This October, the port city of Rijeka is set to become the beating heart of Europe’s tech scene. From 16 to 18 October 2025, the inaugural Unlock Rijeka conference will transform two downtown venues, Hotel Bonavia and PAR University College, into a dynamic playground for innovation, networking, and bold new ideas.

The event builds on the success of Unlock Rab, a beloved island conference known for attracting global tech leaders and forward-thinking entrepreneurs. Now, for the first time, the Unlock experience comes to the mainland, bringing together over 100 speakers from across Croatia, the region, and Europe. The goal is simple but ambitious: to share knowledge, spark collaboration, and inspire the next wave of digital breakthroughs.

Three Tracks, Endless Possibilities

Unlock Rijeka 2025 offers a carefully curated program split into three main tracks: Development, Digital Marketing, and Industry Trends. Whether you’re a coder chasing the latest AI techniques, a marketer navigating new algorithms, or a founder seeking fresh investment strategies, there’s something to fire your imagination.

Friday, 17 October, dives straight into the future with sessions on artificial intelligence and new business horizons. AI specialist Nenad Alajbegović will unpack the technical puzzles behind building next-generation chatbot systems, while marketing expert Bruno Glavan explores what to do when reliance on a single ad channel suddenly stops working. Expect lively conversations on digital attribution, cybersecurity, and career sustainability—hot topics for anyone trying to stay ahead in tech.

Saturday keeps the energy high. Roberto Milev, chief architect at Navan, will reveal how an AI “co-founder” can help launch an almost autonomous startup, a vision that feels less sci-fi and more business plan by the day. Over at PAR University College, serial entrepreneur Andrija Čolak, famous for founding Surf’n’Fries, will share how acquiring small and mid-size companies can be a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity.

Panels and fireside chats promise equally engaging debates. TikTok creator Dario Marčac will join fellow trendsetters to ask who really shapes virality: creators, brands, or audiences, while Productive CEO Tomislav Car discusses what it takes to lead a company when artificial intelligence is rewriting the rulebook.

Learning Meets Lifestyle

But Unlock Rijeka isn’t all PowerPoint slides and tech jargon. Each evening will feature a relaxed social program designed for networking and new friendships, true to the conference’s belief that breakthroughs often start with a casual conversation.

The setting adds its own charm. Rijeka, with its rich industrial heritage and thriving cultural scene, provides the perfect backdrop for a gathering that blends serious tech talk with Adriatic flair. The two venues are only a short walk apart, making it easy to flow from deep-dive sessions to informal meetups.

Rijeka is ready to unlock the future. Are you ready to join the movement? Yeah?! See you there!

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