On the Edge of Technology
At this year’s Zagreb Connect, on November 27, we explore the upcoming wave of technology that’s already shaping the future. Artificial intelligence has transformed industries, business models, and how we develop products. But while one technological wave is still settling, the next is already forming – on the edge of the known, where ideas that will define the next decade are born. Zagreb Connect 2025 examines that edge: the space between concept and market, between experiment and product, between a local idea and global reach.
We’re bringing together founders who have participated in leading global accelerators and are now building startups with international ambitions, investors who identify opportunities before they become trends, and leaders asking critical questions about technology’s impact on society.
5700+
visitors
140+
speakers
140+
startups
11
successful years
Zagreb Connect 2025 Speakers

Frane Šesnić
CEO of ZICER

Damir Sabol
Google Engineering Director & Founder of Photomath

Tonči Glavinić
State Secretary at Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets

Ante Janko Bobetko
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, HAMAG BICRO

Nina Dremelj
Partner, VESNA Venture Capital

Alexander Sirois
Senior Consultant and South-East Europe Lead at UNICO Analytics

Ivan Marković
Founder and CEO, Unitfly

Otokar Crnalić
Founder and CEO, Art Division

Ana Vlahov
Senior Program Specialist, ZICER

Davor Mrgan
Founder and CEO, Dexpiry

Josip Povreslo
Founder and CEO, Field39

Antonella Barišić Kulaš
Founder and CEO, Odonata Technologies
9:30 — 10:00
Registration
10:00 — 10:15
Zagreb Connect Welcome Speeches
Frane Šesnić
CEO at ZICER
Ante Janko Bobetko
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, HAMAG BICRO
Tomislav Tomašević
Mayor of the City of Zagreb
Tonči Glavinić
State Secretary at Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets.
10:15 — 10:30
Keynote Speech
Damir Sabol
Google Engineering Director & Founder of Photomath
10:30 — 11:15
Panel_Investing Beyond the Hype: How to Identify Technologies That Last
Moderator:
TBC
Panelists:
Nina Dremelj
Partner, VESNA Venture Capital
Alexander Sirois
Senior Consultant & South-East Europe Lead, UNICO Analytics
TBC
TBC
11:15 — 12:15
Pitch Session #1_Startup Factory Teams
SIADUS I SkyResQ I DEXPIRY I Emens I Flatie I AlphaQuant I NextNest I SonderAI I MediSight I TeeWiz I Refinanciraj.eu
12:15 — 12:30
Short Break
12:30 — 13:15
Fireside Chat
Krešimir Mišak, Na rubu znanosti & Frane Šesnić, CEO of ZICER
13:15 — 14:15
Pitch session #2_
Tech Transfer Teams and
Global Growth startups
eDNAture I Permedis I Luxyon I Artenon I Review Booster Pro I Holonet I SimpleMatic I UlpianAI I Odonata Technologies I Digicyte I VirusHunter
14:15 — 14:50
Roundtable_From Local Idea to Global Accelerator: Lessons from Silicon Valley and Shanghai
Moderator:
Ana Vlahov
Senior Program Specialist, ZICER
Panelists:
Ivan Marković
Founder and CEO, Unitfly
Otokar Crnalić
Founder and CEO, Art Division
Davor Mrgan
Founder and CEO, Dexpiry
Antonella Barišić Kulaš
Founder and CEO, Odonata Technologies
Josip Povreslo
Founder and CEO, Field39
14:50 — 15:20
Announcement of Pitch Competition Winners
15:20 – 16:20
Lunch & Networking
Zagreb Connect Finalists —
Startup Factory 2025 Teams
AlphaQuant
AlphaQuant is democratizing investment strategies by putting the power of professional algorithms into the hands of individual investors. It is a SaaS platform for market-neutral algorithmic trading in financial markets, giving users access to tools once reserved for investment firms.
DEXPIRY
DEXPIRY is a decentralized system for managing digital warranties. It consists of three interconnected components: a user application, a database, and blockchain records. When a product or service is purchased, the system generates a DEXPIRY warranty token – a digital proof of warranty – tracked through a decentralized application. DEXPIRY warranties are smart, transferable, and extensible. Its white-label app can be easily integrated into existing systems, positioning DEXPIRY as a potential universal solution for global warranty management.
Emens
Emens is a software platform that enables companies to calculate emissions and generate ESG reports quickly and easily without external consultants. Using automated data collection and AI, Emens produces reports fully compliant with EU regulations. It is specifically designed for medium and large enterprises subject to the CSRD directive.
Flatie
Flatie is a digital platform for modern residential building management. It centralizes documentation, communication, maintenance, consents, and meetings into a single system, streamlining operations for property managers while ensuring transparency for co-owners. The platform is developed in line with the new Building Management and Maintenance Act and relevant EU regulations.
MediSight
MediSight is an AI-powered system designed to support physicians in the early detection of breast lesions on mammograms, accelerating and improving diagnostic accuracy. Its intuitive interface combines clear visualizations with structured reports to support clinical decision-making. Integration with existing hospital systems reduces doctors’ workload and enhances the quality of care.
NextNest
NextNest is an innovative modular SaaS ecosystem designed as a “People & Ops OS” for small businesses, startups, and organizations. It enables rapid candidate testing, seamless onboarding, and intuitive day-to-day operations management – all in one place. NextNest empowers small teams by giving them access to integrated, affordable, and easy-to-use tools that drive growth and efficiency.
Refinanciraj.eu
Refinanciraj.eu, by EverRate Technology, is an innovative platform that helps citizens monitor their loan interest rates and alerts them when favorable refinancing opportunities arise. The software analyzes publicly available data and matches it with client profiles to maximize potential savings – often tens of thousands of euros on mortgage loans. As an added service, users can connect with licensed financial intermediaries to receive offers from multiple banks.
