ICT Cortex Cluster: New Year’s Networking Event and Election of the New Assembly President
We concluded the previous year with a meeting of the ICT Cluster Cortex assembly, held on December 26, 2024, as well as a special event that brought together members and partners – a New Year’s networking gathering. This was an opportunity to reflect on the successes of the past year, but also to focus on plans for 2025. One of the key points of the last Board of Directors meeting last year was the election of the new president of the cluster assembly, where Marko Lekić, the technical director of Fleka, was elected to this position for the upcoming period. The New Year’s networking event gathered representatives from the ICT community, member companies, institutions, and partners. The event was accompanied by a joyful atmosphere, and everyone present raised a toast to the successful completion of 2024 and made plans for new collaborative projects in the upcoming year, 2025. In the coming months, the ICT Cortex cluster will continue to grow, strengthen its members, and build new business connections, always with the goal of advancing the ICT industry in the region.
IT SPOT ‘24 – The Event that Will Shape Digital Montenegro
On November 28 and 29, Podgorica will host one of the most important IT events of the year – IT Spot ’24, which will bring together experts, leaders and enthusiasts from the IT industry from the country, the region and the EU. This two-day event, which will be held in Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, in Podgorica, brings a series of lectures, panel discussions, EXPO zone, masterclass sessions and networking opportunities, all with the aim of promoting innovation. Under the main topic Govtech, IT SPOT ’24 includes topics such as: digital transformation of public administration, electronic services and services, open data (Open Data), GSB (Government Service Bus), innovations in finance and many others. The goal of the event is to create a community that inspires and motivates individuals and companies for further growth and innovation in the IT sector, and is intended for IT companies, banks, institutions and the civil sector that deals with the mentioned topics. The organizers of the event are the cluster for information technologies ICT Cortex i Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro who make up a team of dedicated professionals from the IT sector of Montenegro, whose mission is to exchange knowledge and support the development of the technological community in the country and the region. IT SPOT ’24 is an event that includes a rich program that will be attended by leading experts and visionaries from various IT fields. Among the announced speakers are renowned professionals from the domain of technological innovation, fintech and consulting activities, who will present the latest trends and perspectives in their fields. Participants will have the opportunity to hear successful stories from Serbia, Croatia, as well as Estonia, Britain and the Netherlands, leading countries in digitization and public e-services. We invite all those interested to join us and shape digital Montenegro together. – He declared Branimir Bukilić, director of the company Data Design and President of the Board of Directors ICT Cortex “IThe CT sector is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing branches of the economy. According to all available indicators, it records continuous growth and achieves outstanding results that indicate the enormous potential that the ICT sector has for the future development of our economy. Technological progress enables the acceleration of economic processes, improvement of efficiency and competitiveness, and influences the creation of new professions and the creation of new jobs. It is clear that the transformation of our economy and the increase in competitiveness on the global market depend on the positioning of the ICT sector in the national economy. The Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro recognizes the importance of the ICT sector and is committed to providing support to all initiatives that contribute to its development. I would especially emphasize our commitment to digital transformation, both of the Chamber itself, and indirectly of public institutions and the economy as a whole, aware that this is the key to sustainable growth and development.” – The president said Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Nina Drakić. Registration fees are limited and available through the official website of the conference itspot.me at a special price until 20.11. The entire program will be available soon, and some of the renowned speakers will be: Taavi Einaste, Estonian entrepreneur, investor and expert in digital health and #GovTech solutions from the company nortal. Dr. Sandra Nešić which helps startups and corporate giants turn their ideas into reality and achieve revolutionary results. Slobodan Marković, dedicated to the development and advocacy of ICT policies in Serbia, with extensive experience in the field of the Internet community, e-government and telecommunications liberalization. It bases its knowledge and approach on creating digital solutions that are intuitive, accessible and worth using for citizens. Vladimir Vulić, independent strategist for digital transformation and innovation. He assists international organizations, government institutions and companies from various industries, including Fortune 500 companies, to overcome obstacles and take advantage of the opportunities brought by the digital age. They supported the event Fund for Innovations of Montenegro, renowned IT companies Fleka, Data Design, Domain, Uncle, Sky Express Montenegro, Native Teams, as well as key state institutions and the non-governmental sector that recognizes the importance of this event.
The third year anniversary of the Montenegrin Information Technology Cluster was celebrated: ICT companies collectively continue to strengthen the IT industry in Montenegro.
