Project Title

Energana (Power plant) – Start-up incubator for creative technologies and the IT industry

Project Goal

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the competitiveness of IT and creative technologies in the territory of the Urban Agglomeration of Rijeka, by widening the existing system of entrepreneurial incubators and enhancing the quality and services that they offer. The project will encourage the growth and development of newly set up and existing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the IT sector and modern technologies in the territory of the Urban Agglomeration of Rijeka.

Specific project goals

• Develop urban entrepreneurial infrastructure for the needs of incubation, development and networking of entrepreneurs in target sectors
• Qualify the first generation of end users of incubators and ensure the sustainability of the future business operation of the incubator

Duration

April 2020 – November 2024

Competent Authority

Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds

Description

The Energana project plans to put in place more than 2,700 sq. m. of useful area in the power plant building of the former paper mill which will be available for SMEs along with educational programmes, a network of mentors and other programme activities with the aim of strengthening their innovation potentials (networking, thematic events, conferences, etc.). Customer support will be provided in three main thematic areas:

• HubIT – IT- artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT)
• HubBOT – computer games development,
• HubART – photo and video production.

The premises of the Sinergana incubator will have 24 offices, i.e. incubation units for entrepreneurs, a photo and film studio, 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 professionals from the specified industries, and offer them support, through integrated activities, in the development of new products and services, networking, internationalisation and in seeking funding sources. The Energana project directly contributes to the achievement of the specific objectives indicators of the ITU mechanism 3a2 – “Enabling a favourable environment for establishing and developing companies”.

Key Activities

• Reconstruction and conversion of the existing power plant building into an Incubator for creative technologies and the IT industry
• equipping it with basic and specialised equipment,
• development of a detailed business plan and a management model for Energana
• Providing professional and advisory support to SMEs
• Project management
• Promotion and visibility

Project results

• Establishing and equipping new entrepreneurial and support infrastructure
• Selected an optimum infrastructure management model
• Implemented activities for 90 SMEs

Project promoter

• City of Rijeka:
  • Department of Entrepreneurship
  • Department of Development, Urban Planning, Ecology and Land Management
  • Department of Culture
  •  Information Technology Department

Budget

• Total project value: 6.147.000 €
• EU funding: 4.177.000 €
• Co-financed by the City of Rijeka: 1.601.000 €

Financed under:

European Investment and Structural Funds – European Regional Development Fund – Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020, through the ITU mechanism – Startup Incubator System, Rijeka UA

Official web site of the project

www.sinergana.hr

For more information please contact

Neda Suvajac
Trg Sv. Barbare 2, Rijeka
Telefon: 051 209 942, 051 209 590
E-mail: neda.suvajac@rijeka.hr, poduzetnistvo@rijeka.hr