STAR UP Project Soars to New Heights: A Triumph at KosICT 12th Edition

In a dazzling display of innovation and entrepreneurship, the STAR UP Project in Kosovo, funded by the European Union and executed by the Kosovo ICT Association (STIKK), recently celebrated a remarkable success at the 12th edition of KosICT.

The event, held at the KlanArena, showcased the accomplishments of 14 start-ups supported by the STAR UP Project. Each start-up presented its unique innovations at individual booths, capturing the attention of attendees and igniting curiosity throughout the venue.

One of the standout features of the event was the global networking opportunities it provided for the participating start-ups. Over the course of the two-day affair on October 13 and 14, these budding entrepreneurs engaged with tech enthusiasts and professionals from around the world. The doors opened by KosICT allowed for valuable connections, collaborations, and exploration of potential partnerships and investments, marking a significant milestone for the STAR UP Project.

Adding to the project’s triumph, two of the outstanding start-ups not only participated in the main KosICT event but also took center stage at a side event organized by the Suomen suurlähetystö Pristina – Embassy of Finland in Pristina. The cherry on top? They secured tickets to the prestigious SLUSH event, a global pinnacle of start-up and investor excellence. The Embassy of Finland’s role in facilitating this opportunity was gratefully acknowledged.

A resounding round of applause is due to the STAR UP Project, STIKK, and KosICT for orchestrating two days of overwhelming success. The connections forged, partnerships established, and opportunities unlocked during the event are the true indicators of triumph in the dynamic world of technology and innovation.

As the stakeholders bask in the glow of these achievements, the STAR UP Project looks forward to propelling its start-ups to even greater heights. The journey continues, and the commitment to fostering innovation and providing crucial support for start-ups to accelerate towards success in the tech industry remains unwavering. The STAR UP Project stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs, signaling that the future is bright and filled with limitless possibilities in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Onwards and upwards, the STAR UP Project continues to pave the way for a new era of technological innovation and business success in Kosovo and beyond.

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17.05.2023

We are hiring – Finance and Accounting Intern

Finance and Accounting Intern

We are seeking for a highly motivated and dedicated intern to join our finance and accounting team. This paid internship offers an excellent opportunity for aspiring finance and accounting professionals to gain practical experience while also having the potential for future employment. As a Finance and Accounting Intern, you will work closely with our finance manager, contributing to various financial projects and tasks while developing your skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Assisting with financial data entry and maintaining accurate records of financial transactions.
2. Supporting the preparation of financial statements, reports, and budgets.
3. Conducting financial analysis, including variance analysis and trend identification.
4. Assisting in the reconciliation of accounts, ensuring accuracy, and resolving discrepancies.
5. Collaborating with team members to assist in the month-end and year-end closing processes.
6. Assisting in the preparation of tax filings and compliance requirements.
7. Keeping up-to-date with financial regulations and best practices to ensure compliance.
8. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications:
1. Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
2. Strong understanding of financial principles, accounting concepts, and financial statements.
3. Good knowledge in Microsoft Excel and other accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks)
4. Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
5. Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
6. Ethical and professional conduct, handling confidential information with discretion.

Benefits:
1. Paid internship with a competitive compensation package.
2. Practical experience and exposure to various finance and accounting functions.
3. Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in the field.
4. Opportunity to contribute to real-world financial projects and initiatives.
5. Possibility for future employment based on performance and organizational needs.

Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications required for the Paid Finance and Accounting Intern. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change or modification based on the organization’s needs and priorities.

All interested candidates can send their CVs to the email address: [email protected] by June 10, 2023, at 16:00.

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10.02.2023

The CEO of STIKK is elected Chair of the Advisory Board of FIEK.

The CEO of STIKK, Vjollca Cavolli, has been elected as the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pristina!

The Advisory Board of FIEK is a highly valued group of individuals with high knowledge and experience, who play a crucial role in supporting the work of FIEK.

The Advisory Board can suggest to the FIEK Council updates to the study programs, to ensure that students receive proper professional preparation in line with market demands. This board supports FIEK and the relevant job market in creating working groups. Board members collaborate with FIEK in the field of scientific research, professional services, innovation intermediation, and proposals for cooperation on joint projects with FIEK and other partners.

STIKK is committed to collaboration with higher education and professional institutions as their support is vital for the TIK sector job market and for the high-quality education of Kosovo’s students.

Earlier, STIKK signed a cooperation memorandum with FIEK with the aim of strengthening cooperation, exchanging experiences, and exchanging students for practical work and employment at STIKK member companies.

