Digital Serbia initiative

Name

Digital Serbia initiative

Legal name

Udruženje Inicijativa "Digitalna Srbija"

Website

https://dsi.rs

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Economy Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Inclusion & Civic Tech (Connectivity, GovTech for Social Good) (BPAGALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Digital Learning Content Development (eLearning, Labs, Simulations) (BPAEANAD), EdTech & Digital Learning Policy Research (EDADADAK)

Keywords

• Digital economy development
• Startup ecosystem support
• Digital skills training
• Angel investment network
• Tech ecosystem building

Headquarters

HQ city

Belgrade

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership contributions: DSI is sustained by contributions from its member organizations and companies, which include major Serbian and international tech companies, banks, and corporations. These membership fees support the organization's operational costs and program delivery.
2. International development funding: DSI partners with international organizations such as UNDP and USAID on specific projects and programs (e.g., Level Up Academy, Preduzmi ideju), receiving grant funding for digital transformation initiatives.
3. Angel investment network: DSI operates a business angel network (Digital Serbia BAN) that makes equity investments in Serbian startups. The 14th investment was made in Shosha Games alongside Omorika Ventures Fund.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Digital Serbia Initiative is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that runs a portfolio of programs and initiatives to develop Serbia's digital economy. Its core activities span strategic programs in formal and informal education (Master 4.0, Mejkers Lab network, Level Up Academy, AI in Schools), startup ecosystem development (Soonicorn program, DSI Business Angel Network, Startup Scanner research), legal-regulatory framework advocacy, digital infrastructure, and public dialogue on digital transformation.

Product overview

Digital Serbia Initiative (Inicijativa 'Digitalna Srbija') is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that serves as a portfolio of programs and initiatives rather than a single unified product. The organization operates as a strategic platform focused on developing Serbia's digital economy through multiple complementary offerings: educational programs (Level Up Academy, Master 4.0, Mejkers Lab Network), startup acceleration (Soonicorn Program, DSI Business Angel Network), research and analytics (Startap Skener, remAIn relevant), smart city pilots (PilotInn Cities), community events (unlockit Conference), and digital skills initiatives (Preduzmi ideju). These programs work together to address the digital ecosystem at multiple levels—from K-12 education through university and professional development, startup funding and mentorship, and public-private dialogue on digital transformation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Soonicorn: First program in the region exclusively focused on scaling startups, helping founders reach unicorn status through mentorship and investor access.
• Level Up Academy
• Startup Scanner (Startap Skener)
• Mejkers Lab (Makers Lab)
• remAIn relevant
• unlockit conference
• AI u školama (AI in Schools)

Products and services

• Soonicorn Program A six-month scaling program for startups in the growth stage, providing carefully selected mentors and access to a global investor network to help founders prepare for global expansion without DSI taking equity ownership. Targeted at founders of startups with potential to reach half-a-billion-dollar valuations.
• Level Up Academy A study pilot program developed in collaboration with UNDP Serbia that provides students with skills development opportunities for future careers, targeting university students to prepare them for the evolving labor market.
• Startap Skener (Startup Scanner)
• unlockit Conference
• Mejkers Lab Network (Makers Lab) Network of maker labs (classrooms of the future) established in secondary schools across Serbia, providing students with spaces for hands-on learning in STEAM subjects, 3D printing, robotics, and programming. Reached 41 schools by end of 2025 with 4 more planned.
• DSI Business Angel Network Informal business angel network connecting angel investors with innovative startups, facilitating early-stage equity investments in Serbian and regional technology companies. Has made 14 investments to date, including a EUR 300,000 joint investment in Shosha Games with Omorika Ventures Fund.
• Master 4.0 Interdisciplinary master's programs in gaming and creative industries developed in partnership with Serbian universities to address talent gaps in the digital sector.
• Preduzmi ideju
• AI u školama (AI in Schools) Project bridging industry and education to prepare students for a future enabled by artificial intelligence, developed with private sector partners. Completed in February 2025.
• PilotInn Cities Agile pilot project implementing innovative digital technologies addressing concrete challenges of local governments, including the ParkLIFE digital platform for public green space management in Nova Crnja municipality. Completed in June 2026.
• remAIn relevant

