PAMETNA HRVATSKA Davor Šakić, powered by Janaf

Guest Davor ŠakićHosted by Marijana MatkovićMay 3, 2026

Davor Šakić

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

A common problem in scientific research — the non-linear response of fluorescent signals — became the starting point for Davor Šakić's entrepreneurial venture, TinFe. As a professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry in Zagreb, Šakić and his colleague Tin Veitner initially aimed to publish their solution. But by modifying an existing instrument, refining the method, and building custom software, they realized they had solved a universal laboratory challenge. This conversation explores the stark differences between academic rigor and market-driven development, and what it takes for a scientist to become an entrepreneur. You will walk away with a clearer understanding of how deep technical problems can translate into commercial opportunities, and the personal transformation required to make that leap.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

The fundamental limitation of fluorescent spectroscopy, where signals become non-linear with increasing concentration, was TinFe's core challenge. Their approach, which modifies instrument focus and compares data to create a new, linear signal, proves that overcoming a core technical limitation can dramatically improve precision and reliability, saving labs significant time, money, and resources.

Davor Šakić's realization that "if we have a problem, others probably do too" after solving their own lab challenge was the moment they saw commercial potential. The most robust market validation often stems from addressing your own deeply felt pain points; if you've needed a solution, a wider audience likely exists.

Davor Šakić describes himself as "two different people" before and after embarking on the entrepreneurial path. The transition from scientist to entrepreneur demands a complete personal reinvention, shifting from the measured pace of academic discovery to the relentless, dynamic demands of commercialization.

The accelerator programs Nucleus and ZICER provided distinctly different support, with Nucleus "nurturing" scientists and ZICER "pushing faster." Early-stage ventures benefit from a tiered acceleration approach: initial programs help scientists translate their work into a business concept, while later stages demand rapid validation and aggressive development.

The "dream" of quickly receiving "obscene amounts of money" quickly gave way to the reality of cash flow issues and calls that ultimately lead nowhere. Entrepreneurship is less about instant windfalls and more about persistent effort through cycles of hope and disappointment, often requiring late nights fueled by coffee and biscuits to secure pilots and proposals.

In science, you cautiously state what *might* be; in entrepreneurship, you must confidently articulate what *will* be, "already seeing the sea" beyond the obstacles. The shift from academic publishing to business pitching requires a fundamental change in communication, moving from defending every data point to painting a clear, albeit projected, vision of the future.

TinFe's solution came from "hacking the device a bit, changing the method, and making software" rather than a completely new invention. Innovation isn't always about creating something entirely new; often, the most effective solutions come from cleverly re-engineering existing tools and methods to unlock new capabilities.

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