S4AI_HUB represents a unique one-stop-shop initiative in Serbia for a comprehensive process of innovation development and application of the latest technological solutions for SMEs and public administration with a special emphasis on supporting less developed regions.
Within the consortium, various activities are underway to support the practical application of research findings, particularly tailored to SMEs and the public sector. S4AI_HUB benefits from well-established partnerships with science and technology parks, scientific research organizations, incubator centers and cluster organizations in the region, using extensive networks to reach a wide range of organizations. This multiplier effect allows us to be effective in spreading digital capabilities from universities and research institutes to SMEs and the public sector.
We base our work on the collective capacities of the consortium, using a network of local institutions to support business and encourage innovation and the startup ecosystem. Seven members of the consortium from Serbia, with different cultures, needs, and communication infrastructures, enable the exchange of knowledge and experiences crucial for the successful implementation of the project. The partnership includes: the Science and Technology Park Niš (STP Niš), the Science and Technology Park Čačak (STP Čačak), the Innovation Center of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade (ICEF), the Institute for Research and Development of Artificial Intelligence of Serbia (IVI), the Center for Digital Transformation (CDT), the Ni-CAT Cluster and the ICT Hub.
Science and Technology Park Niš (STP Niš)
Science and Technology Park Niš ltd. (STP Niš) is an organization that, in close cooperation with the University and academia, provides infrastructural and professional services to support innovative companies in achieving business success on the market, especially in the field of high technology. Serving as a regional center for the advancement of scientific and technological entrepreneurship and the promotion of projects and companies at the international level, STP Niš initiates the economic reengineering of the region and global competitiveness.
With a facility of 14,000 square meters, including office space, meeting rooms and an innovative “test before investment” platform, STP Niš fosters a dynamic startup ecosystem. Its 3D printing lab is further enhancing its capacity for hardware development and prototyping. Through initiatives such as hackathons that deal with challenges such as climate change, personalized medicine, GovTech, STP Niš fosters innovation and supports members through “Living lab” services for product testing. In addition, the program “Raising Starts” and various events enrich the development of skills in digital technologies. Playing a key role in regional cooperation, STP Niš established the Regional Network of Southern and Eastern Serbia, which strengthened support for startup companies in nine cities. Its multifaceted approach includes organizing incubation programs, innovation forums and technology conferences, fostering a sustainable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. As a regional center for accelerated development of innovative scientific and technological entrepreneurship and international promotion of projects and companies, it provides the basis for reengineering the region’s economy and strengthening its global competitiveness.
Science and Technology Park Čačak (STP Čačak)
By working dedicatedly and with ambitious plans for the future, the Science and Technology Park Čačak (STP Čačak), as a leading organization for the development of innovations in the areas of central and western Serbia, provides an authentic environment for the implementation of startups and technology companies through the provision of infrastructural and professional support.
Accelerated growth and development of the innovative system is achieved by using functional prototype-production spaces for the development of technological innovations, well-equipped laboratories, office spaces and the possibility of holding conferences. The city of Čačak greatly contributed to the development of innovations in 2019 by equipping and leasing 621m2 in the heart of the city center for use by startup teams and startup companies. The next big step was achieved in 2020, when the Republic of Serbia took ownership of 5,733 m2 of additional business and work space at Dr. Dragiša Mišovića 169, Čačak and officially joined the management, decision-making and ownership of the organization, together with the founders of STP Čačak. STP Čačak records the continuous growth of positive business indicators and as a catalyst of innovations in the fields of information technology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and new materials, where the main service is a space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences. At the very beginning of creating an innovative business, support programs are the starting point for forming a successful business story.
In 2023, support programs were used by 50 startup and technology development companies that employ over 250 highly educated individuals, 30 startup ideas were affirmed, while over 1,200 students and high school students followed events, courses and trainings at STP Čačak. A significant number of companies from the STP community obtained additional financial resources through national and international support programs.
Innovation Center of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade ltd - ICEF
ICEF acts as a vital link between academia and industry, offering innovative solutions to scientific and industrial challenges. With a team of 54 collaborators, ICEF has participated in over 30 projects, collaborating with national and international institutions and industrial partners. Its services range from conceptual design to international cooperation.
Equipped with 190 square meters of laboratory space and access to extensive facilities at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, ICEF specializes in various domains including artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security and e-health. These facilities include laboratories specializing in applied artificial intelligence, robotics, industrial process management, data protection, cyber security, ICT, software engineering, automatic control, signal processing, IoT, embedded hardware systems, AR/VR/MR, e-health and biomedical engineering.
