DemoDay: Selected Best Startups of the 17th Generation of Algebra LAB

On Friday, the final presentation of the 17th generation of participants in the Algebra LAB startup incubator was held at the premises of Algebra Bernays University. This event marks the culmination of a multi-month program that provides young teams and novice entrepreneurs with expert support in developing technological solutions and business models, alongside mentorship from experienced industry professionals. It has been designed and implemented by experts from Algebra LAB, the innovation and research center of Algebra Bernays University, with the aim of strengthening the domestic innovation ecosystem and creating sustainable startup projects.

– Demo Day 2025 represents the peak of months of work and effort from our teams, but also a confirmation that the incubator model we nurture at Algebra LAB delivers concrete results. Each generation brings new ideas and energy, and we strive to provide them with structured support, access to experts, and connections with investors. We are particularly pleased that students can see firsthand what the development of a business idea looks like – from concept to market – as all of this happens in a space we share every day – said the head of Algebra LAB, Maja Brkljačić, before the participants presented fresh ideas and entrepreneurial projects.

In front of an audience and a professional jury, in the Spark Space of the Zagreb campus of Algebra Bernays University, eight teams presented their innovative solutions, and the awards went to the startups that demonstrated the highest level of elaboration and market potential. The award for Best Pitch went to the team MoveUs, while the recognition for Best Business Case was won by the startup VidentiQ, a smart application aimed at urban planners, entrepreneurs, and citizens.

The members of VidentiQ addressed a clear problem: cities still rely on outdated, expensive, and slow methods of data collection and analysis, which complicates the effective monitoring of citizens’ needs and timely development planning. VidentIQ offers a solution through an application that combines data and public participation, enabling multi-criteria analysis and visualization through so-called heatmaps. The message with which they concluded their presentation and impressed the jury was clear and optimistic: the future belongs to cities that know how to listen, learn, and make data-driven decisions.

MoveUs, awarded for the best business pitch, impressed the audience with an application that combines physical activity with social connectivity, aiming to promote healthier lifestyle habits. It is a digital solution that allows users to participate in team challenges based on movement. The concept of MoveUs is based on connecting people through common goals, thereby encouraging not only physical activity but also the development of social contacts.

During the presentation, emphasis was placed on the connection between physical health and social interaction as factors of longevity and satisfaction. The visual identity of the project, including animated characters and a simple interface, further contributed to the clarity of the presentation. They stated that they went through the process of idea validation, functionality testing, and business model development through the incubator program. Special focus was placed on developing user experience and market entry strategy.

Alongside the awarded teams, the final presentation of the 17th generation of the Algebra LAB startup incubator was marked by six other teams that presented diverse projects, each with its own approach to solving real problems. The startup kind.indeed is developing a social network dedicated to everyday kindness and good deeds – a platform that nurtures small gestures as a tool for creating a more optimistic digital community. The MyFITool startup presented a personalized fitness application based on the expertise of kinesiologists and supported by artificial intelligence, aimed at healthier, safer, and more sustainable exercise habits.

Education and family upbringing were also not left out, combined in the project HeroEnergy, an application that helps children develop a sense of responsibility, time management, and financial skills through tasks, challenges, and a reward system. LexPat is a startup that offers digital support to foreigners moving to Croatia – a unique place with practical information about administration, language, and everyday life. Trader addresses the growing community of individual investors, offering a safe space for exchanging knowledge, advice, and strategies, while Happy Place focuses on travel and digital storytelling, allowing users to turn their adventures into personalized photo books.

These teams, along with the award winners, underwent an intense multi-month process under the expert guidance of mentors designed to provide startups with structured support in product development, market testing, and business model refinement.

The jury consisted of prominent experts with extensive experience in the field of investments and entrepreneurship: Renata Brkić (Feelsgood Capital), Mihovil Barančić (Croatian Business Angels Network), Aleš Pustovrh (Fil Rouge Capital), Dražen Nikolić (Croatian National Bank), and Srđa Iveković (Vesna Deeptech Venture Fund). The diverse composition of the jury, which includes representatives from venture capital funds and institutional investments, ensured a balanced and thorough evaluation of the presented startups, focusing on the market potential, sustainability, and innovation of each solution.