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Mihajlo Čizmić i Mario Franić
Episode · #708

POSLOVNI ĐIR Mihajlo Čizmić i Mario Franić

Guest Mihajlo Čizmić i Mario FranićHosted by Ojdana KoharevićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

Croatian innovators often struggle to turn their ideas into viable businesses. For decades, Mihajlo Čizmić's Diatus society in Split has helped inventors secure patent rights, but the path from a protected idea to a market-ready product remains challenging. This conversation explores that tension, bringing together Čizmić's perspective on the systemic hurdles and the concrete experience of Mario Franić, an entrepreneur who successfully innovated within his own industry. Franić, the owner of StiroDom, developed a unique "lost formwork system" for construction, capable of withstanding extreme earthquakes while providing permanent thermal insulation. His journey, from importer to producer of a world-first technology, offers a rare glimpse into how a problem-driven approach can bridge the gap between invention and commercial success. You will walk away considering what it truly takes for an innovation to not just win an award, but to build a thriving business.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
When asked whether an innovator can live off their invention, Mihajlo Čizmić is unequivocal: "It's always easier and simpler when an entrepreneur is already working and producing with concrete things, then an idea comes to them to improve it." Innovation is often less about a flash of genius and more about a persistent problem encountered by someone already working in an industry.
02
Mario Franić spent five years developing his earthquake-resistant formwork system, collaborating with "engineers, chemists, physicists, and even civil engineering faculties." Serious innovation is rarely a solo endeavor; it requires a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing on diverse expertise to push beyond obvious solutions and meet stringent industry standards.
03
Franić's product, a "lost formwork system" from StiroDom, is described as the only one in the world that can withstand Eurocode 8 standards (Richter 9-11 earthquakes) while providing permanent thermal insulation. Truly distinct market advantage comes not just from solving a problem, but from solving it in a way that is demonstrably superior and unique globally.
04
Franić's path began by importing similar materials, which showed him "where they went wrong" and inspired him to innovate. Existing market solutions are not just competition; they are often the best teachers, revealing flaws in what's available and pointing the way to creating something genuinely new and better.
05
Franić explicitly states: "My family and I live off this innovation. Every few months, we need new employees." The ultimate validation for an innovation isn't an award or a patent, but its ability to generate sustainable income and create jobs, proving its market viability.
06
Franić announced an exclusive plan to invest "six and a half million euros" into a new production plant in Dalmatia. Scaling an innovation requires a willingness to reinvest significant capital back into the core operation, as growth is not just about sales but about continuously building the capacity to meet increasing demand.
07
Franić credits his initial "Golden Diploma" from Diatus for giving him "additional wind in his sails" to pursue further international recognition. Early recognition, even from local industry bodies, can provide crucial psychological and reputational momentum, signaling to the innovator to keep going.
08
Franić later received international gold medals for "best innovation in the world" and was named among "300 best [innovators] in Europe in the last 100 years." While local validation is important, international recognition provides a different kind of credibility, signaling that an innovation holds global significance and can open doors to wider markets.
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