Category: Events

Save the date: 18 December 2025 at 2 p.m.

8th edition of our traditional event Torpedo Days dedicated Reinterpretation of Rijeka's industrial heritage through technology, innovation and sustainability.

As a city that gained recognition thanks to a technological breakthrough such as Torpedo, Rijeka still bears a strong innovation identity only in new, modern forms. That is why this year's Torpedo Days 08 will connect the industrial past with the city's digital and green future.

The program will bring together representatives of Rijeka startups, technological and creative teams, experts for sustainable development, as well as institutions and projects that shape the development of Rijeka today. Through pitch session, lectures and panel discussions will present topics that are crucial for the future of the local innovation and urban ecosystem.

In three thematic units we will connect Rijeka's technological present with industrial heritage and future development directions. Representatives Own.Solution, Hartera Robotics, Medusa Technologies, Nomiea, Exevio, Croator, Eduza, Sinergana, Rijeka City Library, Rijeka Sport, City of Rijeka and EDIH Adria The project will talk about new innovation plants, the transformation of industrial spaces and cooperation between the community, entrepreneurs and the public sector in shaping the sustainable and digital future of Rijeka.

This year's Torpedo Days brings a special keynote guest expert from Italy. Mattia Malfatti from Fondazione Hub Innovazione Trentino will present an example of systematic development of the innovation ecosystem in Trento through a lecture: Trentino research and innovation system to support local development: an example of systematic approach in the 3DOP project with an emphasis on lessons that can also be useful for Rijeka.

• The application form is available here.

Programme

We look forward to your arrival and the joint continuation of the story of innovations that have been recorded in the DNA of Rijeka for more than a century.

The final conference of the project was held in the Hotel Bonavia in Rijeka on Friday, 21 November 2025. EDIH Adria - European Digital Innovation Hub for Adriatic Croatia, named Impact & Future: Digital transformation without pause.

The event brought together numerous stakeholders from the economy, academia, the public sector and the technology industry, who together marked three years of intensive work on strengthening digital capacities in Adriatic Croatia.

The conference was opened by the project manager, prof. dr. sc. Sasa Zelenika, with welcome speeches by Ljudevit Krpana, Head of the Regional Development, Infrastructure and Project Management Directorate of PGC and Aleksandar Saša Milaković, Deputy Mayor of Rijeka and virtual inclusion Project Officer, Alvara Hernanda Hernanda.

Three years of concrete digital impact

During the three years of implementation of the project, a significant contribution to the digital transformation was made. Key results were presented:

• done 300 organisations used the services of the EDIH Adria project,
• delivered around 750 specialized services,
• It took place more than 60 trainings with over 3,500 attendees,
• 71 organisations tested the technology through a service Test Before Invest.

Examples of good practice and the role of artificial intelligence

Prof. dr. sc. Danijela Jakšić presented concrete projects developed with the support of the EDIH Adria project, showing how artificial intelligence is applied in the optimization of business, services and resources.

Through these projects, Jakšić emphasized, it is shown that AI is already today a practical, applicable and cost-effective tool that is not a futuristic concept, but a real support to organizations.

EDIH Adria 2.0 - Continuing to support digital development

The new phase, which starts in 2026, brings a stronger focus on:

• artificial intelligence;
• cybersecurity;
• advanced digital services for industry and the public sector.

AI in practice – user experiences

A central part of the programme was a panel discussion on the use of AI in organisations. The panel was moderated by Martina Dodić (Infobip), with the participation of:

• Zorana Matić (CENOSCO)
• Albert Novak (CARNET)
• doc. dr. sc. Vladimir Mozetić (Policlinika Primari)
• dr. sc. Ugo Toić (OTRA & City of Cres)

Panellists described how they developed or improved AI solutions through collaboration with EDIH Adria, from decision support systems and predictive analytics to improving digital services for citizens and patients.

EDIH Adria Annual Awards 2025

At the ceremonial part of the conference, awards for digital excellence were presented to the users by prof. dr. sc. Saša Zelenika and dr. sc. Damir Medved.

Social impact:

• Francesca Gržinić (City of Opatija)
• Mario Rajn (Koprivnica-Križevci County)

SME sector:

• Dragan Sokolović (Smart Aqua)
• Zorana Matić (CENOSCO)

Local self-government units:

• Marin Gregorović (City of Cres)
• Sanja Cinkopan Korotaj (City of Pula Tourist Board)

Legacy that remains

Although the first phase of the project is coming to an end, the built capacities, knowledge and digital solutions remain at the disposal of organizations throughout Croatia.

With the start of a new cycle EDIH Adria 2.0, support for the digital transformation continues even stronger, with a clear focus on the use of artificial intelligence and the development of advanced solutions.

Innovation, creative solutions, brands and design have become key drivers for the growth of modern businesses.

That's why Intellectual Property (IP) becomes one of the most important resources of any entrepreneur, whether it is a start-up at an early stage of development or a company that is already developing its own products and services. Properly protected intellectual property can be a powerful tool for strengthening the market position, attracting investment, protecting innovation and long-term business sustainability.

In order to provide entrepreneurs with a clear understanding of this topic, in cooperation with the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (SIPO), we organise online education Recognition and protection of own intellectual property and its use in business. Education will take place online, 28 November 2025, starting at 2 p.m..

The training will be led by SIPO experts, central national institutions for the protection, registration and promotion of intellectual property according to the following program:

14:00 - 14:05
What is intellectual property, how does it arise, why and how is it protected? – Tanja Milović

14:05 – 14:20
Protection of a new technical solution – invention (Types of protection of inventions and conditions for their realization (basic characteristics of the patent and the utility model); What cannot be protected by a patent and exceptions to protection; Key steps and concepts in the process of patent protection of inventions) – Igor Bošnjaković

14:20-14:40
Protection of signs distinguishing between products and services on the market (What is a trade mark and what is its purpose; Types of trade marks with examples; Trade mark protection procedure from application to registration) – Marija Petrović

14:40 – 14:50
Protection of the new external shape and appearance of the product (What is industrial design; Procedure for the protection of industrial designs) – Marija Petrović

14:50-15:15
Protection of other types of intellectual property and their significance in business (Protection of copyright; Trade secret – When and how to protect business data from unauthorised access and use; Advantages of Protected IP in Business) - Tanja Milović

15:15-15:30
Questions and Answers

The training is intended for entrepreneurs, as well as anyone who wants to better understand how to protect their ideas and how intellectual property can play an important role in business.

Applications are mandatory and available here. After registration, participants will receive an e-mail confirmation and a link to follow the education.

We invite entrepreneurs at all stages of business development to take advantage of this opportunity and improve their knowledge of intellectual property as an important business resource.

We invite you to the event Entrepreneurs in dialogue – learning and growth through mentoring which will be held in Wednesday 3 December 2025 at 10 a.m. u RiHub.

Mentoring has become one of the key tools for the development of entrepreneurship. It connects generations, transfers experience and knowledge and helps new entrepreneurs avoid the most common mistakes, while bringing experienced professionals insight into new ideas and trends.

The event will talk about:

• how mentoring contributes to the growth of entrepreneurial ventures,
• what makes a good mentor and what a good mentored entrepreneur,
• and how participants can engage in SENTOR mentoring program.

The program includes short presentations, a panel discussion with experienced mentors and entrepreneurs, as well as socializing with a snack.

Participation is free, with mandatory registration until 1 December 2025 years here.

We invite beginner entrepreneurs, experienced managers and anyone who wants to learn through the experience of others to join us and be part of a dialogue that encourages development, growth and cooperation.