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10.02.2023

Request for Applications – Accelerate your start-up through Star Up

STIKK, the implementing entity of the STAR UP project, funded by the European Union, is seeking Tenants for Tech Park Prishtina, from qualified Kosovo start-ups who have focused their business operations in the ICT Sector.

The aim of the action is to offer support for existing start-ups and enhance their capabilities through Individualized acceleration support, based on their needs. After their acceptance, individualized needs diagnosis will be administered and follow-up acceleration support will be provided to each of the start-ups. The Tech Park will serve as a one-stop shop for the whole industry, with around 25 start-ups and 10 well-established businesses which will move to the premises, including Research & Development labs, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, etc.

Hence, Prishtina Tech Park will foster the collaboration of established companies and new start-ups to expand further the capabilities and services/products offered by the ICT industry. The STAR UP project will also support start–ups with various Trainings, Consultancy in Business Management, Matchmaking & B2B events, Market Linkages, Access to EU markets, Regional & International ICT event participation, Seed-fundings via grants etc.

We anticipate awarding up to 25 start-ups to be part of the Tech Park Prishtina, around March 2023.

Interested start-ups are encouraged to consult the RFA that has been published on our webpage.

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16.11.2022

MINT and STIKK sign the extension of the contract for the use of the business incubator in Bërnica

The amendment-supplement (annex) of the contract for putting the business incubator in Bërnica into use is signed.

The Executive Director of the Association for Information and Communication Technology of Kosovo (STIKK), Vjollca Çavolli, was received in a meeting by the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, with whom they signed the Annex to the contract between MINT and STIKK for the commissioning of Business Incubator in Bërnica, under the administration of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, in accordance with Law No. 04/ L-159 for Economic Zones.

This incubator with a total area of ​​3930m2, will be used by STIKK for the next 5-year period, in order to contribute and facilitate the creation of potential sustainable businesses, which offer joint services in entrepreneurship, business support services, advancement of skills and technology as well as other issues related to the incubator.

The signing of the contract paves the way for the functionalization of Tech Park Prishtina, which is in the last phase of works. One more opportunity for entrepreneurship and especially the ICT sector of Kosovo. TechPark Prishtina will provide development opportunities for all those ideas that bring innovation as well as provide connections and synergies between local and international markets, universities and other supporting institutions.

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KosICT Technology Festival – 11th Edittion

The KosICT Technology Festival kicked off its eleventh anniversary with 60 speakers and over 2200 physical participants, reaffirming itself as one of the leading events in the region for exchanging and promoting technology ideas.

KosICT was celebrated in the Youth and Sports Center in Prishtina and was powered by ProCredit Bank Kosovo.

Between the 7th and 8th of October 2022, top decision-makers and officials, company executives, startup developers and well-known experts from various technology sectors shared their vision and best practices with participants with diverse backgrounds and professions.

The main stage of the 11th edition of KosICT was moderated for the third time in a row by Global Public Speaking & TEDx Coach, Peter Hopwood who officially opened the festival by highlighting some of the main topics to be discussed over the two days. The welcoming note for the audience was made by the President of the Board of Directors of Kosovo ICT Association (STIKK), Mr Valon Canhasi who also gave a brief description of the path and achievements of KosICT over the last 11 years.

The 11th edition of KosICT was honoured by the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti who spoke about the support of the government to the ICT community in Kosovo, as well as, some of the future plans related to the growth of the local ICT industry. The floor was then passed to Norway’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Jens Erik Grøndahl who highlighted the potential of digitalization and the ICT industry for the development of Kosovo and the whole region. Then, the Deputy Mayor of Pristina Mr Alban Zogaj shared the will of the Municipality of Prishtina to support all future ICT projects in the future. His remarks were followed by the Executive Director of Innovation Center Kosovo, Mr Uranik Begu.

During the two days of the festival, a total of 60 speakers (26 international and 34 local) explored topics like Blockchain, Metaverse, Artificial Intelligence, Power of Innovation, Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, Digitalization, 5G Networks, Smart Cities, Women in Tech and many more. KosICT was attended by over 3,200 participants.

Continuing the tradition of supporting and promoting promising Start-ups, KosICT once again welcomed the Innovation Fair, where 9 start-ups highlighted their work. A total of 9 ICT companies and 44 kids from Shkolla Digjitale, J-Coders, BONEVET and Finnish school were part of Future developers Corner, sponsored by Gjirafa. The Brokerage Event brought together 24 local and international businesses for 36 private meetings and potential partnership explorations for two days. Two E-gaming tournaments were part of the festival as well.

