— Events

Where the
ecosystem meets.

The Region
29. Jun 2022

The Region

The startup hub Digital Den, in collaboration with the U.S. State Department and under the Montenegrin Tech and Startup Bridge (MTSB) program, gathered the ministers of science and technological development, foreign affairs, representatives from the IT and business communities, the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica, as well as representatives and founders of regional accelerators who signed the accession document to the historic initiative, Balkan Ecosystem Startup Tree (BEST). BEST is a unique network of accelerators from the region with the goal of developing and implementing innovation and entrepreneurship. Darko Ivanović, co-founder of Digital Den Hub, addressed the audience first, thanking them for their energy and time, stating that Digital Den is working to create a wide network of collaboration."Digital Den is something we dreamed of, put on paper, and then, with the understanding and friendship of the State Department, good relations within the Montenegrin IT companies, and the U.S. government as an ally, we succeeded. Now we have a regional network of startup incubators, with Montenegro at its center," said Ivanović.He added that this is a historic moment since nothing of this magnitude had ever been done in Montenegro before. Nenad Novović, co-founder of Digital Den, said that this event continues the journey they started.“We should work together to overcome all challenges. Some steps have already been taken, but we hope that regional startups will expand globally. I encourage everyone to connect and cooperate,” Novović emphasized. Biljana Šćepanović, the Minister of Science and Technological Development, thanked the organizers for all the events they have been organizing."We already had one of these discussions, and this is the second one during this period. I believe we will only move forward and take new steps. We have the Law on Incentive Measures for Research and Innovation Development, but it wasn’t fully utilized. We now want to make changes to this law and push it forward. We are here for all initiatives,” the minister said, adding that they have already launched new steps for startups, and apart from the law, they have other documents that form the legal framework. Minister Šćepanović also highlighted the need for regional cooperation and that everyone should strive toward that.“We cannot survive alone in this world. It’s natural that we cooperate, and I am pleased that we are doing so. We are here to listen to you, our partners in Montenegro and the region. We are on the right track and can work together,” Šćepanović concluded. Foreign Minister Ranko Krivokapić said he was pleased to be part of this story and to support Digital Den’s activities that involve regional cooperation.“You are making Montenegro recognizable in the world. Small countries tend to be more modern, and your modernization and approach are a good example for all of us. New Montenegro is a new era, but based on tradition. We are a small country with an open mind for the future. We are more agile and can adapt more easily,” said Krivokapić. Humanitarian Hajriz Brčvak from Bijelo Polje said he was very pleased to be part of this story."In addition to Montenegro, we employ around 100 people in Bosnia and Herzegovina who handle administration. We have the knowledge, and we should use it in our country. This project is very important for the Western Balkans. We may not be able to execute something large in Europe, but we have the knowledge, and we can make it an export product,” Brčvak said. The panel discussion on the topic "Implementation of Innovations (Needs, Wishes, and Initiatives): Differences Between Wishlists and Reality" involved representatives from the U.S. Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Ministry of European Affairs, Innovation Fund, Montenegrin Diaspora Network/Good Network, Tehnopolis, ICT Cortex, Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, as well as representatives of Digital Den’s regional partners: Univerzum from Serbia, Foundation 787 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vigan Group from Albania, and the Comeunity Business Incubator from North Macedonia. Bojana Femić Radosavović, Executive Director of the Innovation Fund, said that their organization was registered in September last year, and that they have already achieved a lot for the innovation ecosystem.“We have close cooperation with the region, especially with the innovation funds in Serbia and North Macedonia. We are new, but we don’t see that as a problem, rather as an opportunity,” said Femić Radosavović. She added that there are many opportunities to work together and that we need to stay connected.“I think this is a good start for cooperative discussions between institutions, and we have many opportunities in the times ahead,” concluded Femić Radosavović. Aleksandar Janičić from the IT community said that this event is the result of the hard work of Digital Den in trying to connect the region.Janičić added that people with great ideas and new knowledge are needed.“We want to invite people to work and present their ideas. Great things are yet to come,” he said. CNN Japan founder and initiator of several successful startups, Kathryn McManus, said that she is very fond of the topic of innovation and was excited about this event."The connection that Digital Den has with the U.S. is fantastic. What’s very important is that when an organization decides to invest, it first invests in its team. Additionally, the support of journalists in what you do is crucial,” McManus said. During the second panel, the BEST memorandum (Balkan Entrepreneurial Startup Tree) was signed, bringing together regional partners into one network, establishing further steps, and clarifying goals for a better perspective of the regional startup community. The first signatories of the BEST network, alongside Digital Den as the initiator and central point of connection, are their regional partners: Comeunity Business Incubator from North Macedonia, Foundation 787 from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Univerzum from Serbia, Vigan Group from Albania, and ICT Cortex from Montenegro.

