International Business in Croatia: Creating Local Impact
International Entrepreneurs Shaping Croatia
As Croatia continues to evolve as a destination for entrepreneurs, remote workers, startups and international professionals, the conversation is increasingly moving beyond relocation toward contribution, collaboration and long-term impact.
This panel brings together a diverse group of international entrepreneurs and professionals who have chosen Croatia as a place to build businesses, create communities and share their knowledge and perspectives.
From hospitality and wine to education, technology, wellness and creative industries, the speakers represent different ways in which international talent is contributing to Croatia’s growing business and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The panel features:
Geoff Bratton, hospitality entrepreneur and President of the Foreign Business Owners Association
Sara Dyson, founder of Expat in Croatia
John Rogošić, educator, innovator and founder of Split International School
Kit Pepper, founder of Cheers Croatia Magazine and wine educator
Jennifer Gilman, wellness entrepreneur and founder of SHE: Women’s Wellness Exchange
The discussion will be moderated by Flor Nieto, Argentine-Croatian brand and marketing strategist, founder of The Inmediato, TEDx speaker and published author.
Together, they will explore questions such as:
What motivates international entrepreneurs and professionals to build their lives and businesses in Croatia?
What are the main opportunities and challenges of doing business in Croatia as an international founder?
How can international experience and networks strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem?
What role do community, collaboration and knowledge exchange play in successful integration?
How can Croatia become an even more attractive environment for international talent, founders and investors?
What can local and international entrepreneurs learn from one another?
The panel is intended for entrepreneurs, international professionals, startups, business support organisations and anyone interested in entrepreneurship, internationalisation, community building and Croatia’s evolving business ecosystem.
Join us for an open conversation about building businesses, communities and connections in Croatia, and discover how international perspectives can contribute to the country’s entrepreneurial, social and cultural development.
The meetup takes place as part of the second day of Innovate Split 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals, innovators and members of the local and international business community through practical sessions, conversations and networking.
Kako Hrvatska postaje sve privlačnije odredište za poduzetnike, remote radnike, startupove i međunarodne stručnjake, razgovor se sve više pomiče od samog preseljenja prema doprinosu, suradnji i dugoročnom utjecaju na lokalnu zajednicu i gospodarstvo.
Ovaj panel okuplja raznoliku skupinu međunarodnih poduzetnika i stručnjaka koji su Hrvatsku odabrali kao mjesto u kojem grade poslovanje, stvaraju zajednice te dijele svoja znanja, iskustva i perspektive.
Od ugostiteljstva i vina do obrazovanja, tehnologije, wellnessa i kreativnih industrija, naši gosti predstavljaju različite načine na koje međunarodni talent doprinosi razvoju hrvatskog poslovnog i poduzetničkog ekosustava.
Sudionici panela su:
Geoff Bratton, poduzetnik u području ugostiteljstva i predsjednik Foreign Business Owners Association
Sara Dyson, osnivačica platforme Expat in Croatia
John Rogošić, edukator, inovator i osnivač Split International School
Kit Pepper, osnivačica Cheers Croatia Magazine i edukatorica u području vina
Jennifer Gilman, poduzetnica u području wellnessa i osnivačica SHE: Women’s Wellness Exchange
Razgovor će moderirati Flor Nieto, argentinsko-hrvatska stručnjakinja za brending i marketing, osnivačica The Inmediato, TEDx govornica i autorica.
Kroz razgovor ćemo otvoriti pitanja poput:
Što međunarodne poduzetnike i stručnjake motivira da život i poslovanje grade upravo u Hrvatskoj?
Koje su najveće prilike i izazovi poslovanja u Hrvatskoj za međunarodne poduzetnike?
Kako međunarodno iskustvo, znanje i poslovne mreže mogu ojačati lokalni poduzetnički ekosustav?
Koliko su zajednica, suradnja i razmjena znanja važni za uspješnu integraciju?
Kako Hrvatska može postati još privlačnije okruženje za međunarodne talente, poduzetnike i investitore?
Što lokalni i međunarodni poduzetnici mogu naučiti jedni od drugih?
Panel je namijenjen poduzetnicima, međunarodnim stručnjacima, startupovima, organizacijama za podršku poslovanju te svima koje zanimaju poduzetništvo, internacionalizacija, razvoj zajednice i promjene u hrvatskom poslovnom ekosustavu.
Pridružite nam se na otvorenom razgovoru o izgradnji poslovanja, zajednica i novih veza u Hrvatskoj te saznajte kako međunarodne perspektive mogu doprinijeti poduzetničkom, društvenom i kulturnom razvoju zemlje.
Meetup se održava u sklopu drugog dana konferencije Innovate Split 2026, koji okuplja poduzetnike, stručnjake, inovatore te članove lokalne i međunarodne poslovne zajednice kroz praktične sadržaje, razgovore i networking.