RIT Croatia students awarded scholarships for ABC BootCamps
Students Antonia Kurtović, Leona Maslać, and Vitomir Pavičić have been awarded scholarships to participate in the ABC BootCamps summer program, an international entrepreneurship initiative that will take them to Silicon Valley and Toronto this summer. The program brings together young innovators from around the world, offering hands-on learning through workshops, mentorship, and visits to leading global companies.
Where technology meets everyday life: PCT Windows
Leona Maslać, a freshman Global Business Management student, earned her scholarship after pitching PCT Windows (Premium Customized Tint Windows), an innovative solution combining software product development and Liquid Crystal modulation (PDLC). Her concept allows windows to instantly switch between transparency and full privacy, reduce glare and heat, and even function as interactive screens, all controlled wirelessly.
Leona credits her academic foundation at RIT Croatia for helping her succeed in the selection process. “I prepared my pitch using the knowledge I gained during my first semester, combining creativity and what I learned in class,” she says. Her pitch earned her second place at the ABC Business Plan Competition in Silicon Valley, further confirming the strength of her idea.
Leona will participate in the Silicon Valley program from July 12 to July 25, where she looks forward to visiting companies such as Google, Oracle, and IBM, and learning directly from founders and industry professionals. “I hope to embrace an innovative mindset and gain insight into how the world’s top companies operate,” she adds. Looking ahead, Leona believes the program will “deepen my knowledge, develop new skills, and broaden my horizons by learning from the world’s leading companies and their founders.”
An AI workspace for founders: Project01
Global Business Management / International Business students Antonia Kurtović and Vitomir Pavičić were selected with their startup Project01, an AI-powered workspace designed to help early-stage founders build smarter and more efficiently. The platform serves as a centralized “control center” for startups, combining interactive roadmaps, real-time progress tracking, automated reporting, and instant feedback in one streamlined system.
A big part of the selection process at the bootcamp was about how they prepared and showed up as a team. “The first part of the selection process included writing a business plan, while the second part focused on pitching and answering questions about our startup and motivation to join the program,” they explain. By splitting responsibilities based on their strengths, they showed exactly what the program looks for: strong collaboration and the ability to communicate ideas with confidence.
Antonia and Vitomir will attend the program in Toronto from July 25 to August 1 and are excited about experiencing one of the world’s leading startup hubs. “We’re looking forward to visiting famous companies, such as LinkedIn, meeting people our age from around the world, exchanging ideas, and experiencing new cultures and perspectives,” they share. Through the program, they hope to deepen their understanding of the local startup ecosystem, refine their pitching skills, and further develop their business plan. “This experience will push us outside of our comfort zone and strengthen our founder skills through feedback from global experts.”
Why taking the chance matters
For Antonia, Vitomir, and Leona, this opportunity represents a chance to grow personally and professionally. As Antonia and Vitomir encourage fellow students, “Always give it a try. There are many opportunities out there, but they won’t wait for you.” Leona echoes this mindset, emphasizing that “hard work, knowledge, perseverance, and ambition can help you achieve anything you wish for.”