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Continents
29. Aug 2022

Continents

The third conference in the Digital Den Connects series, titled “Continents,” was held in collaboration with the U.S. State Department. Organized as part of the Montenegrin Tech and Startup Bridge (MTSB) program, the conference brought together experts from the U.S., Montenegro's business community, the U.S. State Department, the Montenegrin government, and guests from Sweden and Denmark. The main message conveyed was that the future of Montenegro's economy lies in the strength of small businesses with creative individuals, and international connections are crucial for fostering innovation. Darko Ivanović, the co-founder of Digital Den, stated that the event gathered the IT community, startups, innovators, and the broader community surrounding innovation. "Having representatives from all business sectors and countries, the U.S. ambassador, several ministers, business leaders, and our guests from the U.S. is the realization of a dream," said Ivanović. He emphasized that eight startups have relocated their operations to Montenegro, with plans to establish offices there. Additionally, seven more startups from the European Union have transitioned to operating from Montenegro. Judy Rising Reinke, the U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, expressed her pleasure in attending the event and highlighted the U.S.'s support for the MTSB project and Digital Den as partners. "One way to help Montenegro create a business environment and an economy that protects the environment is by supporting entrepreneurs, including startups," said Reinke. She added that international bridges are needed for innovation and that the future of Montenegro's economy lies in the strength of small businesses with creative people. Montenegro's Minister of Science and Technological Development, Biljana Šćepanović, thanked Digital Den for initiating this endeavor, noting that she attended the event as a minister who firmly believes in innovation. "We are gathered here today with people who believe in innovation, and it is from us that further steps should be taken, as innovation leads us to the future," Šćepanović said. She added that the seed that was planted in Montenegro is now flourishing and bridges are being built, emphasizing the need for mutual trust and cooperation. Nenad Novović, co-founder of Digital Den, highlighted that, alongside grants and the bridge that initiated the process, the newly introduced law recognizing startups as innovative enterprises and providing them with benefits has been crucial. "We have several concrete ideas that will be developed here, and we will present them in the U.S. in February. We want this industry to thrive and inspire people in Montenegro to pursue this path," said Novović. Aric H. Bopp, Executive Director of Economic Development at Arizona State University, praised the work and enthusiasm shown by Digital Den. "One key point I want to emphasize is the economy that is fighting in the 21st century. We must find ways to create opportunities for new job creation," Bopp said. He added that readiness for learning and acquiring knowledge is crucial. Bethany Bennick, Director of Corporate Development and International Engagement at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, expressed her delight at being in Montenegro, noting that Arizona is known for innovation. "Our strategy involves connecting different districts, and we are one of the fastest-growing regions," Bennick said, adding that their economy's further diversification is attracting talent. Kathryn McManus, founder of CNN Japan and co-founder of EducatioGlobal, stated that she saw the potential in Digital Den from the beginning, adding that both Digital Den and Montenegro have attracted significant media attention. Thomas Rainey, Executive Director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, expressed his admiration for the energy of the Digital Den team, adding that they look forward to future visits and collaboration. "We have a lot of resources, and we are focusing on making business plans," Rainey said. Michael Bevis, founder of Koolskinz and representative of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Denver, explained that his job is to develop the ecosystem to help companies grow in Denver. "The advice I would give to future investors in startups is that investors invest in individuals, not businesses," said Bevis. The goal of the event was to encourage dialogue and engagement in intercontinental networking at the highest level, with a particular focus on continuing to build the ecosystem between Montenegro and the U.S.

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Women Leading Innovation
27. Sep 2023

Women Leading Innovation

As part of this year's Science and Innovation Festival, we organized an event titled "Women Leading Innovation" from September 27th to 30th. Over the course of three days, the conference brought together women leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship from the region and abroad, with the goal of promoting the role of women in the startup ecosystem and innovative development. Panel discussions, workshops, and inspiring stories shared by women leading innovation provided valuable insights into the challenges and successes along the way. On the first day of the event, "Digital Den connects: Women Leading Innovation," Marijeta Barjaktarović Lanzardi, General Director for Innovation and Technological Development, and Valentina Radulović, Coordinator of the Innovation Task Force for ICT, led a panel discussion on the importance of innovation and the Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) for economic development and societal improvement. Valentina Radulović, co-founder of the startup Flourish, also conducted a workshop on the basics of innovation, the startup ecosystem, and digital business, inspiring all attendees. The second day of the event focused on the inspiring stories of successful women in the startup world. Our panelists—Tamara Čolić Milosavljević from the University of Belgrade, Arta Shehu Zaimi, founder of the startup Labbox from Kosovo, and Jelena Janković, founder of the startup 3hills from Montenegro—shared their experiences about the role of women in the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem. The final day of the event featured examples from the region and the United States. Our speakers from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, New York, and Arizona shared the challenges they faced, as well as the advice and strategies that helped them on their journey to success. Erna Šošević from the Best Network and Neda Trifunović from the Western Balkans Startup Alliance discussed regional examples, incentives, and networking opportunities. Kathryn McManus, founder of CNN Japan, spoke about the role of women as thought leaders, while Kelly Sandin, Associate Director at Arizona State University, discussed the perspectives and challenges women face in the global startup world. Through lectures, workshops, discussions, and panels, the program ensured that participants gained concrete knowledge and skills, as well as the opportunity to network with relevant professionals in the fields of innovation and technology.

