Zagreb School of Economics and Management

What Zagreb School of Economics and Management does

Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZŠEM) is a private higher-education institution founded in 2002 and headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia. It delivers AACSB-accredited undergraduate programs in Economics and Management and Business Mathematics and Economics (each 240 ECTS), an MBA program ranked in the QS Global MBA TOP 200 globally and TOP 60 in Europe, an Executive MBA, dual-degree pathways (notably with KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux), and a portfolio of short programs including International Winter School, an AI-themed Summer School under the EUonAIR initiative, Education for Managers, and tailor-made group programs.

The school operates a Loomen digital learning platform alongside the EUonAIR AI-in-education initiative, and runs an executive-education subsidiary, ZŠEM – Poslovna akademija d.o.o. Its go-to-market is sales-led direct enrollment via an online application portal, supported by international recruiting representatives, an Alumni Ambassador Program, and the long-running Student Future Day career fair that connects students to employers such as KPMG, PwC, Samsung, P&G, and Ernst & Young. Revenue is generated through subscription/recurring tuition streams across degree and short programs; specific tuition pricing is documented in the Školarine 25/26 PDF and is not publicly displayed on the website. The student body is more than 34% international, supported by a network of 100+ partner universities across six continents.

Name

Zagreb School of Economics and Management

Legal name

Zagrebačka škola ekonomije i managementa

Website

https://zsem.hr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZŠEM) is a private, AACSB-accredited business school in Zagreb, Croatia, offering undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, dual-degree, and short programs to domestic and international students, with over 34% international enrollment and 100+ global partner universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Business School

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAHAB

MBA & Executive MBA Programs

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

SECONDARYEDAHAHAA

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

SECONDARYEDAHAHAN

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

SECONDARYEDAHAHAJ

International Business & Global Management Schools

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

Keywords

• Business school education
• MBA programs
• Executive education
• Undergraduate economics
• Higher education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zagreb

HQ country

Croatia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Undergraduate Programs: Revenue from undergraduate programs including Economics and Management (240 ECTS) and Business Mathematics and Economics taught in Croatian and English.
2. Tuition - MBA Programs: Revenue from graduate MBA programs including standard MBA (60 ECTS) and Executive MBA, with various concentrations.
3. Short Programs: Revenue from International Winter School, International Summer School powered by EUonAIR, Executive Education programs, and custom business/cultural programs for groups.
4. ZŠEM Poslovna akademija d.o.o. Separate business academy entity offering executive education and professional development programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zagreb School of Economics and Management is a private higher education institution that delivers undergraduate programs in Economics and Management and Business Mathematics and Economics (each 240 ECTS, taught in Croatian and English), graduate MBA and Executive MBA programs (60 ECTS) including dual-degree options with international partner universities, and a suite of short educational programs such as International Winter School, International Summer School powered by EUonAIR, Education for Managers, and customized semester and cultural programs for groups. It also operates a wholly-owned subsidiary, ZŠEM – Poslovna akademija d.o.o., which provides executive education and professional development courses.

Product overview

Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZŠEM) is a private higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs. The institution operates a platform-plus-programs model consisting of three undergraduate programs (Economics and Management in Croatian and English, Business Mathematics and Economics) worth 240 ECTS each, graduate programs including the flagship MBA ranked among TOP 200 globally and TOP 60 in Europe, Executive MBA, and dual-degree programs with partner institutions. Additionally, ZŠEM offers short programs including International Winter and Summer Schools (with the Summer School powered by the EUonAIR AI initiative), professional education for managers, customized semester programs for groups, and tailor-made business and cultural programs. The institution's subsidiary, ZŠEM – Poslovna akademija d.o.o., provides executive education and professional development courses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZSEM Experience Hub: Innovation in education initiative at ZSEM
• EUonAIR
• Student Future Day

