USE IPM info day and workshop in the field of innovative entrepreneurial marketing held

On Monday, April 20, 2026, the USE IPM Info Day and a workshop on innovative entrepreneurial marketing were held at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.

Prof. Dr. Saša Petković, Head of CPME – the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship - presented a plan to organize a series of workshops for students and representatives of the business sector. The workshops will be implemented within the USE IPM project from November 2026 to April 2027.

Following the introductory session, a two-hour workshop titled “From Startup Innovation to Large Clients – B2B Digital Marketing Models” was conducted.

The workshop was led by Željka and Nemanja Vujanić, MSc Electrical Engineers and founders of the innovative family startup DevStudio from Banja Luka. Through interactive group work, 13 undergraduate and graduate students, together with a senior teaching assistant from the Faculty of Economics, exchanged experiences and ideas on B2B innovative digital marketing models and on transforming an idea into a prototype of a sustainable, innovative product.

The workshop was organized as part of the project “Upskilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship based on Innovation Process Management” (USE IPM), funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#useipm #HorizonEurope #innovation #entrepreneurialmarketing #R&I #CPME #ef_unibl #devstudio

Published 21.04.2026 at 13:31

Workshop in Entrepreneurial Marketing – From Startup Innovation to Large Clients – B2B Digital Marketing Models

CPME – the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka (UNIBL), a partner in the USE IPM project, is organizing an open two-hour workshop titled “From Startup Innovation to Large Clients – B2B Digital Marketing Models.”

The workshop is part of a pilot education program for students, young unemployed individuals, and companies, which will be organized within the USE IPM project at CPME from November 2026 to April 2027. The work of CPME and the USE IPM project will be presented by Prof. Dr. Saša Petković, Head of CPME, as part of the USE IPM Info Days.

The goal of the workshop is for students to understand and test, through a practical example of the innovative and growing family-owned small business, DevStudio Ltd. Banja Luka (https://devstudio.biz/), how to reach large clients: from defining the ideal customer profile and value proposition, to creating target lists, crafting messages, and measuring results.

Expected workshop outcomes:

Students will learn how DevStudio defines ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) for its innovative solutions.
They will be able to structure an offer (problem → solution → measurable impact)
They will understand how to map the DMU (who uses, who decides, who is the gatekeeper)
They will learn how to create target lists of 10–15 companies and identify specific roles/people.
They will be trained to write outreach messages: LinkedIn request, LinkedIn message, email, and follow-up.
They will understand how to track key performance indicators (KPIs) (reply rate, meeting rate, offers) and how to develop innovative solutions iteratively.

The interactive workshop will be led by Željka and Nemanja Vujanić, graduate electrical engineers and founders/owners of the innovative family startup DevStudio.

The workshop will be held at the Faculty of Economics on Monday, April 20, 2026, in Room 6 (2nd floor), starting at 11:00 AM. The number of participants is limited. Applications should be submitted via https://forms.gle/jkJoJtmPDQ7id24r7 by 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The workshop is part of the project “Up-skilling researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship Based on Innovation Process Management” (USE IPM), funded by the EU (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#useipm #HorizonEurope #innovation #entrepreneurialmarketing #R&I #CPME #ef_unibl #devstudio

Published 15.04.2026 at 09:11

USE IPM – Regional Round Table on R&I Strategies and Action Plans for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development in Widening Countries Held in Banja Luka

On 5 December 2025, the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, hosted the regional round table within the USE IPM – Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship based on Innovation Process Management project. The meeting focused on presenting, comparing, and harmonizing national Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategies and Action Plans aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the widening countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia.

The event was organized by the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, and gathered research team members and experts from all partner institutions. Opening remarks were delivered by:

Prof. Marija Radosavljević, PhD, USE IPM Project Coordinator,
Prof. Saša Petković, PhD, Operational Manager of CPME – Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship.

Throughout the sessions, partners presented their national R&I strategies and action plans, highlighting priority areas for strengthening innovation capacity, supporting start-ups and entrepreneurial initiatives, improving university–industry–government collaboration, and fostering digital and green transformation.

Participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia shared their conclusions and recommendations, which served as the basis for drafting a joint regional approach—a key objective of WP5 within the USE IPM project. The final discussion, led by Prof. Marija Radosavljević and Prof. Saša Petković, resulted in agreed harmonized conclusions that will guide future project activities.

The round table reaffirmed the importance of coordinated regional cooperation in innovation development and contributed to shaping consistent, evidence-based recommendations for improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Western Balkans.

This activity is activity of the EU-funded project “Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship based on Innovation Process Management” – USE IPM (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#useipm #HorizonEurope #innovation #entrepreneurship #research #R&I #CPME #ef_unibl #WesternBalkans

Published 08.12.2025 at 14:22

Researchers from the Western Balkans at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka – December 5, 2025

Researchers from partner universities in Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, and Croatia will participate in the final Regional Roundtable: “Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategy and Action Plan for the Development of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Widening Countries,” on Friday, December 5, 2025, as part of the USE IPM project.

The host is CPME – Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, whose researchers will present the findings of two years of empirical studies (needs analysis, four thematic Delphi studies and focus groups, and quantitative research) in the form of conclusions and recommendations for the adoption of the R&I Strategy and Action Plan for the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the Faculty of Economics, UNIBL. Using the same unique research methodology, our partners will present the research results in their home countries, including:

- Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Serbia

- University of Tirana, Faculty of Economics, Albania

- Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Economics, Skopje, North Macedonia

At the end of the roundtable, we will adopt joint conclusions, guidelines, and recommendations to strengthen innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems in the respective home countries. The roundtable will be implemented as a regular activity within Work Package 5, Task 5.2, of the project “Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship Based on Innovation Process Management” (USE IPM), supported by the European Union (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#useipm #HorizonEurope #cpme #efunibl #roundtable #research&innovationstrategy #entrepreneurialecosystem

Published 27.11.2025 at 15:20

Participation of CPME Researchers at the University of Algarve and TMS 2025 Conference – Portugal, November 2025

Researchers from the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship (CPME) at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, Asst. Prof. Ljubša Mićić and MA Milica Marić, took part in USE IPM project activities in Portugal from November 12 to 15, 2025.

The program began with a working week at CRIA – the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre of the University of Algarve (UAlg) in Faro. Hosts Hugo Barros, Susana Imaginário, Ana Isabel Martins, Sofia Vairinho, Eurídice Cristo, and Dina Santos led interactive workshops on entrepreneurship and business development, technology transfer, intellectual property management, and entrepreneurship education. Special focus was given to the agro-food sector and successful university–industry collaboration practices within the Algarve innovation ecosystem.

The second part of the visit included participation in the Tourism & Management Studies (TMS 2025) International Conference - Technology and Sustainability Challenges in Tourism, Hospitality and Management, held in Olhão, Algarve. During the dedicated USE IPM Session (Session 57), Milica Marić and Ljubša Mićić presented two research papers:

“Key Drivers of Innovation Ecosystems in the Western Balkan Countries” (Maric, Petković, Mićić, Milijević)
“Assessing the State of Sustainability Reporting and Practice in the Western Balkans” (Mićić, Petković)

These presentations showcased the findings of the USE IPM project, focusing on innovation ecosystem development, university–industry collaboration, and sustainability reporting practices in the Western Balkans.

The visit was implemented as a regular activity within the project “Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship Based on Innovation Process Management” (USE IPM), supported by the European Union (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#useipm #HorizonEurope #cpme #efunibl #UAlg #TMS2025 #innovation #sustainability #research #entrepreneurship

Published 17.11.2025 at 12:04

USE IPM – Presentations: Lessons Learned from the Study Visit to Zagreb and Samobor, 17–31 October 2025

On 7th November 2025, at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, presentations were held to share insights and lessons learned from the second round of secondments within the USE IPM project.

The event gathered representatives of the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship (CPME), including Assist. Prof. Ljubiša Mićić, PhD, Prof. Milica Bogdanović, PhD, and Senior Teaching Assistant Milica Marić, who presented the outcomes and reflections from their study visit to Samobor and Zagreb, Croatia, organized by partner institution IIE – International Institute for Entrepreneurship.

