The project includes the reconstruction and conversion of the building of the former paper mill in Rijeka into a creative technologies and IT industry incubator. The main objective of the project is to strengthen competitiveness and encourage the growth and development of newly set up and existing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the IT sector and creative technologies in the Urban Agglomeration of Rijeka, through modern entrepreneurial infrastructure that includes incubation and networking of entrepreneurs in target sectors.

The project was presented by the Mayor of Rijeka Vojko Obersnel, by Jana Sertić, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship of the City of Rijeka, department that is the project leader, and by Željko Jurić, Head of the Information Technology Department of the City of Rijeka, department that is a stakeholder, and is responsible for the part of the project that relates to information and communication technology.

“The project has a much greater significance than the fact that we will get a new incubator for a very attractive activity at present. Namely, owing to the realisation of this project, the refurbishment of the zone of the former paper mill will start. I believe that in the years to come, by refurbishing Energana, we will also start putting in place the entire zone of the paper mill, even though many properties there are privately owned, “said Mayor Obersnel.

From an artificial intelligence lab to a computer games development classroom

The project plans to put in place more than 1,700 sq. m. of useful area in the power plant building of the former paper mill and add additional 1,000 sq.m, which will be available for entrepreneurs along with state-of-the-art specialised equipment, educational programmes, a network of mentors and other programme activities with the aim of strengthening their innovation potential.

ŽELJKO JURIĆ, VOJKO OBERSNEL AND JANA SERTIĆ

“Last week we received a decision on project financing, and now we have to sign a grant agreement. We started with the preparation of a detailed design so that after signing the contract, we could immediately launch a tender process for a contractor. We anticipate that by 2023 we could have fully functional and equipped premises of the incubator, “said head Sertić.

Customer support will be provided in three main thematic areas: artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), computer games development, and photo and video production. Energana is primarily intended for start-up entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs in the growth phase in the field of IT and creative technologies / industries, that will be supported, through integrated activities, in the development of new products and services, networking, internationalisation and in seeking funding sources.

Energana will have specially equipped premises to support the incubation process, the functionalities of which will be used by its occupants during their stay in the incubator: artificial intelligence laboratory (AI Lab) with ICT equipment for training entrepreneurs focussed on artificial intelligence development, IoT / robotics workshops for practical use of IoT and robotic equipment, testing and system development, a computer games development classroom with workstations and software for the needs of all segments of game development with a 3D printer and a 3D scanner, and a film and photography studio with professional cameras, lighting, background, an audio and graphic studio and a projection hall. The premises of Energana will also accommodate the Data Centre, a data centre that will offer data storage services to incubator users, as well as to interested economic operators.

Head Jurić explained that there was a plan to put in place a data centre where companies would be able to place their equipment according to the highest standards of information security and protection from other threats and under conditions that would be significantly more financially favourable than those provided by commercial providers.

The future premises of the Energana incubator will also have 24 offices, i.e. incubation units for entrepreneurs, classrooms, chat rooms and meeting rooms, a multifunctional hall, co-working space and other functional and logistical facilities necessary for efficient work and comfortable stay of users in the incubator.

The intention is to position Energana as an innovation hub that will bring together and connect entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and experts from these industries, as well as other ecosystem stakeholders (scientific, developmental and higher education institutions, students, cultural and educational institutions, artists, high school students), thus creating practical preconditions for improving the transfer of knowledge, skills and technologies.

Owing to EU funding, support will be given to the IT sector and creative technologies

The City of Rijeka applied the Energana project in response to the Call “Start-up incubator system in the territory the Rijeka Urban Agglomeration” within the operational program “Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020” and specific objective 3a2. “Enabling environment favourable for SME development”.

By the decision on financing taken by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU funds, the project “Incubator for Creative Technologies and IT Industry – Energana” was awarded a grant in the amount of HRK 31,468,168. The total project value amounts to HRK 37,021,374, of which 85% is co-financed from EU sources, and 15%, i.e. HRK 5,553,206, is funded by the applicant, the City of Rijeka.

The approximate duration of the project is 42 months (3.5 years) during which activities will be carried out for the reconstruction and conversion of the existing power plant building into an incubator for creative technologies and IT industry, equipping it with basic and specialised equipment, establishing a program basis and providing professional support to users, and owing to a business plan and a management model provide the sustainability of the future operation of the incubator.

By realising the Energana project quality and favourable conditions will be provided to entrepreneurship incubation focused on creative technologies, IT and related activities, which includes the provision of specialised services in the development of new / improved products and services, narrowly specialised educational programmes and mentoring, use of modern equipment and new technologies, technical and production support, networking within the sector and access to a network of potential partners.

Development of a network of business incubators in Rijeka

The City of Rijeka was among the first cities in Croatia to recognise the importance of providing assistance to entrepreneurs when in the initial phase of realising their ideas. In this context, two business incubators were set up two decades ago, managed by the Rijeka Development Agency Porin, a company 100% owned by the City of Rijeka, and by the end of the year the Torpedo Production Park, a technology incubator should be fully equipped. The Start-up Incubator operates within the Department of Entrepreneurship, for which record interest this year has been expressed in joining it.

Over the past few years, the City of Rijeka has drawn down HRK 152 million grants under EU funds for the projects that encourage the development of entrepreneurship.