Recently, Zenica received rare recognition that stories from Bosnia and Herzegovina can attract the attention of global financial and business circles.
Two young businessmen from this city, Ahmet Patković and Mateo Sušić, presented their projects before leading financial institutions on Wall Street in New York, as part of the prestigious BOLD Fellowship Program.
The program, supported by the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and implemented by the Entrepreneurs for Global Change organization, gathers young entrepreneurs from Bosnia and Herzegovina each year to develop their business ideas and connect with the global market.
Patković, founder of the Dobbi fintech project, and Sušić, founder of the Sheepa Company in Zenica, previously attended Syracuse University, considered one of the leading universities in entrepreneurship, where they participated in intensive educational programs and mentorship sessions with experts and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Afterward, the final presentation took place on Wall Street, a place considered a symbol of global capital and business.
“We reached Wall Street through the BOLD Fellowship program sponsored by the US Embassy. Every year, they select a few young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina to present and develop their projects at Goldman Sachs,” Patković said.
He added that the reactions to the presented projects were overwhelmingly positive.
“Feedback was very positive. The ideas and products received more than enough positive feedback, but no investments. The program opened enough doors for further development of the project,” Patković said.
His Dobbi project focuses on financial literacy and the development of a system that integrates educational tools directly into banking applications, aimed at bringing financial management and simplifying everyday decisions for users.
On the other hand, Mateo Sušić presented Sheepa, a patented underwear line featuring a natural wool insert, developed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project takes an innovative approach to everyday clothing, emphasizing comfort, warmth, and moisture control.
Sušić is currently working on product promotion and exploring the possibility of entering the US market. Participation in the program and presenting on Wall Street have brought them one step closer to their goal.
At a time when many young people are seeking their future outside the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the story of two young men from Zenica shows that local ideas can reach the world’s largest business centers. For a moment, Zenica had two representatives at the heart of global business, Klix.ba writes.