It encourages cooperation with over 200 domestic and foreign partners, implementing projects at different stages of innovation maturity. ICEF’s Testing before Investment projects, with financial commitments of over €50,000, feature innovative solutions such as reconfigurable airport signal lights and Agile robotic processing for the furniture industry. Its Laboratory for Continuing Education trained over 50 participants, while cooperation with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering resulted in successful cycles of IT retraining funded by UNDP. By participating in key conferences and initiatives, ICEF contributes to improving work efficiency and quality of life. He was instrumental in establishing the GovTech Hub and the Innovation Incubator for Early Entrepreneurship. Engaging in various projects with entities such as UNDP and EU-funded initiatives, ICEF has created a network of institutions across Europe, fostering collaboration with renowned institutions in multiple countries, including initiatives such as MUSAE, DIH 2, DIH-HERO, FS4SMIH, BOVI, HUBTECS, L4MS and SHOP4CF. These projects have created a network of institutions representing leading Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) and competence centers across Europe.
Institute for Research and Development of Artificial Intelligence of Serbia (IVI)
The Institute for Research and Development of Artificial Intelligence of Serbia (IVI) is dedicated to pioneering AI technologies, with the aim of revolutionizing various aspects of life and work. With a vision to establish Serbia as a global leader in artificial intelligence research and technology transfer, IVI fosters a distributed research and development network.
Providing cutting-edge research environments and resources, IVI brings together leading AI researchers to mentor emerging talent and foster innovation. IVI strives to modernize the Serbian IT industry and improve business efficiency by sharing its expertise with professionals. Through cooperation initiatives with established companies and support for newcomers to the artificial intelligence market, IVI facilitates technology transfer and fosters partnerships between science and business.
Its multidisciplinary team, stationed in Novi Sad and Belgrade, closely collaborates on fostering creativity and innovation. Equipped with state-of-the-art workspaces and access to the National Data Center in Kragujevac, IVI has the infrastructure to support state-of-the-art research. Despite being a relatively young institution, IVI has already developed six proofs of concept, demonstrating its commitment to technological advancement. Through various collaborations and events such as master classes, forums, and conferences, IVI actively cooperates with the scientific and business community. Continuous implementation of networking activities and participation in projects such as HEU projects: Tango, ARTIFACT, SEISMEC, Pact NBS; EIT Digital Projects: Virtual Conference of the Future, Carbon-Organic Remote Sensing Explorer, IVI seeks to attract investment and drive innovation forward.
Center for Digital Transformation (CDT)
Founded in 2018 with the support of GIZ and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Digital Transformation (CDT) focuses on enabling the digital evolution of companies through education, consulting, and strategic partnerships. With over 4,000 companies applying for its programs, CDT has successfully implemented 800 technology solutions across the spectrum of businesses, from micro to medium enterprises.
CDT’s commitment to promoting digital transformation and nurturing partnerships with technology leaders will continue to fuel the progress of the Serbian economy. Using online questionnaires, such as the Digital Competitiveness Test and the Digital Immunity Test, CDT assesses companies’ readiness for digital transformation and artificial intelligence, using the data to improve the consulting process. With a facility in Belgrade spanning 2,000 square meters, including 700 square meters of office space and modern conference facilities, CDT provides a versatile environment for events and meetings.
The center has a team of 68 certified digital transformation consultants, trained in cooperation with GIZ and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, covering various aspects such as e-commerce, IT security and artificial intelligence. CDT’s Digital Academy offers web-based education tailored to SME leaders, addressing industry-specific challenges in digital transformation. The center has integrated artificial intelligence into its operations and launched a support program for small and medium-sized enterprises, collaborating with 30 companies to implement AI solutions through subsidies.
Ni-CAT Cluster
Cluster Ni-CAT – Founded by 34 members with an annual turnover of 45+ million euros and 1300+ employees, it also works with regional universities and municipalities to offer SMEs test environments and laboratories within their own companies with the latest technology for modern manufacturing industry – including Cyber Security, Fintech, Healthtech, Energitech, ERP, CRM, Business Analytics and Intelligence.