The Cluster for Information Technology, Innovation, Education, Design, and Technological Development – ICTCortex, celebrated its third anniversary. The ceremony was attended by friends, partners, and associates, as well as high officials, including the President of Montenegro, Mr. Jakov Milatović, representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, and the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Public Administration. Cluster Cortex today counts 40 members, including renowned IT companies that are dedicated to advancing the IT sector, digital transformation, and smart specialization of Montenegro. ICT Cortex was founded with the aim of leading the digital transformation of the economy and public administration by a united ICT community. The opening speeches by cluster representatives and state institution officials provided an opportunity to summarize three years of operation and the achievements of the Cluster. “The essence of our work and one of the key objectives is digital transformation. We are aware that we all need to work together on this across three areas, I would say: first, the digital transformation of citizens. We simply need to work towards preparing citizens to use and consume various electronic services, then of the economy, and of course, the digital transformation of public administration. Cortex is very dedicated to this, and it holds a very important place in our goals and work program. As the ICT sector, we can significantly contribute to accelerating digital transformation because it will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire economy, thereby improving standards for citizens and society as a whole.” Branimir Bukulić, the President of the ICT Cortex Cluster Assembly. The work of the ICT Cortex cluster has been significantly influenced by the selfless support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, which, by promoting the development of smart specialization within the priority “Information and Communication Technologies,” has supported its operational functioning over the past three years, contributed to the strengthening of the cluster team, and stimulated program activities, as well as internationalization initiatives through the realization of several study visits. The State Secretary, Ms. Marijeta Barjaktarović Lanzardi – Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, emphasized that ICT Cortex is a result of policy measures implemented under the Strategy for Smart Specialization of Montenegro, which is focused on enhancing the country’s competitive advantages through innovation, with a special focus on the ICT sector. The main goal was to create an adequate framework for the functioning of the innovation ecosystem, which today includes strong cooperation between the public administration, the business sector, the academic sector, and the NGO sector. She pointed out that in the period 2022-2023, more than 7 million euros were invested in the ICT sector through innovation policy measures, which speaks volumes about the state’s commitment to development in this area. “Our activities are focused on creating a sustainable innovation ecosystem, in which ICT Cortex, as an innovation infrastructure, is now very well positioned and has become a partner to almost all state institutions in their efforts to encourage, not only innovations, but also, as we have heard, digital transformation and the improvement of the educational system. Therefore, we believe that we will continue to work together in this direction in the coming period.” Marijeta Barjaktarović Lanzardi, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation The transformation of information technologies into a vertical economic sector has been set as one of the key goals of the cluster. The path to achieving this goal would not have been possible without the support of the Ministry of Economic Development. Dr. Goran Jovetić, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, emphasized that the state has demonstrated through its support for the ICT cluster how things should be done, how successful endeavors should be supported, and, conversely, how successful initiatives can reciprocate this support in the right manner. “I will just remind you that our colleagues from ICT Cortex have taught us many things. Above all, they have taught us something we often hear in theory but struggle to see in practice: that healthy competition is a stimulus. You have 40 companies in the same industry functioning as one family.” Dr. Goran Jovetić, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development Executive Director of the cluster, Tarik Zaimović, emphasized that synergy is the invisible capital with which the ICT community can work wonders. He reflected on the cluster’s work over the past three years: “We have equipped four high schools worth €1,200,000. Personally, I believe these are among the most beautiful projects we have accomplished. In addition, we have donated over €100,000, which went to nearly 50 various initiatives. We have sent almost 100 company representatives to over 10 countries where we have achieved significant results. Some of our companies have opened branches in the Emirates, and serious collaborations have been established with companies in the region where companies already cooperate with each other.” Executive Director of the ICT Cortex Cluster, Tarik Zaimović Key collaboration with the government plays a crucial role in achieving the goals of both the cluster and its member companies. Over the past three years of existence, ICT Cortex has indeed received significant support from the government of Montenegro. President of Montenegro, Mr. Jakov Milatović, congratulated the cluster on its 3rd anniversary and emphasized: “It is my great pleasure to greet you and, at the outset, congratulate you on the 3rd anniversary you are celebrating today. As the President of the country, but also as a passionate advocate for innovation and technological progress, I am proud of the achievements made in the previous period, as well as the diligence of this successful community. I am additionally proud of the fact that I had the opportunity to, as the Minister of Economic Development, follow your work from the very beginning and provide support on the path to becoming a significant economic actor, as you are now in our society. The ICT sector represents one of the key pillars of modern society, and its competitiveness and innovation have a direct
EU, EBRD, and ICT Cortex: In a Joint Mission to Strengthen the Capacity of the ICT Sector in Montenegro
