path Map helps you view your business From the perspective of the user and identify where you lose opportunities and where you can easily improve your experience and customer satisfaction. It often turns out that small changes in communication or process have a great impact on trust, loyalty and re-purchase.
The user path map is not a theoretical document, but working tool. That is why we make it at the workshop, with professional guidance and a structured process Klara Frančišković, Customer Experience Advisor helping self-employed, micro and small entrepreneurs identify values important for building a business and creating loyal customers.
At the workshop you will learn:
create a unique user journey that cannot be easily copied by your competitors;
integrate emotions into every step of your sales process,
identify the unspoken needs of the user,
establish a feedback system that turns criticism into growth opportunities.
The workshop is designed as a practical work, without complicated methodology and abstract theory. At the end of the workshop, you come out with a ready-made map of the user path and a clearer understanding of what you can improve in your business, immediately and without major investments.
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