The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies actively participated in the Startup Revolution AI Summit, held at the Macedonian Philharmonic in Skopje, bringing together representatives of the startup community, industry, academia, and public institutions. On the main stage of the event, Prof. Dr. Zivko Kokolanski spoke about building bridges between academia and the startup community, with a particular focus on opportunities for the development and application of innovative technologies in the field of artificial intelligence. In his presentation, Prof. Kokolanski highlighted the wide range of resources, laboratories, expertise, and support mechanisms that FEEIT and INNOFEIT make available to Macedonian startups and industrial companies. The aim is to provide companies with easier access to advanced technologies, research infrastructure, and expert knowledge, as well as opportunities to develop, test, and validate their own innovative solutions.
Particular emphasis was placed on INNOFEIT EDIH – the first European Digital Innovation Hub in the country, which for the past two years has been one of the key drivers supporting the digital transformation of enterprises and public institutions. Through INNOFEIT EDIH activities, around 30 prototype solutions have already been developed, alongside numerous training programmes and activities supporting companies in digitalisation, networking, and access to finance. In this way, companies have the opportunity to test the latest technologies and develop innovative solutions in cooperation with FEEIT experts and research teams.
Prof. Kokolanski also presented the FEEIT Energy Living Lab, which offers a wide range of opportunities for the development, testing, and experimentation of advanced energy technologies and systems. A particularly important feature is remote access to the Living Lab’s energy resources through digital twin technology, implemented within the GOTOTWIN project, funded through the INTERREG IPA ADRION programme. This approach enables startups and other interested stakeholders to access advanced research infrastructure and develop and test new energy solutions without the need to be physically present in the laboratory. As an additional link in the process from an initial idea to a functional solution, companies and startups also have access to FEEIT FABLAB, the Faculty’s fabrication laboratory. Its facilities enable the development and fabrication of prototype solutions, completing the entire support chain – from expertise and concept development, through testing and experimentation, to the production of a physical prototype.
Prof. Dr. Zivko Kokolanski’s presentation attracted considerable interest from the audience and resulted in several new opportunities and initiatives for cooperation with companies and institutions. Through its participation in the Startup Revolution AI Summit, FEEIT once again reaffirmed its commitment to actively contributing to the development of the Macedonian economy and innovation ecosystem, putting its knowledge, expertise, laboratory facilities, and project resources at the service of startups, industry, and the public sector.