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Investments
01. Jun 2022

Investments

Digital Den, in partnership with the U.S. State Department through the Montenegrin Tech and Startup Bridge (MTSB) program, organized the first “Digital Den Connects” conference on June 1st at Hotel CUE in Podgorica, focusing on investment opportunities. The event, titled Digital Den Connects: Investments, brought together representatives from the Government of Montenegro, the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica, local and regional startups, and key figures from the business and IT communities. The goal was to discuss the benefits of Montenegro's new law on research and innovation incentives for businesses and the broader economy. The primary aim of the event was to connect Montenegro’s largest business investors with innovative startup companies from the region. The session facilitated discussions on the law's advantages and addressed uncertainties regarding its implementation. Distinguished speakers opened the event by providing insights on the importance of investments in the startup community. U.S. Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke, Minister of Science and Technological Development Biljana Šćepanović, Minister of Finance Aleksandar Damjanović, and Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Goran Đurović all underscored the significance of the new law. In his opening remarks, Digital Den Hub’s founder and CEO, Darko Ivanović, emphasized that the law creates new opportunities and marks the beginning of a new industry in Montenegro. He also highlighted that Digital Den has successfully introduced Montenegrin and regional startups to U.S. investors and attracted American startup initiatives to the region. Nenad Novović, founder and director of “Amplitudo,” also spoke about the law’s benefits for the local economy and its key stakeholders. The first panel discussion, titled “How Startup Ecosystems Can be Strengthened Through the Implementation of Innovation Laws,” featured U.S. Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke, who reiterated that innovation and entrepreneurial ideas represent Montenegro’s future. She expressed optimism about the country's potential for job creation and youth retention, driven by new opportunities arising from the law’s implementation. Montenegro’s Minister of Science and Technological Development, Biljana Šćepanović, also lauded the law, noting that it offers a comprehensive set of incentive measures, including tax relief, which will play a pivotal role in developing the nation’s innovation ecosystem. Finance Minister Aleksandar Damjanović highlighted that the discussion should focus not only on the law but also on the broader context of Montenegro’s digital transformation. He emphasized the need for more experts and resources, encouraging collaboration between the government and startup community to drive forward this agenda. Economic Development and Tourism Minister Goran Đurović acknowledged the importance of raising awareness about the law, noting that increased collaboration with chambers of commerce and international partners will be key to maximizing its impact. Following the panel discussions, the event also showcased the first generation of startups emerging from Digital Den, which has positioned itself as a regional center for innovation and a hub for connecting key players in Montenegro’s economy to drive the development of a new industry. The second panel centered on the business community's role within the framework of the new law. Panelists included representatives from key institutions, the IT and business sectors, and startups. Among them, Aleksa Lukić, CEO of Erste Bank, emphasized the law's potential but noted that much will depend on its structure and implementation. Marko Miročević, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro, also spoke about the organization’s proactive role in supporting measures that attract investment and foster the ICT sector's growth, noting the importance of strong communication between the private and public sectors. Marijeta Barjaktarović Lanzardi, Director of the Directorate for Digital Economy and Technological Development, assured participants that the law’s implementation is progressing, while Minister Šćepanović stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure its full impact is realized. Representatives from ICT Cortex, the Innovation Fund, Tehnopolis, PwC, and EBRD invited startups to join in efforts to unite the startup and business communities in Montenegro. The MTSB program aims to connect the U.S. and Montenegrin startup ecosystems, providing Montenegro’s IT community with additional resources through the implementation of the law on research and innovation incentive measures.  Nenad Novović concluded the event by stressing the importance of adopting a Western approach to entrepreneurship and leveraging ideas from established startup ecosystems, suggesting that Montenegro can learn from these practices to enhance its local startup environment. The project is being implemented with the support of Digital Den’s partners: the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica.

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