Antonio Matušan
Episode · #702
PAMETNA HRVATSKA Antonio Matušan
Guest Antonio MatušanHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
Antonio Matušan
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Every year, Croatia discards over 280,000 tons of food, with a staggering 40% still perfectly edible. This isn't just an ecological problem; it's an economic inefficiency amplified by rising costs. Antonio Matušan, founder of Crumbs, saw this waste not as an unavoidable consequence, but as a market opportunity. His platform connects consumers with surplus food from local businesses at a discount, aiming to rescue what would otherwise be thrown away. Matušan discusses the mechanics, the challenges of shifting consumer habits, and the careful balancing act of building a sustainable business around a social good. You'll hear how a simple app can tackle a complex problem by aligning incentives across an entire supply chain.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Croatia discards more than 280,000 tons of food annually, 71 kilograms per inhabitant, with nearly 40% of it still perfectly edible. Such stark figures reveal not just an ecological issue, but a profound market inefficiency, pointing to a clear opportunity for solutions that connect surplus with demand at a price point that makes discarded food a commercial asset.
02
Crumbs' core offering is 'surprise packages' — a 'savory mix' from a bakery, for instance — where the customer doesn't know the exact contents until they pick it up. This approach solves the unpredictable nature of daily surplus for merchants; by bundling unknown items into a category, it simplifies inventory management for businesses and adds an element of discovery for the buyer.
03
Antonio Matušan first encountered similar food waste apps while studying in Milan, prompting him to ask 'why isn't this available in Croatia?' upon his return. Often, the most compelling business ideas aren't invented from scratch, but imported from markets where a solution already exists for a problem still unaddressed in your own. The question 'why not here?' is a potent entrepreneurial trigger.
04
Merchants can join Crumbs with 'no obligations' and 'nothing costs them,' only posting surplus items when they genuinely have them, even if it's once a month. For an aggregation platform, removing all friction for suppliers is critical; a zero-cost, no-commitment model ensures participation only when there's actual surplus, aligning the platform's mission with the merchant's reality.
05
Crumbs’ business model relies on a 'symbolic commission' from merchants, given that the average 'surprise package' is priced around 5-7 euros. When dealing with high volume and low individual transaction values, a modest, non-intrusive fee structure encourages adoption. The goal is to monetize the aggregate flow, not extract maximum value from each small sale.
06
While aiming for students and budget-conscious young professionals, Matušan also hopes to reach seniors, suggesting grandchildren might help them use the app. A solution designed for one demographic can expand its reach by identifying adjacent, underserved groups who share the underlying need; sometimes, expanding market access means designing for an indirect user, not just the end consumer.
07
The app will initially only offer in-store pickup, with delivery planned for a later phase. Prioritizing the simplest viable exchange — connecting surplus food with a buyer for pickup — allows an early-stage platform to validate its core concept before adding the complexity and cost of logistics.
08
Matušan addresses skepticism about food quality by emphasizing a commitment to 'quality control,' ensuring merchants don't offer items that should truly be discarded. In a market centered on food that would otherwise be wasted, trust is paramount; proactively managing quality expectations and building a reputation for reliability is essential to overcome initial user apprehension and foster repeat engagement.
09
The food offered on Crumbs is nearing its 'best before' date, not expired, meaning it's still perfectly safe for consumption. The problem Crumbs solves isn't about preventing the consumption of unsafe food, but rather rescuing perfectly edible food from commercial waste cycles. This distinction is crucial for both consumer confidence and regulatory compliance.