The countdown has begun – only 4 days left to apply for the CODES regional pre-acceleration program for startups!

Do you have an innovative idea or are you developing a startup? Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the CODES regional pre-acceleration program! Applications are open until February 13, 2025, and the program offers expert workshops, mentorship support, and networking opportunities.

The program begins with a bootcamp in Mostar

The program is designed for startups from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia that want to accelerate the development of their business idea and prepare for market entry. The first step of the program is a bootcamp in Mostar, where 24 teams (eight from each country) will participate. Over five days, participants will go through a series of educational workshops and work with mentors.

Download the detailed workshop schedule here.

Mentors and lecturers

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced startup mentors, investors, and expert lecturers from the region. Among them are:

Dajana Džindo, co-founder and executive director of the 787 Foundation, an expert in key entrepreneurial topics such as access to financing, pitching, and navigating the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Miron Lukač, operations director at Bloomteq, with extensive experience in coaching and advising startups. He is dedicated to supporting the local and regional startup ecosystem, aiming to improve innovation and foster business success.

Miro Hegedić, Ph.D., passionate about lean management and innovation. Co-founder of Smiona (formerly Lean Startup Croatia) and Startup Drilla, Miro focuses on individual and organizational development, helping create and execute successful ideas.

Muniz Karajbić, founder and executive director of KARMUS (consulting company), with rich experience in finance and strategic consulting. Throughout his career, he served as financial director in the tech and industrial sectors and now leads a consulting company specializing in strategic, financial, and operational advice. He actively participates in and supports startups in their development and financing.

Jelena Močević, founder of Scaling Empathy, an initiative dedicated to helping businesses and institutions grow sustainably by integrating artificial intelligence, operational excellence, and empathy. With over 15 years of experience in startups, intergovernmental organizations, and digital transformation, Jelena specializes in connecting technology and human interaction to create more resilient, people-focused businesses.

Bojan Lazić, an experienced mentor and entrepreneur from Sarajevo, with over 15 years in the global startup space. He has dedicated his career to helping founders grow and scale their companies. Having worked with Techstars, Google, and Norrsken, Bojan has mentored over 500 startups, providing them with key advice for success. He is an active angel investor and serves on the boards or advisory boards of several startups and scaleups.

What awaits you after the bootcamp?

After the bootcamp, the top four teams from each country will continue with a three-month pre-acceleration program, receiving intensive mentorship support. The final phase of the program offers a unique opportunity for the best startup team – participation in a six-month business idea validation and a chance to attend the PODIM conference in Slovenia, one of the leading startup conferences in the region.

How to apply?

Applications are open until February 13, 2025. Apply via the link: https://forms.office.com/e/5XDfjfKrxN

For startup teams outside of Mostar, the organizer will cover travel and accommodation expenses for one team member during the bootcamp.

The CODES project is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A IPA Program Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021-2027.