During the two-week mobility (17–31 October 2025), the participants explored key elements of Croatia’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, engaging with organizations such as the Zagreb Innovation Centre (ZICER), Nuqleus Deep-Tech Venture Builder, the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Libertas University, the National and University Library in Zagreb, and the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts

Particular emphasis was placed on the visit to ZICER — Zagreb’s leading innovation hub that supports startups and researchers in transforming high-tech ideas into market-ready solutions — and to Nuqleus, a deep-tech venture builder operating within the Innovation Center Nikola Tesla (ICENT) at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb. Both institutions represent exemplary models of how academic research, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship can be effectively integrated to foster sustainable innovation and regional competitiveness.

The presentations highlighted the potential for adapting these models within the CPME and the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, through enhanced mentorship, innovation-driven education, and stronger collaboration with industry. The discussed conclusions will directly contribute to the next WP2 activities of the USE IPM consortium, particularly the development of a regional incubator model aligned with EU priorities on digitalization, AI, and sustainability.

The event reaffirmed the project’s commitment to strengthening researcher capacities and accelerating the transfer of innovation processes into practical entrepreneurial outcomes.

The presentations are regular outputs of the EU-funded project “Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship based on Innovation Process Management” – USE IPM (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#useipm #HorizonEurope #EU #cpme #ef_unibl #Zagreb #Samobor #innovation #entrepreneurship #digitalisation #sustainability

Published 07.11.2025 at 14:00

Study Visit of CPME Researchers to Samobor and Zagreb – Part III, 17–31 October 2025

The research team of the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship (CPME) at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka – Asst. Prof. Ljubiša Mićić, Dr Milica Bogdanović, and TA Milica Marić, MA – completed the third part of their study visit to Samobor and Zagreb, held from 17 to 31 October 2025.

The host institution was the International Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) in Samobor (https://entrepreneurship-institute.eu), and the program was coordinated by Prof. Marko Kolaković, PhD, together with his associates.

During the two-week visit, the researchers:

attended lectures by Prof. Kolaković, Dr Ivan Turčić, and Dr Mihaela Mikić at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics and Business on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystem development;
visited the Nikola Tesla Innovation Centre and Nucleus – Deep-Tech Venture Builder at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, learning about cutting-edge technologies supporting high-tech startups;
toured ZICER – Zagreb Innovation Centre, engaging with management representatives about startup support schemes and university–city collaboration;
visited the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, where hosts presented national policies and initiatives for small businesses and crafts;
visited the National and University Library in Zagreb, exploring its digital resources and databases for researchers;
attended presentations at the Laboratory for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Forestry (Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology), focusing on sustainable resource management and entrepreneurship in the green sector.

In addition, participants took part in Samobor City Day celebrations, attended the local crafts fair, and networked with local entrepreneurs and SMEs.

The study visit strengthened cooperation between academia, institutions, and industry, contributing to the exchange of knowledge and best practices in innovation and entrepreneurship.

The activities were conducted within the project “Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship based on Innovation Process Management” – USE IPM, funded by the European Union (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#useipm #IIE #HorizonEurope #cpme #efunibl #Samobor #Zagreb #innovation #entrepreneurship

Published 05.11.2025 at 07:57

Researchers from CPME at the Faculty of Economics in Málaga, Spain – September–October 2025

Researchers from CPME – the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship of the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, Prof. Dr. Saša Petković and Prof. Dr. Branka Topić Pavković, stayed in Málaga, Spain, from September 29 to October 4, 2025, as part of the regular activities within Work Package 2 of the USE IPM project.

During the week-long stay in Spain, our host was Prof. Dr. Ángela Callejón, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies, University of Málaga. Throughout the working week, in the premises of the University, representatives of CPME actively participated in eight thematic workshops presenting the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the University of Málaga. Researchers, professors, and entrepreneurs from Málaga presented the following topics:

Session I. Rethinking the Entrepreneurial University: From Ecosystem Actor to Ecosystem Itself

Session II. The Entrepreneurial University Model at the University of Málaga

Session III. Building new organizational capacities: University Ambidestery

Session IV. Guided Growth: Mentorship and Entrepreneurial Support. University accelerators, what´s next.