SIADUS
SIADUS aims to enhance the academic experience of students with disabilities through a digital platform that enables peer-to-peer assistance. The project has a dual purpose: improving educational quality and fostering social inclusion. It defines three roles – students with disabilities, student assistants, and coordinators who oversee matching and satisfaction—creating a supportive ecosystem with meaningful social impact.
SkyResQ
SkyResQ is a rapid emergency medical delivery system using FPV drones operated in real time. It’s designed for critical, time-sensitive situations such as cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, or severe bleeding, where standard emergency services often arrive too late. The goal is to bridge the crucial time gap before medical teams reach the scene.
Sonder AI
Sonder AI is a next-generation platform for productivity and professional networking that uses intelligent digital twins to facilitate authentic connections and reduce first-contact friction. It helps users build meaningful relationships based on shared values, goals, and personalities, while supporting personal growth and achievement. Whether you’re a student, founder, investor, or executive, Sonder AI creates real opportunities where they were previously hard to find.
TeeWiz
TeeWiz is an online platform that merges generative AI with print-on-demand. Through a chat interface, users describe or upload a T-shirt design, and AI generates a unique design that is printed via Printful upon order. The team’s vision is to launch the first fashion brand that leverages AI to amplify human creativity.
Zagreb Connect Finalists —
Tech Transfer 2025 Teams
Artenon
Artenon is a scientific AI platform for kinanthropological and biomechanical analysis, integrating expertise from kinesiology, sports medicine, and anatomy. By applying validated diagnostic protocols and machine learning to anthropometric, health, functional, and behavioral data, Artenon generates personalized intervention plans. This disruptive digital health solution enables precise, automated, and biologically grounded functional assessments, improving postural stability, preventing musculoskeletal pain, and enhancing physical capacity.
eDNAture
eDNAture is a biotech startup using indirect organism detection technology – identifying species through water, air, or soil samples. Its innovations enable broad applications across sectors, focusing on detecting harmful species and pathogens to protect human, animal, and environmental health. eDNAture identifies problems before they arise.
Luxyon
Luxyon develops lightweight, flexible perovskite solar cells with high energy efficiency, designed for integration on surfaces where conventional panels can’t be installed. Their technology enables energy generation on windows, façades, drones, and consumer electronics. The company focuses on licensing and industry partnerships to accelerate the adoption of clean energy.
Odonata Technologies
Odonata Technologies develops AI-powered autonomous drones for automated warehouse inventory. Using real-time computer vision, the system monitors stock levels without physical infrastructure changes. Automated inventory enables more frequent audits, improves space utilization, provides accurate analytics, reduces errors, and boosts efficiency and profitability—without disrupting daily operations.
Permedis
Permedis focuses on producing personalized products for the medical and healthcare industries. In collaboration with hospitals and medical professionals, it develops tailored solutions for each patient using advanced additive manufacturing technologies. Initial prototypes target gynecology and dermatology, with additional products in development.
SimpleMatic
SimpleMatic is developing a smart device that automates airborne microbiological control in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Instead of manual plate replacement and data entry, it uses robotics, real-time monitoring, and cloud data processing. The system enhances reliability, saves time, and minimizes contamination risk in line with Industry 4.0 principles.
VirusHunter
VirusHunter is a breakthrough technology that can detect viruses—including previously unknown ones. Unlike traditional tests that target specific viruses, VirusHunter identifies the cause of infection within 24 hours, without prior knowledge of the pathogen. This opens a new chapter in diagnostics, with the potential to become an essential tool in modern medicine.
Zagreb Connect Finalists —
Global Growth 2025 Startups
Digicyte
Digicyte has developed a novel algorithm that doubles the achievable resolution of standard optical systems, which are typically limited to 200 nm. This innovation unlocks critical details for improved diagnostics, research, and industrial applications using existing equipment.
Holonet
Holonet is a platform for faster, more efficient, and more affordable development of immersive web experiences. Already used in marketing, tourism, and education, its proprietary “Reality Echo” technology enables the easy creation of hyper-realistic immersive spaces using Gaussian splatting. These spaces can then be enriched with interactive elements to merge real locations with virtual creativity.
Review Booster Pro
Review Booster Pro is a web platform enabling digital customer engagement through products equipped with NFC technology. It is designed for B2B clients seeking simple, innovative ways to collect reviews, feedback, consents, and registrations while enhancing user experience. The solution is used across sectors – from retail and tourism to finance – to boost engagement and operational performance.
Ulpian
Ulpian is an innovative conversational search engine for legal regulations, enabling legal professionals to quickly search, understand, and compare national and EU laws. By consolidating primary and secondary legal sources in one place and applying NLP algorithms, Ulpian addresses the fragmentation of legal databases and the inefficiency of traditional legal research. Its goal is to improve precision and productivity for legal experts, institutions, and businesses across Europe.







