First-year students shine with business ideas in Business I course

On Friday, December 13, first-year Hospitality and Tourism Management students from the Business I course, taught by faculty member Milena Kužnin, presented their innovative business ideas to a panel of four expert judges. The judges included Zvonko Čuljat, RIT Croatia Alumnus, Founder of TERABOT; Petra Ljubišić, RIT Croatia Alumna, Founder of Marelas Creative Digital Agency; Kate Obradović, Co-owner of Barba Restaurant; and Elena Vračarić, Owner of Slatko kao cukar. This event showcased the students’ creativity, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit as they pitched solutions to real-world problems.

How the students prepared

Guided by Milena Kužnin, students followed a structured, hands-on learning process to bring their ideas to life:

• Idea Development: Teams brainstormed 10 ideas per week over 10 weeks, creating a portfolio of 100 potential business ideas.
• Research and Analysis: Each team selected two ideas for deeper exploration, conducting market research, SWOT analyses, and feasibility studies.
• Business Pitch Creation: Finally, teams chose one idea to refine into a comprehensive business pitch, incorporating feedback and honing their presentations.

Insights from the judges

The judging panel brought a wealth of expertise, offering insights that were both practical and inspiring. Petra Ljubišić emphasized the importance of a clear and practical idea that addresses real-world problems: “I was looking for well-thought-out concepts, with a strong understanding of the target audience and how the idea could succeed in the real world.” She encouraged students to follow their passions while being patient and persistent: “Start with something that genuinely excites you. Keep learning, listen to feedback, and trust your instincts. Success takes time, so don’t expect results overnight.”

Kate Obradović highlighted the value of originality and thorough research: “When launching a business, it’s vital to understand the market you’re entering. The originality of the concept and the quality of execution will determine how far it goes.” She also praised the students for their confidence during Q&A sessions: “I paid attention to how assured they were in answering questions. It showed how much they believed in their ideas and their preparation.”

Petra and Kate both noted how the students’ enthusiasm made the event memorable. As Petra put it, “Watching young entrepreneurs pitch their ideas gave me so much energy and reminded me why I love what I do. Their excitement and passion were infectious, and it made the judging process thoroughly enjoyable, even though it was challenging to choose a winner.”

The business ideas

The students’ pitches covered a range of industries and addressed diverse needs:

• Pilates Studio ABStract (Emma Markota, Sarah Coha, Nela Babac)
• Car Wash "Lapad" (Emilija Nikolić, Matija Koprivica, Stijepo Antunica, Orsat Martinović)
• Go Healthy Pop-Up Drink Station (Vuk Batričević, Pero Dedo, Tadija Klikovac, Vuk Žindović)
• Dubrovnik Accelerator (Teodora Ćirović, Sara Redžepagić, Daria Miroshnychenko, Vladimir Kobylianskii)
• Taverna GOT (Mia Bajurin, Mia Stijepčević, Petra Ljepopio, Petra Skurla)
• Perfume Vending Machine (Relja Vuković, Roko Sain, Mario Prce, Dominik Zovkić)
• Event Hall Rental (Anđela Belada, Elis Turkoglu, Sara Blažević)
• Catering Service (Mark Sinishtaj, Luka Savin, Franko Vlahović, Mauro Stanić)

The Pilates Studio ABStract team earned the highest points for their innovative concept, clear presentation, and passion.

This event was more than a showcase; it was a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and resilience. The students demonstrated not just their ability to generate ideas but also their determination to bring them to life. Guided by their professors and inspired by the judges’ insights, these young innovators are well-equipped to make a lasting impact in the business world.