For projects that combine education, community and creative services, the association's cooperation with a craft or company can be a sustainable business model.
In the sectors of culture, education, creative industries and social entrepreneurship, many face the same problem: How to reconcile social value and financial sustainability?
The challenge arises because one legal form cannot respond to all needs. The association cannot charge for all services, while crafts or d.o.o. are not suitable for non-profit activities. This is where the possibility opens up. Hybrid Business Model, i.e. cooperation between an association and a craft or company.
Why combine association and crafts/d.o.o.?
This combination offers flexibility, visibility and balance between social impact and market approach:
the association can apply more easily to the EU and public tenders, enjoys the trust of the community and is focused on a social mission,
crafts/d.o.o.allows for service billing, market operations and more flexible recruitment.
Together, they can build a strong, resilient and sustainable system that allows for a balance between mission and market.
Three models of cooperation
Model 1: Association as holder, obrt/d.o.o. as operational partner
The association manages non-profit activities, applies for competitions, manages the program and develops content. Obrt/d.o.o. provides commercial services on the basis of a cooperation agreement.
Ideal for projects with strong social focus and occasional market activities.
Model 2: Obrt/d.o.o. as holder, association as program partner
Obrt or d.o.o. manages space, business and revenue. The association is involved as a partner in educational and social content.
Suitable for projects that want to combine clear business goals with strong social impact.
Model 3: Two entities, two functions
Both entities act independently, with their teams, finances and premises, and are connected by a common vision and occasional cooperation.
Suitable for mature initiatives that want to maintain independence but build a strategic partnership.
What is the key to a good relationship?
Cooperation can work in the long term if relationships are professional and clearly defined. It is desirable to:
keep separate accounts and ensure mutual transparency.
agree on the roles, responsibilities and competences of each entity;
conclude cooperation agreements governing revenue, use of premises and intellectual property,
Where does it already work?
Such models of cooperation are successfully applied in:
educational centers and incubators,
cultural associations collaborating with creative studios,
Socio-entrepreneurial initiatives that want to charge part of their services,
hybrid coworking spaces with commercial and shared content.
Hybrid models: Flexibility for sustainability
There are a significant number of initiatives that want to combine social impact with stable income. In this context, the combination of association and crafts or d.o.o. is a flexible and functional model that allows the best of both worlds – balancing between value and market, with more flexibility in everyday business.
If you have a project that works in multiple sectors, maybe this is exactly the model you are looking for.
Our goal is your success. Together, we shape sustainable solutions and create the foundations for growth, competitiveness and innovation.
Starting a business is one thing. Finding capital and partners who believe in your idea is completely different.
When a startup goes in search of an investment, it is usually found between two extremes: banks that require insurance that beginners often do not have and risk funds that wait to prove market viability. It is at this initial and most vulnerable stage of development that they enter the scene business angels.
What are business angels?
Business angels are experienced individuals who invest part of their assets in new companies with growth potential.
But unlike classic investors, business angels usually invest time and attention with money, i.e. act as mentors, advisors and development partners. They are interested in specific sectors where they have experience and see capacity for development. They are guided by intuition. They listen to the vision, energy and potential of the team and what value and innovation a company can bring to the market. They invest earlier, when the risk is higher, but also the potential for growth is higher. Business angels are aware that they may not be able to count on the return on investment immediately.
The concept of business angels dates back to the theatrical jargon of the early 20th century, when the wealthy donors ‘angels’ saved risky theatrical productions. Professor Wetzel formalized the term in 1978 to describe private investors investing their own capital, knowledge and contacts in startups.
What is their role?
Business angels play an important role in the economy. In many countries, they represent the second largest source of external financing for start-ups, after family and friends. They can be a key milestone in the development of startups as they allow for faster growth and additional capital without the need to borrow.
But their role is not purely financial. Experienced business angels also bring mentoring, business contacts and support in times of crisis, acting as partners who know the challenges of growth and market dynamics. In addition, their participation often gives the project additional credibility, which makes it easier to attract new investors or business partners. It is no coincidence that startups who receive angel investment grow faster, survive longer, and provide additional sources of capital more easily.
How to attract them?