Products and services

• Ekonomija i management (Economics and Management) A 240 ECTS undergraduate program in economics and business management, taught in Croatian and English, designed for high school graduates seeking an internationally recognized business degree.
• Poslovna matematika i ekonomija (Business Mathematics and Economics) A 240 ECTS undergraduate program combining mathematical and economic disciplines, taught in English, aimed at students seeking quantitative business education.
• MBA Program A 60 ECTS graduate MBA program ranked in the TOP 200 globally and TOP 60 in Europe by QS Global MBA ranking, with multiple concentration options for working professionals.
• Executive MBA An executive-format MBA with specialized concentrations designed for experienced professionals seeking leadership development and career advancement.
• Programs with Additional Degree (Dual-degree programs) Dual-degree programs enabling students to earn credentials from ZŠEM and partner institutions such as KEDGE Business School Bordeaux.
• International Winter School A short-term winter intensive program for international students seeking an immersive educational experience at ZŠEM.
• International Summer School – Powered by EUonAIR A summer intensive program integrating artificial intelligence into business education through the EUonAIR initiative, for international students and professionals.
• Education for Managers A professional development program for business leaders and managers offered as a short educational program.
• Semester at ZŠEM for Groups Customized semester programs delivered to organized student groups from partner institutions.
• Tailor-made Business and Cultural Programs Customized business and cultural immersion programs designed for specific group needs, offered as short educational programs.
• ZŠEM – Poslovna akademija d.o.o. Wholly-owned business academy subsidiary of ZŠEM delivering executive education and professional development programs, directed by Mirna Koričan Lajtman.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Emory UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership agreement signed for student exchange, opening new opportunities for study in the USA. Emory University is a prestigious US institution.
• Erasmus+ PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive Erasmus+ program partnerships enabling student and faculty exchanges with European universities. Part of broader international mobility framework.
• Tsinghua UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent exchange with China's highest-ranked university. ZSEM student Ana Knežević was first generation of ZSEM students at Tsinghua, later creating handbook for future exchange students.
• ESSEC Business SchoolflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Europe's leading business schools. ZSEM student Josip Tomašković spent semester at ESSEC in France, earning Bloomberg certifications.
• Carlos III University MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish university partnership for student exchanges. Multiple ZSEM students completed semesters there including Anja Bakula, Adna Krkalić, and Dino Dürrigl.
• KEDGE Business School (Bordeaux)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual MBA degree program where students spend fall semester at ZSEM, spring semester at KEDGE, third semester in internship, earning two prestigious MBA degrees.
• Frankfurt School of Finance and ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZSEM MBA student Dino Dürrigl spent spring semester at this top European finance school as part of dual-campus MBA experience.
• EUonAIRcoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean AI in Higher Education initiative. ZSEM hosts International Summer School powered by EUonAIR and is a leader in bringing AI to higher education in Croatia.
• International Partner Universities (100+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of over 100 partner universities across Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America enabling global exchange opportunities.
• Student Future Day Corporate Partners (KPMG, PwC, Samsung, P&G, Ernst & Young)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor domestic and international companies participate in annual Student Future Day career fair, the 20+ year tradition connecting students with potential employers.
• Ivana Hodak FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholarship provider for ZSEM students. Alumna Karla Vučković received scholarship enabling her studies at ZSEM.
• AZVO (Agency for Science and Higher Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCroatian governmental agency that granted ZSEM operating license and re-accreditation, ranking ZSEM #1 in Croatia.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ESSEC Business School: France-based global business school with top-tier MBA and undergraduate programs and one of ZSEM's flagship exchange partners. A much larger incumbent whose brand and resources set the ceiling for ZSEM's aspirations.
• SDA Bocconi School of Management: Italy-based top-tier business school and a major European competitor in the same MBA and executive-education space, with strong CEE student recruitment overlap.
• Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University: Top-ranked European business school offering BSc, MSc, MBA, and executive programs. Represents the larger, established European competitor ZSEM competes against for international MBA applicants.
• KEDGE Business School: French business school partnering with ZSEM on the dual-MBA program. Comparable as an internationally oriented French business school with global campuses and a broad program portfolio at a similar size to ZSEM.

Direct peers

• University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics and Business: Croatia's primary public economics and business faculty. Direct domestic competitor for undergraduate and graduate business students in Zagreb, competing head-to-head for the same Croatian applicant pool.
• IEDC Bled School of Management: Slovenia-based private business school offering MBA, executive, and undergraduate management programs to an international student body in CEE. Closely comparable to ZSEM by geography, size, and program mix.
• Corvinus University of Budapest: Leading Hungarian business school with AACSB-equivalent accreditations and English-language programs across economics and management. Comparable CEE peer by mission, internationalization, and program depth.
• Frankfurt School of Finance and Management: Germany-based business school with strong finance programs and AACSB accreditation. Directly comparable as a ZSEM exchange partner offering similar BSc, MSc, and MBA programs with a finance orientation.
• Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE): Czech Republic's flagship economics and business university with significant English-taught programs. Comparable regional peer in CEE competing for international and EU students with similar curricula.

Others

• CEEMAN (Central and East European Management Development Association): Regional association advancing management development across CEE. Comparable ecosystem player — not a direct competitor for students but an affiliation/accreditation body whose membership overlaps directly with ZSEM's institutional positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zsem_croatia

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Zagreb School of Economics and Management