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You are a high school student from Križevci region!
You have a great business idea!
You want to learn about entrepreneurship!
About future
Crossroads
Future Crossroads: Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp is a unique event, bringing together young people and veteran businessmen!
It’s a place to test your entrepreneurial skills in a pitching contest, or learn new skills in a series of workshops. Share your ideas with like minded people and make new friendships and professional connections.
Enroll into our boot camp program, or just swing by and enjoy our casual evening panels and business war stories.
mentors
Ivana Kulko
Ivana completed her studies in psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb, and started her career in selection and recruitment. read more
In the LQ team, she is in charge of improving tools for assessing the competence and personality of employees and actively participates in the implementation of assessment and development centers.
She uses her creativity and pedagogical competence when actively improving e-learning content on the digital platform “Axonify”. She is a certified interpreter of Hogan tests and Spiral dynamics. In her spare time, she volunteers, engages in various artistic hobbies and pushes her own limits.
Ana Vuković
Ana Vuković is the owner of a small business, Finsperitas, which provides education on financial literacy and investments for small investors and beginners. read more
She also works at the Croatian IT company Lemax, where she leads projects, manages processes, and oversees teams.
Before transitioning to IT, Ana worked in the oil and gas industry as a chemical engineer in INA and traveling the world for several years as a chief technical advisor, responsible for the startup of petrochemical and refinery production sites.
Ana now lives in Zagreb, where she enjoys the benefits of living in a larger city and being close to home. She is originally from the small town of Đurđevac, located in the Podravina region of Croatia.
Andreja Rambrot Malenica
She entered entrepreneurship in 2016 when she launched the socially responsible marketing agency “Pisalica”. read more
For the last 8 years, she has focused exclusively on building quality foundations for her clients’ businesses and increasing their visibility on the market. In addition to “Pisalica”, in the last three years she has launched two other projects – a web shop for weddings “Princeza.hr” and a coaching center, through which she supports clients in their search for a business (and life) purpose and in achieving their goals.
Andreja is happy to share the knowledge and experience gained in his daily work at trainings and conferences. Her advice has so far been published on: Poduzetnik.biz, Poslovni dnevnik, Poslovni savjetnik.com, Women in Adria, Grazia, Plavi ured…
Oliver Linzbauer
For the last few years, Oliver has been focused on experiential learning as a superior tool in education. He focuses on applying personal development in all spheres of life, with an emphasis on team development in business environments. read more
His formal education is a master’s degree in telecommunications. After graduating from college, he spent several years in the IT world of large and small companies at positions ranging from software developer to key account manager.
He primarily acquires knowledge from his own life experience and observation of people, and improves it through books and courses in the field of human skills development and psychology. To validate the knowledge, he undergoes notable education on topics of communication, leadership, positive psychology and facilitation.
He is a supporter of the idea that professional and personal development are inevitably supported and complemented.
Kristijan Škarica
A versatile entrepreneur with experience in founding startups, gaming i e-sports industry, and co-founder of successful projects such as “Gepek”, “Coeto” and the brand “Degenerika”. read more
Kristijan brings over 10 years of experience to startup the world. As co-owner of “Valiance Pro Game” e-sports club won the EBEL league in 2023.
Kristijan provides mentoring and support for 17+ startup-a (fin-tech, AI, gaming, Web 3…) throughout Europe, and actively participates in Web 3 to the world as a lawyer for “Polygon Labs” and a mentor in the “Polygon Village” program.
Soon with his partners he will launch gaming accelerator that will be a gamechanger and a great value for anyone from the region who is interested in entering gaming world.
speakers
/LIFESTYLE
Luka Grloci
Born in August 1985. After finishing high school, he went to Zagreb, where he unsuccessfully attended two colleges because “if it’s not interesting to me, I get bored quickly”. read more
At the same time, he follows the culinary scene of the capital and the rest of Croatia.
He loves to follow the travels and adventures of his role model, Anthony Bourdain. With the desire for better skills, knowledge and opportunities, he goes to Ireland. There, surrounded by people from all over the world, he absorbs different opinions, views on life, cultures and knowledge of various cultures and their customs.
In addition to regular duties and jobs he finally finds the time to dedicate himself to his hobby – American BBQ. At the same time, the love and obsession with smoking meat only grows. He came into contact with people related to the industry all across Europe and the US, which ultimately culminates with a trip to Texas. In a short time, he visits, meets, learns and absorbs the knowledge and skills of the world’s best pitmasters and restaurants!
Luka returns to Croatia with the intention of introducing people to the culture and flavors of grilled food. With this in mind, he started his own brand for the production of smokers.
Andrea Katanović Babić & Franjo Babić
The Babić family distillery, located in the idyllic surroundings of northwestern Croatia, is a combination of the tradition of fruit growing and modern distillate production.
read more
Andrea, a librarian and professor of literature, and Franjo, a graduate in agronomy, use domestic raw materials from their own estate to create innovative drinks. Their “Cherry on top gin”, premium craft gin, is based on local juniper from Kapela and three varieties of cherries. Distilled in a copper still, it is enriched with herbs and perfectly balances robust and smooth aromas.
