“It was a top-tier experience that turned our initial small idea into a serious and potentially profitable project.” – Luka Lišnjić (Use My Car)
Organized by the Split-Dalmatia County and the county technology hub Digitalna Dalmacija, in partnership with the innovation agency Smion, a new season of the pre-acceleration program STARTit Startup Academy has been successfully completed. For the fifth year in a row, this structured educational program brought together teams from across the county who are developing early-stage ideas with the goal of validating problems, testing solutions, and building sustainable business models.
From Idea to Pitch
Over ten weeks, teams progressed through clearly structured development phases—from problem definition to business model testing. The program is based on the Startup Drill methodology, with mentorship delivered through a combination of individual and group sessions.
“This was an excellent experience—we learned a lot, and the progress has been huge. We now have a completely different perspective on product development compared to before the academy. Kudos to Smion and Digitalna Dalmacija! I’m truly impressed by the knowledge we gained. We can now continue developing our idea more clearly and effectively and build a real solution.” – Ivan Samardžić (Finito)
Workshops covered key startup development steps: market research, user identification, MVP creation, and pitch deck structuring. In parallel, teams participated in Speed Mentoring sessions, online training workshops, and two Get Together events featuring guest speakers.
At one Get Together event of the 5th generation, Zlatko Kovačić, founder of DotYourSpot and runner-up of the 2nd generation of the STARTit Academy, joined as a guest. Drawing from personal experience, Zlatko shared how the academy supported him in the early stages of his project and helped shape his entrepreneurial mindset. He emphasized the importance of a structured approach, rapid idea testing, and openness to feedback—principles he continues to apply in growing his company. After the inspiring talk, Zlatko listened to short team pitches, asked questions, and offered concrete advice for further development. Teams also had the opportunity for 1:1 conversations, exchanging experiences and receiving first-hand recommendations.
Another Get Together featured Zvonimir Sabljić, co-founder of the AI startup Pythagora, which enables web application development using natural language. Pythagora is a Croatian startup that participated in the prestigious Y Combinator program, secured a $4 million investment this spring, and announced the development of the “first true AI programmer,” positioning itself among the most successful Croatian startups.
After presenting the development journey of his product, Zvonimir listened to 60-second pitches from STARTit teams and provided precise, actionable feedback.
“This is an academy that broadened our horizons and changed how we think about business. We thought we had researched the market and the problem thoroughly, but once we got here, we realized that wasn’t even one percent of the real picture.” – Ivan Stepinac (ShowMe)
Unexpected Solutions, Local Needs
The program focused not only on idea development, but also on the real-world applicability of solutions to identified user problems. Among the teams, several standout initiatives emerged, including:
- Serenity – a functional mental health platform enabling anonymous online consultations with certified professionals. The project is already generating revenue and is developing a B2B model for companies seeking to provide mental health support to employees.
- Saint Thomas – software that allows citizens, architects, and investors to easily visualize construction possibilities on a specific plot of land. The project is already active and used in multiple cities, proving its value in urban planning.
- ShowMe – a solution that uses AI to translate sign language into speech and text during video calls, enabling inclusive communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing users and improving access to services previously difficult to reach.
Other notable solutions included a digital quiz assistant for hospitality venues, an app for youth financial literacy, and software for synchronized reading and listening to books. These innovations address real community challenges and demonstrate how technology can improve various aspects of everyday life.
You can learn more about all teams and their solutions in a dedicated blog: Meet the 14 STARTit Teams.
You can learn more about all teams and their solutions in a dedicated blog: Meet the 14 STARTit Teams.
Demo Day and Winners
The final Demo Day was held on May 8 at the Digitalna Dalmacija premises. Teams presented their pitches to an expert jury consisting of Vedran Blagus (FeelsGood Capital), Ante Dagelić (CEO of GetByBus), and Đulijano Nola (co-founder of CrnoJaje, GoHome, and other companies), who selected the top three:
- Serenity – anonymous psychological support platform
- Saint Thomas – urban planning tool
- ShowMe – AI sign language translator
This marked the close of the program’s fifth season, with participants demonstrating significant progress and readiness for the next entrepreneurial steps.
What Do Participants Say?
“The STARTit Academy was a great learning opportunity. We went through all stages of startup development—from market research to MVP creation and pitching. Most importantly, we developed an entrepreneurial mindset. I recommend it to anyone who wants to start their own project.” – Alen Bašić (QuizHub)
“A very pleasant and encouraging environment. I’m glad I applied and met wonderful people. Barbara and Izabela went above and beyond with their advice and excellent organization. I would especially praise Izabela for her emotional awareness—she encouraged every team member individually before and after the pitch, which is important because handling feedback isn’t always easy. I hope this project continues, as it is extremely useful and motivating. It’s crucial to give young people encouragement at the beginning of their professional journey.” – Andrijana Sučić (Beach Towel Renter)
“An excellent experience where we learned a lot thanks to the dedicated mentors from Smion and Digitalna Dalmacija, who were available for every question. The workspace and equipment at the Digitalna Dalmacija Tech Hub made task execution much easier. Special thanks to our mentor Miro and the Digitalna Dalmacija team for making the program not only educational but also fun.” – Luka Delić (Use My Car)
Get in touch
If you are considering developing your own entrepreneurial idea or organizing a similar program in your community, get in touch with us.
