Rising entrepreneur from RIT Croatia receives prestigious recognition for outstanding achievements

Rochester, New York – For many young entrepreneurs, getting started is often the hardest part. For RIT Croatia student Antonia Kurtovic, the journey began when she found a supportive community that believed in her ideas and helped her navigate the challenges of launching a startup. Now, as a third-year global business management student, she is returning the favor by helping teenagers turn their own innovative ideas into reality.

A Passion for Helping Young Entrepreneurs

Kurtovic first stepped into the entrepreneurial world at the age of 19 when she teamed up with a high school friend to develop a mental health app for teenagers. Through this project, she gained valuable skills in startup development, pitching, and project execution. The hard work paid off as the duo won multiple pitch competitions, proving that they had something special.

Recognizing the challenges that young entrepreneurs face in the early stages, Kurtovic wanted to create opportunities for others to learn and grow. This drive led her to organize a startup conference tailored for high school students. Despite only having a month to plan, she successfully brought together nearly 100 students at the RIT Croatia Zagreb campus in March 2024. The event featured workshops led by RIT students and faculty, offering valuable insights into entrepreneurship.

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Encouraged by the success of the conference, Kurtovic took things a step further. In April 2024, she launched a startup academy—a longer program designed to help young students dive deeper into the world of startups. The initiative provided hands-on experience and mentorship, equipping participants with essential knowledge and skills. A second conference was held in October 2024, and the academy is set to return in June 2025, demonstrating the ongoing impact of her work.

Recognition for Exceptional Achievements

Kurtovic’s dedication to fostering entrepreneurship among youth has not gone unnoticed. She was recently named to the prestigious Top 30 Under 30 list by the VIDI Awards, which recognizes young innovators who exhibit outstanding potential in fields such as technology, science, and entrepreneurship. Her commitment to project execution also earned her second place in the International Project Management Association Project Management Awards 2024 in the Best Young Project Manager category.

Reflecting on her journey, Kurtovic emphasizes how much she has learned and how fulfilling it is to help others bring their ideas to life. “I know how it is at the beginning when you don’t know anything and you just need to get started,” she said. “I would like to enable these opportunities for others. It’s pretty cool to help other people create cool things.”

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Even as she continues her studies and expands her initiatives, Kurtovic is already thinking about new startup ideas to pursue in the future. When asked what advice she would give to fellow students with big ideas, she shared four key principles: be passionate, be open, be resilient, and be kind.

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“If you’re passionate about your idea, you’re going to make other people excited about it,” she said. “Be open to feedback, ask questions, and build a network of great value. There are going to be a lot of times when you fail, but you have to get up and continue. Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes we repeat the same mistake before we learn. That’s okay, that’s part of the process.”

Her words serve as a powerful reminder that success in entrepreneurship is not just about having a great idea—it’s about persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to support others along the way. With her impressive accomplishments and unwavering dedication, Antonia Kurtovic is not only shaping her own future but also paving the way for the next generation of innovators.