Session V. From Campus to Market: How to Foster entrepreneurial intention among students

Session VI. Collaboration as a catalyst: Networks and Ecosystems

Session VIII. Promoting Women’s Entrepreneurship. Carmina Jambrino

Special emphasis in the presentations was placed on the way the University functions as an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

In the meantime, we participated in the two-day international conference IFEAPWORLD International Conference (October 2–3, 2025), where we presented the results of empirical research conducted during the first two years of the project implementation. The CPME researchers presented the following papers:

Petković, S., Baškot, B., Topić-Pavković, B., & Kolaković, M. (2025). Catalyst or Constraint? Rethinking Government Support for Innovation Commercialization in Western Balkan Innovation Ecosystems at a Crossroads
Topić-Pavković, B., Petković, S., & Becerra-Vicario, R. (2025). Bridging the Gap: Evaluating Subsidies and Tax Incentives for Collaborative R&D in Open Innovation Ecosystems — Evidence from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Implications for Emerging Economies

The visit was implemented as a regular activity within the project “Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship Based on Innovation Process Management” (USE IPM), supported by the European Union (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#useipm #HorizonEurope #eu #cpme #efunibl #sigurnonajbolji #Malaga #universityentrepreneurialecosystem #innovation

Published 09.10.2025 at 10:16

Workshop on “Green Innovation Management”

The City Development Agency of Banja Luka – CIDEA, within the framework of the GREENSMES project supported by the IPA ADRION Programme, organized a two-day workshop on “Green Innovation Management” on September 18–19, 2025. The workshop was held at the training center of CPME – the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship of the Faculty of Economics. It was designed and facilitated by Prof. Saša Petković, PhD, Head of CPME, and attended by five representatives of small enterprises from Banja Luka.

The framework for the workshop content on innovation management, as well as the concept for related consulting services and the development of an action plan, is based on the AT Kearney “House of Innovation” model and the IMP³rove methodology, which is used by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) within the Capacity Building for Innovation Management programme (under Horizon). The IMP³rove methodology is aligned with the ISO 56000 innovation management standard, recognized by the European Commission for application within EEN activities.

During the training, the methodology of the “Innovation Readiness Test” for company self-assessment, developed by Prof. John Bessant, PhD, (UK), was piloted. Prof. Bessant authorized the use of this methodology during the CPME research team’s study visit in September 2024. In addition, the “Green IMA – Innovation Management Assessment Questionnaire for Green Transition” was tested, while the Business Model Canvas technique and the Lean Start-up methodology were also presented, with a focus on sustainable entrepreneurship and green innovation management.

Following the positive evaluation report from participants in the pilot training, and with some modifications, the training will be implemented at the Faculty of Economics over the next two years, within the project “Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship based on Innovation Process Management – USE IPM,” supported by the European Union (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01).

#USEIPM #GreenInnovationManagement #CPME #EconomicsUNIBL

Published 30.09.2025 at 07:57

USE IPM – Presentations: Lessons Learned from the Study Visit to Samobor and Zagreb, 16–31 August 2025

On 15th of September 2025 at 11:00 AM, at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, presentations were held to share lessons learned from the study visit to Zagreb and Samobor conducted from 16 to 31 August 2025. The presentations were delivered by representatives of the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship (CPME) Full Prof. Saša Petković, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Mirjana Milijević, PhD, and Asst. Prof. Jadranka Petrović, PhD who provided concise overviews of insights from visits to IIE Samobor, the Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb, and Libertas University, including Prof. Marko Kolaković’s workshop on launching a university incubator. The team presented a working “Blueprint” to upgrade CPME and establish a student incubator (education, mentoring, partnerships, and a faster idea-to-market pathway), aligned with EU priorities (AI, digitalisation, sustainability). The conclusions directly inform the next WP2 activities and the development of a regional incubator model within the USE IPM consortium.