Digital Innovation Incubator Opens Applications for New Student Projects

The intensive development of technologies and numerous tools powered by artificial intelligence has significantly increased productivity and efficiency in the daily work of employees and the operations of companies. In a predictable context where we know exactly what and how something should be done with a minimal number of unknowns, AI and many other tools will always be far more efficient and accurate than humans. The area where great value is created for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole, and where machines and AI tools still cannot compete with us, is the ability for creative creation and innovation – the creation of new and added value. Creative problem-solving is the currency of the future, but it needs to be continuously trained and developed to realize its full potential – from the earliest age.

To enable young people to engage creatively around topics that excite them, explore their possibilities, and discover their own interests, it is important to offer them a stimulating environment where they can freely express their ideas while having the opportunity for additional learning and developing their full creative potential.

One such place is the Digital Innovation Incubator powered by Hrvatski Telekom, where problems are creatively solved and innovative projects are developed, and where primary and secondary school students as well as students of any orientation can join for free. Through project-based learning, teamwork, and the development of new knowledge and skills, young people gain practical experiences that complement their formal education as well as personal growth.

– Participation in the Digital Innovation Incubator has contributed to the development of our students’ creativity in several ways. They have improved their strategic thinking through writing a business plan and setting goals, and to solve problems and challenges, they had to seek creative and innovative ways and approaches. Throughout the process, they were time-constrained and under positive stress, which contributed to their time management skills and balancing personal and business obligations. The entire process acquainted them with problem recognition skills and creativity, which they will be able to apply in the rest of their schooling and new business challenges – says Sanda Duk Pritišanac, a teacher at the Economic and Administrative School in Osijek and a double recipient of the ‘Mentor Innovator’ award.

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To ensure that participants are not left to fend for themselves, structured tasks and educational materials guide them through the development of their projects, helping them move from the initial idea to a final meaningful solution. Additionally, in the Incubator, they can learn firsthand how things work in practice and how to be creative and innovative in various fields and industries.

– The concept in which prominent experts and people from the entrepreneurial world address students by sharing their experiences and successful entrepreneurial stories is an excellent way to motivate young people to try their hand in the world of entrepreneurship – believes Boris Puljek, a teacher at Valpovo High School and mentor of the winning team of the first edition of the Incubator.

– In my opinion, the Digital Innovation Incubator appeared at the right time during the lockdown, when students significantly improved their digital competencies through online classes. In those circumstances, the Incubator provided students, via a digital platform, the opportunity to acquire competencies related to creating a business plan and starting their own business venture – adds Puljek.

A similar concept is expanding to the student level, where students, developing projects in industries that interest them, collaborate with leading companies in the region and contribute to a broader spectrum of innovations and intrapreneurial ventures. What participation in such initiatives means for its participants is revealed by last year’s overall winners of the Incubator, Ena Barbarić from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb and Luka Brajković from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb:

– Creativity certainly plays one of the key roles in an individual’s life. First of all, developing and using creativity has contributed to the development of an innovative solution that ultimately earned us the title of overall winner. If a person has great creativity and innovativeness, it will impact the creation of a competitive advantage, both professionally and privately. For example, developing creativity, which was only strengthened during and after the competition, has also contributed to concrete employment. As students, we are finding our first jobs, and in job interviews, employers often seek different solutions, innovation, creativity, as well as a perspective from a different angle. It is important not only for professional life but also for personal growth, fostering adaptability, resilience to uncertainty, and understanding the world around us.

The Digital Innovation Incubator powered by Hrvatski Telekom is not just a platform – it is a community where young people explore, collaborate, share ideas and knowledge, support each other, solve real problems, and develop skills that will be crucial for the challenges the future holds. Whether you are a student looking to take on new challenges or a visionary student, the Incubator provides a space where your ideas can achieve further progress and development.

For more information and applications, which are open until the end of March, visit the official website of the Incubator.

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