Report on the Final Conference of the DIH InnovaMare Project
18/06/2026
The Final Conference of the DIH InnovaMare project was held on 17 June 2026 at the Adria Tech Technology Park in Šibenik.
The conference opened with welcome and introductory remarks delivered by Mateo Ivanac, CEO of Digital Innovation Hub InnovaMare, Helena Brčić, Project Manager from the Interreg Joint Secretariat, and Paško Rakić, the Prefect of Šibenik-Knin County, who emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation and innovation in strengthening the Blue Economy in the Adriatic region.
Throughout its implementation, the DIH InnovaMare project played a significant role in strengthening the cross-border innovation ecosystem in the Blue Economy sector. It successfully brought together research institutions, businesses, development organizations, and public authorities from Croatia and Italy, while fostering the development and deployment of innovative technologies for the sustainable use of marine resources.
The conference gathered representatives of public authorities, financial institutions, innovation organizations, research institutions, and industry from both countries. Participants were presented with the project’s key achievements, pilot activities developed within the project, and opportunities for further development and use of the infrastructure and services established through the project.
Special attention was dedicated to the future of financing innovation in the Blue Economy. During the keynote session, Slađana Ćosić, Head of the European Investment Bank Group, presented current and future funding instruments available to innovative companies and projects operating in the Blue Economy.
The central part of the program was the panel discussion titled “From Gaps to Solutions – What Financing is Missing for Blue Economy Innovation?” The panel featured Elena Bortolotti (Fondazione Fenice), Paola Pellicioli (Sita Compositi), and Igor Talijančić (IZOR), and was moderated by Mateo Ivanac (DIH InnovaMare). Panelists discussed the key challenges innovators and entrepreneurs face in accessing finance and explored solutions to strengthen the Blue Economy innovation ecosystem in the Adriatic region. Particular emphasis was placed on investment opportunities and financing mechanisms that can support the commercialization of innovative solutions.
The Final Conference confirmed the value of the results achieved within the DIH InnovaMare project and opened the door to new initiatives, partnerships, and investments that will contribute to the further development of the Blue Economy innovation ecosystem in the Adriatic region.
