When emotion is turned into work and the event into a story – it is created Vanavi Experience.
For Iva Vavan, the founder of a brand that brings people, brands and communities together, the business is not just the organisation of events. This is the Art of Creation Experiences that remain in memory.
I believe that each event has its own rhythm, tone and emotion, and my task is to connect them into a whole that is remembered.
From an idea to an experience that connects
In the world of tourism and event management Iva has been for more than twenty years. She worked, learned, created and at one point felt that she wanted something of her own.
It took me a long time to be encouraged and go alone. The idea was smoldering for a long time, but it wasn't until I felt like I wanted something of my own that Vanavi was born. It all began out of love for people, experiences and creating an atmosphere that connects. My first project was small, but with a big heart. Since then, everything has rolled, like a series of small successes leading to a larger goal.”
Today, Vanavi Experience signs events that have "things" – energy, emotion and storytelling.
Its world consists of stages, halls, streets and squares, places where the emotion turns into an event and the event into an experience. From business conferences to cultural events, each project carries a recognizable Vanavi seal, warmth, professionalism and detail that remains in your memory. A special segment consists of conceptual events tailored to the client's needs, where each idea is conceived, guided and implemented to the smallest detail.
When I feel the energy of the audience and the moment, I know that I do what I love.
Two worlds under one brand
Through years of experience, Iva has developed and Vanavi KIDS, a brand that brings together children’s events, interactive walks, workshops, quests and animations at weddings and festivities. This segment, he says, was created from the desire to offer children quality, educational and entertaining content, and parents moments of carelessness and togetherness.
Through Vanavi KIDS I want to create a world of imagination for children and a space for adults to enjoy the moment. These are small things that mean a lot.
For Iva, Vanavi Experience and Vanavi KIDS are two worlds that overlap in the same mission, that is, creating experiences that connect.
Vanavi also signs numerous other projects that connect people, ideas and emotions. There are Miss Business, a programme linking female entrepreneurs from all over Croatia, TEEN Tok, a parlour through which adolescents learn about self-confidence and communication, and Mentoring programme “Are you?”, through which young people create their own portfolio and learn how to introduce themselves to the world.
For me, every project is a new level, a new ‘level’. When I look behind me, as if I were passing through the tunnel of my life, and whenever I would turn into a smaller passage, let the "centrifuga" take me back to the main tube. And so, level by level, forward.
Support on the way from Startup to Porin
Iva describes her entrepreneurial journey as a step-by-step process. The first serious one was made in Startup Incubator of the City of Rijeka, where, as part of the 14th generation, she learned to turn her ideas into a structured plan.
Like anyone moving into something of their own, I had an idea, but not all the links and order of priorities. The startup incubator helped me put everything in my head. I learned how to set goals, look at the business more widely and think like an entrepreneur.
After her experience in Startup, she continued her development through Porin Virtual Incubation, where it still builds a network of collaborations, connects projects and develops a brand.
Porin gives me support, advice and continuity. It's a nice feeling to know that you have an environment that understands, encourages and believes in your path.
Lesson from the Stage
When asked what she would say to those who are just thinking about starting their own business, Iva sincerely replies:
Don't be ashamed to ask. And don't expect it to be perfect or as planned every day. Entrepreneurship is a winding slide of emotions, from excitement and pride to fatigue and doubt. But if you believe in what you do, if you love your job and the people you work with, every rise and fall makes sense.
Do you want to build your story with the support of an incubator?
For many, starting your own business means leaving security. For Gabrielle Perolie, it was a way to remain true to himself.
A graduate civil engineer, with years of experience in a stable and successful company, could peacefully build a career. He had knowledge, experience and a secure position, but also a sense of being in place.
Comfort is the greatest enemy of development. For me personally, that's embarrassing. When you become part of a system that keeps you safe, you stop growing.