Founded with a focus on project financing, the Ni-CAT Cluster is actively involved in initiatives to improve skills, provide training and promote innovation and digital transformation. In cooperation with the regional network, the cluster organizes events and workshops to facilitate networking and knowledge exchange. As part of the GIZ project, “Green Startup Academy”, Ni-CAT Cluster established an academy and launched the internationalization of the diaspora, offering courses in entrepreneurship and green economy. In addition, Cluster Ni-CAT has provided a spin-off academy as well as a master class for scale-up and development companies. In addition, the cluster hosts discussions on tax incentives, the circular economy and cooperation with organizations such as the National Employment Service and the EBRD.
In response to global events such as the war in Ukraine, the cluster analyzes business impacts and organizes meetings to discuss new approaches to cluster work. The cluster organizes business clubs for networking and knowledge sharing, covering topics such as IT risk exposure, the dynamics of remote work, and strategies for reaching out to clients in the Americas. Cluster directors present insights globally, fostering connections and partnerships in locations such as Miami, Washington, and Dubai.
ICT Hub
Founded in 2014 as a private initiative, the ICT Hub is a beacon of collaboration and growth in technology and entrepreneurship. Our mission is clear: facilitating exchange and catalyzing growth amid evolving landscapes. As a link for individuals, startups, companies and organizations, we provide comprehensive support and guidance through strategic consulting and digital transformation.
Our services revolve around four key pillars: corporate innovation consulting, international development projects, early-stage startup investments, and workspace and events. Our unique approach guides companies through the intricacies of innovation and business development, empowering them to navigate dynamic environments and seize opportunities for expansion. With extensive experience in project administration, we collaborate with valued international donors and private sector leaders to spearhead impactful initiatives that foster a culture of innovation across the region.
Supported by prestigious international partners such as USAID, the European Commission and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, our projects have united diverse stakeholders and fostered collaborative efforts across borders and industries. Through our investment fund, we encourage the growth of promising technology startups, offering financial support, access to networks and tailored development programs. Our vibrant coworking space is more than a hub for collaboration and creativity. It’s a place that fosters a dynamic community of freelancers, entrepreneurs and IT professionals, offering a unique environment for growth and networking.
The consortium brought key knowledge from associated partners to drive the digital transformation process
- Development Agency of Serbia
- Innovation Center of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade
- University of Belgrade – Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Diplomacy and Security in Belgrade
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Niš
- Faculty of Technology in Leskovac
- Faculty of Technical Sciences in Čačak,
- Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Niš
- Zip youth center
- Regional innovation start-up center Novi Pazar
- Regional innovation start-up center Kruševac
- Regional innovation start-up center Paraćin
- Center for the development of innovative activities doo Vrnjačka Banja
- Regional innovation business center Zlatibor
- Business incubator center DOO Bor
Our Team
Ivan Pavlović
dr Milan Ranđelović
Suzana Mladenović
Stanislava Simić
Marko Ljubenović
Tehnički koordinator NTP Niš
Miloš Grozdanović
Aleksandra Ristić
Mina Mitić
Branislava Milanović
Vladan Pejović
Dr Ilija Kamenko
Mr Ilja Popović
Dr Dragiša Mišković
Dr Ognjen Kundačina
Dr Milovan Medojević
Dr Dejan Mirčetić
Ilija Radovanović
Boško Nikolić
Miloš Cvetanović
Dejan Drajić
Vasilije Kovačević
Ivan Vajs
Milica Badža Atanasijević
Predrag Nikolić
Filip Mrdak
Tijana Kolaković
Goran Mladenović
Kosta Andrić
Đurđa Đukić
Mirko Pešić
Stefan Urošević
Our Expertise
Comprised of partners with expertise spanning technology entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, HPC, cyber security, digitization and digital transformation, we operate nationally.
We boast strong competencies in technology areas, offering services in technical areas such as Additive Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support, Big Data, BI tools, Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Cloud Services, Data Communication Network, Digital twins, Gamification, high-performance computing, Human-computer interaction, Internet of Things, Internet services and applications, Location-based applications, logistics, Micro- and nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, New technologies for audio-visual sector – Media, Photonics, Quantum Technologies (Computing/Communications), Robotics, Sensors and Vision Processing Systems, Software Architectures, Virtual Reality
AI is applicable and incredibly valuable across industry sectors and we are fortunate to work across multiple industry verticals, including manufacturing, environment, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, arts and media. We provide strong technical expertise in the context of AI excellence.
