From our incubators a new phase of development of the Carpathia – Robotic System project is coming Harter Robotics for grinding and polishing vessels.
The latest version of the prototype was presented on 8 April and marks an important step in the development of technology towards actual application in the nautical sector.
Technical progress towards real world application
Compared to the previous version, the new prototype brings a number of improvements that significantly increase its functionality and adaptability to field work.
The robot is now:
30% lighter
30% smaller
more compact for use on mobile parts of vessels
These changes make it easier to operate and apply in real working conditions, which is an important step towards the commercialization of solutions.
Advanced sensory and further development of autonomy
One of the key developments is the integration of more advanced sensor systems.
New version of Carpathia robot includes six cameras, Thermal cameras and additional sensor components. This upgrade enables more precise monitoring of system operation, better monitoring of the environment and lays the foundations for the further development of autonomous functionalities.
The presentation of the new version marks the beginning of a new phase of development. The focus in the coming period will be on extensive use of robots, real-world testing, performance validation and further system improvement;. This phase is essential to prepare the technology for wider market application.
Innovation with international potential
The Carpathia project is being developed with the aim of automating demanding processes in nautical engineering, while increasing efficiency and safety in vessel processing and maintenance.
It is a solution that goes beyond the prototype level and is the basis for the development of future technologies in the field of marine robotics.
The project is co-financed by the European Union through the instrument NextGenerationEU, with the support of HAMAG-BICRO as part of the project Carpathia - Ship polishing robot This further confirms its development potential and relevance in the context of modern technological solutions in nautical engineering.
Business is often about ideas and opportunities. Less about the moments when entrepreneurship becomes the only viable choice. It was from this moment that the story of EROSI emerged, a construction company that is today building its way through continuous work, investment and gradual growth.
Between Multiple Jobs and One Decision
Behind EROSI stands Josipa Končar, an entrepreneur who, before starting her own business, worked simultaneously for several serious systems and performed various jobs.
She organised over-the-counter transports, participated in the purchase and export of logs to the international market, worked in the field of insurance and coordinated shipping. All this in parallel, at a time when her children were small, and family life required stability and presence.
In such circumstances, starting your own company was not a matter of ambition, but a decision to create a sustainable framework for work and family.
The only way out was to open my own company and build my own foundation for the family business.
The opportunity emerged through a concrete job that was not recognized as a priority by the employers at the time. For Joseph, that was the moment when he had to take the risk.
Start without certainty, but with a clear decision
The beginning for Joseph wasn't easy. She missed almost everything. Capital, equipment, security. What she did not lack, and was crucial, is knowledge, experience and willingness to take the job and do it responsibly.
I lacked everything except knowledge and courage.
This was not a decision made in ideal circumstances, but at a time when one had to choose between safety and one's own path. She chose a path that carries risk, but also control. She took her first job without support, without resources and without a safety net. And she did it successfully. That moment was a break. Not because everything was ready, but because she was ready.
In addition to financially affordable space, the incubator has provided what is crucial in the initial phase, stability and a professional business framework. A place where she could organize her work, but also meetings with investors and partners.
At the same time, the incubator opened space for connecting with other entrepreneurs and sharing experiences, which further contributed to the development of business.
Gradual growth and investment in capacities
Today, EROSI is active in the field of construction and earthworks, covering projects in construction and civil engineering, from preparatory works and excavations to the execution and organization of works on the construction site.
In their work, they combine precise manual interventions and the use of modern machinery, which allows them efficiency, but also quality control at every step of the project. They put special emphasis on planning, site safety and compliance with all administrative and technical requirements. In addition to classic construction works, they also develop specific projects, from infrastructure interventions to more technically demanding installations and solutions tailored to the needs of investors.
From the beginning until today, Josipa has continuously invested in equipment and development of operational capacities, and the team has grown to six employees.
I only work for my company that is progressing slowly, but surely.
Such an approach enables stable growth, with a focus on reliability, quality of performance and long-term customer relationships.
A message to those who are thinking about their own business
Josipa's experience shows that entrepreneurship does not always start from ideal conditions.
Believe in yourself and don't be afraid. Anything is possible if you have a plan.
In the end, Josipa's story is not about ideal beginnings, but about the decision to move despite everything that is missing. Not from safety, but from the need to take matters into their own hands.
And that is why today it is not about coincidences, but about work, responsibility and everyday decisions that build it further, step by step.
Business is often about growth, investment and the market. Less about people who otherwise find it difficult to find their place in the labour market. This is where the story of the SEC Lab, a social enterprise founded in 2023 with the aim of creating quality and sustainable work opportunities for people with disabilities, begins.
DIP lab d.o.o. was created as a logical continuation of the long-term work of the association Research and Support Society (DIP), which has been conducting work-occupational programmes, rehabilitation and professional support for persons with disabilities for more than ten years. Today, five people with disabilities work in the DIP lab with the support of two work assistants, and activities include cleaning of residential and business premises, landscaping and maintenance of gardens, packaging, sorting and finishing products.
But what makes the DIP lab special is the way it was created.
They started with people, not a business idea.
Setting up a business was not a quick decision. Unlike the classic ‘first idea and then search for workers’ model, the DIP lab went the other way.
We didn't start with the idea, so we were looking for workers. We started with people and their abilities.
Long-term monitoring of DIP users showed what their working abilities are, how much they can work and under what conditions they achieve the best results. Monitoring has shown, for example, that for most of the optimal working hours are around four hours a day.
If the optimal working time is four hours, then we need to develop jobs that can support this.
Thus, the business model arose from the real capabilities of employees. Instead of adapting people to the market, the DIP lab looked for market activities that could be adapted to people.