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Gabriel learned from a young age that existence depends on his own effort and results. The idea of someone else setting the limits of his success was his side. That's why, when the world slowed down in 2020, he decided to speed up. Without a detailed plan, but with a clear sense of direction, he left a safe job and stepped into the unknown.
It was a year of corona, perhaps the most ungrateful moment for new beginnings. But I felt that at that moment I had to make a move, quit and put myself in a completely unstable position from which the next steps would crystallize. And so it was.
At a time when many were imprisoned in their safe zones, he opened a craft. First clients, little work, a lot of plans and a clear decision not to stay small. From day one, the project had a name and identity: the Constigo Group. It sounded ambitious. Branding as a group when there's only one man behind that story. But for Gabrielle, it was a reminder of where she wanted to come.
Building without a blueprint, but with a vision
Gabriel did not build Constigo according to other people's patterns. His business trip did not have a classic blueprint, but it had a direction and purpose. In every sense, it was a project of growth from the inside out, personal as well as professional.
But he realized that the set goals would be very difficult to reach on their own. He was joined by a partner with whom he already shared his private trust and soon his business ambition. They started without capital, but with an idea that made sense. They wanted to create an integrated system in construction and real estate that would reduce market fragmentation.
Today Constigo operates through three legal entities, with headquarters in Rijeka and Zadar. They cover the entire coastal belt, from Istria to Dalmatia. The team includes engineers of various technical professions, licensed experts in real estate traffic and development, and experts in marketing and promotion.
Our aim has never been to be ‘another construction company’. We wanted to combine everything that makes the project possible, from idea and documentation to realization and promotion. That makes us different.
Incubator as a connection point
As a Zadran with acquaintances from the faculty and student affairs, Gabriel sought not only space, but also context. He needed a place where he could network knowledge, experience and new contacts. That's when our story came in. Torpedo Business Incubator.
Besides space, the incubator gives you the feeling that you're not alone. You have someone to exchange ideas with, ask advice, compare experiences with. That's invaluable.
During the incubation period, Constigo grew rapidly. From the initial idea, the group grew into a modern system with its own investment portfolio, and today participates in the realization of large city projects, among which is the new terminal Žabica.
We are now in the final stage of the post-incubation process and when I look back, I see that it was an incredible path. Porin is a well-conceived story. For us, it was both a support and a springboard.
New cycle – ongoing construction
Constigo came to the full shape that Gabriel imagined at the beginning of his business trip. The group consists of three legal entities, each operating in its own narrow area, and together they form a full range of services.
There is already its own portfolio of real estate investments on whose development it is intensively working, as well as investments of various domestic and foreign investors. Currently, the focus is on the investment cycle and the preparation of project documentation for EU funds.
But they don't stop there. They have also developed Modeko, their own brand of modular wall systems that enables faster, higher quality and more sustainable construction. They have invested a lot of time and resources in development, but are looking forward to the realization of such projects in the future.
Modeko is our answer to the question of how to build smarter. Less resources, more efficiency, better process control. This is the future of construction.
When asked what he would say to those who are just thinking about entrepreneurship, Gabriel answers without reservation:
Put yourself constantly out called comfort. It is only from this situation that development arises. Sweat and stress due to being aware of the uncomfortable situation you are in brings the result. That's what I consciously do to myself.
Do you want to build your story with the support of an incubator?
When you combine 30 years of professional experience, a desire for innovation and a clear vision in a story, you will get a company like Vulpes.
The team behind this company has been working in the HVAC industry for years, but at one point they decided to develop their own solution: Intelligent ecosystem for air quality control, heating and cooling, heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and powerful UV-C air purification adapted to the modern needs of housing and work.
We wanted to create a platform that would bring together all key functions – air quality control, temperature regulation and hot water consumption, and make spaces safer and healthier for users.
Vulpes also produces manifolds for water heating systems and production-based heating control systems. Their system enables the monitoring and control of temperature, hot water and air quality levels in an unlimited number of zones within the building via smart applications.
