October the 7th, 2025 – The Croatia Meeting G2 has made a name for itself over the years, and as we rapidly approach the 2025 summit, there’s plenty to digest.
If you’d have told me about a decade ago that Croatia would be carving out a name for itself in robotics, state of the art tech, and churning out successful startups like nobody’s business, I’ll be honest – I’d never have believed you.
Fast forward a decade or so from when Croatia was known for nothing other than its coastline and its footballers, this country has transformed into what few could have ever imagined. A gaming centre in Novska, Zagreb being the pilot location for automated taxis made by Verne, and a country which created the world’s fastest hypercar despite having zero automotive industry to speak of (let’s forget the beloved Yugo for now…)
In short, few countries can hold a candle to Croatia’s incredibly fast transformation from sun, sea and cheap beer to up and coming European tech hub. The innovation just keeps on pouring out of the seams of this country, and the Croatia Meeting G2 conference traditionally spotlights it all and has been doing so for the past 11 years. Let’s look at what 2025’s edition, aptly taking place in Novska, has in store.
Antun Krešimir Buterin: we’re connecting the homeland and the diaspora
The Croatia Meeting G2 conference will be held on October 17th and 18th, 2025, at the PISMO 2 Business Incubator under the slogan “LIFE IS A GAME, CROATIA IS YOUR PLAYGROUND”. Mayor Marija Kušmiš and her associates held a working meeting on this occasion with the conference organisers, the tireless president of the MEETING G2 Association Antun Krešimir Buterin, vice president Ante Lučić, and member of the Association Milan Prpa, a returnee from the USA.
“We opted for Novska to be the host of the 11th edition of the Croatia Meeting G2 conference because of all the potential this small town has and the way in which it’s developing. With the Gaming Industry Centre being built there, Novska is becoming not only a new centre of the gaming industry and innovation, but also a symbol of progress, creativity, and new opportunities for young and enterprising people from across not only Croatia but the diaspora,” revealed Antun Krešimir Buterin, who has dedicated an insurmountable amount of time and effort to promoting Croatia, connecting Croats from across the world, and pushing for the country to be the best possible version of itself.
This year’s conference will also discuss other current topics of modern technologies and IT, on the agenda are artificial intelligence (AI), drones, robotics, space technologies, IT in agriculture and more. All of these sectors have big Croatian players in them, each making a name for themselves globally. Delegations of Croats from Australia, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Great Britain, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as business people of Croatian origin from the USA, South America, Canada, New Zealand… have all confirmed that they’ll be present in Novska.
a focus on croatian innovation, business and the worldwide context
“We’re of the belief that Croatia can only grow more rapidly and in a better way if it opens up to the maximum and connects with Croatian emigrants from across the world. That’s why we’re organising the 11th business conference and continuing to network and connect tirelessly with all kinds of Croatian business people from all over the world,” emphasised Buterin.
For the 11th year now, the Croatia Meeting G2 will be bringing together Croatian entrepreneurs, innovators, experts and institutions, as well as the Croatian diaspora from all over the world, all with the aim of creating business bridges between the homeland and the emigrants. At the first 10 meetings, the conference successfully connected almost 2,000 participants, networked hundreds of business people of Croatian origin from 35 countries around the world, listened to more than 300 speakers and attracted about a hundred companies, institutions and partners from across the country and abroad.
Buterin believes that Croatia is so much more than what the official statistics typically state. For a decade now, it has been stated that Croatia is home to only 4 million inhabitants and if the 2021 census is to be believed – that figure is dropping. In reality, the country has over 8 million – that’s not geographical Croatia, but global Croatia. It’s a force that can conquer the world with talent, hard work, innovation, and endless knowledge.
“We’ve built and will continue to build our mission on this idea: we work to connect the homeland and the diaspora, open up space for the return of young people, strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit and create new business opportunities,” stated Buterin of the upcoming conference.
this year’s programme
This year’s programme is packed with speakers, panels and much more. Shedding light on not only what Croatia has already achieved against the odds and in an increasingly competitive world, but what is yet to come, Croats from at home and abroad will give us a glimpse into what Croatia can become.
The full programme with any additional details needed can be accessed here.
tickets for 2025’s event
If you’re interested in getting acquainted with the Croatia that exists outside the context of tourism figures, sun, sea and fishermen’s evenings, this is the event for you. Croatia can be and is continuing to become so much more than it was ever deemed to be, spilling out talent into the world across all fields and sectors.
Come and be a part of it.