- Robotic rehabilitation aids, robotic prostheses, intuitive and transparent human-machine interfaces, surgical robots
- Decision support systems, predictive analytics, disease diagnostics, drug development and modeling, data processing for telemedicine, personalized medicine
- Segmentation and classification of medical images, automated diagnostic procedures, image-guided surgery
- Processing of doctor’s notes and patient history, structure and categorization of electronic medical records
- Remote monitoring of patients and telemedicine, smart hospitals
- Collaborative robots, human-oriented production lines, flexible production systems, worker safety and ergonomics
- Optimization of resources and equipment, algorithms for smart production
- Anomaly detection, quality control, object recognition and sorting, assembly guides, hazard detection
- Interfaces for voice control and interaction with machines
- Smart production and system integration, remote control systems
- Content recommendation systems, assistive technologies
- Video and image recognition, content categorization, image and video material generation, visual effects, AR and VR technologies
- Automated text generation, sentiment analysis, topic and trend detection, content categorization, language translation, fact checking
- Automated inventory management, robotic warehouse automation, autonomous mobile delivery robots
- Supply chain management, demand forecasting algorithms, customer service evaluation, risk management, route optimization
- Vehicle tracking
- Autonomous vehicles for agriculture, robotic machines for weeding and pest control
- Pest/weed risk assessment, implementation of preventive measures based on weather forecasts, yield forecasting
- IoT sensors for precision agriculture, soil moisture and temperature monitoring, smart irrigation systems
- Drones for monitoring large areas, robots for collecting samples in inaccessible places, robots for cleaning the environment
- Calibration of sensors for air and water quality, forecasting of natural disasters and warning systems, climate modeling
- Air/water pollution monitoring, waste management monitoring, noise monitoring, wildlife monitoring
- Integration of STEM curriculum, interactive learning of coding and programming, assistive technology for special education
- Personalized assistive technology for learning, adaptive learning platforms, automated grading, educational content recommendation systems
- AR and VR models for immersive learning, accessibility tools, automatic software grading systems
- Smart classrooms and distance learning
- Prediction of resource availability, optimization of communication protocols and prediction of resource availability
- IoT sensors for network performance monitoring, fault detection, edge computing and distributed data processing
Our Laboratories
3D Printing Lab
Located in the Science and Technology Park in Niš, the laboratory is equipped with modern 3D printers, plotters and CNC machines for the development of hardware solutions and prototypes. It supports innovative product development, with plans for continuous improvement with additional modern tools and equipment.
Access to the National Data Center in Kragujevac
In cooperation with the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, it enables the use of a high-performance computer cluster with 4 NVidia DGKS-A100 units. Additional resources include a dedicated server for testing innovative solutions and advanced workstations with powerful graphics cards, supporting research and development in the field of artificial intelligence.
ICT and Software Engineering Lab
Specializing in the creation of customized software solutions, the laboratory covers areas such as enterprise applications, cloud technologies and mobile solutions development. Expertise includes automatic data processing, machine learning, text analysis and virtual reality development. Using platforms like Java, Angular and React, the lab focuses on fostering innovation and providing cutting-edge solutions tailored to the demands of the digital economy.
Automatic Control and Signal Processing Lab
Focused on advanced management systems in accordance with the principles of Industry 4.0, the laboratory provides services such as simulation of industrial processes, algorithms for predictive maintenance and the application of computer vision for monitoring the condition of machines and products. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, the laboratory offers consultation and training in the field of automatic control, ensuring optimal integration and operational efficiency of industrial systems.
e-Health and Biomedical Engineering Lab
The laboratory is focused on improving health care through modern technologies, with services that include motion analysis, development of diagnostic and monitoring algorithms, as well as specialized software for health professionals and patients. Using advanced sensors, signal processing and artificial intelligence, it promotes interdisciplinary collaboration to improve the quality of healthcare and treatment outcomes.
Robotics, Automation, Electronics and Electro-pneumatics Lab
This comprehensive laboratory integrates robotics, automation, electronics and electro-pneumatics to support educational, research and economic initiatives. It connects the participants of the innovation ecosystem from the region for the joint development of innovative products, processes and technologies. The laboratory serves as a center for scientific and technical collaboration between companies and educational institutions, fostering advances in robotics and automation technologies.
Internet of Things and Embedded Hardware Systems Lab
Dedicated to the development of IoT services and devices, the lab emphasizes scalability, agility and energy efficiency. Services include strategy development, architecture design and real-time data analysis using cloud, edge and fog computing. Specializing in customized solutions for smart cities and sustainable development, the lab uses expertise in ICT, network technologies and artificial intelligence to create seamlessly automated environments.