From Idea to EU Certificate
Their motivation was to create a smart platform that combines air quality, temperature and hot water control, making buildings safer and healthier for tenants.
The first step was challenging: development of systems and devices that will meet high EU standards of quality and energy efficiency. In parallel with the development of software and hardware components, they worked on testing, research and certification, and this required significant investments. Also, the introduction of new technologies to the market always brings challenges in the education of users and the acceptance of new solutions.
Development never stops. Today we are already in the phase of certifying additional products and expanding our offer.
Successful post-incubation and expansion to Ireland and the USA
Vulpes is a user incubators for manufacturing activities outgoing, where, as part of the post-incubation programme, he had support in the organisation of the production process, from space to technical guidelines.
The incubator helped us organize production, which allowed us to grow more steadily and focus on export markets.
Successes include:
Developing your own technology for UV-C Air Disinfection, certified by standard EN 13098,
co-financing three EU projects,
stable Export Strategy and growth through innovation.
Today, Vulpes continues its business with a clear objective – to further strengthen its presence in foreign markets. Their devices are already being sold in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and the first placements on the American market are under preparation.
A Message to Future Entrepreneurs?
Don't give up. The path is demanding, but if you believe in your solution and are not afraid of challenges, the results will come.
Vulpes is an example of how (post)incubation is measured not only by the number of days spent in space, but by concrete results – product, market and a clear vision.
Their story is just entering a new phase and we are proud to share it as an example of successful post-incubation.
Do you want to build your story with the support of an incubator?
Change doesn't happen when we get another piece of advice. It happens when we stop, listen and try something different together.
Meet Tanja Kalčić, an entrepreneur who does not offer ready-made solutions, but a space for thinking. Her specialty is Action learning – a method that encourages collaboration, reflection and tackling real challenges without ready-made solutions. His work is based on creating a space in which people listen to each other, ask the right questions and come together to concrete steps.
Tanja is a beneficiary of our the Torpedo Business Service Incubator, and through talking to her, we found out what this process looks like, why it is so effective and who it can benefit from.
Who's Tanja and what's she doing?
My professional roles change depending on the context – sometimes I counsellor, formerly facilitator, educator or researcher, But what is always there is a focus on change, cooperation and learning. I believe in the value of listening that is not superficial, but real.
I worked on various projects and with various organizations in the country and abroad, and during Covid I decided to work independently, in order to align my job with personal values and family life. Today I work with organizations from the business sector, culture, education and public systems, using different methods with an emphasis on action learning, especially in the business context.
What is action learning and how do you use it in your work?
This is a method that has been used for decades. It developed in the UK in the 1940s, and today it is applied by a number of large organizations such asBBC‑, Siemens, IBM‑ and BritishNational health services to address real team challenges through learning and collaboration.
It's not coaching, It's not even training.
Action learning is a method in which participants do not offer each other advice, but ask questions. The process manager follows the dynamics, makes the space safe and encourages focused listening. The key moment is often when someone says: "In fact, I am now clearer on what I need to do."
I use this method to work with teams and organizations that want to make a move but not to tell them what to do, but to They come up with a solution for themselves.
What does an action learning session look like in practice?
Action learning sessions have a clear structure, but they are not rigid. It is important that the process is focused, but flexible. The group usually consists of four to seven participants, and each meeting is dedicated to one real challenge that someone from the group brings from their own experience.
There are no presentations. There is no theory. Everything happens in real time. Crucially, participants ask questions that help the person clarify the situation themselves and find a concrete solution, applicable immediately, until the next meeting.
The process develops communication and organisational skills, learns to listen actively, and the results are concrete – as a team, we have adopted an action plan to address the chosen challenge. It is interesting how much the setting of “real” questions affects the course of the conversation, the mood of the interlocutor, the conclusions reached and how much more connected and efficient we were in solving problems with the application of the method of action learning. – trainee T.G.
