Creating a Technology Transfer Ecosystem in Croatia with Ivana Vuka

The Croatian government has historically not offered a lot of support to its technology transfer sector. However, slowly but surely, things are beginning to change. 

Today’s guest is Ivana Vuka, head of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Split (the second-largest university in Croatia with over 20,000 students), who is part of the drive to create a thriving technology transfer ecosystem in Croatia. 

In today’s episode, Ivana and I discuss how she became involved in technology transfer, the people who make up her small team, and the various innovation-related projects that they are a part of. Ivana also shares her hopes for the future of the technology transfer field in Croatia. I’m excited to follow their progress!

In This Episode:

[00:50] Introducing today’s guest, head of the technology transfer office at the University of Split in Croatia, Ivana Vuka.

[02:51] Ivana explains what led her to technology transfer, and an overview of her journey in the field so far.

[05:18] Some details about the University of Split.

[06:26] Comparing technology transfer in Croatia to technology transfer in the US and UK.

[08:09] The lack of government support for technology transfer in Croatia.  

[09:06] A recent change in science law in Croatia that will change the technology transfer environment in the country. 

[10:01] How Ivana’s office is structured. 

[10:40] The EU funded innovation-related projects that Ivana’s office is part of. 

[14:05] Ivana shares her office’s technology transfer metrics.

[15:59] Factors that Ivana sees as essential to the success of technology transfer projects. 

[17:04] How Ivana and her team support startup’s that come out of the University of Split, and the funding opportunities that are available to them.  

[20:33] Some of the corporate partners that the University of Split has formed relationships with. 

[24:05] Ivana shares some of the main successes that her office has been responsible for. 

[26:20] Changes that Ivana would like to see take place in her office. 

[27:27] The University of Split’s gender-equality plans. 

[29:03] Ivana’s thoughts on the value of technology transfer organizations and technology transfer credentialing.  

[30:32] Ivana’s wish for Croatia’s technology transfer sector in general and her office in particular.

Find Ivana:

Email: [email protected]