Mali Tehnopolis Samobor: Games, Drones Being Created in Ex Military Barracks

February the 26th, 2022 - In some former military barracks in the quaint and charming continental Croatian town of Samobor, not far from Zagreb, innovation is being born. From games and smart devices to drones, Mali Tehnopolis Samobor is putting itself firmly on the tech map.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Lucija Spiljak writes, in addition to always being a favourite place for dessert lovers, Samobor is increasingly attracting entrepreneurs who are developing successful companies in the blossoming Croatian ICT and gaming industry, as well as those in the air conditioning, automotive, construction, metal and manufacturing industries.

It was in Samobor, on the site of the former Taborec barracks, that Mali Tehnopolis Samobor was completed just two years ago, conceived as a regional centre for the management and dissemination of 3D technologies and innovations within Zagreb County.

The project, worth 21.6 million kuna, of which 90 percent is being co-financed by the European Union (EU), offers start-up owners in the development and growth phase continuous support in business through workshops, seminars and conferences, with additional spaces such as meeting rooms and conference rooms.

Although it was officially completed at the end of August 2020, it actually started operating in mid-June of the same year. At that time, equipment for 3D printing and 3D scanning was put into operation, and on July the 1st, they got their first "tenants".

The capacity of Mali Tehnopolis Samobor, managed by the Samobor Entrepreneurship Centre, is 19 spatial units, of which 16 are currently being used. A total of 1431 square metres of space houses 14 incubated companies whose range of activities is wide, but with the common denominator among them all being modern technology and innovation.

“Samobor has always followed the craft and entrepreneurial tradition, so it isn't surprising that the first business incubator in the town in a very short time was almost completely filled. In addition to the activities represented in the incubator, there's a clear path to modern, technologically advanced and innovative products and services that are or will be found in the near future on both the Croatian and global markets. The key goal is to fully fill the incubator infrastructure and increase the existing portfolio of the clients who use its accompanying content, more specifically 3D technologies and meeting rooms, conferences and coworking rooms. Given the extremely favourable entrepreneurial climate in Samobor itself, we believe that such goals are achievable.

In addition to the subsidised rent of office spaces within the incubator - the first year being subsidised at 70%, the second year at 50% and the third year at 30% - at the request of the market, a virtual incubation service was introduced that allows entrepreneurs to register their company at Mali Tehnopolis Samobor without the need for physical residence incubators, and to use the mailbox, if necessary, a meeting room, and participate in seminars and workshops organised by Mali Tehnopolis Samobor and all this at, I would dare say, currently the best price on the market,'' explained Mali Tehnopolis Samobor's main man, Karlo Kupres.

The Laboratory for 3D Technologies is equipped with modern devices for 3D printing in Multi Jet Fusion and stereolithographic technology, as well as optical 3D scanning, which are available through services to all incubator users, as well as to external companies and individuals. Meeting room spaces, conference rooms and coworking spaces are also available through rental services to outside companies and individuals, Kupres added.

They also conduct seminars and workshops 2-3 times a month, and the topics are related to digital advertising, branding, EU funds and Hamagp-Bicro tenders. Kupres said that attendance levels at seminars and workshops is high if pandemic measures are taken into account. In addition, once a year they organise the Technology Forum, whose main task is the promotion of 3D technologies and the networking of entrepreneurs.

"As an incubator, we cooperate with the Zagreb incubator Zicer, and with the help of 3D technology laboratories we've established cooperation with about 15 companies across Croatia from various industries such as the metal, automotive, medical, construction and entertainment industries," added Kupres.

All those interested who want to move into the incubator can check the public invitations published on the website of the Entrepreneurial Centre Samobor, and with them is the complete documentation required for application, and the rules. Public invitations are published several times a year and last 30 calendar days after their publication.

However, as Kupres pointed out, at any time, those interested can apply for the lease of office space within Mali Tehnopolis Samobor by e-mailing info@malitehnopolis.hr.