Category: Tips&Tricks

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.

Key Angels in Croatia

Many angels act individually but also through the networks of angels. In Croatia, these are:

• CBAN - Croatian Business Angels Network

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.

• CRANE - Croatian Investors & Business Angels Association

An experienced network established in 2008. He regularly organizes pitch events, networking, diplomatic breakfasts and startup brunch. They are still active in the search for good ideas. President Davorin Štetner, active in EBAN, manages activities with a total of 20-30 investments per year and an average annual investment of around 2 million. €.

European Business Angels Network

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 .
• Encouraging the activity of business angels to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises European Commission (2015) – A guide for policy makers, stakeholders and managing authorities, especially at regional level, who want to support growth-oriented SMEs and start-ups by encouraging the activity of business angels at their level.

---

Our goal is your success.
Together, we shape sustainable solutions and create the foundations for growth, competitiveness and innovation.

Get in touch at rraporin@porin.hr or through contact form and arrange individual counseling.

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.

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.

Get in touch at rraporin@porin.hr or through contact form and arrange individual counseling.

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:

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:

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.

Get in touch at rraporin@porin.hr or through contact form and arrange individual counseling.

Digitalisation, personalisation and environmental awareness are becoming the norm. Generation Z enters into entrepreneurship with a startup mentality, looking for flexibility and purpose. E-commerce, remote operation, AI and the circular economy are key directions. Those who do not adapt risk stagnation.

2025 brought significant changes to the way businesses are run, especially for SMEs. Technology, demography and social values are shaping a new entrepreneurial environment. What we really can't ignore:

• Digital transformation as an imperative – It is no longer a question of whether business needs to be digitalised, but how to do it smartly. From e-invoices to CRM systems and AI assistance, digital has become the basis. Undertakings that continue to use paper records are losing valuable time and accuracy.
• Generation Z takes over the scene – Young entrepreneurs bring start-up mentality, values such as transparency, flexibility and social responsibility. They seek purpose, not just profit. Brands that do not speak “their language” will find it difficult to interest them.
• Remote operation and hybrid model – The pandemic has changed working habits, teleworking remains the norm. This changes the needs in infrastructure, communication and team management. The use of tools such as Slack, Zoom or Notion becomes everyday.
• Personalization and user experience – Customers expect brands to “know” them. Small businesses that use data smartly (e.g. via newsletters, CRMs) can build strong customer relationships. One-size-fits-all access no longer passes.
• Green and sustainable economy – Climate change and EU regulation are creating pressure, but also an opportunity. Sustainability is no longer just an environmental issue but also a market advantage. Customers are increasingly choosing products and services that have a lower carbon footprint.
• Growth e-commerce markets – Online selling is no longer an option but a need for both physical products and services. Good webshop, integration with delivery and quality UX (user experience) become key success factors.
• Circular economy and second life models – Repair, recycling, reuse and the sharing economy are gaining in importance, consumers are looking for more sustainable alternatives. Small businesses can benefit by offering repairs, conversions and local production.
• Use of artificial intelligence and automation – AI is no longer a luxury, but a tool for more efficient business, from customer support to analytics and predictive planning. Automating routine tasks saves time and allows focus on growth.

Except it's important to know what Changes, Entrepreneurs Need to Know how to change. Learn from others, connect, invest in knowledge, be open to experimentation. There is an increasing demand for a combination of business intuition and technological literacy.

---

Our goal is your success.
Together, we shape sustainable solutions and create the foundations for growth, competitiveness and innovation.

Get in touch at rraporin@porin.hr or through contact form and arrange individual counseling.