STup!2022. took place - Split as a global epicenter of student entrepreneurship

Third edition of the international university startup competition - STup!2022 is over. University of Split’s Faculty of Economics hosted the competition of startup teams connected with their home universities, with live broadcast on a virtual platform.

42 startup teams participated, representing 21 universities from 16 countries around the world. In addition to the competition, eminent experts from the world of entrepreneurship gave 3 invited lectures and there was a panel on "Universities & Innovation" during the event.

At the grand opening, on behalf of organizers and partner institutions, assoc. prof. Vinko Muštra Ph.D., Faculty of Economics’ dean, prof. Leandra Vranješ Markić Ph.D., vice-rector for science and innovation, who spoke on behalf of University of Split and European University of the Sea (Sea-EU), Stipe Čogelja, Split-Dalmatia County deputy prefect, Ana Maretić, City of Split’s  Department of Economy and Crafts head and Mira Krneta, head of HBOR (Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development) Split office. addressed all those who were present.

First day finalists: Voicit (Spain), Barter (Poland), Origin (Spain), Evala (Croatia), Peasy (Croatia), PekoProduce (Canada), iReason (Macedonia), Metabelly (Croatia), Hagamos hogar (Spain) and Rueck Mal (Germany).

Second day winners:

• First place - Metabelly (Split, Croatia)

• Second place - RückMal (Stuttgart, Germany)

• Third place - Voicit (Malaga, Spain)

Infobip gave out special prizes consisting of their services, $20,000.00, $15,000.00 and $10,000.00 in startup loans to startups Peko Produce (Canada), Barter (Gdansk, Poland) and Origin (Malaga, Spain).

EIT Urban Mobility representative in Croatia (Invento Capital Partners) announced the winner in the "Mobility" category, who won the two-month prep program for EIT’s acceleration program that can lead to an investment of € 30,000 to the startup. Winner in the startup category is Peasy (Split, Croatia).

The news that Silicon Castles from Salzburg, strategic business accelerator, is opening a regional office with the aim of strengthening the regional startup scene confirms the quality work done by Split Faculty of Economics’ Student Business Incubator. This cooperation will significantly strengthen the local entrepreneurial community and create new opportunities for companies based in Split.