Matija Srbić
Episode · #662
PAMETNA HRVATSKA Matija Srbić
Guest Matija SrbićHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
Matija Srbić
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Matija Srbić doesn't just talk about commercializing science; his work at Nucleus and the Nikola Tesla Innovation Center directly builds the bridges between academic research and market application. He sees Croatia as a country still shifting its mindset, where researchers are often focused on basic science, yet increasingly open to exploring the real-world value of their lab discoveries. It’s a delicate, essential translation — taking complex scientific breakthroughs and finding their tangible, profitable place in the world. This conversation offers a clear view into the practical challenges and opportunities of turning pure science into commercial success, and what it takes to build a venture from a scientific paper.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Matija defines deep tech not as a buzzword, but as "the results of scientific research that find their application in the real world." The point isn't the label itself, but the practical shift: translating laboratory breakthroughs into tangible, market-ready solutions.
02
Nucleus works specifically with students and employees of scientific institutions, actively partnering with 13 faculties and institutes beyond its home base at FER. To commercialize science, you don't cast a wide net; you embed deeply within existing academic structures and build targeted relationships.
03
Matija notes that Croatian universities often operate "each for themselves," but Nucleus actively orchestrates collaborations where, for example, chemistry or agriculture faculties present challenges that FER's technological expertise can address. The role of a venture builder isn't just to fund, but to actively connect disparate fields.
04
Croatia is still in a "mindset change" phase regarding commercializing science, with researchers initially focused on basic research. However, interest grows significantly once they see concrete results from previous startups that have passed through Nucleus. Success stories are the most effective lever for cultural change.
05
The Nikola Tesla Innovation Center explicitly positions itself as "the bridge between the scientific research community and industry," facilitating connections for spin-offs or matching industry challenges with scientific expertise. The gap between science and industry is often one of communication, not capability.
06
The World Bank approached them because industry-science collaboration in Croatia lags behind EU levels, leading to the Sinergia project's "speed dating" format. This structure efficiently connects one company with multiple scientists to rapidly surface potential partnerships.
07
There was initial skepticism about how many Croatian companies were "innovative enough" to require a scientist rather than just an expert for their projects. The positive results of the Sinergia project surprised them, showing a deeper demand than anticipated. The true demand for deep scientific collaboration often remains hidden until a dedicated mechanism actively surfaces it.