Two profiles, one team
Projects in tourism, rural development and agri-food now almost always need a digital solution as well – and increasingly artificial intelligence. Yet few teams know both sides well: the people and conditions on the ground, and the technology that has to work in practice. At ZIP we bring the two together.
Janja Viher brings more than 30 years of experience in tourism, rural development, agri-food and public administration, and has contributed to more than 100 European projects. Branko Kmetec brings more than 30 years of building digital processes, automation and AI solutions for international banks, insurers, logistics and healthcare.
At a glance
-
30+ years
of Janja Viher’s experience in tourism, rural development and public administration.
-
100+ EU projects
Janja has contributed to – from concept and proposal to implementation.
-
4 work packages
Janja leads in international Horizon Europe consortia.
-
30+ years
of Branko Kmetec’s experience with digital processes, automation and AI for international clients.
Janja Viher – the ground, partnerships and funding
Janja knows development from the inside: she was director of the municipal administration of Kungota, managing director of the Slovenske gorice Development Agency and managing director of the Maribor-Pohorje Tourist Board, which served 22 municipalities. She is a co-founder of ZIP, leads work packages in four Horizon Europe consortia at ITC / DIH AGRIFOOD and, as director of the Green Point cooperative, is setting up a national pilot centre for short food supply chains in Murska Sobota.
- Interreg, Horizon Europe, UIA and LEADER – from concept to reporting
- projects BIKE & SPA, FLAGSHIP PRODUCTS, URBAN SOIL 4 FOOD and REGIO VITALIS
- chair of LAG Štajerska, chair of the SmartAlp committee, vice-president of the Tourist Association of Slovenia
- more than 100 training sessions and workshops delivered
Branko Kmetec – technology, processes and AI
Branko is an architect of digital processes and AI solutions. For more than 30 years he has designed and delivered business process automation in demanding, regulated environments – for DHL, Raiffeisen Bank International, Generali, Deutsche Postbank and other international clients. Today he shapes workflow and AI orchestration for healthcare (Better) and leads the technical development of the SpotVibez tourism platform.
- digital platforms, process automation, system and data integration
- AI with human oversight: traceability, data protection (GDPR), responsible AI
- piloting, validation and technology readiness (TRL) progression
- MBA in Digital Transformation & Data Science (WU Vienna, with honours); MSc in Responsible AI in progress
Why together
-
From the ground to a working solution
Janja knows what municipalities, destinations, farms and cooperatives need; Branko turns it into a digital solution that works in practice. No go-betweens between content and technology.
-
Proposals that convince
Calls increasingly ask for a digital component, piloting and measurable results. We cover both: the partnership and pilot, and the technology side of the project.
-
Already working together
At Smartomate we built the SpotVibez tourism platform together – from idea to product. Its development was supported by the Slovenian Enterprise Fund and three European micro-grants.
-
A project that runs
We run projects on a clear process supported by an AI platform: work plan, deadlines, evidence, reports and indicators in one place. Less administration, more time for results.
Let's talk about your idea
Tell us what you are working on – in tourism, agri-food, rural development or digitalisation. We will get back to you personally and suggest a first conversation.