Celebrating Innovation: Concluding the First High School Start-Up Education Journey

At the end of March this year, RIT Croatia hosted the first Start-up education for high school students on the Zagreb campus. The story started as a student idea. International Business student Antonia Kurtović, an experienced student startup entrepreneur, had an idea to create a conference, academy, and competition for high school students allowing them to visualize and produce their potential ideas. With the help of her colleagues, she created the first Start-up education event for high school students. The Start-up Conference marked the beginning, attracting about one hundred high schoolers who listened to student startups Arden, Analyzee, Arkensight, and Novela Medica share insights into their career beginnings, pitches, and entrepreneurial journeys.

The conference was followed by three workshops every Saturday in April. Curious participants who applied for the academy had the opportunity to learn about business development, finance, and marketing to turn their ideas into viable business projects.

By the end of April, RIT Croatia hosted the first Start-Up Competition where four high school students pitched their innovative business ideas. Petra Džakula won first place with her project „Can I get a bite?“, earning praise from the esteemed jury. She was awarded an RIT Croatia Entrepreneurial Rising Star scholarship and access to an educational platform of CroStartup.

Childhood experience is turning into a reality

Petra explained her winning idea is deeply personal, and something she grew up with. She began her culinary journey at a young age, and as she got better, her passion grew. The spark for her business idea was acquired during a conversation with her aunt where they discussed what the current market was offering. High school senior Petra believes that food has the power to evoke cherished memories and emotions. That is why she wanted to create desserts that may evoke nostalgia and joy. „In my experience, the dessert that people always resonate with on a personal level and would always remember is a chocolate brownie with berries“ she explained.

Winning the competition provided Petra with validation and momentum for her startup concept, and has given her knowledge in the business field. „I'm optimistic about the prospects of bringing my idea to life“, she said.

Don't be afraid to try something new

Both Petra and Antonia advised aspiring entrepreneurs to not be afraid to try. The first step to succeeding is experimenting, but the key is to stay persistent in the long run and not give up. From Petra's experience, she learned that passion is the driving force behind any project. For her, the most important part is to be inspired and familiar with what is on the market. For Antonia, organizing this event from scratch was a new and ambitious venture fueled by her determination, curiosity, and passion to create innovative opportunities for high school students. „(...) when you are organizing something you care about, there is additional pressure because you want to make it as best as you can.“, she emphasized.

Other young entrepreneurs had equally interesting pitches! Luka Matej Lukač presented his existing business Chilla, a dynamic platform where artists in collaboration with Chilla create pieces of artwork that they put on apparel. Chilla makes affordable and unique merch for people to buy a piece of art while also promoting the artist! Luka Matej was awarded a place in the BIRD Incubator pre-incubation program.

Two fifteen-year-old freshman high school students, Eliza Ljubić and Mia Pavlinić, ventured in the competition as well! Eliza's pitch was to produce comfy, cool, and fancy clothes for kids aged 2-8 called Bubbles. Mia's business idea was to create Esthetique, daily planners for productivity and reflection of your day. Both Eliza and Mia received the educational platform of CroStartup as their prize. All three finalists also received recognition for their outstanding contributions. Everyone showed incredible creativity and determination throughout this journey. Each of you is a winner, and we applaud your hard work and innovative spirit!

We want to thank all our faculty who were involved in the program from the conference to the competition: Dr. Jasminka Samardžija, Scott Coleman JD, Velebit Mirić MSc, and Dr. Nina Antičić, as well as student Matea Bajs who delivered a lecture on finance entrepreneurship.

We are incredibly proud of all of our students: Antonia Kurtović, Lorena Bačevina, Mia Katarina Borjanović McGuire, Swen Grgičević, Mariia Ivashko, Anabella Jung, Megi Karin, Isabell Repalust, and Mia Žepić, whose dedication and creativity were truly inspiring.

Thank you to Dr. Nina Antičić (RIT Croatia), Vid Zavalić (BIRD Incubator), Marijana Šarolić Robić (CRO STARTUP), Miro Hegedić (Smion) for being on a jury and evaluating the participants' work based on innovation, feasibility, entrepreneurial spirit, and social impact. 

Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time to organizing and bringing this event to life. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Start-up education again next year!