The Zagreb Entrepreneurship Incubator has officially started operations at two locations in Zagreb: Remetinečka cesta, where ZIP.Factory is located, and Zvonimirova street, where ZIP.Events is situated.
In the first phase, eight teams are developing their ideas in the ‘factory’. ZIP has provided them with space, heating, and fast internet access for the first three months. The use of ZIP’s space is free for the first three months, after which the fee will be symbolic, approximately 200 kuna per team.
– We provide all the conditions for the first three months, but after that, we will hold a demo day for all teams. For those we assess as having no future, we will thank them. Those who show potential will continue to use our spaces. We hope that six months will be enough for them to get on their feet and be able to work independently, emphasized Saša Cvetojević, one of the founders of ZIP and one of the most active Croatian angel investors.
Although it is difficult to predict the success of startup companies, expectations at ZIP are high. The global average is that 10 percent of such companies succeed, which would mean that two of these eight companies could achieve great success. The startups participating in ZIP are Fieldpod, Content KOD, BackWay, Indoor Vision, Publiconn, Mash.me, Šminkerica, and 2D.
– We do not like to talk about numbers, but I believe that the companies working with us will have a greater chance of success because we offer excellent mentorship as well as very good working conditions. It is hard to predict, but I believe that this project will increase the likelihood of success, stated Ivo Špigel, co-founder of ZIP.
Failure and withdrawal from a project should not be considered a failure, is the message from the leaders of ZIP. They highlighted the example of the Finnish company Rovio, known for the game Angry Birds. They had 50 unsuccessful projects before the ‘angry birds’, but they did not give up.
– We know that not all our projects will succeed, but teams that experience this should not consider it the end for their project. They can adapt it, change something in it, and succeed. Failure is not the worst thing in the world, believes Cvetojević.
Support for ZIP has also come from British Ambassador David Arthur Slinn, whose embassy organized a visit to London’s Tech City for 10 Croatian startups.
– I congratulate you on the organization of ZIP, and I believe this is a very good project. Regarding the trip to Tech City, we initially thought that a couple of startups would go, and in the end, 28 people are going. Croatia has great potential, and it would be a shame not to utilize it, believes Slinn.
Support for this project has also been provided by the University of Zagreb and the Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports.
