NiCAT

What NiCAT does

NiCAT - Niš Cluster of Advanced Technologies is a Serbian business association founded in 2011 and headquartered in Niš. It operates as a technology cluster aggregating 28 member companies, 4 universities, and 3 institutions whose collective member base employs more than 1,300 people and generates annual turnover above €45 million. The cluster itself does not build proprietary technology products; rather, it functions as a network orchestrator across four focal areas — ICT, electro medicine, automation, and mechanical engineering — connecting member capabilities with international clients and partners. NiCAT serves primarily as a single point of contact for organizations seeking reliable outsourcing, custom software development, cybersecurity, fintech, e-commerce, gaming, medical-device software, and embedded-systems engineering from the Niš region.

Name

NiCAT

Legal name

NiCAT - Nis Cluster of Advanced Technologies

Website

https://ni-cat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NiCAT is a Serbian technology business association founded in 2011 in Niš, connecting 28 member companies, 4 universities, and 3 institutions across ICT, electro medicine, automation, and mechanical engineering to international clients via events, missions, and EU-funded projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nis

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 fees: NiCAT operates as a business association (cluster) of technology companies, universities, and institutions. Revenue is generated through membership fees from 28 member companies, 4 universities, and 3 institutions. The cluster also pursues EU-funded project grants and organizes paid events and webinars.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

NiCAT is a business association and technology cluster that aggregates 28 advanced-technology companies, 4 universities, and 3 institutions in the Niš region of Serbia, representing more than 1,300 professionals across ICT, electro-medicine, automation, and mechanical engineering. It facilitates international B2B partnerships, supplier discovery, and cross-border business development for foreign buyers and partners seeking Serbian technology capabilities. The cluster is supported by an international business-ambassador network and donor-funded programs (GIZ, EU, USAID) that subsidize member capability-building.

Product overview

NiCAT is a business association (technology cluster) based in Niš, Serbia, not a product company. It serves as a network connecting technology companies, universities, and institutions. The organization facilitates partnerships, organizes events, business clubs, webinars, and manages projects such as the Green Startup Academy, SHINE (Strategic Higher-education Initiative for Networking and Engineering), and S4AI_HUB (Serbian European Digital Innovation Hub on AI). NiCAT does not offer a unified software product or platform; instead, it provides networking, business development, and collaborative services to its member companies operating in ICT, electro medicine, automation, and mechanical engineering sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NiCAT Cluster Membership Annual membership in the Niš Cluster of Advanced Technologies for technology companies, universities, and institutions, providing access to B2B matchmaking, international business ambassadors, cluster events, and participation in EU- and donor-funded development programs. As evidenced by the cluster's roster of 28 companies, 4 universities, and 3 institutions, membership is the core commercial offering.
• TechMomentum Forum Annual industry forum organized by NiCAT to bring together member technology companies, international partners, investors, and policymakers for networking, deal-making, and showcasing Serbian advanced-technology capabilities. Targeted at international technology buyers, partners, and member SMEs.
• Business Club Events Recurring Business Club events hosted by NiCAT for member companies and invited international partners, providing structured networking, guest-speaker sessions, and informal B2B introductions. Targeted at NiCAT member SMEs and visiting international technology buyers.
• B2B Matchmaking Services Curated matchmaking service that connects international technology buyers and partners with vetted NiCAT member companies in ICT, electro-medicine, automation, and mechanical engineering, supported by business ambassadors in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Asia Pacific, and California. Targeted at foreign companies seeking nearshore Serbian technology suppliers and partnership candidates.

