We got another Split Founder to share his entrepreneurial (and other) insight with us. This time Ante Dagelić is the entrepreneur you get to meet or know a bit better.

According to his own words, Ante is a programmer whose life path turned him into an entrepreneur. He likes simple and logical solutions to complicated problems, snowboarding, and good company.

Ante also never thought about becoming anything else because, ever since elementary school, the plan was always to work in anything related to technology and computer science.

When we asked him to describe where he works in a few words, this is what he had to say: “GetByBus is an IT system and a sales platform for passenger transport that operates worldwide and serves over 20 million users.”

Now that we covered the basics, let’s hear more about Ante’s business path, GetByBus and its team, as well as the tech community here in Split.

How do you measure your own success?

“By the self-sustainability of all that I’m involved in. I like when any venture can function without much need for interventions, either in the technical sense or in terms of teams.”

What does your usual workday look like?

“Basically, every day is different. However, it all comes down to project meetings, various analyses, planning, solving technical problems, setting up strategies, etc. There is no specific work to be done, but a lot of everything.”

What do you do when you’re not working?

“I spend time with my family and friends, exercise, and do some other things unrelated to GetByBus. And sometimes I add playing Dota to my schedule.” 🙂

What makes you unique?

“My knee has been “clicking” since I was twenty. In fact, I’m probably not unique in that aspect either.” 😀

What inspires you?

“I don’t have any specific inspiration, I just love my profession, and I love when things function simply and effectively.”

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own company?

“I would definitely recommend everyone to try their hand at entrepreneurship, communicate their plans with others as much as possible, as well as value criticism and ask for advice.

Split has a very good community of tech entrepreneurs, and I have yet to meet someone who was not willing to share ideas, offer insightful comments, and take their time to help you.

Surround yourself with quality people and quality partners.

It’s hard to succeed alone, and it’s even harder to deal with stress alone. Don’t focus too much on what you want to do, but on what your customers want to use.”

Why is now the best time for GetByBus to exist?

“The digitalization of intercity transport by buses, ferries, and private transfers has seriously begun happening in the world only in the last 10 years or so, and GetByBus positioned itself there at the right moment.

Within the Bookaway group, we cooperate with over 7000 carriers and notice continuous growth.

This industry has not yet fully moved online, and there’s still no central player like Booking.com is for accommodation. Our vision is to become just that.”

What is the most interesting thing about GetByBus?

“Well, there are many interesting things, but if I had to choose one, I would say that it is the fact that we completely bootstrapped the company from Split without external investments – from the first ticket we sold to the exit to the Bookaway group.”

What do you love about your team?

“I love everything about my team! From excellent individuals and experts in their fields who do their job well and don’t do it just to get it done, but with a genuine desire to make the end users satisfied, to the great and relaxed atmosphere and communication in the office.”

What are your expectations when it comes to the people you work with?

“I appreciate the pleasant working atmosphere, banter, communicativeness, and honesty, but primarily the passion for technology and user satisfaction.

I always repeat that, in the technical sense, everything we do is ours and stays with us – that’s why smart planning and quality setup of all things related to work is important.”

What kind of people would you avoid working with?

“I don’t like people who bring bad energy and a sour attitude to the work they do. Every project has its pleasant and difficult moments, it is up to us to appreciate the first and overcome the second.

Bitter people create a lump in the throat of everyone around them and have a very negative effect on both the business and the team.”

What is the only thing you would change about GetByBus?

“Everything that should and could have changed – has been changed. Things can’t always be perfect, but overall I am extremely satisfied with all aspects of the company.

I honestly don’t have one specific thing right now that I would point out as a problem worthy of being the answer to this question.”

What are you the proudest of when it comes to GetByBus?

“We are most proud of the fact that we have an excellent team that has progressed in all areas of expertise since the company was founded and that we continue that progress.”

What makes GetByBus unique?

“Every product is unique in its own way. In that aspect, GetByBus is no different. I greatly appreciate companies developing products because I know how difficult the path to success is but also how great the satisfaction is in the end.”

What were the reasons behind the fact that GetByBus was founded right here in Split?

“Morten, my partner in the company, blogged a lot about Croatia. And it turned out that there was a huge demand for information about buses, and almost no information to be found about them online.

That was the trigger for the creation of GetByBus. Split was chosen because we live here.” 😀

As a city, what does Split do well and what can be improved?

“In my opinion, Split is a great city to live in because of its tailored-to-people size, good weather, proximity to the sea, and relaxed people. As for the political management of the city, I am aware that there are numerous issues, but I do not feel particularly competent to comment on either the good or the bad.

One of the great advantages Split has is the strength of the local tech community, an area where, of course, Split Tech City is leading the way.

I think that additional benefits aimed at technology and entrepreneurship would be very productive for the city. Lowering taxes, encouraging entrepreneurship, and attracting more foreign skilled workers who have new knowledge would give Split the potential to become a stronger center of technology, attract investments more easily, and ultimately it would strengthen the city itself.”

How important was the local tech community for you?

“The local tech community is extremely important to everyone involved in the tech sector, be it entrepreneurs, investors, or students.

It is of utmost importance to communicate with people within the profession, share ideas, present your products or services, and open up new opportunities. This is exactly the purpose of the tech community.”

Where do you see Split in the future?

“It is difficult to say, I’m not a fortune teller.” 😀