Special Events and activities

Montenegro actively fosters a culture of entrepreneurship among young people through diverse national and regional events, innovation competitions, and educational initiatives that promote creativity, self-employment, and social responsibility.

Key initiatives include:

• Social Impact Award (SIA) - https://montenegro.socialimpactaward.net

  
  SIA Montenegro promotes social entrepreneurship among youth, offering 12 workshops and a SIA Caravanthat travels to over 15 Montenegrin cities. The initiative supports young people in developing impactful business ideas and connects them with mentors, peer networks, and potential partners.  

• Open Doors of the University of Montenegro - https://www.ucg.ac.me/objava/blog/1024/objava/146005-40-dan-otvorenih-vrata-univerziteta-crne-gore

  
  An annual event designed to introduce high school students and the public to the University’s academic offerings, research projects, and entrepreneurial activities. The event includes exhibitions, innovation showcases, and direct student engagement.

   

• Entrepreneurial Nest – UDG

  
  A business incubator hosted by the University of Donja Gorica (UDG), offering mentoring, co-working space, seed funding, and access to startup networks for students with entrepreneurial ambitions.

• Entrepreneurial Idea Exchange (Berza preduzetničkih ideja) - https://www.udg.edu.me/dogadjaji/xiv-medjunarodna-berza-preduzetnickih-ideja-202

  
  A platform where students and youth present business ideas to expert panels, investors, and policymakers. It is supported by educational institutions, chambers of commerce, and innovation stakeholders.

• Business Challenge - https://www.udg.edu.me/obavjestenja/xi-poslovni-izazov--skola-preduzetnistva-i-inovacija-za-mlade-1674

  
  A national competition engaging secondary school students in teams to solve real-life business problems creatively and collaboratively. Finalists often move into incubation or participate in regional competitions.

   

• Junior Achievement Montenegro (JEA) - https://dostignucamladih.me

  
  Part of the global Junior Achievement network, JEA integrates entrepreneurship education into schools and enables students to launch real businesses. Winners compete in European-level entrepreneurship competitions.

• 6th Fair of Young Entrepreneurs of Montenegro

  
  Organised with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism, this national event serves as a platform for young entrepreneurs to present their business ideas, connect with potential investors, and gain visibility. As of 2025, it has also become a regional fair, welcoming participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, thus encouraging cross-border cooperation and regional networking.  

Networks and partnerships

Montenegro’s efforts to promote entrepreneurial culture are embedded in a growing innovation ecosystem supported by government institutions, universities, incubators, and development organisations.

This Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation plays a central role in integrating entrepreneurship into formal education and actively supports youth innovation and startup development through:

• Innovation clubs in schools;

• EdTech labs;

• Entrepreneurship modules in VET and secondary education;

• Grants for school-led innovation and entrepreneurship projects;

• Support for student participation in international innovation events.

The Ministry also provides strategic and financial support for startup acceleration initiatives, most notably:

BoostMeUp – Startup Acceleration Program

Jointly implemented by the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro (NTP CG) and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Tehnopolis, with strategic support from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, BoostMeUp supports early-stage startups through:

• Tailored mentorship and training;

  • Business model development;

  • Pitching support and networking with investors;

  • Youth-specific startup tracks, including university student teams.]

Link: https://www.boostmeup.me

Based in Podgorica, NTP CG provides infrastructure, mentorship, and technical support to startups, including:

• Pre-incubation and incubation services;

• Coworking spaces, laboratories, and innovation hubs;

• Strategic partnerships with universities and research institutions.

Located in Nikšić, Tehnopolis plays a crucial role in regional innovation decentralisation and youth entrepreneurship development. It organises:

• Hackathons, demo days, and startup camps;

• Digital innovation training and fab-lab access;

• Support for underrepresented groups, including youth from rural areas.

Innovation Fund of Montenegro

The Innovation Fund of Montenegro provides financial instruments to support innovation, particularly:

• Mini-grants for early-stage innovations;

• Co-financing for R&D projects;

• Public calls targeting youth-led businesses and university projects;

• Participation in Horizon Europe and regional innovation programs.

These efforts are supported by broader government policies aimed at strengthening the Montenegrin Innovation Ecosystem and promoting youth entrepreneurship as a national priority. Strategic goals include:

• Aligning education and innovation policies with EU standards;

• Increasing youth participation in innovation ecosystems;

• Supporting Montenegro’s integration into European networks such as ENQA, EQAR, EIT, and Erasmus+;

• Boosting digital skills, green entrepreneurship, and startup culture through IPA III and Horizon Europe projects.