ARCA and AGRO-ARCA 2026 Bring Global Innovation to Zagreb
Nearly 300 Innovations from More Than 20 Countries, Special IFIA Awards, and Two Grand Prix Distinctions Highlight the International Fairs
The 24th International Innovation Exhibition ARCA and the 17th International Fair of Agriculture, Food Industry and Agricultural Machinery AGRO-ARCA were held from 15 to 17 October 2026 at the National and University Library in Zagreb, Croatia. Organized by the Croatian Association of Innovators, the three-day programme brought together inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs, academic institutions, and innovative companies to present new technologies, exchange knowledge, and explore opportunities for cooperation.
Featuring nearly 300 innovations from more than 20 countries, the fairs combined an international exhibition with professional discussions, educational activities, and recognition of outstanding inventions. IFIA President Alireza Rastegar participated in the presentation of two special IFIA awards and joined the Croatian Association of Innovators in presenting the Grand Prix distinctions for both events.
An International Showcase of Invention and Technology
The exhibition presented innovations across a broad range of fields, from industrial plants and advanced technological systems to practical solutions for everyday life. Individual inventors exhibited alongside research teams from the public and private sectors, universities, scientific institutions, and growing innovation-driven companies.
This diversity brought different stages and approaches to invention into a shared setting, allowing visitors to explore technologies developed through independent creativity, academic research, and industrial development. The 2026 edition continued ARCA’s longstanding role as a meeting point for innovators in the region and its established presence within the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) events calendar.
AGRO-ARCA Highlights Smart and Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture and the food industry received particular attention through AGRO-ARCA, which showcased modern agricultural machinery, environmentally responsible production methods, and technologies addressing sustainable development and climate-related challenges.
The fair connected agricultural innovation with practical production needs, highlighting the contribution of technology to more efficient and sustainable farming and food-industry operations. Its presence alongside ARCA brought agricultural producers and sector specialists into direct contact with the wider invention and research community.
From Idea to Global Market
The accompanying Innovation Forum, “From Idea to Global Market: Innovation as a Driver of the Croatian Economy,” provided a setting for dialogue and networking among entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors.
The professional programme addressed three important aspects of innovation development: intellectual property, access to finance, and support for smart agriculture.
The State Intellectual Property Office delivered the lecture “What is Intellectual Property and Its Role in the Development of Innovation,” highlighting the relationship between intellectual property and the advancement of inventive ideas.
HAMAG-BICRO presented “Non-Refundable Grants and Financial Instruments,” introducing financial support mechanisms relevant to innovation and business development.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries addressed “Funding Opportunities and Non-Refundable Grants for Smart Agriculture,” connecting the agricultural focus of the fair with information about available support instruments.
Together, these sessions complemented the exhibition by addressing practical questions involved in developing, protecting, and financing innovations.
Encouraging the Next Generation Through STEM
Interactive STEM workshops introduced younger visitors to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on activities designed to encourage curiosity and creativity.
The workshops added an educational dimension to the fairs, providing opportunities for young people to engage with scientific ideas alongside the inventions and technologies on display. Their inclusion connected the recognition of established innovators with efforts to nurture future inventors.
Cooperation Agreement Confirms Slatina as the Host of AGRO-ARCA 2027
An important institutional development took place during the opening ceremony, when the Croatian Association of Innovators and the City of Slatina signed a cooperation agreement confirming Slatina as the host of AGRO-ARCA 2027.
The agreement was signed by Professor Miljenko Šimpraga, PhD, President of the Croatian Association of Innovators, and Mr. Tomo Tomić, Mayor of Slatina.
Hosting the next edition is expected to create opportunities for Slatina and Virovitica-Podravina County to strengthen connections among domestic and international innovators, scientists, agricultural producers, and entrepreneurs. The cooperation places particular emphasis on the development of smart agriculture and its contribution to the local economy.
The agreement also established a basis for continuing the agricultural innovation programme beyond Zagreb, connecting the fair’s international network with regional development priorities.
IFIA Recognizes Two Outstanding Innovations
The official awards ceremony on 17 October 2026 recognized the highest-rated innovations through gold, silver, and bronze distinctions, special international awards, and the Grand Prix awards.
IFIA President Alireza Rastegar took part in presenting two special IFIA awards, recognizing the following innovations:
HelixGuard
Inventors: Stipe Ivić, Vito Puljić, and Dominik Zelić
Institution: Dugo Selo High School
MyWally Educational Console
Organisation: Mentor Sp. z o.o. Sp. k.
Country: Poland
The IFIA distinctions formed part of the fairs’ international recognition programme, highlighting inventive achievement and the participation of both educational and business communities.
Special WIPO Awards
Mr. Ivan Vlainić presented two special awards from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO):
Stator of an Axial Electric Motor with Improved Cooling Means
Authors and affiliation: AXIALIS d.o.o. – Marko Đula; DIATUS – Association of Inventors Split
SMART AI
Inventor: Bartol Prezelj Šantić
Mentor: Danijel Eskeričić
Institution: Technical School for Computer Science and Networking Zagreb
These distinctions added a further international dimension to the awards ceremony, recognising innovations in electrical engineering and artificial intelligence.
Two Grand Prix Awards Recognize the Best Innovations
The evaluation committee awarded two Grand Prix prizes, recognizing the best innovation of ARCA and the best innovation of AGRO-ARCA separately.
The awards were presented jointly by Professor Miljenko Šimpraga, PhD, President of the Croatian Association of Innovators, and Alireza Rastegar, President of IFIA.
ARCA 2026 Grand Prix
Innovation:
AROMASEPT – Technology System for Controlled Farming, Improvement of Animal Husbandry Conditions and Meat Quality
Inventors: Mijo Miljak and Dubravka Olič Bašlin
Company: Svijet biljaka d.o.o.
Association: Association of Inventors’ Societies of Istria County
The project received the Grand Prix for the best innovation of the 24th International Innovation Exhibition ARCA.
AGRO-ARCA 2026 Grand Prix
Innovation:
From Food Waste to Wearable Objects Through the Development and Shaping of Gelatin- and Kombucha-Based Materials
Authors: Professor Helena Schultheis Edgeler, Associate Professor Ivana Schwarz, PhD, and students of the Faculty of Textile Technology (TTF)
Institution: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Textile Technology
The project received the Grand Prix for the best innovation of the 17th International Fair of Agriculture, Food Industry and Agricultural Machinery AGRO-ARCA.
Together, the two winning projects highlighted approaches to improving agricultural production and developing new materials from food waste.
Strengthening International Innovation Cooperation
ARCA and AGRO-ARCA 2026 brought exhibition, professional education, international recognition, and institutional cooperation into a single programme. The combination of nearly 300 innovations, participation from more than 20 countries, and discussions on intellectual property and financing reinforced Zagreb’s role as a regional meeting point for invention and technology exchange.
The Croatian Association of Innovators led the organization of the fairs, while IFIA’s participation in the special awards and Grand Prix presentations contributed to the international recognition of the innovators’ achievements.
With the cooperation agreement for AGRO-ARCA 2027 in Slatina providing a clear next step, the 2026 fairs concluded with a foundation for continued knowledge transfer, business partnerships, and collaboration between inventors, research institutions, and industry.
IFIA congratulates all award recipients, participating innovators, and the Croatian Association of Innovators on the successful completion of ARCA and AGRO-ARCA 2026.