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.
The Incubator as a Space for Growth
Entering into Incubator for Torpedo manufacturing activities enabled the DIP lab space adapted to their needs for the further development of production.
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?
Contact us and find out how we can help you.
