Innovation Center Banja Luka is a place where new ideas grow and where young entrepreneurs create jobs oriented towards the future.
This is confirmed by the story of entrepreneur Ivana Petković, whose work is focused on projects that include online advertising, analytics and digitalization of business. Ivana has six years of experience in the e-commerce world and has worked in markets in more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia and America. Projects he works on include customer psychography, market and competition analysis, digitization and Business Intelligence.
“In my six years of work experience in the media and IT, the biggest change came when I entered the world of data analytics. It was obvious that it was the right choice for me and from that moment my main goal was to improve through professional courses, training and mentorships as well as through work on specific projects. At one point, I felt it was the right time to turn my passion for this business into my startup and encourage others who have a desire to do this business. ” Ivana and her startup NeoAnalytica offer the following services on the market: (Big) Data Analytics (digital data analysis), Business Intelligence (business optimization based on data, market research and competition, development of custom software solutions), Advertising (paid advertising, web analytics, optimization), Consulting (digitization and optimization of business based on data, online campaign strategy, advertising in the EU and USA market).
In addition to financial support, participation in the EU4BUSINESS program for Ivana was of great importance:
“For someone who is starting their own business for the first time, many simple things can seem very complicated. I am very happy for the opportunity to meet great people who implement the EU4Business project at the Innovation Center in Banja Luka who provided me with mentoring support and helped me solve many doubts through workshops, share experiences with other participants and learn something new. I think that the realization of such projects means a lot, especially for a market like Bosnia and Herzegovina.“
Ivana’s story is one of many that testify to the results of the support of the European Union and the International Labor Organization in BiH. Stefan Jovanović, who completed his undergraduate studies in the field of geodesy at the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Banja Luka, and his master studies in Italy at the Politecnico di Milano University, where he earned the title of Master of Life Planning, confirms that these are future-oriented jobs. environment and geomatics.
He gained work experience through teaching and practical work in domestic companies, as well as in Italy during his studies where he worked as a geodetic engineer. Education, work experience, effort and work, led this young and ambitious entrepreneur to the idea of starting a company that will offer 3D modelling services and consulting services in the field of geographic information systems (GIS). Education, work experience and effort, led this young and ambitious entrepreneur to the idea of starting a company that will offer 3D modelling services and consulting services in the field of geographic information systems (GIS).
“Staying in master’s studies, learning new technologies and later scientific work gave me ideas, knowledge, skills and motivation to start my own business. I was looking for a company in Banja Luka where I could use my expertise. Since I did not manage to find an appropriate offer, I started working more intensively on the idea of starting my own business. I think that if we can’t find an adequate opportunity, we should try to create it. The field of GIS is expanding in recent years, so through the EU4Business project, I saw an opportunity to start as an independent entrepreneur in this area. “
Startup GEOVECTOR on the market offers digital models of terrain and facilities, databases with a clearly defined geographical determinant and educational services in the field of GIS. During the preparation of the business plan, researching the market, Stefan concluded that there is a market necessity for the services he plans to provide on the market in the upcoming years.
“The opportunity that to participate in the EU4BUSINESS project came at the right time because it represents a combination of education and opportunity for obtaining funds to start a business. My business idea received grant funds, after the business stabilization phase, I plan to expand my team, as well as the number of clients. “
Ivana and Stefan are recommending to all young people who have ideas that it is worth a try, especially if they have the opportunity to participate in programs that support the development of entrepreneurship.
The business ideas of Ivana Petković and Stefan Jovanović are financially and professionally supported through the project “Support for starting STARTUP in the field of ICT” that is implemented within the project EU4Busines – for a competitive and innovative domestic economy. To strengthen the BiH economy, EU4Business encourages the development of entrepreneurship, export-oriented sectors, tourism and agriculture, as well as rural development. EU4Business is worth € 16.1 million and is jointly funded by the European Union (€ 15 million) and the Federal Republic of Germany (€ 1.1 million). The project is being implemented jointly by GIZ, ILO and UNDP, from April 2018 to March 2022.
The project “Support for launching STARTUP in the field of IT” is implemented by the Local Partnership Banja Luka consisting of the City Development Agency Banja Luka, City of Banja Luka, Innovation Center Banja Luka – ICBL, Employment Bureau RS – Banja Luka Branch, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, companies “Blok Projekt” doo, “Ad Lab” sp, “Media Lab” doo, Telegroup doo and the Bit Alliance and Republika Srpska Business Women’s Club.
