13.06.2016

Production and Promotion of the Video Commercial and Maintenance of Social Media platforms for the EU funded project

Request for offers: Production and Promotion of the Video Commercial and Maintenance of Social Media platforms for the CBC Innovation Hub of the European Union funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”.

Kosovo Association for Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) and Eye of Vision (SiV) are seeking to engage a company for Producing and Promoting the Video Commercial and Maintaining Social Media platforms for the EU financed project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of KS and MNE” project.

Attached please find the detailed Terms of References for the scope of work of the company.

Selection criteria is based on work experience, a page of proposed action plan, description of creative approach proposed, timeline proposed, and the financial offer.
You need to send your proposal via e-mail to [email protected] no later than 22.06.2016.

Looking forward to your applications.
This project is financed by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

CBC 26 – ToR of Production and Promotion the Video Commercial and Maintaining Social Media platforms: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ToR_-_Production_and_Promotion_the_Video_Commercial_and_Maintaining_Social_Media_platforms_.pdf

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18.05.2016

Presentation of the project financed from EU in Tirana

On Friday, on 16.05.2016, “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)” project was presented.

Staff of STIKK, Mr. Bardh Kadiu and Mr. Lorik Mullaademi were part of the Innovation Week conference in Tirana, where they had the opportunity to talk about the Ecosystem of the Regional Information and Communication Technology, and Innovation Ecosystem.

Furthermore, the project financed by EU, “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)” was presented. Project’s objectives, beneficiaries of the long term, and relevant activities were explained. As such, it is expected for the project to reach promising results in developing Kosovo’s society in technology, and economic condition in general.

CBC Tirana Presentation: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CBC_Tirana_conference_16052016.pdf

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16.05.2016

KosICT eSports Championship – Professional eSports initiative

Electronic sports, generally known as eSports are a new form of sport in computer games, which in recent years got recognition across the world. The young gamers are developing for-profit career, where investments in this sport have exceeded millions.

Most often, eSports take the form of a competition organized as video game, especially among professional players. The most common genre of video games associated with eSports are: 1. “Real Time Strategy” and “First Person Shooter”.

eSports is one of the most popular sport around the world and international tournaments have gained special respect and support of many institutions, companies and organizations. Various international competitions now livestream from famous media broadcasts as ESPN, Daily Dot, Yahoo etc.

This electronic sports scene has very little support in Kosovo and so far has been in the hands of self-initiatives of these sports enthusiasts. While eSports still has a long way to go before it becomes famous as basketball or football, SuperData Research, a company based in New York who follows the sector, said that the global market of eSports will grow from $748m for $1.9bn at the end of 2018. In 2015 about 188 million people have watched the games being played online and on TV, from 71.5 million in 2013.

Kosovo Association of Information and Communication Technology (STIKK, www.stikk.org) has found it reasonable to intervene and be the first professional organization to offer its support by working toward this direction.

STIKK within the International Conference KosICT will organize tournament in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), an event which will be followed with great attention during the conference where they will eventually declared the winner of the first place with 1,000 €. The official date of the event is the beginning of October, while the main event will take place on 27 October 2016. KosICT eSports Championship event already is on facebook (facebook.com/kosictchamp), where you can follow the open calls for teams applying and other information regarding the championship.

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10.05.2016

Launch of CBC Innovation Hub in Berane

On Friday, 06.05.2016, CBC Innovation Hub in Berane was launched.

Part of the launch event of CBC Innovation Hub in Berane were STIKK’s staff as well, Mr. Bardh Kadiu and Mr.Lorik Mullaademi, together with the partner from Eye of Vision, Mr. Dukagjin Nishiqi, and the recent employed administrator Mrs. Majlinda Kelmendi.

During the launch event of CBC Innovation Hub in Berane, ongoing activities were mentioned, together with the future planned activities that will occur in Montenegro. In addition, partners had the opportunity to talk to each-other, to listen to questions of one-another, and begin future potential collaborations.

On the other hand, STIKK and SiV are preparing for the CBC Innovation Hub in Istog, which is expected to be opened on June.

CBC Innovation Hub in Istog is expected to serve the youth and tourism businesses of the Dukagjin area, in order to be informed with latest upgrades of technology and apply it in their businesses as an additional value.

CBC Innovation Hub in Istog and Berane are realized from “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of KS and MNE” project, financed from EU.

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04.05.2016

Breakfast with members and the Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Blerand Stavileci

On May 4th 2016, STIKK organized the first edition of Breakfast with Members, where the invited guest was the Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Blerand Stavileci and present were executive directors and managers of ICT companies.

This event was sponsored by the ICT services company LinkPlus IT (www.linkplus-it.com).
This non-formal meeting raised various topics in conversation with the Minister, where the topics on focus were the ones on the Innovation Fund, the National Strategy of ICT and sustainable development policies.

Minister Stavileci emphasized two main ideas which STIKK and member companies can contribute to the promotion of the sector; 1. firstly stated was the need for more frequent meetings on a weekly basis which can include media and local portals; 2. technological programs to be more focused on developments in the country.

Our members raised the issue of pale aid of the Government in support of ICT companies in representation in regional and international events such as Cebit, Appsworld, Webit etc., which have the potential to bring investment into the country’s economy; Proper cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Development, Diaspora, Foreign Affairs and others; A better link between local companies, diaspora and people involved in the ICT industry in developed countries.

Also they discussed topics of formal education as well as incentives from the Government for monthly scholarships to train young candidates in the company.

Breakfast with members will continue with the next editions with guests from different backgrounds.

We welcome you!

