Cohort 7 - Applications now open

Elevate your Business Game

Services for CEOs of Croatian SMEs ready to scale, innovate and grow beyond local markets.

Registration deadline for the 5-week hybrid bootcamp: September 9

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Upcoming Cohort

Applications close on September 9

Start date

September 21

Registration deadline

September 9

Duration

5 weeks

Format

Hybrid

Offsite

Opatija

September 30 - October 2

Price

Free

100% financed by the EU

Featured tracks: Manufacturing & IT

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Discover the 2026 SkillUp Program

Download the 2026 brochure

For Croatian SME Leaders

A growth program for CEOs ready to scale

SkillUp helps CEOs of Croatian SMEs strengthen their leadership, explore innovation and turn business challenges into concrete next steps.

The main format is a 5-week hybrid bootcamp, mostly online, with weekly or biweekly sessions lasting 3 to 5 hours and one immersive offsite retreat. It combines expert insights, sector-specific masterclasses, practical case studies and 1-1 consultations tailored to participants’ business needs.

SkillUp also offers Mini SkillUp, a shorter offsite-only format for CEOs looking for a shorter experience. After completing either format, participants may be invited to join the SkillUp Club, an exclusive community for continued learning, networking and support.

Explore the full program

What participants can expect

AI use cases

Leadership

Marketing and branding

Key trends

Sector Tracks

Focused tracks for key Croatian industries

SkillUp includes sector-specific content designed around the realities of Croatian SMEs in IT / Software, Manufacturing and Tourism.

Featured tracks: IT / Software and Manufacturing

IT / Software

AI, regulation and software development.

Manufacturing

Industry 4.0, LEAN and operational efficiency.

Tourism

Resilience, innovation and year-round value.

Expert-led Program

Learn from business leaders, specialists and partner firms

SkillUp brings together local and international experts in AI, digital transformation, manufacturing, leadership, marketing, governance and business growth to help CEOs turn ideas into practical actions for their companies.

Namik Hrle

IBM Fellow

Tomer Simon

Microsoft

Davor Bruketa

Chief Creative Officer

Civitta

Market analysis experts

Luqam

LEAN and manufacturing experts

Ružica Šimić

Governance and E&S expert

Mirela Alpeza

SME governance expert

Infinum

AI & data engineering experts

Alenka Ostrihon, Media Mind

Communications & Media Strategy Expert

Dušan Banović

M&A expert

Simon-Kucher

Commercial growth experts

ADIZES

Change management experts

Discover all experts

Program Impact

What do CEOs get from the SkillUp Program?

The results speak for themselves.

151

CEOs and top managers

cohorts

63%

of participants initiated business relationships with other SkillUp peers after the program

97%

of companies made, or started making, changes in their business after the program

Learn more about the program

Participant Testimonials

Success Stories

Hear from CEOs and business leaders who have taken part in SkillUp and applied new insights, tools and connections to their companies.

“SkillUp isn’t just theory – its greatest value is sharing experiences with entrepreneurs. Through workshops and speakers, I gained insights and motivation for business growth.”

Alen Furjanić

Lima d.o.o., Kamanje – 2nd Cohort

“The program is a catalyst for business efficiency. Combining online work and in-person meetings enables learning and networking, while mentors from different industries add value.”

Marko Šarić

Sarmenta d.o.o., Zagreb – 1st Cohort

“I gained practical advice on using AI tools and valuable insights on hiring and team communication. I especially value connecting with directors from other industries.”

Matej Čuljak

Čuljak d.o.o., Slavonski Brod – 1st Cohort

“SkillUp provided structured learning, new insights, and a chance to step away from routine. Sharing experiences and mentorship make it highly valuable for personal and business development.”