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million users served by startups in Soonicorn program (Prepia platform)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Shosha GamescoreOthersSerbian gaming studio developing cooperative game 'Water Me & You'. Received EUR 300,000 investment from DSI BAN and Omorika Ventures Fund. Already achieved traction with 100,000+ Steam wish lists, millions of TikTok views, and acceptance into Microsoft's Xbox Developer Acceleration Program.
• MicrosoftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member of DSI. Microsoft provides strategic support including technology access, program partnerships (e.g., Xbox Developer Acceleration Program connections for gaming startups), and co-funding of educational initiatives.
• NordeuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member and supporter of DSI. Nordeus, Serbia's most successful gaming company, contributes to gaming ecosystem development, participates in Mejkers Lab network support, and provides mentorship through experienced founders.
• StartitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member of DSI. Startit is a major Serbian tech community platform that supports startup ecosystem development and digital entrepreneurship.
• Infostud GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member of DSI. One of Serbia's leading internet companies, contributing to HR and recruitment ecosystem development and digital economy initiatives.
• Telekom SrbijacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member of DSI. Serbia's largest telecom operator contributes to digital infrastructure advocacy and supports digital transformation programs.
• Ringier Axel SpringercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member of DSI. International media company contributing to digital content and publishing ecosystem development in Serbia.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member of DSI. Major professional services firm contributes expertise in digital transformation consulting, regulatory frameworks, and business ecosystem development.
• Seven Bridges GenomicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member of DSI. Bioinformatics company contributes expertise in advanced computational biology and tech-driven research ecosystem development.
• GooglecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociate member of DSI. Google contributes to digital skills development, technology initiatives, and international best practices sharing.
• UNDP SerbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Level Up Academy program, a study pilot program for students developed in collaboration with UNDP Serbia. Also partner on remAIn relevant skills research.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on 'Preduzmi ideju' (Take Action) project and other digital transformation initiatives. USAID funding supports startup ecosystem development programs.
• ICT HubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFriend of DSI. Belgrade-based tech hub that implements Serbia Innovates (Srbija Inovira) project, co-organizes SPLET Tech conference.
• Serbian Games Association (SGA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFriend of DSI. Industry association for video game development in Serbia. DSI invested in Shosha Games in partnership, supporting gaming ecosystem growth.
• Centar za promociju nauke (Science Promotion Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Grupa za obrazovanje' (Education Group) that develops Mejkers Lab network, educational programs, and maker space initiatives across Serbia.
• Fondacija Petlja (Petlja Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate member and key partner in educational initiatives including Master 4.0 gaming programs, algorithmic literacy, 'Budimo pametni' campaign, and panel discussions on digital education.
• Dostignuća mladih u Srbiji (Youth Achievements in Serbia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Grupa za obrazovanje' (Education Group) developing the Mejkers Lab network of maker spaces in schools.
• Nordeus Fondacija (Nordeus Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Grupa za obrazovanje' (Education Group) supporting Mejkers Lab network development across Serbian schools.
• Henkel SrbijaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational partner of Mejkers initiative. Funded and supported Hemijsko-tehnološka škola in Kruševac to open their maker lab.
• Bosch SrbijaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational partner of Mejkers initiative. Supports maker labs with equipment and resources.
• Delta HoldingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember of DSI as of April 2025. Major Serbian holding company contributing to ecosystem development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ICT Hub: Belgrade-based tech and innovation hub running the Serbia Innovates (Srbija Inovira) project and co-organizing SPLET Tech with DSI. Closest direct peer — both operate from Belgrade, target the same Serbian digital ecosystem, and run overlapping startup and education programs.
• Impact Hub Belgrade: Belgrade node of the global Impact Hub network, focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship support. Direct peer because both operate a physical hub in Belgrade, run community/incubation programs, and engage corporate sponsors and donors around impact themes.
• Startit: Serbian tech community platform and DSI founding member running startup events, education, and community programs. Direct peer because Startit operates a parallel, community-driven approach to digital ecosystem development in Serbia and targets the same founder/developer audience.
• Catalyst Fund: Impact-oriented accelerator/funder backing inclusive digital and fintech startups in emerging markets. Direct peer — both run blended donor-backed programs that pair ecosystem convening with early-stage capital for underserved markets.
• Startup Wise Guys: CEE-focused B2B accelerator that co-invested with DSI BAN in OTA Sync. Direct peer because it runs a multi-country acceleration/seed program that competes for the same Serbian and Western Balkans founders DSI targets through Soonicorn and DSI BAN.

Broad incumbents

• EIT Digital: EU-funded digital innovation network running accelerators, education, and venture programs across Europe. Broad incumbent peer — it competes for the same Serbian founders, talent, and policy attention DSI cultivates, but operates at multi-country EU scale.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German federal development agency implementing bilateral digital and economic development programs across emerging markets. Broad incumbent peer — GIZ funds and operates parallel ICT4D/digital-economy programming in the Western Balkans, competing for donor coordination and policy influence.
• UNDP Accelerator Labs: UNDP's global network of country-level innovation labs experimenting with digital and development solutions. Broad incumbent peer — DSI partners with UNDP Serbia on Level Up Academy and remAIn relevant, but UNDP Accelerator Labs operates a parallel global digital-development model that competes for donor mindshare.
• EBRD Star Venture Programme: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development initiative supporting tech entrepreneurship and venture ecosystems across the Western Balkans and broader EBRD region. Broad incumbent peer — competes for the same donor mandate around digital-economy development in Serbia and the Western Balkans.

Others

• World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: WEF global policy network focused on technology governance, digital inclusion, and 4IR adoption. Adjacent peer — both organizations sit at the intersection of digital advocacy and ecosystem development, though WEF operates at global policy scale rather than country level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DigitalnaSrbija
• Facebookfacebook.com/InicijativaDigitalnaSrbija

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Digital Serbia initiative