Startup Ecosystem map of Croatia

Digitalna Dalmacija welcomes Croatian tech industry expert Dražen Oreščanin to Split for the next Startup Dalmatia Meetup on Thursday, 26 March 2026 at Digitalna Dalmacija Tech Hub in Split 3.

As a founder, investor, and key architect of the regional AI ecosystem, Dražen brings a rare dual perspective to the stage. He is the founder of BIRD Incubator (Croatia's first private AI startup incubator) and General Partner at NVision Ventures, where he actively invests in tech startups from early-stage through to major funding rounds. His track record includes founding Legit, a global data privacy solution, and co-founding Solvership, a regional leader in data analytics and AI.

Why You Should Attend

The core of this Meetup addresses the "missing link" in early-stage development: How investors think. While teams often get bogged down in daily operations, critical factors like scalability, market size, and risk assessment are frequently overlooked.

By understanding the investor's perspective from day one, you will learn to:

Make high-quality strategic decisions.
Communicate your startup's value more effectively.
Avoid the common pitfalls that stall early-stage growth.

The Topic: "Things I wish I’d known as a founder that I only understand now as an investor"

Dražen will pull back the curtain on the "other side" of the table, sharing what truly matters to investors and how that insight can help founders make better decisions from the start.

Key Takeaways:

Investment Criteria: How investors evaluate early-stage teams, products, and markets.
Founder Pitfalls: Common mistakes to avoid when scaling.
Scalability: How to bake growth into your DNA from day one.
Communication: Effectively pitching your value to the VC world.
Practical Insights: Real-world examples from a career spanning both sides of the deal.

Agenda & Networking

📅 Thursday, 26 March 2026

🕖 Schedule: Doors open at 18:30 | Talk starts at 19:00

📍 Location: Digitalna Dalmacija County Tech Hub at Ruđera Boškovića 25, Split

Following the keynote, we will hold a Q&A session, followed by our signature informal networking with pizza and soft drinks. It’s a perfect opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate in a relaxed atmosphere.

Registration

Admission is free. Registration via the Meetup platform is required as spots are limited.

🎟️ Secure your spot & join the conversation: Register here today!

A "Full-Stack" Mentor

Dražen Oreščanin isn't just an observer; he has mastered the entire startup lifecycle, offering a 360-degree view of the industry:

The Founder: Behind global success stories like Legit Software and Solvership.
The Incubator Visionary: Founder of BIRD Incubator, Croatia’s first private AI startup hub.
The Investor: General Partner at NVision Ventures, actively funding startups from pre-seed to late-stage rounds.

Strengthening Dalmatia’s Tech Community

The Startup Dalmatia Meetup -an initiative of Digitalna Dalmacija- connects over 350 active members and continues to unite the talent driving the Split-Dalmatia County tech ecosystem forward. Having already supported over 50 local startups, these gatherings are the region's premier hub for founders, developers, and designers to connect.

Whether you are sketching out your first idea or scaling a validated product, this is your chance to gain concrete insights from a serial entrepreneur with hands-on experience on all sides of the table.