TEDxZagreb 2025 took place at Zagrebački Velesajam, gathering speakers from different fields under this year’s theme “Unfold.” The event celebrated 15 editions of TEDxZagreb and 15 years of TED in Croatia, continuing its mission of bringing new perspectives to the local community.

Among the speakers was Ivan Bešlić, Sofascore’s Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, who took the stage to talk about continuous change, personal growth, and the challenging but rewarding journey of building a global sports-tech company.

>> Ivan Bešlić Announced as Speaker at TEDxZagreb 2025

A Personal Story of Change

In his talk, Ivan shared memories of growing up with Zlatko Hrkać, his childhood friend and future co-founder. They went to primary school together, and when the time came to choose a high school, Ivan selected the Science and Mathematics Gymnasium. His plan was clear – find work that didn’t require talking to many people or standing in front of large audiences.

Well… it turns out that plan didn’t age very well, as he smiled while speaking to a packed TEDxZagreb hall.

Choosing FER felt like the perfect fit. “I thought it would allow me to communicate as little as possible,” he joked during his talk. But things soon changed. He and Zlatko quickly realised that they could build something together.

They didn’t know how to code at first, so the team grew naturally, from a third person, then a fifth, then a seventh. They rented a small apartment, squeezed into the same desk, and kept working.

As the work continued, Sofascore outgrew the small flat. The team found a bigger apartment with a terrace, thinking: This is it. Twenty desks. No need to go bigger.

But the organisation continued to grow at a rapid pace, and change became a constant.

Building a Sports-Tech Company

Ivan described Sofascore today as a sports-tech company that grows “enormously fast,” combining technology, product, and sport into one complex system.

That speed also brings challenges. He spoke openly about mistakes, and how important it is to recognise them early. Sometimes two excellent employees join at the same time, but one imagines staying until retirement, while the other leaves in a month. Sometimes a team does not function well, but no one brings solutions.

He highlighted a key learning:
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

For an organisation to grow, it’s important to look at all the links, either all at once, or one by one. But he reminded the audience that not every change is good.

Couple of examples made the audience smile. Architects once designed a huge meeting table with the idea that every meeting should have at least one director at it. Another time, the team spent weeks figuring out the perfect system for splitting parking spots.

His message was simple: even if you make mistakes, keep making changes. “You will always learn something along the way.”

Finding Direction and Staying Brave

Ivan shared that it took him nearly two decades to fully understand one thing: problems inside an organisation can often be seen clearly, but real progress comes when people also bring solutions, not just observations.

He encouraged everyone to speak with people outside their circle, to challenge their views, and to avoid staying in the comfort of familiar opinions.

Read more: Ivan Bešlić at Change Makers 2025: Leadership Lessons from Sofascore

To close his talk, he touched on the idea of stability and direction.
It matters, he said, to know which “north star” you’re moving toward. With a clear direction, tough decisions become easier, and hearts feel lighter.

About TED and TEDx

TED is a global platform dedicated to spreading ideas through short, influential talks. Founded in 1984, TED has hosted thousands of speakers, from global leaders to young innovators, sharing insights that reach millions of viewers worldwide. Talks are published on TED.com, making them accessible to audiences everywhere.

The TEDx program began in 2009 to empower local communities to organise independent events under the TED license. Today more than 4,000 TEDx events have been held in over 200 countries, including Croatia, where TEDxZagreb has developed into one of the strongest local communities. Over the past decade, TEDxZagreb has welcomed more than 170 speakers and thousands of visitors.

TEDxZagreb 2025 continued this tradition, offering a space for ideas that inspire – with Ivan Bešlić among this year’s voices shaping the conversation.