In Memoriam – Dragan Lajović

For him, entrepreneurship was more than just a science—it was a way of life, a path he pursued and recognized in everyone around him. He had the courage and boldness to venture into the unknown, tirelessly searching for solutions that would help dedicated individuals in their business and life endeavors. He wanted to be a source of support, fought to be a pillar of strength, and succeeded in all of this, thanks to the unique energy that defined him—an energy we have been deprived of for the past seven years.

He would often begin a semester with his favorite quote from Benjamin Franklin: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” He had an unselfish desire to inspire young people toward what is unique, valuable, and powerful—knowledge. With his energy, charisma, and penetrating gaze, he left the impression of a strong, open-minded man, always ready for discussion. He believed in the youth of Montenegro, and that is why he selflessly loved to share and exchange ideas, experiences, and knowledge with them. It is difficult to sum up in just a few words the greatness of a man, the dedication of a professor, and the hardworking spirit of a professional and economist like Professor Dragan Lajović.

His untimely passing brought an end to an incredible force of energy that radiated from him. Optimistic and cheerful, he was primarily focused on the future. With a deep love for Montenegro, he eagerly traveled every inch of it, seeking to inspire, help, advise, and also learn how to improve our society and make it a better place to live. He believed in the natural talent of our people for entrepreneurship and in their ability to build successful business ventures that create added value. His career was dedicated to strengthening professional knowledge and skills—not only his own but also those of others—believing that knowledge is an immeasurable force that provides a unique competitive advantage to individuals and, consequently, to the country as a whole.

His vision was for Montenegro’s economy to develop through the efficient and sustainable use of existing resources, combined with modern knowledge and skills, as well as the necessary innovations to amplify success. He knew that this vision had to be built on the tireless work of every individual, organization, enterprise, and public administration body, which is why he led by example through long hours of dedication across multiple fields. For him, there were no idle weekends or holidays, and if he ever did take a day off, he used it as an excuse to work even more. Selflessly, and at times almost fanatically, he devoted himself to every development project, following each endeavor to the very end. He firmly believed in the strength and energy of young people, with whom he constantly engaged in numerous activities, organizations, and gatherings. Generations will remember him as a professional and a man whose doors were always open, with a hand extended, always ready to help.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Dragan believed in the creative energy of the people in this region. He was fascinated by the innate creativity and innovative spirit of our people, who used their ingenuity to compensate for a lack of knowledge, tools, or financial resources—all in the pursuit of creating a stable and sustainable living environment.

He dreamed of and believed in the idea of building an innovation-entrepreneurial ecosystem in Montenegro. As early as the 1990s, he spoke about the need to establish entrepreneurial infrastructure, business incubators, and startup centers. However, he did not just talk about it—he actively promoted and pushed this idea among decision-makers as a foundation for the country’s further development. In this spirit, he strongly supported the establishment of Montenegro’s first business incubator and later the IPC Tehnopolis in Nikšić, believing it to be one of the best “micro-locations,” as he liked to say. For him, this was just one step forward and an incentive for people engaged in invention, innovation, and scientific research. He advocated for strengthening ties between academia, science, and business and dreamed of opening Montenegro’s first Science and Technology Park. Today, as that dream—along with the dreams of many others—begins to take shape, we believe he watches over every step we take, rejoicing in the successes that allow more people in Montenegro to realize their potential and contribute to the development and well-being of our society.

The years pass, but for those who listened to him, lived with him, or worked alongside him, those years have brought countless trials and challenges. Even today, we face them by following his advice, his energy, and his courage. The word “impossible” did not exist in his vocabulary. With him, you could only negotiate the deadline for completing a project—because, in his deep conviction, giving up was never an option, no matter the circumstances, obstacles, or challenges.

He sincerely sought the best in people and brought out the maximum potential in each individual, without expecting gratitude, motivating them to strive toward their goals and dreams. The energy that radiated from him was powerful and positive, leaving a lasting and profound impact—one that still shines brightly today, providing strength to those he inspired during his lifetime.

It was an honor and an extraordinary experience to learn from him—and an even greater privilege to work alongside him.

And finally, as he often used to say: “Enough talk, everyone back to work.”