It is legitimate to wonder what characteristics should be attached to an ‘ideal’ project in which someone will invest. Undoubtedly, there are some requirements that can make a startup more interesting in the eyes of investors, namely:
Good performance – It is important not to forget that a good business idea cannot happen on its own! The implementation is crucial for the realization of the project to its full potential. Before investing money in a startup, business angels must carry out assessments by analyzing concrete stages of development that can confirm the viability and scalability of the idea.
Business plan – This document is not just a formality but a key tool to turn the idea into a sustainable strategy. A quality business plan clearly highlights the strengths of the project, explains its market value and competitive advantages, and builds investor confidence. It is in this step that Porin can be your strong ally. Thanks to many years of experience in drafting business plans and investment studies, We help entrepreneurs to present their ideas clearly, concretely and convincingly. Let us know.
A good team – A business angel invests in people as much as in an idea. Experience, knowledge, mutual cooperation and a shared vision of the team are key factors. Team enthusiasm, will and determination can convince the investor that the idea is worthy of support.
Networking – Building relationships and creating a network of contacts is key to exchanging ideas, opening opportunities and finding the right people. The network often precedes the investment, so it is important to be present and active.
In addition, several concrete steps can significantly increase the chances of attracting business angels:
Prepare pitch deck – present your idea, market potential, team and growth plan clearly, briefly and convincingly.
Have a business model and MVP – business angels want to see that the idea takes shape and that there is already a concrete value (minimum sustainable product).
Develop a growth and revenue plan – without it, there is no confidence in long-termism.
Participate in the startup and pitching events – this is where investors can spot you.
Build relationships and prepare for due diligence – the verification process is detailed and good preparation shows seriousness.
Contact networks such as CBAN and CRANE, where you can reach angels interested in your sector.
All this together sends a message to investors: We're ready. We have knowledge, structure and vision. And we're looking for a partner who shares our enthusiasm. There are good opportunities, but preparation is the key.
Key Angels in Croatia
Many angels act individually but also through the networks of angels. In Croatia, these are:
A new national network was established in 2025 with the aim of bringing together investors and startups. They are focused on technological projects in Croatia and the SE Europe region. Founders Mihovil Barančić, Renata Brkić and Mirna Marović create frameworks for investment, mentoring and networking. CBAN recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement within the initiative Adriatic Investors. The initiative was launched this year at the PODIM conference in Maribor. CBAN and Business Angels of Slovenia They joined forces to unite Balkan investors from Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia and Albania in one organisation to boost joint investments, business creation and job creation across the region. This cooperation directly exploits the strong technical and entrepreneurial potential in the Balkans.
At the European level, particular attention is paid to EBAN (European Business Angels Network). It is a leading European organisation established in 1999 in cooperation with the European Commission and EURADA. Today, EBAN represents more than 100 members from over 50 countries, including national networks, individual investors, venture capital funds and other organisations active in the early entrepreneurial phase.
EBAN acts as a non-profit association whose mission is threefold:
networking of business angels and investors through international events and conferences,
exchange of knowledge and best practices among members, with a view to strengthening professional standards,
representation of the sector before public and governmental institutions, including European institutions.
The EBAN community counts more than 10,000 individual business angels, and in addition to operating across Europe, the network is increasingly involved in fostering regional initiatives and local investment ecosystems.
Literature and sources for more information about business angels
Handbook of Research on Business Angels – Hans Landström & Colin Mason (2016) – 30 years of business angel research, their role, market evolution and support policies. It offers recommendations for future business angel research.
Angel Investing: Matching Startup Funds with Startup Companies – Mark Van Osnabrugge & Robert Robinson (2000) – A practical guide for entrepreneurs and investors, describing the investment process; due diligence, the structure of investments and practical examples.
Angel Investing – David S. Rose (founder of Gust Platform) (2014) – A popular and readable handbook that explains, through real examples and recommendations, how to successfully invest in start-ups and actively participate in the development of portfolio companies.
Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups Jason Calacanis (2017) – Experiences of one of the most famous angels in Silicon Valley: how to identify potential investments, what to expect and how to build a successful portfolio .
Set boundaries, delegate tasks, use digital time management tools. Regular sleep, physical activity and occasional vacations are not a luxury, but a prerequisite for long-term success.
Being your own boss sounds like an ideal scenario for many entrepreneurs and for good reason. Having control over your own schedule, deciding without hierarchy, developing ideas at your own pace and directly seeing the results of your own work are just some of the advantages that attract many to step into entrepreneurial waters.