EU, EBRD, and ICT Cortex: In a joint mission towards enhancing the capacities of the ICT sector in Montenegro. Successfully completed the Adizes Leadership Program designed for top managers from renowned IT companies within the Montenegro ICT Cortex cluster, with the support of the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development. The program lasted for 7 months, during which participants had the opportunity to learn about company transformation and management skills with a focus on experiential learning and knowledge exchange. Topics covered in the program included decision-making, change management, business life cycles, finances for top managers, personal effectiveness, business negotiation, and people management, along with practical tools and recommendations for application. The culmination of the event took place on January 24, 2024, at the Ramada Hotel, where certificates were awarded to the participants. The event was opened by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, Mr. Goran Jovetić, who emphasized that the digitally transformed Montenegro is a common interest for all of us. He highlighted the need for an accelerated process, heavily relying on the domestic ICT sector, which should act as its main driver. “The focus of the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Economic Development is to create economic support programs aimed at initiating and further strengthening economic activities while enhancing the competitiveness of domestic products and services. In this context, we have already initiated a broad round of public consultations with all stakeholders, from the business sector to the professional and academic community, to find optimal solutions for adequate support to the economy. The emphasis will undoubtedly be on strengthening manufacturing activities and transforming the economy towards digital and green business. The actions and activities of the ICT cluster Cortex are one of the best examples of collaborative efforts between the business sector and strong cooperation with institutions at the national and local levels. We believe that, through joint efforts in all fields, primarily through a strategic approach and government policies, and through interdepartmental cooperation, we will contribute to the process of digital transformation of the Montenegrin economy and the creation of a digital society.” – State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, Goran Jovetić The project was implemented within a program financed by the European Union with a budget of 1.4 million euros. The official guests and program participants were addressed by the EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Her Excellency Oana Kristina Popa. She emphasized that the European Union is unwavering in its support for the economic development of Montenegro, as reflected in the priorities outlined in the Growth Agenda for the Western Balkans. This initiative opens the doors for Montenegro to access funds totaling over 400 million euros in direct support, contingent upon the adoption of key reforms, including those in the development of the private sector and the business environment. EU Ambassador in Montenegro, Oana Kristina Popa The entire program is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Mr. Remon Zakaria, the Head of the EBRD Office for Montenegro, emphasized the following: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a crucial sector for the development of the Montenegrin economy. We are pleased to support their development through advisory services, backed by financing from the EU and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development. – Head of the EBRD Office in Montenegro, Remon Zakaria The capacity strengthening and skills development had the opportunity to enhance the capabilities of 36 participants in the program, who hold top management or leadership positions in renowned ICT companies within the Cortex cluster: Alicorn, AI, Bild Studio, Coinis, Codeus, Čikom, Data Design, Euro-Unit Montenegro, Fleka, Logate, Oykos Development, and Telemont. On behalf of the hosts and representatives of the ICT cluster Cortex, the President of the Assembly of the ICT cluster Cortex, Branimir Bukilić, addressed the attendees and delivered the concluding remarks: “As an ICT cluster, we have implemented numerous activities focused on the strategic goals set since our establishment, in line with the agenda of the Ministry of Science and Technological Development, which has provided us with significant support. We believe that the domestic IT industry, represented by Cortex, can and should be a government ally when it comes to the digital transformation of society and other crucial projects”. -President of the Assembly of the ICT Cortex Cluster, Branimir Bukilić After the introductory address, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion summarizing the entire program and emphasizing the significance of conducting similar education initiatives to strengthen capacities at all levels of decision-making. Certificates were awarded by Matija Dautović on behalf of the EBRD office in Montenegro, followed by a ceremonial cocktail.
Google Cloud MeetUp
Google Cloud for Startups Why Google for Startups is relevant to you? What is the program about and how can it benefit your business? Will Google Cloud infrastructure and services suit your needs? ICT Cortex, Cloud Office and Google for Startups invite you to join the upcoming “Google for Startups” powered by Cloud Office. Selected panelists from leading international companies will answer all of your questions! Learn how to get up to $200K Google Cloud Credits, Technical and DevOps support to optimize or migrate workloads, additional support with go-to-market strategy, and the possibility to leverage the Google ecosystem. Agenda 09:00 – 09:30 Arriving of the participants 09:30 – 09:45 Opening remarks by Tanja Dukić, CMO at ICT Cortex 09:45 – 10:30 Cloud Office intro by Ivo Zimbilev, Managing Partner & Commercial directorat Cloud Office 10:30 – 11:30 Google Cloud for Startups by Asia Lindsay, StartUp Success Manager at Google 11:30 – 12:00 Coffee break and Networking 12:00 – 13:00 Navigating Mediа landscape by AI, powered by Google Cloud by Martin Stamenov, Chief AI Officer at Sensika Technologies 13:00 – 14:00 Google Cloud Overview by Jesicca Serafini, Account executive at Google 14:00 – 15:00 Lunch and Networking 15:00 – 15:45 Survey topics 15:45 – 16:00 Event Wrap up About the organizers Google for Startups is Google’s initiative to help startups thrive across every corner of the world. It brings the best of Google’s products and best practices to enable startups to build something better. Cloud Office is Google Cloud Partner in CEE with a primary focus on Bulgaria. The company specializes in two lines of business: Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). If you want to join the event, apply here
