THE INNOVATION FUND SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR THE EXPOTECH PAVILION AT EXPO 2027

The signing of the agreement for the implementation of the ExpoTech Pavilion officially marks the beginning of preparations for the central venue showcasing Serbia's science, technology, and innovation at the EXPO 2027 Belgrade Specialized Exhibition. To date, 141 international participants have confirmed their participation, while the exhibition is expected to attract more than four million visitors, making EXPO 2027 one of the most significant international events ever hosted by Serbia.

As the lead organization responsible for the implementation of the ExpoTech Pavilion, the Innovation Fund, in cooperation with the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, science and technology parks, regional innovation startup centers, research organizations, technology companies, and other partners from Serbia's innovation ecosystem, will coordinate the preparation and delivery of the pavilion's program. ExpoTech will bring together Serbia's scientific heritage, cutting-edge technological achievements, and future innovations into a comprehensive experience that will introduce international audiences to the strength and potential of the country's innovation ecosystem.

Rather than serving as a conventional exhibition space, the ExpoTech Pavilion will provide a dynamic and interactive environment where visitors will explore Serbia's journey of innovation through a museum-science exhibition, interactive technology zones, live demonstrations, thematic programs, and a rotating exhibition model. The pavilion will present the country's development path from the scientists who shaped its history, through the companies and startups developing today's most advanced technologies, to the next generation of innovators whose ideas will define the future.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Danilo Jerinić, Director of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, emphasized that innovation has always been one of the defining characteristics of World Expos and that the ExpoTech Pavilion will provide visitors with an opportunity to discover Serbia's most significant innovations, emerging technologies, and breakthrough solutions."When people think of a World Expo, they think of innovation, new ideas, and the technologies shaping the future. Within the EXPO site, the Innovation Fund will have a dedicated space where, together with its partners, it will showcase its latest innovations and technological achievements," said Jerinić.

Dr. Saša Lazović, Director of the Innovation Fund, highlighted that the signing of the agreement represents an important milestone in the preparations for the ExpoTech Pavilion and noted that, alongside the construction of the exhibition complex, intensive work is already underway on developing its program."Visitors will not be interested only in the pavilions themselves, but above all in the experiences and content they will discover inside them. That is why we are already developing a program that will showcase the very best of Serbia's science, research, and innovation," said Lazović.

Through the ExpoTech program, the development of 21 innovative solutions has already been supported in preparation for their presentation at the exhibition. At the same time, in cooperation with the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, regional innovation startup centres have also been supported to ensure that the best innovative solutions from all parts of Serbia have the opportunity to participate.

"Our goal is to identify the very best that Serbia is creating today and present it to the world. ExpoTech is an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our innovation ecosystem while creating space for a new generation of Serbian innovators and researchers. For us, EXPO 2027 is not the final destination, it is an opportunity to leave Serbia with a lasting legacy that will continue long after the exhibition closes through new partnerships, knowledge exchange, and the continued growth of our innovation ecosystem," Lazović emphasized.

Lazović also announced that, as the future Chair of TAFTIE, the European network of leading innovation funding organizations, Serbia will host representatives of more than 30 national innovation funds and agencies during EXPO 2027, welcoming them to Belgrade next year.

EXPO 2027 provides Serbia with a unique opportunity to showcase its scientific achievements, technological capabilities and innovation potential to the world, while fostering new partnerships, international cooperation and knowledge exchange that will lay the foundations for the long-term development of its science, economy and innovation ecosystem, leaving a lasting legacy well beyond the exhibition itself.