Zoran Torbica
Episode · #415
VRIJEME JE ZA GOSPODARSTVO Zoran Torbica
Guest Zoran TorbicaHosted by Darko BukovićMay 3, 2026
Zoran Torbica
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Zoran Torbica has been navigating the internet since before it was even called 'the internet,' starting in the BBS era. This long view gives him a unique perspective on how much the digital world has changed, and what remains constant. While the metaverse and remote work continue to expand, Torbica argues for the irreplaceable value of in-person contact, which is why he's co-organizing the Adria Summit, a new kind of business gathering in Istria. His experience bridges the earliest days of online connection with the complex digital-physical hybrid of today's business. You will walk away considering how to build new business communities that blend digital efficiency with essential human connection.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Zoran Torbica started engaging with the internet in the BBS era, before most people even knew what 'the internet' was. Understanding where the digital world is headed requires having lived through its earliest, most rudimentary forms, not just its current polished state.
02
The Adria Summit chose Istria not just for its location, but specifically for its 'authentic products' and 'sustainable agriculture.' Even in a global digital business, supporting local, ecological practices isn't a distraction; it defines the values of the community you're building.
03
In Silicon Valley, despite managing billions, all the venture capital funds and their founders eat in the same few places. Physical hubs for capital and innovation thrive on casual, repeated in-person interactions, proving that even in the most digitally advanced sectors, proximity still drives deal flow.
04
When asked to define 'success,' young people at a career fair didn't picture a job title, but 'good cars' or 'drinking wine in a bath.' To genuinely engage the next generation in business, you must move beyond generic notions of 'career' and tap into their specific, often aspirational, definitions of success and lifestyle.
05
Lifestyle itself, Torbica suggests, is something that needs to be learned, just like business etiquette. As new wealth emerges from digital ventures, the skills of living well and conducting business with decorum become as critical as the technical skills that generated the wealth.
06
The Adria Summit explicitly combines two conference days with a dedicated VIP networking day, offering golf, tennis, cycling, and wine tasting. For high-value networking, you don't just offer structured sessions; you create an environment where deals happen naturally within shared, high-quality leisure experiences.
07
Despite being a global tech hub, San Francisco impressed Torbica with its 'good quality of life,' featuring bike paths, green spaces, and low-rise buildings. The most desirable places for digital talent aren't just tech hubs; they are cities that prioritize active lifestyles and a high quality of daily living.
08
Torbica chose to come for an in-person interview, despite the ease of a Zoom call. Even when digital alternatives are efficient, choosing to meet in person signals a different level of commitment and builds a deeper connection that no screen can replicate.