My role is to lead the process, ensure a safe and focused space, follow the rhythm and dynamics of the group and support participants to really hear each other.
I think we all need more of that kind of listening. Not fast and superficial, but the one where we really hear what someone is telling us or what they are asking us. In such a space, changes do not come from the outside, they come from the inside. When people feel that someone is really listening to them, when they do not have to react immediately or offer an opinion, a reversal often occurs. Silence becomes useful. Questions open up new thoughts and insights that may not have been immediately visible. And almost every time this Aha! moment happens. Then you know that the process was worthwhile and that The group helped the person come up with a solutionIn your own way and in your own time.
For whom is action learning useful?
Action learning is especially useful for those who do not want another PowerPoint presentation or ready-made recipes, They are already looking for a way to learn while working within a real context and through real challenges.
It is most commonly used:
team leaders, HR experts, coordinators and project managers,
employees and teams within businesses, institutions and public organisations,
Cultural and educational institutions who want to strengthen cooperation and develop open communication,
but also mixed groups from different organisations sharing similar management challenges.
The group may be composed of members of the same organisation, which is useful for developing team dynamics and mutual understanding, but may also involve participants from different organisations. For example, directors of different institutions can learn from each other and develop cooperation through this process, and the same applies to representatives of different companies that share similar management challenges.
Except for solving the problem, is also used to test ideas, develop innovations or project proposals. This is where its strength lies – in flexibility and convenience, without losing focus and depth. Action learning is useful to all who want to create a culture of open communication, joint reflection and concrete action.
I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical at first, but already after the end of the 1st session, I experienced this method very positively. You have made this experience useful and stimulating with your approach and energy. My biggest challenge was to refrain from giving my own opinion and instead shape a question that would help others come to a solution on their own. It is precisely in this that I see the great value of this approach as it encourages active listening and develops the skill of asking constructive questions. – M.G.
What changes do you see in organizations going through the process?
The most common change that participants notice is that they start listening to each other in a different way and this happens already after the first session. No more quick conclusions, skipping or automatic jumping with a solution. There is a space for reflection.
There is often a time when someone says: “No one ever asked me that way.It is precisely such sentences that open up space for new insights, different perspectives and changes – not declarative ones, but those that are immediately applicable in everyday work.
In teams that regularly go through the process of action learning, reflective practice develops over time. People no longer make decisions simply because they “must”, but because they understand why they are doing something and how it affects others. This is not through theory, but through experience. Through the feeling that someone is really listening to you. When the team senses this, the changes happen almost naturally, in a culture of conversation, in mutual trust and a sense of shared responsibility.
What are your plans for the coming months?
In the coming period, I want to open this method even more to organizations both locally and nationally. I plan to regularly conduct action learning, not only in the premises of organizations, but also here, in Porin. It is important to me that people have the opportunity to work outside their offices, in a more neutral environment, as this often contributes to a different focus and openness.
In addition, I am preparing trainings for those who want to learn how to facilitate this process, either within their teams, or as independent facilitators. I want the method to become accessible and practical, but also to have people who can further develop it in their environments.
Do you have any advice for organizations that are just starting to think about different learning and work?
I would say: Give yourself time. You don't have to have a ready-made strategy to get going. Just start a conversation. Sometimes the biggest step is just to pause and listen, without rushing to come up with a solution right away.
Many organizations already have knowledge, ideas and capacities, but we don't recognize them because we don't have space to hear them. And this is where action learning helps – it does not bring ready-made answers, but creates the conditions for them to appear on their own, from within.
Change does not come from the outside, with any other advice. It comes when a space of trust and curiosity is created, in which we can try something different together.
Do you want to create a space for reflection, listening and real change in your team or organization? Think about action learning. Tanja will be happy to share her experience and knowledge with those who are willing to learn differently.
Contact her and explore opportunities to collaborate, educate or work with the group – either in your space or in the neutral and supportive environment of our incubator.
Do you want to build your story with the support of an incubator?
