International Innovation Exhibition ARCA 2023 Report
ARCA 2023 Report
Zagreb, Croatia – October 15, 2023 – Organized by the Croatian Union of Innovators, the 21st international innovation exhibition ARCA 2023 took place from October 12 to 14, 2023, at the National and University Library in Zagreb, Croatia. The event was co-organized by the National and University Library in Zagreb, the Croatian Community of Technical Culture HZTK, the International Federation of Inventors’ Association IFIA, and the University of Zagreb. The sponsors included the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the State Intellectual Property Office. The Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation, and Investments HAMAG – BICRO co-sponsored, and TEHNIX Co. was a partner. More than 200 innovations from 10 countries were showcased at the exhibition, representing the creativity of individual innovators, research and development communities, and innovative startup firms from both Croatia and abroad.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Miljenko Simpraga, PhD, President of the Croatian Union of Innovators, highlighted the unique aspect of ARCA, being the only exhibition of its kind worldwide to be held continuously for 21 years in person, even during two pandemic years.
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including government and non-government high-ranking officials. The official opening of ARCA 2023 was conducted by Dr. sc. Velibor Mačkić, the envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia.
At the opening ceremony, three Cooperation Agreements were signed with the University in Slavonski Brod, the Croatian Catholic University, and the University of the North. Furthermore, various events took place alongside ARCA.
On the first day, an Innovation Forum focused on “Social sciences as a driver of social innovation.” Additionally, the State Intellectual Property Office, a long-time partner of ARCA, conducted a lecture on “Protection of Intellectual Property.”
Throughout all three days, numerous programs were organized for youth, including STEM workshops featuring “xVidi” minicomputers and “LegoWeDo” sessions where robots were constructed and programmed.
A significant event was the workshop titled “Key factors of the Finnish education system,” led by Mr. Igor Vukelic, a student advisor in Finland, aimed at mentors and ministry officials.
Notably, a delegation from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) visited ARCA ’23. With the assistance of IFIA, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, laying the foundation for future cooperation.
During the closing ceremony, aside from official gold, silver, and bronze medals, special recognitions were awarded:
– The IFIA Best Invention Medal was presented to “Tehnix Modular Eco Kindergarten,” invented by Duro Horvat.
– The WIPO National Award was bestowed upon the innovation “CONNEKT – Smart, Modular Plug and Play system,” created by inventors Lovro Stipanović, Josip Oroz, Ivan Vlainić, and Nedeljko Štefanić.
– The second WIPO National Award for Schoolchildren was given to the innovation “AUTOMATED WIRE CUTTING DEVICE” by Slobodan Popovic from Varazdin.
– Lastly, the Grand Prix prize for the best innovation of the 21st international innovation exhibition ARCA 2023 was awarded to the aforementioned innovation “CONNEKT – Smart, Modular Plug and Play system,” created by inventors Lovro Stipanovic, Josip Oroz, Ivan Vlainic, and Nedeljko Stefanic.