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18.04.2025.
BestInvest 2025 conference organised by the Croatian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (CVCA) was held in Zagreb on 8 April, gathering key stakeholders of the Croatian investment ecosystem on the occasion of two significant anniversaries - 20 years of CVCA’s operation and five years of business and investment project BestInvest.hr.
On behalf of HBOR, the conference was attended by the Member of the Management Board Alan Herjavec, who in his address emphasised the important role of HBOR, as one of the main institutional stakeholders in the development of private equity market in Croatia, as well as the strategic importance of investing in alternative investment funds. “So far, we have invested more than EUR 100 million of own funds in the development of private equity market. In the coming period, we will invest at least an additional such amount, with the clear goal of strengthening capacities of the funds, attracting private capital and enabling entrepreneurs to access financing that encourages growth and innovation”, emphasised Herjavec.
As part of the opening ceremony of the conference, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds Kristina Bilić, as the envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, also gave a speech, emphasising that through the CROGIP, CROGIP II, CVCi, CVCi II and CEETT programmes, in partnership with HBOR and the EIF, funds have been provided for several VC funds, thus mobilising almost EUR 150 million for financing of start-ups. "As Government, we strongly support the development of the private equity market, because this implies growth, creating of new jobs and retention of talents in Croatia", said Bilić.
The participants were also addressed by the Head of the EIB Group in Croatia Slađana Ćosić, who on that occasion highlighted the contribution of the EIF, which has so far allocated EUR 395 million to Croatia through 14 funds and co-investments, including multi-country funds. "The EIB Group, through the EIF, is a key partner in the development of the Croatian VC and growth equity markets, and new initiatives, such as the Three Seas Initiative Innovation Fund, will further strengthen this dynamics", concluded Ćosić.
In her speech, the President of CVCA Mirna Marović recalled the path that the sector has taken in the past two decades. "We started from almost nothing, and today CVCA members manage more than EUR 4.2 billion in capital. PE and VC funds have become a key force in the transformation of the Croatian economy", said Marović.
Introductory speeches were followed by a rich programme highlighting the innovative momentum of the Croatian startup and scaleup ecosystem, and Bestinvest.hr 2025 awards were presented for achievements in 2024. in six categories. Entrio and Orqa are among the multiple awardees, while Invera Equity Partners has been awarded the Investor of the Year title for its active approach to developing portfolio companies.
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BestInvest 2025 conference organised by the Croatian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (CVCA) was held in Zagreb on 8 April, gathering key stakeholders of the Croatian investment ecosystem on the occasion of two significant anniversaries - 20 years of CVCA’s operation and five years of business and investment project BestInvest.hr.
On behalf of HBOR, the conference was attended by the Member of the Management Board Alan Herjavec, who in his address emphasised the important role of HBOR, as one of the main institutional stakeholders in the development of private equity market in Croatia, as well as the strategic importance of investing in alternative investment funds. “So far, we have invested more than EUR 100 million of own funds in the development of private equity market. In the coming period, we will invest at least an additional such amount, with the clear goal of strengthening capacities of the funds, attracting private capital and enabling entrepreneurs to access financing that encourages growth and innovation”, emphasised Herjavec.
As part of the opening ceremony of the conference, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds Kristina Bilić, as the envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, also gave a speech, emphasising that through the CROGIP, CROGIP II, CVCi, CVCi II and CEETT programmes, in partnership with HBOR and the EIF, funds have been provided for several VC funds, thus mobilising almost EUR 150 million for financing of start-ups. "As Government, we strongly support the development of the private equity market, because this implies growth, creating of new jobs and retention of talents in Croatia", said Bilić.
The participants were also addressed by the Head of the EIB Group in Croatia Slađana Ćosić, who on that occasion highlighted the contribution of the EIF, which has so far allocated EUR 395 million to Croatia through 14 funds and co-investments, including multi-country funds. "The EIB Group, through the EIF, is a key partner in the development of the Croatian VC and growth equity markets, and new initiatives, such as the Three Seas Initiative Innovation Fund, will further strengthen this dynamics", concluded Ćosić.
In her speech, the President of CVCA Mirna Marović recalled the path that the sector has taken in the past two decades. "We started from almost nothing, and today CVCA members manage more than EUR 4.2 billion in capital. PE and VC funds have become a key force in the transformation of the Croatian economy", said Marović.
Introductory speeches were followed by a rich programme highlighting the innovative momentum of the Croatian startup and scaleup ecosystem, and Bestinvest.hr 2025 awards were presented for achievements in 2024. in six categories. Entrio and Orqa are among the multiple awardees, while Invera Equity Partners has been awarded the Investor of the Year title for its active approach to developing portfolio companies.