Vesela Motika

"Science, Creativity, and Resilience" From working at Pfizer UK to joining a startup that went public on the London Stock Exchange in 2000, my career began in the fast-paced corporate world. Later, I contributed to national development as part of the Office for Strategic Development of the Republic of Croatia, followed by roles at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (CGEY) and becoming one of the first four employees at SAP's office in Croatia. Alongside teaching at universities and publishing scientific papers, I also explored my creative side as a DJ and nightclub owner. In 2018, I embarked on a new chapter—transforming a small 20m² lab into a thriving vertical farm and food innovation hub. It wasn’t easy. I finished my PhD in machine learning while selling microgreens and herbs at a freezing open-air farmers’ market—during a year marked by two earthquakes in Zagreb and two lockdowns. There were days with limited income, just grit, and a vision of what could be built. That resilience shaped the heart of Vesela Motika: a place where science meets sustainability, where creativity drives solutions, and where challenges are turned into opportunities. Today, we run a state-of-the-art farm with the capacity to produce one ton of microgreens per month, alongside a food processing facility and a local food hub where we serve our own and our friends' produce. We leverage this unique blend of experiences to empower local food systems and build a more sustainable future. Whether it’s through our products, services, or collaborations, I believe in planting seeds of change—nurturing ideas that grow into meaningful solutions for a better world. – Sergej, Founder of Vesela Motika