While Croatia may not be the first name that comes to mind in discussions about European tech powerhouses, this country nestled along the Adriatic coast has quietly positioned itself as a significant player, boasting three unicorns in its burgeoning tech ecosystem.
The most recent unicorn emerged in March 2023 with Google’s acquisition of Croatian company Photomath, a deal valued at an impressive €500 million. This, coupled with a series of deals surpassing €100 million in recent years, unmistakably underscores Croatia’s growing influence in the tech arena. The country’s pioneer unicorn, Infobip, operates on a global scale with 80 offices, adding a layer of sophistication to Croatia’s evolving tech landscape. Notably, Rimac Automobili, another unicorn, secured €120 million in 2022 for advancing its electric vehicle development.
As Croatia increasingly captures attention on the global tech stage, the growth outlook for 2024 appears promising. With this in mind, a meticulous exploration of Croatia’s captivating startup ecosystem is underway, focusing on ten early-stage startups founded post-2019, and anticipated to embark on a promising trajectory in the coming year.
Ani Biome: Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Zagreb, Ani Biome focuses on health and longevity. Using non-invasive diagnostics such as daily psychobiosocial questions, tongue and skin scans, and wearables data, the company gathers comprehensive health information. Ani Biome employs AI algorithms to develop personalised monthly plans, incorporating a range of metabolites produced through their multi-level fermentation methodology. The recent funding round of €1.3 million positions Ani Biome for notable advancements in the field
Dot Your Spot: Established in 2021 and located in Split, is a rapidly expanding SaaS company making a substantial impact on the daily operations of over 1500 businesses within the hospitality sector. The company’s primary emphasis lies in the development of software tools designed to streamline and enhance various business processes, encompassing room service in hotels, table management in restaurants and clubs, along facilitating cashless payment options for establishments in the restaurant, club, and bar sectors.
GameBoost: Zagreb-based GameBoost stands as an all-in-one platform designed to cater to the diverse needs of gamers. Established in 2022, they have secured €2 million fuelling its growth initiatives and expanding its services for the gaming community. As the company expands its scope, gamers can anticipate an enhanced and more seamless gaming experience through their services.
Gamio.gg: Situated in Rijeka, Gamio.GG is a platform that empowers gamers to confront challenges in popular games such as League of Legends, Fortnite, and CS:GO. Beyond conventional gaming, the platform serves as a solution for brands aiming to establish an in-game presence and engage players through custom challenges. This innovative approach allows casual gamers to earn cryptocurrency while participating in major gaming titles, facilitated by blockchain technology. Founded in 2021, they have raised over €600K.
Mindsmiths: Founded in 2019 with its headquarters in Zagreb, Mindsmiths is an AI startup on a mission to bridge the gap between organic and synthetic intelligence. The company focuses on connecting technology and human behaviour, utilising AI tools to provide a human level of care and attention to millions of people. Mindsmith’s vision is to transform various aspects of life and work by considering human fears, motivations, emotions, skills, and capabilities. To support its mission, the startup has successfully raised a total of €1.2 million.
Sportening: Founded in 2019 and backed by €6 million in funding, Sportening is transforming the sports fan experience through its innovative platform, fostering community, delivering accurate information, and facilitating meaningful connections. Committed to decentralisation, Sportening empowers teams and individuals to creatively tackle challenges by leveraging state-of-the-art technology.
Postaj: Zagreb-based Postaj is pioneering the integration of mobile technology into the handyman services sector, offering a novel platform where homeowners can easily connect with service providers for a range of home repairs and renovations. The seamless and efficient mobile app allows real-time service requests, enabling service providers to select jobs based on their skills, proximity, and availability. Founded in 2023, the platform has amassed 35.000 downloads and has raised an investment of €180K.
Tabu: Headquartered in Zagreb, Tabu is an online platform providing insights into tech salaries within the Croatian tech market. The user-friendly TABU platform offers personalized assessments of professional worth. By inputting details and salary information, users receive a customised analysis, including a comparison with peers in similar roles and seniority levels. Beyond individual benefits, TABU contributes to mitigating payment disparities and ensuring fair compensation for workers. Established in 2022, the platform has secured €100K in funding.
Treblle: Zagreb-based Treblle is an all-in-one platform revolutionising the API lifecycle. The startup’s lightweight SDK accelerates the development, shipping, and maintenance of REST-based APIs, providing engineering and DevOps teams with both speed and crucial oversight. Founded in 2021, Treblle has raised over €7.8 million.
Wasp: Zagreb-based Wasp is a software development tool that simplifies building full-stack web apps by using concise language and declarative DSL. It unifies frontend, backend, and deployment using modern web dev stacks without writing boilerplate code. Founded in 2020 they have raised €1.5 million making it easier for developers to focus on building their applications.