Bojan Šmic
Bojan Šmic is a holistic therapist and founder of Autentik, specializing in a holistic approach to health, personal development and inner peace. read more
He acquired his knowledge through cooperation with various teachers. Bojan uses various techniques such as massages, energy treatments, Taoism, acupressure and gestalt psychology. Through Autentik, he helps people to improve the quality of their lives through treatments, educations and workshops that combine physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
His approach is based on the integration of body, mind and spirit, and through working with people, Bojan strives to facilitate the path to self-knowledge and personal growth. In addition to a holistic approach, Bojan also deals with gastronomy and is organizing events, catering, and sauna therapy events. Autentik was created as an expression of Bojan’s desire to create a space where people can work on themselves, improve their health and find inner peace, through personalized treatments and support in the transformation process.
speakers
/BIZZ&TECH
Ignacio Martinez
Born in Quito, Ecuador in 1988. At the age of 18, Ignacio moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina to study Industrial Design in FADU, Universidad de Buenos Aires. read more
After a few years of work as an industrial designer in a local design studio and after attending independent automotive design courses mentored by experienced argentine designers (Lancia, Pininfarina, Mitsubishi), Ignacio got accepted in Istituto Europeo di Design in Torino, Italy. He enrolled into the prestigious Master in Transportation Design.
This experience opened the doors to access the competitive world of automotive design in Europe, having a first internship in Changan Design Center. Subsequently, Ignacio moved to Esiste, a consultancy firm through which he got the chance to participate in projects for Italdesign, Lamborghini and for a longer period in Pininfarina during a 2 years stint.
In 2019, Ignacio was looking for more complete experiences and challenging environments which derived into getting a full time automotive interior designer in Rimac Automobili which marked the beginning of his life in Croatia. Having participated deeply in the development of Nevera, Rimac’s first globally homologated hypercar, Ignacio gathered enough experience to have been awarded for the role of Lead Interior Designer after Bugatti and Rimac merged in 2022.
One year later Ignacio got promoted to Chief Interior Designer for both Bugatti and Rimac brands and also Head of Zagreb Design Studio in the now multinational team of Bugatti Rimac.
Most recently the Bugatti Rimac design team led by Design Director Frank Heyl and with Ignacio as his right hand in Zagreb, successfully unveiled in summer 2024 the Nevera R, a track-focused evolution of Nevera and the Bugatti Tourbillon, the all new replacement of the Bugatti Chiron, marking the new era for Bugatti under new management and new strategy. Currently Ignacio is engaged developing Tourbillon for it to reach full maturity before first customer deliveries and actively leading his team designing future vehicles for both brands.
Tomislav Tenodi
Tomislav co-founded his company Speck in 2017, initially offering niche development services to the IT market. read more
Despite having no prior business experience, he successfully scaled the company to a team of 50 skilled professionals.
Along the way, Tomislav gained invaluable insights into entrepreneurship, learning how to build a business from the ground up, master delegation, manage finances, and navigate the dynamics of friendship in a professional setting.
Kristijan Škarica
A versatile entrepreneur with experience in founding startups, gaming i e-sports industry, and co-founder of successful projects such as “Gepek”, “Coeto” and the brand “Degenerika”. read more
Kristijan brings over 10 years of experience to startup the world. As co-owner of “Valiance Pro Game” e-sports club won the EBEL league in 2023.
Kristijan provides mentoring and support for 17+ startup-a (fin-tech, AI, gaming, Web 3…) throughout Europe, and actively participates in Web 3 to the world as a lawyer for “Polygon Labs” and a mentor in the “Polygon Village” program.
Soon with his partners he will launch gaming accelerator that will be a gamechanger and a great value for anyone from the region who is interested in entering gaming world.
speakers
/US
Cameron Law
Keenan Price
Ilija Vrajich
agenda
DAY 1
BOOT CAMP PROGRAM (WORKSHOPS)
9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Project Opening / Participants Welcome
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Workshop #1: Design Thinking (Ivana Kulko, P.O.I.N.T.)
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch break
1:00 PM–3:30 PM Workshop #2: Tips & Tricks za bolju prezentaciju proizvoda na internetu (Andreja Rambrot Malenica, Pisalica)
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Coffee break
4:00 PM– 6:30 PM Workshop #3: Postavljanje ciljeva i motivacija tima (Oliver Linzbauer, Otom-potom)
PUBLIC PROGRAM – BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES: LIFESTYLE
7:00 PM – 7:20 PM Bojan Šmic: Autentik, Love & Dance
7:20 PM – 7:40 PM Andrea Katanović Babić & Franjo Babić: Cherry on Top gin, Destilerija Babić
7:40 PM – 8:00 PM Luka Grloci: O.D.B. Smokers
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM Panel session + Q&A (moderator: Ivan Ivanović)
DAY 2
BOOT CAMP PROGRAM (WORKSHOPS)
10:0 AM – 12:30 PM Workshop #4: Kako napraviti budžet (Ana Vuković, Finsperitas)
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch break
1:30 PM– 4:00 PM Workshop #5: Building a Sales Pitch (Kristijan Škarica, Gepek)
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Pitch Crunch Session
PUBLIC PROGRAM – BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES: TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Bugatti Rimac – Automotive design, predavanje na engl. jeziku (Ignacio Martinez, Bugatti Rimac)
7:00 PM – 7:15 PM Tomislav Tenodi: Speck Digital Agency
7:15 PM – 7:30 PM Kristijan Škarica: Gepek
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM Panel session + Q&A (moderator: Ivan Ivanović)
PITCHING COMPETITION
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM MAIN EVENT: Pitching Competition
9:30 PM – 11:00 PM Networking event + Event Wrap Up Party /w Resident Love & Dance
11:00 PM Event closing
contact
APPLICATION FORM
partners
Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with Meridian International Center as the implementing partner.