“Winning the ABC Business Plan Competition brought me to Silicon Valley, where I gained invaluable experience and inspiration.”
Can you introduce yourself? Tell us your name, where you’re from, and a bit about your background.
I’m Nikola, I’m 24 years old and from Zagreb, Croatia. I graduated from the Faculty of Economics in Rijeka three years ago. Outside of business, I’m also a recreational pilot. Professionally, I work as a videographer and video editor through Upwork, where I’ve completed multiple projects. During my studies, I was always drawn to entrepreneurship and explored several projects along the way.
Since you like diverse, creative work, has ABC been dynamic enough?
Absolutely. The program had a great balance between company visits and lectures. My whole experience at ABC BootCamps was amazing because I got to meet people from different backgrounds, learn about a wide range of topics, and network with incredible peers. Most of the program was focused on entrepreneurship, but we also touched on other important aspects of business. The campus experience was refreshing too—it felt great to be a student again after graduating!
What drew you to ABC Silicon Valley?
During my freelance career, I worked with multiple US-based companies, so I saw ABC BootCamps as a great opportunity to learn more about US-Croatian business relations, entrepreneurship, and cultural differences. It gave me the chance to meet like-minded people and really see how US companies operate and cooperate.
How do you see yourself applying the lessons to your business?
Running your own business is challenging because you need to cover many different areas. ABC BootCamps helped me with exactly that. We worked on business plans, marketing strategies, and investor relations. I also learned a lot about the US market, which is particularly valuable for me since I prefer working with US-based clients. They are professional, inspiring, and always push me to grow.
You won the ABC Business Plan Competition—what was that like?
I joined the first edition of the ABC Business Plan Competition almost on a whim. When Sara told me about the opportunity, I applied right away because I’ve always loved the US. In just two days, Sara and I built a business plan around an airport scanner idea—technology that would allow travelers to walk past TSA security without stopping to unpack laptops or bags. We applied, won, and that victory brought me here to Silicon Valley. The experience has been amazing: visiting companies, listening to inspiring speakers, and truly understanding why the US is such a great place to start a company.
