Zagreb Connect 2017: Press Conference to be held

This year, The City of Zagreb and the Croatian Business Angels Network – CRANE are jointly organizing the fourth startup Zagreb Connect conference which will be held on December 06, 2017 in the Congress Center at Zagreb Fair.

For the fourth year in a row, the Embassy of Israel in Croatia has shown support for the organizers, so at Zagreb Connect we will be hosting representatives of the Israeli startup community. Also, we will host Julie Meyer, the CEO of Ariadne Capital from USA and Vasja Veber, the founder of Viberate from Slovenia (a music ecosystem based on blockchain), as well as numerous other experts and distinguished guests who will share their experiences to the participants and talk about current start up trends. We are expecting over 500 investors, startups, reputable lecturers and visitors.

The Zagreb Connect conference, which name itself implies the connecting of stakeholders, has become an important business event in the City of Zagreb with a great public interest. This indicates the rising awareness on the importance of promoting the startup culture. I believe that this conference will accelerate the necessary changes in society needed to simplify our entrepreneurs’ work. Thanks to the numerous projects on fostering entrepreneurship development, Zagreb is becoming an important venue for innovation development and innovation based entrepreneurship, ” said Milan Bandić, the Mayor of Zagreb.

Also, a startup (pitch) competition will be held at the conference where fifteen startup teams will have the opportunity to present their projects to potential investors, while the best of them will be awarded with valuable prizes. Just like every year, before the conference itself they will have workshops (bootcamps) where they can perfect their presentation skills and learn how to present their own projects to investors with the help of top professionals and mentors.

“I am happy that together with our great partner City of Zagreb, we are continuously working on promoting entrepreneurship and improving the working conditions for startup entrepreneurs. Investments that took place after the last conference had lifted some of our entrepreneurs to the global scene, which is why I invite all startups to apply for the competition,” said Davorin Štetner, the President of Croatian Business Angels Network.

The main prize fund is 130.000,00HRK, but our sponsors and partners will also hand out other valuable prizes to startup beginners – i.e. the startup companies from Zagreb and neighbouring regions which will have a chance to learn how to improve their business ideas’ presentations and connect with potential partners, investors and business angels.

The conference aims to further develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem and create better working and business conditions for starting a company in Zagreb and nationwide.

This has already become a traditional gathering. You have recognized our country as a partner, which makes me happy because we are truly good at what we do. It is very important that your country also develops the startup scene and excel at it, “said Zina Kalay Kleitman, the Israeli Ambassador.

We invite all startup companies and individuals with good business projects to apply for the Zagreb Connect competition. All who are interested can apply on the webpage: zagrebconnect.zagreb.hr. until 1st of November, 2017.