But with this freedom comes a great responsibility. When there is no superior who sets the limits, it is easy not to set them yourself. And if you're not careful, you can easily slip into the state burnout (combustion), chronic exhaustion resulting from excessive demands, constant pressure and the inability to separate work and private life. In order to keep everything under control, we often work more than ever before, without rest, support and a clear plan.
This is why it is important to know that Self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity. Being your boss means being able to lead the business and yourself.
How to stay focused, healthy and successful without burnout?
Set boundaries between work and private life
Determine working hours – you do not need to be available 24/7. Pauses and time for private are necessary.
Weekends are for rest. – if you can, separate the weekend from work. The head needs offline time.
Learn to delegate
Engage external contractors – bookkeeping, marketing, administration… do not have to do everything alone.
Form a small team – one or two reliable contributors already make a big difference.
Using technology smartly
Automate tasks – e.g. e-mail replies, calendar scheduling, invoicing. Try tools like Zapier.
Plan with the tool – use tools like Trello, Notion or Asana to keep your brain from working multitasking 24/7.
Include time for yourself
Take regular breaks – daily, weekly and annual. It's not a luxury, it's a necessity.
Exercise Your body and mind will be grateful.
Include stress-reduction techniques – mindfullness, breathing, meditation.
Set goals and priorities
Set SMART goals – be concrete and realistic in planning.
Focus on the essentials – does not spend energy on things that do not bring real value.
Develop emotional resilience
Failures are normal – accept them as a lesson, not as a defeat.
Search for support – talk to other entrepreneurs, mentors, friends.
Work grows when you grow too
Entrepreneurship is exciting and dynamic, but in order to be sustainable, we need to take care of ourselves first. The key is to find balance. Set healthy boundaries, delegate tasks, use technology and, of course, take time for yourself. Entrepreneurship should be a path filled with pleasure, not a source of constant stress.
Our goal is your success. Together, we shape sustainable solutions and create the foundations for growth, competitiveness and innovation.
Startups learn how to “survive” day by day and craftsmen how to scale an idea. Craftsmen bring experience, startups agility. Cooperation can achieve the best from both worlds: stability and innovation.
Startups and craftsmen often look like they come from two completely different worlds. While some develop applications in coworking spaces, others create specific products or provide face-to-face services in workshops. But when we scratch below the surface, we see that they are connected by the same entrepreneurial spirit: resourcefulness, passion and constant desire to learn. That's why they have a lot to learn from each other.
What can startups learn from craftsmen?
Craftsmen are synonymous with persistence, work ethic and masterful attitude towards quality. Their business is based on reputation, trust and long-term relationships with customers. In a world where startups often hunt for rapid growth and scalability, it is important not to forget that sustainable growth comes with consistency and reliability. Startups can learn from craftsmen:
Patience in development – It does not have to “explode” everything immediately. A quality product is built slowly and with care.
Loyalty to clients – Personal access and lasting relationships often mean more than a viral campaign.
Master's approach to work – Being an expert in your field, not just pitch an idea.
Location thinking – Knowledge of the local market and user habits is often a better foundation than a global ambition without foundation.
What can craftsmen learn from startups?
Startups are fast, digital and focused on testing ideas. And while craftsmen often work “by the old” because “that's how it was always done”, startups are not afraid to make a mistake and learn along the way. There is a potential for craftsmen who want to modernize their business and open the door to new markets.
Craftsmen can take over:
Use of digital tools – For project management (Trello, Asana), marketing (Canva, Meta Ads), sales (webshops, platforms).
Quick testing of new services – Examine the market before large resources are invested.
Exploitation of social networks – Brand building through storytelling and educational content.
Thinking about scaling – How trades spread without losing control: franchise, online Sales, additional teams.
A blend of experience and innovation
The best results come when these two worlds come together. A startup that works with a local master to make a prototype can test the product faster. A craftsman who opens a webshop expands the market outside his county.
These collaborations combine practice and technology into sustainable business models, based on knowledge, mutual respect and real value for users. Whether you are creating an application or a kitchen table and startup and crafts rest on the same basis: solving problems for real people. And for this, the right combination is most needed: freshness of ideas and strength of experience.
Our goal is your success. Together, we shape sustainable solutions and create the foundations for growth, competitiveness and innovation.