Quantifiable outcome

• NiCAT members have an annual turnover of 45+ million euros with 1300+ employees
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gdańsk University of Technology (Poland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Gdańsk University of Technology is the coordinator of the SHINE project (ERASMUS+, October 2024 – September 2027), focused on creating innovative university teaching methodologies combining STEM/STEAM and pedagogical psychology.
• Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (Romania)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Technical University of Cluj-Napoca is a partner in the SHINE project, contributing engineering education expertise.
• University of Niš (Serbia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024University of Niš is a partner in the SHINE project, contributing academic education and research capabilities for innovative teaching methodologies.
• Veliko Tarnovo University St. Cyril and St. Methodius (Bulgaria)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Veliko Tarnovo University is a partner in the SHINE project, contributing expertise in pedagogical methodologies.
• Ionian University (Greece)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Ionian University is a partner in the SHINE project, contributing expertise in technology-enhanced learning.
• Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (IED) (Greece)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024IED is a partner in the SHINE project, contributing expertise in entrepreneurship education.
• Transilvania IT Association (Romania)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Transilvania IT Association is a partner in the SHINE project, contributing industry connectivity.
• Science and Technology Park Niš (STP Niš)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024STP Niš coordinates the Serbian European Digital Innovation Hub on AI (S4AI_HUB), a 48-month project (January 2024 – December 2027) focused on enabling digital transformation of SMEs and the public sector in Serbia. NiCAT is a project partner providing ecosystem connectivity.
• Science and Technology Park Čačak (STP Čačak)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024STP Čačak is a partner in the S4AI_HUB project alongside STP Niš, providing services for digital transformation of SMEs across Serbia.
• Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade (ICEF, Belgrade)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade is a partner in the S4AI_HUB project, contributing AI expertise and research capabilities.
• Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia (IVI, Novi Sad)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024IVI is a partner in the S4AI_HUB project, providing core AI research and development expertise as Serbia's AI institute.
• Centre for Digital Transformation (CDT, Belgrade)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CDT Belgrade is a partner in the S4AI_HUB project, contributing digital transformation expertise for SMEs.
• ICT Hub (Belgrade)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ICT Hub Belgrade is a partner in the S4AI_HUB project, contributing startup and innovation ecosystem connectivity.
• GIZ (German Development Cooperation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020NiCAT implements the 'Digitalization and Startup Ecosystem Development' project in cooperation with GIZ. GIZ provides funding and development cooperation support for digital transformation initiatives in Serbia.
• European Union (EU) / EUPRO ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020The European Union, through the EUPRO programme, co-funds the NiCAT - Go International project which organized webinars and business missions to connect NiCAT members with international markets in Switzerland, USA, and beyond.
• Think Innovative - TI HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2019Think Innovative - TI Hub hosts NiCAT events including the annual assembly meeting and Business Club gatherings, serving as a key local innovation hub partner.
• JCI Nis (Junior Chamber International Nis)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCI Nis and NiCAT jointly organized the 'Milion dinara za superheroje' charity fundraiser during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising over 1 million dinars for protective equipment for Clinical Center Niš.
• Science and Technology Park Niš (STP Niš)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience and Technology Park Niš hosts the annual TechMomentum Forum of Advanced Technologies and serves as a venue for NiCAT Business Club events and AI-related activities.
• Klub privrednika Naissus (Business Club Naissus)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlub privrednika Naissus and NiCAT signed a Memorandum of Business Cooperation, establishing foundations for mutual collaboration and identifying shared areas of interest.
• Regional Chamber of Commerce NišminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Chamber of Commerce Niš is listed as a related organization supporting the Niš technology ecosystem.
• Regional Development Agency SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Development Agency South is listed as a related organization supporting economic development in the Niš region.
• Deli spaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNiCAT organized the Startup Academy 2 final conference Demo Day in partnership with Deli space, showcasing innovative startup ideas.
• USAID Sustainable Local Development ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNiCAT was recognized by Howard Ockman, Chief of Party at USAID Sustainable Local Development Project, as one of the best champions for spurring local economic growth and for stimulating discussion on scientific and business competitiveness.
• European Union Delegation in SerbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSem Fabrizi, Head of the European Union Delegation in Serbia, expressed admiration for NiCAT's work, noting 'Inspiring reality of today's Serbia the EU is proud to support.'
• Harder Digital SovaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarder Digital Sova, in partnership with NiCAT and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Niš, implemented a project to improve the capacity of manufacturing companies in the Advanced Technology Sector in CNC Programming.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=2R4HkvqpyEo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about NiCAT