At the University of Montenegro Career Centre competition for the best startup idea by students of Montenegro’s oldest higher education institution, the first prize, out of 15 participating teams that submitted 18 project proposals, was awarded to the project entitled Smart Parking by Dražen Minić, a student at the UCG Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
The second prize went to ETF students Petar Drašković and Ismail Aljošević for the project RSO – Recycle, Collect and Win, while the third prize was awarded to the project proposal AD “SolarSeed” – Solar Agricultural Farm, submitted by UCG Faculty of Economics students Anđela Perazić and Abedin Orahovac. The prize fund of €5,500 was provided by UCG, CEDIS and PK CG, and this year, in cooperation with the French Embassy, a special prize was also awarded—a trip to Paris to the world’s largest startup campus.
Vladimir Ivanović, Head of the Operations Directorate at the Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System, was also a member of the committee that unanimously selected the best startup ideas. The awards were presented based on three main criteria: innovation, or the originality of the business idea; market and competition analysis; and the financial aspects and sustainability of the idea.
-As a member of the committee tasked with selecting the best startup ideas by University of Montenegro students, I was especially pleased to be part of this project, which enabled successful students not only to focus on acquiring knowledge through their examination requirements, but also to develop startup ideas to address challenges in their surroundings and venture boldly into the world of entrepreneurship.
It is not uncommon for those first professional experiences and recognition for creativity and sustainable ideas to shape a person’s future career and life, and prepare young academics for the labour market. That is why projects like this are important: they enable them to take that first step with care.
-I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the award-winning students, confident that the selected innovative project proposals are the result of hard work and a thorough, comprehensive analysis and development of the business ideas, said Ivanović, adding:
-I am particularly pleased that the Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System recognised the importance of the project and contributed to its implementation. Since its establishment, CEDIS, as a company that measures its success not only by its business results but also by what it does for the benefit of the community, has been socially responsible and actively involved in community life.
I am confident that in the coming period we will also have the opportunity to work with the University of Montenegro and its successful students on projects that bring immeasurable benefits to the advancement of entrepreneurship, energy and society as a whole.
UCG Rector, Prof. Dr Vladimir Božović, expressed special thanks to the partners and sponsors of this year’s competition—CEDIS, PK CG, the Embassy of France in Montenegro and the French Institute—which work with the University to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among students and support the implementation of project proposals, and without whose support the competition would not have been as successful.
-The competition represents students’ first step into the startup community, and UCG, as an academic and scientific community, is here to help and encourage them along the way. I am confident that we will continue to develop innovative and modern ideas that will make our students, our university and our partners stand out in the global startup community. Another benefit of this project is the connection between academia and business, enabling us to understand one another’s needs and strengthen cooperation, said Professor Božović, offering his sincere congratulations to the award-winning students.
-This competition for the best business ideas clearly demonstrates that entrepreneurial drive is present in Montenegro. An inclination towards business at your age is crucial to each of your successful business futures and, consequently, to the progress of Montenegro’s industry and economy. For years, PK has recognised the need to expand our economic and production base in directions characteristic of modern, developed societies. We were therefore pleased to agree to sponsor this competition, with the aim of keeping this field among your top priorities. Today, we see the combined strength of knowledge, youth and the opportunities available to us in business. I am therefore confident that Montenegro’s industry and economy will rely to a great extent on this winning direction, said Dr Nina Drakić, Acting President of PK CG.
The Ambassador of France to Montenegro, Christian Thimonier, expressed his satisfaction with the successful implementation of the competition and students’ interest in entrepreneurship.
-Innovation changes the world for the better and drives us, both as individuals and as a society, to learn and make progress. These projects can improve the lives of Montenegrin citizens and contribute to the community and the development of the economy; that is what makes them important. We should all support and help bring smart business ideas to fruition, said Thimonier, who is confident that the award-winning students will return from the startup campus in Paris satisfied and even more motivated.
