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Damir Brčić
Episode · #696

POSLOVNI ĐIR Damir Brčić

Guest Damir BrčićHosted by Ojdana KoharevićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

Damir Brčić leads Digital Dalmacija, a department within the Split-Dalmatia County, an entity often associated with bureaucracy and slow processes. Yet, Brčić, a former entrepreneur himself, has instilled a distinctly market-driven approach, challenging the perception that public administration cannot be agile or effective. His team operates as a catalyst, not a bottleneck, directly addressing the critical gaps faced by tech startups in the region. He explains that "when you come from the market into an institution, you continue to think the same way — in an engineering, market-driven manner." This mindset has allowed Digital Dalmacija to move beyond traditional government roles, building a tech ecosystem by connecting talent with industry, providing targeted education, and creating pathways to funding and international exposure. This conversation reveals how a regional government can become a genuine engine for economic growth, not by direct intervention, but by strategically empowering its local entrepreneurs. Readers will come away with a clear understanding of how an entrepreneurial approach can transform public service into a dynamic force for innovation, even when navigating existing institutional constraints.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Damir Brčić's personal experience as an entrepreneur before joining the Split-Dalmatia County shaped his view: "when you come from the market into an institution, you continue to think the same way — in an engineering, market-driven manner." Public administration doesn't have to be bureaucratic; it can adopt a market-driven approach when led by former founders.
02
Digital Dalmacija's approach to education and mentorship directly involves local entrepreneurs and industry experts as trainers. The most effective public programs don't try to create resources from scratch; they act as catalysts, connecting existing market players and leveraging their expertise to build the ecosystem.
03
Spotting specific skill gaps in the traditional education system, such as Web 3.0 development or cyber security, led Digital Dalmacija to organize targeted, two-month training programs with industry partners. Don't wait for the education system to catch up to market demand; build the needed talent directly by identifying specific, high-value skill gaps.
04
Many startups with EU funding or investor capital lack developers to build their solutions, so Digital Dalmacija connects them with local IT firms. Sometimes, the most valuable resource an ecosystem builder provides isn't money or training, but simply making the right connections between those with a problem and those with a solution.
05
Brčić acknowledges the slow pace of national regulatory changes, like simplifying company formation or tax structures, but instead of dwelling on them, he focuses on what can be done locally. Don't wait for systemic changes that are slow to arrive; focus on building and fixing what is within immediate control, like talent and practical knowledge.
06
Digital Dalmacija's "Growth conference" provided 1 million HRK (133,000 EUR) in early-stage funding to 12 young startups. The first capital for a startup doesn't have to be venture; it can be small, targeted grants that help a nascent idea take root and prove its concept before seeking larger investment.
07
Taking startups to international conferences like Podim in Maribor or Tech Chill in Milan, covering their costs to present their work, is a core activity. Market exposure is critical: instead of just funding local development, actively push startups onto the global stage to accelerate their growth and network building.
08
The new Digital Dalmacija center in Split 3 will offer 10 dedicated offices for young startups. Providing dedicated, subsidized workspace can be a direct way to foster collaboration and provide stability for early-stage companies, reducing overheads when every euro counts.
09
Organizing Croatia's largest startup conference, Startup Regata, where companies present on the Split Riva to accelerators, foreign guests, and investors, generates significant attention. Create high-visibility events that attract external interest; bringing the ecosystem together in a public, accessible way generates direct investor connections.
10
Brčić observes that "if you want to have five successful startup companies in Split, you need to launch twenty or thirty." Success in ecosystem building isn't just about supporting existing companies; it's about increasing the sheer volume of new ventures, understanding that only a fraction will achieve significant scale.
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