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Mario Kotarski
Episode · #145

PAMETNA HRVATSKA Mario Kotarski

Guest Mario KotarskiHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

A geodetic firm might seem like a traditional business, but Mario Kotarski built GeoFly by looking beyond established methods, into the sky. His company combines conventional land surveying with drone-based aerial mapping, providing clients with real-time, precise data. Kotarski taught himself to fly these drones, even crashing a few along the way—a badge of honor, he suggests, for any true pilot. Despite being told his business lacked 'perspective' when applying for an entrepreneurship grant, Kotarski has steadily built a company that clients from family farms to real estate developers are increasingly relying on. He points to the constant need for accurate, up-to-date land information as Croatia's land registries slowly modernize. This conversation explores how a blend of self-taught expertise, a willingness to break things, and a sharp eye for new technology can redefine an old industry—even when the institutions aren't immediately ready for it.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
When Mario Kotarski launched GeoFly, he wanted to be "a little different from other geodetic companies" by integrating drone surveying. The clearest path to standing out in an established industry is to introduce a new technology that delivers a superior, faster outcome for an existing core service.
02
Mario Kotarski learned to fly drones "self-taught," admitting to "a couple of crashes" along the way. "You're not a real pilot," he says, "until you've crashed a couple of drones." Mastery in a new technical field often comes less from formal training and more from direct, often messy, hands-on experimentation.
03
When Mario Kotarski applied for a self-employment grant, he was rejected because his business was deemed to lack "perspective." The market's demand for a new service often appears long before institutional programs recognize its potential.
04
Drones offer "the most accurate data reflecting reality on the ground" in "a very short time," solving the problem of outdated cadastral maps that might show "a meadow" where "a building" now stands. The most compelling use case for new technology isn't just speed, but resolving the fundamental data gaps that cripple existing processes.
05
GeoFly's clients include family farms (OPGs) using drone-generated 3D models to plan irrigation systems and analyze terrain. New technology finds its quickest adoption in industries where even small improvements in efficiency or resource allocation translate directly into tangible financial gains.
06
Mario Kotarski notes the high cost of legal software, "several thousand euros," which "raises the price" but is necessary to "give clients a quality product." Investing in licensed, high-end software isn't just about compliance; it's a non-negotiable cost of delivering a premium service in a data-intensive field.
07
GeoFly currently works in Croatia but plans internationalization, believing they can be competitive in Europe "by knowledge" and "definitely by price." When scaling, look for markets where your core competencies—be it specialized knowledge or cost efficiency—offer a distinct, measurable advantage.
08
Mario Kotarski advises caution with EU funds, noting that for smaller amounts, "the suggestion is to avoid it" due to the bureaucracy involved. The administrative burden of public funding can sometimes outweigh the financial benefit, especially for smaller projects where the cost of compliance eats into the grant itself.
09
Mario Kotarski's career began in his mother's family law firm, which specialized in land registry law, before he moved into geodetics. An early exposure to the legal complexities surrounding a technical field can provide an unexpected foundation for a future business that solves those very problems.
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