This breakfast was sponsored by LinkPlus members (www.linkplus-it.com).

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03.05.2016

Printing Materials for the EU funded project

Request for offers: Printing materials for the CBC Innovation Hub of the European Union funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”.

Kosovo Association for Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) is seeking to hire a company for printing materials for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of KS and MNE project”.

Therefore, attached please find the detailed Terms of References for the scope of work.

The application is send via e-mail to [email protected] no later than 10/05/2016.

If you have questions or comments, please contact us via e-mail.
This project is financed by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

CBC 25 – ToR of Printing Materials: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CBC_25_-_ToR_of_Printing_Materials.pdf

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28.04.2016

International Day of Women in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

In order to mark the International Day of Women in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the conference held today talked about the engagement of Kosovar women in ICT sector.

Among other topics of women’s engagement in ICT sector, successful stories of Kosovar women in this sector were mentioned during the conference. One of the most successful women in ICT sector in Kosovo is mentioned to be Mrs. Vjollca Çavolli – Executive Director at Kosovo Information and Communication Technology Association (STIKK), who during all of her career excels for her work and contributions in this sector.
It was emphasized how Mrs. Çavolli is considered to be a motivation and a role model for all girls in Information and Communication Technology in Kosovo.

As part of the event, STIKK Education was presented as another opportunity for girls in the Information and Communication Technology sector in Kosovo. STIKK’s staff had the chance to speak about the objectives of STIKK Education’s trainings, and potential opportunities created through these trainings.

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25.04.2016

Development of an Operational & Sustainability Plan

Request for offers: Development of an Operational & Sustainability plan for the CBC Innovation Hub of the European Union funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”.

Kosovo Association for Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) is seeking to hire a consultant/company to develop an operational & sustainability plan for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of KS and MNE project”.

Therefore, attached please find the detailed Terms of References for the scope of work.

Selection criteria is based on work experience (40%), time of implementation (50%), and creativity presented (10%). You need to send your portfolio, one-page proposal and time-plan of the work.

The application is send via e-mail to [email protected] no later than 29/04/2016.

If you have questions or comments, please contact us via e-mail.
This project is financed by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

CBC 24 – ToR of Development of Operational and Sustainability Plan: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ToR_of_Development_of_operational___sustainability_plan_.pdf

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25.03.2016

STIKK’s VIIIth Assembly selects 9 new Board Members

Yesterday, on 24.03.2016, STIKK’s VIIIth Assembly was held and 26 member companies of the association were present.

STIKK’s VIIIth Assembly meeting started with the volunteer resignation of the President of the STIKK’s Board, Mr. Shkumbin Brestovci. With this resignation and expiration mandate of 4 existing members, absence of one member, and removal of one member during this year, the Board members agreed to propose the release from duty of the entire Board in front of the Assembly, which was approved and it was decided to move to the new polls. After voting with unanimous votes, 9 new Board members were selected.

New Board Members:

Mentor Sahiti (Adaptivit) – President of the Board
Dardan Vokshi (INET) – Vice President of the Board
Vigan Budima (Asseco SEE)
Leutrim Blakaj (Zetta Technologies)
Ermal Sadiku (LinkPlus)
Zana Tabaku (Appdec)
Arben Ymeraga (Melita & Partners)
Ilir Gorani (AVC Group)
Argjent Nela (ITEG)

During the Assembly, the selection of the audit company for STIKK for the period of 2016-2018 was made, as well as the voting and approval of the STIKK’s Work Plan and Budget for 2016.

Furthermore, the Executive Director of STIKK, Mrs. Vjollca Çavolli, mentioned some of the successful events of 2015, such as the Implementation of the new fiscal package; Approval of the National Strategy for IT from Government; Government’s decision for the Technology incubator for the ICT Businesses; and launch of the STIKK Education project.

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21.03.2016

20 free tickets for startups from Kosovo for PODIM 2016!

PODIM is the largest conference on startups, entrepreneurship and innovation in the Alps-Adriatic region.

Each year, the event attracts more than 600 attendees from more than 10 countries and 50+ renowned regional and international speakers! Please check this year’s keynote speakers or find out all about PODIM Challenge, the investment part of the conference with 30+ top investors from all over the globe!

Free 3-day package
The free 3-day package for Kosovo startups and their mentors includes:

– Organized airplane transport to the PODIM conference from Prishtina Airport, departure on 10 May, return on 13 May 2016.
– Three nights’ stay in Slovenia (accomodation from 10 to 13 May 2016).
– Attending the PODIM conference, including organized meetings with investors.
Post-conference event at the Jable Castle in Ljubljana plus a visit to ABC Accelerator, one of the biggest start-up hubs in the region!
– You’ll be able to network with the ABC Accelerator team one-on-one and get first-hand feedback on how to develop your business idea in the field of marketing, legal advice, design etc. The ABC team can also help you find the right mentor or investor in the region. And if you win the PODIM Challenge, ABC Accelerator will give you an ‘invitation only’ ticket to visit ABC Accelerator Demo Day.

Application deadline is 15 April 2016!
All interested startups and startup teams from Kosovo have to submit a two-steps application:

1st step: submit the data about your team and team members here;
2nd step: submit your application for PODIM Challenge – a pitching competition for early stage startups, looking for a seed investment.

The application deadline is 15 April 2016! The official language of the PODIM Conference is English. If the number of applications exceeds the available number of special offers (20), priority is given to startup companies that are better evaluated by the PODIM Challenge pre-selection committee.

Hope to see the best startup teams from Kosovo at PODIM this year! Submit your application here. For more information, you can write to us at [email protected] and [email protected]

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