Startup Academy

Do you have a business idea and want to develop it? Join us at the Startup Academy in Zagreb!

The program is exclusively open to high school students.

A Place to Learn, Create, and Try

Curious about how new businesses get started? Or have an idea and want to turn it into something real?

The Startup Academy is a 6-day hands-on program designed to help you explore the world of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re starting with a rough idea or no idea at all, you’ll learn the fundamentals of building a business — from testing if an idea is worth pursuing to learning how to pitch it with confidence.

You don’t need a team or a fully-formed concept to apply. Everyone joins individually and forms teams during the Academy.

Each day combines practical workshops, short lectures, collaborative group work, and Q&A sessions. You’ll learn how to shape an idea, understand potential customers, build a basic version of your product or service, and map out a plan for growth. You’ll also visit the ZICER Innovation Centre to see real startups in action.

At the end of the week, you’ll pitch your idea to a panel of experts and get feedback to help you move forward.

Whether you're just curious or ready to build something, the Startup Academy is a great place to start your entrepreneurial journey.

The Startup Academy is held in English language.

How to Apply?

You can apply simply by filling out the APPLICATION FORM

NOTE: Applications are open until June 20, 2025.

background

Program

  • 8:45 - 9:00 gathering with snacks and drinks
  • 9:00 - 9:15 introduction
  • 9:15 - 9:30 overall agenda
  • 9:30 - 10:15 lecture 1 [How to Spot Great Ideas]
  • 10:15 - 11:30 networking exercises
  • 11:30 - 12:15 lecture 2 [Idea Validation]
  • 12:15 - 13:00 lunch
  • 13:00 - 16:00 work (team-up, brainstorm ideas, choose the idea, market research)

  • 8:45 - 9:00 gathering with snacks and drinks
  • 9:00 - 10:00 lecture 3 [MVP]
  • 10:00 - 11:00 lecture 4 [Marketing]
  • 11:00 - 12:30 work (target persona, customer research, redefining the idea based on feedback)
  • 12:30 - 13:30 lunch
  • 13:30 - 14:00 walk to Zicer
  • 14:00 - 15:30 exploring the Zicer Innovation Center

  • 8:45 - 9:00 gathering with snacks and drinks
  • 9:00 - 12:30 work (MVP)
  • 12:30 - 13:30 lunch
  • 13:30 - 14:15 lecture 5 [Funding & Business Models]
  • 14:15 - 16:00 work (marketing strategy)

  • 8:45 - 9:00 gathering with snacks and drinks
  • 9:00 - 9:45 lecture 6 [Finances]
  • 9:45 - 12:30 work (funding type, initial investment, business model, finances)
  • 12:30 - 13:15 lunch
  • 13:15 - 14:00 lecture 7 [Pitching]
  • 14:00 - 16:00 work (pitch presentation)

  • 8:45 - 9:00 gathering with snacks and drinks
  • 9:00 - 10:00 work (pitch presentation)
  • 10:00 -11:00 pitch rehearsal 1
  • 11:00 - 12:00 startup guest lecture 1
  • 12:00 - 13:00 lunch
  • 13:00 - 16:00 Playing Lean board game

  • 10:45 - 11:00 gathering with snacks and drinks
  • 11:00 - 12:00 startup guest lecture 2
  • 12:00 - 12:45 pitch rehearsal 2
  • 12:45 - 13:00 break
  • 13:00 - 14:30 pitching session in front of the jury
  • 14:30 - 16:00 closing ceremony & networking

About Start-up Academy

The Startup Academy is organized by - students!

The uniqueness of this program lies in the fact that our students have conceived the entire project, from lecturers, and logistics, to this text on the website. Antonia Kurtović, RIT Croatia student with experience in this field, plays a key role in this project. Antonia has been organizing the program for the past two years, along with working for an AI startup incubator, and now developing her own startup, Project01.

“I wanted to share my knowledge with young people who have ideas but may not know how to best turn them into real business projects. That’s why we are organizing a startup academy to bring the world of startups closer to young people and encourage them to try their hand at entrepreneurship.”