Creative Business Cup 2021 - North Macedonia edition
Overview
SmartUp launched and ran Creative Business Cup North Macedonia 2021, the country's first national edition of the world's largest competition for creative and innovative startups, delivered in partnership with UMPACI as the official national organizer for CBNet – Creative Business Network. SmartUp ran a nationwide open call, selected 10 finalist startups, and delivered a multi-day Bootcamp Academy on business model development, investment readiness, and pitch preparation, backed by a network of domestic and international mentors and investors.
SmartUp organized the national final, where finalists pitched to an expert jury and international audience; ArchX Studio's EnergyBOX won and went on to represent North Macedonia at the Creative Business Cup Global Finals in Copenhagen, with InRoomPreview and eBionics placing second and third. Through the competition, SmartUp connected North Macedonian creative entrepreneurs to the global Creative Business Cup network spanning more than 70 countries — building on SmartUp's broader track record running national entrepreneurship and innovation programmes in North Macedonia.
The challenge
Creative entrepreneurs had limited access to specialized business development programmes tailored to the needs of creative industries.
Early-stage startups required mentoring to strengthen their business models, investor readiness, and pitching skills.
North Macedonian creative businesses had few opportunities to access international startup ecosystems, investors, and strategic partners.
The creative industries lacked a national platform dedicated to recognizing and promoting innovative creative businesses.
Activities and methods
1. Organized the first national Creative Business Cup North Macedonia, launching the country's participation in the global Creative Business Cup network.
2. Conducted a nationwide open call for creative entrepreneurs and selected 10 finalist startups to participate in the national programme.
3. Delivered a multi-day Bootcamp Academy (14–19 May 2021) covering business model development, investment readiness, and professional pitch preparation.
4. Engaged a multidisciplinary network of domestic and international mentors, investors, and industry experts who provided coaching and feedback throughout the programme.
5. Organized the National Creative Business Cup on 21 May 2021, where finalists pitched their businesses before an expert jury and an international online audience.
6. Selected ArchX Studio with its EnergyBOX outdoor work hub as the national winner, earning a place in the Creative Business Cup Global Academy and the opportunity to represent North Macedonia at the Creative Business Cup Global Finals during the BRIGHT Conference in Copenhagen (28–29 June 2021). InRoomPreview, with its artwork visualization application, was awarded second place, while eBionics, with its innovative 3D-printed bionic hand, received third place. The second- and third-place teams also gained access to the international event and valuable networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts from more than 80 countries.
Impact and learning
The project established North Macedonia's first national Creative Business Cup programme, creating a dedicated opportunity for creative entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations and connect with the global creative economy. By combining business mentoring, international networking, and investment readiness training, the programme strengthened the capacity of creative startups to transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses.
The initiative connected North Macedonian entrepreneurs with the international Creative Business Cup ecosystem spanning more than 70 countries, providing valuable exposure to investors, mentors, and global industry experts. It also laid the foundation for future Creative Business Cup editions, strengthened collaboration within the national creative entrepreneurship ecosystem, and increased the international visibility of North Macedonia's creative and innovative startups.
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Outputs
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