CROCAST Jan de Jong

Guest Jan de JongHosted by Siniša ŽujićMay 3, 2026

Jan de Jong

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Jan de Jong arrived in Croatia 17 years ago, a 22-year-old Dutch student on a thesis project to expand a contact center. What began as a temporary business venture blossomed into a life-altering commitment, seeing him co-found M Plus Group, a company that grew to employ over 14,500 people across the region. But his story isn't just one of business success; it's about the deep personal ties that eventually rooted him in a new country, leading him to say, "I came to Croatia for business, but I stayed for love." De Jong's path then took a surprising turn when, as an individual, he played a pivotal role in shaping national policy, spearheading the initiative that led to Croatia's digital nomad visa. His experience offers a rare look at how a single person's conviction, coupled with a knack for identifying and championing good ideas, can influence government action and open new economic pathways. You'll walk away considering the unexpected drivers of long-term commitment and how new opportunities often emerge from periods of disruption.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Jan de Jong came to Croatia at 22 for a thesis project, co-founded M Plus Group, and then stayed after meeting his wife. The most enduring professional commitments are often cemented by personal connection, showing that long-term presence is often driven by more than just an initial business case.

M Plus Group started with Jan and his partner, employed 30 people after one year, 400+ at his exit, and now employs over 14,500 people. This massive scale wasn't mapped out on day one; it grew from a focused expansion of a contact center, demonstrating that significant enterprise can come from committing deeply to one clear opportunity.

In Jan's home, his wife speaks Croatian to their four children, he speaks Dutch, and he and his wife speak English to each other. The children effortlessly switch between languages, showing that creating a naturally multilingual environment is less about structured lessons and more about consistent, distinct language inputs from each parent.

The host credits Jan with the digital nomad visa initiative, but Jan clarifies it wasn't his original idea, saying, "I like to surround myself with really great and smart people, and they inspire me." A leader's impact often comes not from inventing every concept, but from recognizing and acting on good ideas that emerge from their network, then driving them forward.

The digital nomad initiative started "at that very moment we had all just entered into lockdown," when traditional tourism was halted. The most impactful policy shifts often emerge not from stable times, but from moments of crisis, when the disruption of existing models makes entirely new solutions visible and urgent.

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