New Startup Ecosystem Development Strategy Expected by the End of the Year
The emergence of Serbia’s first unicorn has demonstrated the strength of the country’s innovation ecosystem, while also raising the question of how to translate that potential into a greater number of companies capable of succeeding in global markets. To fully leverage the development opportunities of this sector, the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, with expert support from NALED and the StarTech project, is preparing the Startup Ecosystem Development Strategy of Serbia through 2030, which is expected to be adopted by the end of the year.
The key directions of the document, presented today at the Forum of Advanced Technologies organized by the Science and Technology Park Niš, are based on five priorities: a more supportive environment for innovation, stronger support for startups, easier access to investment, the development of entrepreneurial skills, and greater global connectivity.
“The objectives of the new Strategy are focused on creating a supportive regulatory and business environment for startups, establishing a high-quality and integrated support system, increasing startups’ investment readiness and access to private capital, developing entrepreneurial knowledge and competencies, and strengthening connections between startups, science, industry, local stakeholders, and international markets, with the goal of building a competitive and internationally relevant startup ecosystem in Serbia,” explained Dušan Vasiljević, Director for Competitiveness and Investments at NALED.
He recalled that Serbia has made significant progress, with 352 registered startups today, four science and technology parks and a fifth currently being established, as well as an ecosystem valued at more than one billion dollars.
According to the experiences of founders, investors, and support organizations, the next phase of development requires more than the creation of new innovative companies. Among the key challenges remain access to foreign markets and the development of business skills necessary for global growth, which are also addressed by the priorities of the new Strategy.
“If we want to shift the domestic IT industry from a stronger focus on outsourced software development toward creating its own products, it is essential to build specialized solutions in areas such as healthcare and energy, while continuing to invest in the development of artificial intelligence, sensor technologies, and new materials. Through targeted collaboration between startups, research institutions, and domestic industry, we are opening up new markets and creating opportunities for innovations to be tested more quickly and, most importantly, put into practice,” emphasized Jelena Bojović, Program Director at NALED.
In addition to the Strategy, the Guide to Exporting to the North American Market, developed within NALED’s StarTech project, was also presented at the Forum of Advanced Technologies in Niš. The guide helps companies assess the most suitable market entry model, establish contacts with potential partners, and better understand the administrative and regulatory procedures related to exporting and doing business in North America.
As a reminder, the StarTech project is implemented by NALED in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with the support of Philip Morris, with the aim of accelerating economic growth and transforming the traditional economy into a digital, export-oriented economy based on knowledge and innovation.
