Two homegrown AI startups – SplxAI and Hypefy – have, in just a few short years, managed to break into the global market, attract multi-million investments, and prove that the Balkan mindset, when combined with a global vision, can be a winning formula.

On the main stage of the second day of the Split Tech City Festival – September 6 – we’ll find out exactly how they did it. The talk will be in english.

We’ll start from their first steps and MVP development, move through the challenges of market validation, and reach the moment they attracted major investors. We’ll discuss growth strategies, organizing teams in the scaling phase, balancing product development with fast delivery, and, of course, fundraising – what, in practice, resonated most with investors.

Finally, we’ll open an important question: how to think globally from day one while keeping the agility, creativity, and resourcefulness often called the “Balkan way of working.”

Serious Success, Relaxed Speakers

Kristian Kamber – CEO and co-founder of SplxAI, a startup developing advanced cybersecurity solutions for GenAI applications and chatbots.

SplxAI recently secured the largest investment ever for a Croatian startup – $7 million.

Kristian leads go-to-market strategy, investor relations, and business development, with over ten years of experience in ICT, SaaS, and cybersecurity. He’s done it all – from SDR to Regional Director – and is known as a top performer with proven results and a genuine team leader.

Stjepan Zelić – CEO of Hypefy, an AI agent enabling brands to launch and execute entire influencer marketing campaigns – from start to finish – using just a single sentence.

Hypefy recently closed a seed round of $1.75 million and positioned itself as a global pioneer of AI in influencer marketing.

They have delivered over 1,000 campaigns in 30 countries for 180 brands, including McDonald’s, Nivea, Doritos, dm, and Max Factor.

Stjepan leads a team of 24 and is building a product that changes how brands scale creativity and engagement – quickly, but with purpose.

Who’s Moderating?

Lea Sorić – Community, Content & Event Manager at CroAI, the community connecting the Croatian AI scene with global partners and projects. Lea coordinates events, communities, and members, creates collaboration opportunities, and actively works to strengthen the domestic AI ecosystem.

She was part of the organizing team for the first AI Weekend and participates in the European DeployAI project, focused on developing trustworthy, responsible, and applicable AI infrastructure.

(And just between us, she’s a total legend – so feel free to join her during networking and ask anything about working in a non-profit organization.)

Why Attend?

If you:
– work in AI, the tech industry, or startups
– are thinking about scaling to the global market
– want to know how to attract investors and close a major round
– want to hear real lessons first-hand, with no sugar-coating
– believe that a global success story can be born from the Balkans

…then you don’t want to miss this.

See you September 6 on the main stage of the Split Tech City Festival.

Tickets are still available – and who knows, maybe you’ll get the inspiration for your own “from rags to riches” story here.

The panel will be in English, so bring your friends from around the world. 😄