Challenges: space, processes and production
The beginning required a lot of planning, adaptation and patience. Work processes had to be clearly structured, safe and tailored to each employee, while at the same time being market-sustainable.
One of the biggest challenges was finding and arranging adequate space for the development of production. The aim was to establish a model of an integrative or protective workshop, a form of employment that allows continuous support to persons with disabilities in the production process.
For us, this was not just a technical requirement, but a step towards creating a place where people with disabilities would systematically participate in the entire work process.
In Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, there is still no such form of support in work, which is why DIP Lab is a leader in social entrepreneurship and the establishment of a sustainable business model.
In addition to infrastructure, they emphasize the importance of mentoring support and education. Workshops on business improvement, planning of further growth and development of new products were especially useful for them. Through education, they say, strengthen their capacities and ensure that production is of high quality, safe and sustainable.
For them, the incubator is the space of a positive socio-entrepreneurial environment. A real community. A place that allows you to connect with other entrepreneurs, experts and potential partners, making it easier to find new business opportunities and develop the market.
In the long term, this program provides us with the basis for strategic planning of production expansion, which creates additional jobs for people with disabilities and strengthens the sustainability of the entire business model.
Where are they today?
DIP Lab is currently investing significant resources in business expansion. They hired new work assistants and people with disabilities, developed a new visual identity and are preparing a web shop. They are especially proud of the production of scented candles and candlesticks that allow employees to work in a creative environment.
In 2026, they also expect to launch the production of the first “river” liquid hand and body wash gels and cleaning agents that do not harm the environment, in cooperation with the Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development of the University of Rijeka and the Jadran Galenski Laboratory, without whose support they say, this project would not be possible.
They are our mentors and we are our mentors. This synergy ensures sustainability.
DIP lab is also successfully operating in the system of replacement quotas through cooperation with business partners, which ensures stable business and opens up new employment opportunities.
Message to those who are just starting out
In the DIP lab, they point out that social entrepreneurship is not just a business venture.
Employing people with disabilities is not only a challenge for entrepreneurs. It's an opportunity for the community.
As they point out, it is a long-term investment that creates equal opportunities and benefits both society and business.
Entrepreneurship, they add, requires patience, good planning and willingness to learn. It is important to have a clear goal, but also enough flexibility to adapt to new challenges. It is equally important to have the support of the community, and such support often needs to be fought for.
Creating work opportunities for those who otherwise struggle to find them makes sense for both the community and business. Their experience shows that it is possible to develop a sustainable model that combines social responsibility and market sustainability, step by step.
Do you want to build your story with the support of an incubator?
There is no room for improvisation in construction. Every decision carries responsibility, and every project leaves a mark that lasts for years. It is from this understanding that Adriacon, a company that has gradually grown from professional supervision into a reliable partner for project design and management, emerged.
Stepping out of the safe framework
Adriacon was founded by Ervin Mohorovičić and Domagoj Mataija, civil engineers who, despite their secure professional positions, realized at one point that they had gained enough knowledge and experience to make an independent step forward.
Despite the safe positions in KLing, we believed that during nine years of work we gained enough knowledge and experience to make a step forward and take full responsibility for projects.
The beginning of Adriacon was not an escape from an existing job, but a conscious decision to do the job by one's own standards. Many years of experience in professional supervision gave them an insight into all phases of construction, from idea and design to realization in the field.
With a well-developed plan, they set out on their entrepreneurial story. In order to provide comprehensive and professional services in the field of construction, they formed a team of young experts focused on quality, reliability and professional approach to each project.
Incubator support as a stable base
An important step in the development was the entry into the Torpedo Business Incubator. The incubator provided Adriacon with office space for design and meetings, with basic equipment and low costs, which was crucial in order to be able to focus on the profession, projects and clients in the first months of operation.
The incubator's support was not limited to space and infrastructure. Through counselling and various workshops, they had the opportunity to further educate themselves on topics that are not necessarily part of the engineering profession, but are crucial for successful management of the company.
Consultations and workshops gave us a broader view of the business. They helped us balance ambition and reality and showed us how to make the most of available resources and opportunities.
This form of support enabled them to develop in parallel as professionals in construction and as entrepreneurs. The environment in the incubator offered them space to exchange experiences with other users, discuss challenges and learn from other people's examples.
Where is Adriacon today and where is it looking
Adriacon dans is building a stable position. Step by step, project by project.
There are no shortcuts in construction. Confidence is built project by project, and quality is not proven by words, but by performance.
They are recognized as a company that combines expertise, experience and responsibility. They have successfully implemented a number of projects of different sizes and purposes, from small operations to complex investments.
Listening to the needs of the market, with professional and financial supervision, Adriacon has intensively started to deal with project design and management, occupational safety and the development of energy performance certificates. In this way, they can offer their clients a complete service in one place. The emphasis is always on quality coordination while respecting legal regulations and deadlines and optimizing costs for investors. Clients' recommendations are their most important confirmation.
In the plans for the future, the focus remains on further developing services, strengthening the team and improving internal processes. The goal is not to change direction, but to strengthen it. Maintain the level of quality by which they are recognized and continue to build the trust that, as they themselves point out, is created in construction in the long term.
A message to those who are thinking about moving forward on their own
Ervin and Domagoj agree that the most important thing is to have a clear vision and believe in what you do. But at the same time be ready to learn from any situation and adapt.
Knowledge and experience are the foundation, but without the willingness to take responsibility, it is difficult to make a step forward. It is important to be patient, learn from each project and not rush to make decisions. Reputation is built for years and lost in the blink of an eye.
They also highlight the importance of a job-developing environment, support, advice and exchange of experiences with others who are on a similar path. As they conclude, success in construction does not come overnight, but is built gradually, project by project.
Do you want to build your story with the support of an incubator?