More details on the 11th Edition of KosICT can be found at the FULL NARRATIVE REPORT

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14.06.2022

Deputy minister Liza Gashi in MARTech, agreement on three issues with STIKK companies

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora will cooperate closely with STIKK member companies for digital diplomacy. This was agreed at ‘MARTech’, the Tuesday meeting organized by STIKK, where the deputy was invited. the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Liza Gashi.

In the morning meeting with representatives of STIKK member companies, deputy Minister Gashi told about the visit of Prime Minister Albin Kurti to the USA and about the cooperation that the government of the Republic of Kosovo is doing with the Linkedin company. According to the deputy Minister Gashi, currently the two parties are exchanging data for the creation of a Kosovo database.

Among other things, she emphasized that the KosICT festival, organized by STIKK, has been promoted in all meetings with American companies, as a major event promoting the ICT sector in Kosovo and beyond.

The members of STIKK showed the achievements of the companies as well as the collaborations they have at the international level, mainly with the countries of the European Union and the USA.

In the end, it was agreed between STIKK and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora:

• to create a working group to strengthen cooperation for citizen diplomacy, as a promoter of the success of the ICT sector;
• to hold at least 4 regular meetings per year;
• to work for a more effective liaison between STIKK and the embassies of Kosovo in the world.

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07.06.2022

The Mayor of Pristina Municipality, Përparim Rama, invited to MARTech, STIKK’s new initiative

A coffee with the ICT sector. This is the motto of STIKK’s newest initiative which is entitled ‘MARTech’.

Martech aims to create a conversation space between STIKK members and guests from different public or private fields. The event is held on two Tuesdays of every month in the format of a morning coffee among the attendees.

At the first MARTech, the guest was Përparim Rama, Mayor of the Municipality of Pristina. During the conversation with the representatives of STIKK member companies, it was discussed about cooperation opportunities and initiatives for the digitalization of public services.

Mr. Rama expressed his gratitude to the ICT sector and offered his full cooperation regarding the development of Pristina as a ‘smart city’. He also showed his willingness to support the KosICT festival as well as the mobility plan for TechPark Prishtina, which is in the final stage of construction.

The members of STIKK told about the successes and solutions they offer to companies outside Kosovo and expressed their willingness to transfer the acquired knowledge to the city where they operate.

In the end, it was decided to create a working group which will identify the needs and suggest digital solutions to address the needs of the citizens of Pristina.

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02.06.2022

TechPark Prishtina enters the final phase of construction

Work on the construction of TechPark Prishtina has resumed, thus entering the final phase of the project. The Ministry of Economy has signed the contract with the contractor for the completion of the third phase of the works.

TechPark Prishtina is a project initiated by STIKK to provide development opportunities for all those ideas that bring innovation.

One such opportunity is the StarUp program. This project, financed by the EU and implemented by STIKK, aims to help small and medium-sized businesses as well as mature startups, offering space, professional services, modern infrastructure and adequate promotion.

At the same time, TechPark will provide connections and synergies between local and international markets, universities and other supporting institutions.

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30.05.2022

The board of STIKK meets with the adviser of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Jagxhiu: STIKK is the main partner of the government for the development of the ICT sector

STIKK is the government’s main partner for the development of the ICT sector and for the national ICT strategy, according to the ICT advisor of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr Lulzon Jagxhiu.

At the invitation of STIKK, a meeting was held between the Board of Directors of STIKK and Mr. Jagxhiu. The meeting discussed the challenges of the ICT sector in Kosovo as well as the strategy with which the government is planning to approach these challenges.

STIKK Board members presented the priorities of the association and some of the proposals that require addressing in the government for the benefit of the ICT sector. The board also expressed its readiness and willingness to cooperate with government institutions in achieving common goals for the benefit of the sector and the economy of Kosovo.

Mr. Jagxhiu emphasized that STIKK is the government’s main partner for the development of the ICT sector and for the national ICT strategy, and he revealed some of the steps it plans to take in this direction, also seeking STIKK’s support. Among other things, Mr. Jagxhiu informed the Steering Board of STIKK about the details of Prime Minister Kurti’s visit to ICT companies in the USA and the results of these meetings.

At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to hold regular meetings between STIKK and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo where we will address the development issues of the ICT sector in Kosovo.

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