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 STARTit Startup Academy 2025 has been launched. This ten-week program brings together 14 teams from across the county who are developing entrepreneurial ideas based on real problems and tangible market opportunities. The goal of the STARTit Academy is to equip teams with the knowledge and tools needed to build sustainable and scalable startups.
This year’s STARTit generation is particularly exciting, as it spans a wide range of sectors—from healthcare and education to tourism and artificial intelligence. The teams introduced below are developing solutions for everyday challenges, whether related to mental health, vehicle rentals, real estate digitalization, or pub quizzes.
A Green Alternative for Tourism
BEACH TOWEL RENTER, a startup from Split, aims to replace tourists’ one-time towel purchases with a smarter, more sustainable solution—towel rentals directly on the beach. The focus is on travelers with limited luggage space, with plans to test locations and operational models that could become a new standard along the Adriatic coast.
Synchronized Reading and Listening for Book Lovers
Booklovers is developing an application that enables users to read and listen to books simultaneously—anytime, anywhere. Instead of switching between multiple apps, users rely on a single system that uses AI voice narration, note-taking features, and delivers a fully immersive content experience.
An AI Lawyer for Innovators
ClaimScope is building a sophisticated AI tool that analyzes legal risks and the patentability of ideas. It is particularly useful for startups and R&D teams that want to quickly assess whether they can safely develop and commercialize new technologies—without months of legal consultations.
Gamifying Tourist Tours
CoverDis is an application that allows local enthusiasts to design and offer their own themed tours, while enabling tourists to discover them via an interactive map. Through gamification elements, users unlock new locations and stories, creating space for decentralized and sustainable tourism.
Early Diagnosis of Neurological Disorders in Children
Empathy uses AI to analyze videos of children and identify early signs of neurological deviations, such as autism. The system is based on technologies like Federated Learning and Edge AI, with the goal of supporting parents and professionals in early-stage medical decision-making.
Financial Literacy as a Game
Finito aims to bring personal finance closer to younger generations through an interactive platform. Through challenges, personalized lessons, and an AI assistant, users learn how to save, invest, and plan. Everything is designed as a game—with real-life outcomes.
A Digital Map of Croatian Land Parcels
Parcela addresses the chaos of land listings by creating a platform that visually, accurately, and up-to-date displays all available land parcels for sale. It is designed for agencies and investors seeking precise data and a high-quality user experience.
An AI Assistant for Quizzes
QuizHub digitizes pub quizzes, eliminating paper and enabling automated scoring. The system includes AI-based analysis of open-ended answers, question suggestions, and real-time result displays. It is particularly useful for hospitality venues looking to modernize their events.
Digital Urban Planning
Saint Thomas is a software solution that enables citizens, architects, and investors to easily visualize construction possibilities on a specific parcel. The project is already active and used in several cities, proving its practical value in spatial planning.
Psychological Support Without Barriers
Serenity is a functional mental health platform that enables anonymous online consultations with certified professionals. The project is already generating revenue and is developing a B2B model for companies that want to provide mental health support to their employees.
An AI Tool for Translating Sign Language into Speech and Text
ShowMe is developing a solution that uses AI to translate sign language into speech and text during video calls. The system opens new possibilities for inclusive communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and improves access to services that were previously difficult to reach.
Smart Email Marketing
SwiftReach is a SaaS tool that automates email campaigns using AI. It allows users to easily create personalized messages, segment audiences, and analyze performance—without requiring technical expertise.
A Travel Planning Platform
TripMind is developing a travel planning tool that saves users hours of research. Everything—from transportation and accommodation to activities—is integrated into a single platform, with dynamic adaptation to budget and preferences.
Local Mobility, Smartly Solved
Use My Car is developing a peer-to-peer car rental platform for areas where traditional rent-a-car services are not available—rural regions, islands, and smaller towns. The idea is to connect vehicle owners and travelers through a flexible and affordable rental model.
Organizers
The STARTit Startup Academy 2025 is organized by the Split-Dalmatia County and the county technology hub Digitalna Dalmacija, in partnership with the innovation agency Smion. The program aims to empower local entrepreneurs, test business ideas, and encourage the development of technological and sustainable solutions.
If you are also considering developing your own entrepreneurial idea or organizing a similar program, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
