7.10.2026
Smart Garden Systems wins the Bug and Hrvatski Telekom Idea Knockout 2026 competition
- Smart Garden Systems took first place with EduGarden 2.0, a system that helps students learn about plant growth and how environmental conditions affect it through hands-on activities.
- Hartera Robotics took second place, while KAGE Ghostpad came third
- ZI Game Studio won the Hrvatski Telekom Special Award with its mobile game Chaos Dash Arena, in recognition of its contribution to the development of the startup scene and raising awareness of technology among young people
Smart Garden Systems' EduGarden 2.0 project won the thirteenth Idea Knockout, Bug's technology ideas competition, with Hrvatski Telekom as its main partner. The winning team won a trip, accommodation, and a space to exhibit at CES 2027 in Las Vegas.
EduGarden 2.0 brings together technology, STEM education, and sustainable development. The system enables students to explore plant growth and the impact of environmental conditions through hands-on learning. It monitors data such as temperature, humidity, air quality, CO₂ levels, and light intensity in real time. The solution includes proprietary hardware and software, a mobile app, and a teacher portal.
This was Smart Garden Systems' fourth time competing in Idea Knockout. Each time, the team presented a new, more developed idea, and this year's project brought them victory and the opportunity to showcase EduGarden 2.0 to an international audience.
"For teams developing innovative solutions, it is important to have an opportunity to present their ideas, receive feedback, and take the next step towards the market. EduGarden 2.0 shows how technology can be connected with hands-on learning and sustainable development," said Bojan Mušćet, Chairman of the Idea Knockout jury and representative of Hrvatski Telekom.
Second place went to Hartera Robotics with Carpathia, a robotic solution for maintaining and cleaning vessel hulls. Third place went to KAGE Ghostpad, an adaptive surface that enables users to control a computer through touch and pressure.
ZI Game Studio won the Hrvatski Telekom Special Award for its contribution to the startup scene and for raising awareness of technology among young people with its mobile game Chaos Dash Arena.
Idea Knockout winners from 2014 to today
Since its first edition in 2014, Idea Knockout has featured winning teams and projects from many different technology fields:
- 2014 – DivIT: Mash.me
- 2015 – Streaming Solutions: VYOOCAM
- 2016 – STEMI: Hexapod
- 2017 – CircuitMess: MAKERbuino
- 2018 – Orqa: FPV.One
- 2019 – Iron Bull: Iron Bull Tanks
- 2020 – Codelab: Clockwork Briefcase
- 2021 – Sportreact: IoT system for athlete training
- 2022 – Zuluhood: a platform for home security services
- 2023 – Ani Biome: longevity platform
- 2024 – Solderix: a system for developing electromechanical prototypes
- 2025 – GYM3000.com: a smart towel for fitness and gym use
- 2026 – Smart Garden Systems: EduGarden 2.0
Over the years, winning projects have included educational technology, hardware, robotics, digital services, and everyday solutions. The Idea Knockout grand prize gives winners a chance to present their projects at CES, the world's top event for technological innovation.
Hrvatski Telekom supports Idea Knockout as a platform for Croatian teams to show their work, receive feedback from experts, and find new opportunities. In addition to partnering with the competition, Hrvatski Telekom awards a special prize to projects that help develop the startup scene and inspire young people to become interested in technology.
More information about the competition: https://ideaknockout.com/.