Dino and Arnes Poprženović shine at BAT’s Battle of Minds 2024

Dino Poprženović, a Bachelor of Science in International Business student at RIT Croatia, and Arnes Poprženović, a Web and Mobile Computing student, share a deep-rooted passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. While Dino enjoys exploring the worlds of fintech, AI, and sustainable energy, Arnes is a tech enthusiast who loves to solve complex problems across different fields.

A global platform for innovation
Their passion for innovation led them to participate in Battle of Minds, a prestigious global business pitch competition organized by BAT’s corporate venture capital arm, Btomorrow Ventures. In this competition, participants from all over the world compete to develop groundbreaking ideas that can bring about positive change. Students are invited to solve real-world challenges through innovative, creative solutions while also demonstrating their business skills and entrepreneurial talent. “Participating in the Battle of Minds 2024 felt like a natural next step for us”, said Dino.

Drawn to the “Invent an Amazing Consumer Brand” category, Dino and Arnes wanted to challenge themselves by tackling something new. “Arnes had an idea about using Magnesium bis-glycinate and other magnesium compounds for recovery and well-being. From there, we focused on how to commercialize it”, they said. The point was to address the “fast life” with a “Health-on-the-Go” solution from the functional food industry. The goal was to address the demand for products that fit the fast-paced lives of corporate professionals and athletes by offering tailored magnesium consumption methods and mixes to suit their activity levels and daily needs.

Competing with teams from over 10 countries
Their journey started at the national competition in November 2024, held at BAT Croatia’s headquarters in Zagreb. Pitching their idea in front of industry experts, Dino and Arnes received valuable feedback that helped shape their concept further. “It was an amazing experience to engage with industry experts and hear their perspectives, which added significant value to our journey”, they said.

After winning the Croatian competition, Dino and Arnes advanced to the regional level in Istanbul, where they competed against teams from over 10 countries. Although their time in Istanbul was short, it was filled with unforgettable experiences. “We had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, network, and connect with them. It was incredible to learn about their cultures, backgrounds, and unique perspectives, which made the experience even more enriching and memorable”, they explained.

Despite the competition’s high stakes, Dino and Arnes felt prepared thanks to the support of the Croatian BAT team, particularly mentors Jelena Sertić and Rea Sovulj, who guided them throughout the preparation process. Dino and Arnes also credit RIT Croatia for preparing them well for this competition. Dino highlights how courses like Business 1 and 2 and Management Accounting helped them develop their ideas and create a solid commercial plan. Arnes points to the problem-solving mindset cultivated at RIT Croatia, which encouraged him to think critically. “Professors push us to tackle real-world issues and collaborate with classmates, which is exactly what we had to do in the competition—brainstorm quickly, adapt to feedback, and present our ideas under pressure”, says Arnes. “That experience gave us a head start.”

Growing as students and future professionals
Dino and Arnes presented in front of a very experienced jury, which included BAT SEE C-suite executives and other senior managers, with just an idea and a pitch without a prototype. “We were ecstatic to receive a third place alongside other well-developed prototypes and ideas”. The cousins received positive feedback and were commended for delivering the best presentation on stage.

When thinking about how the experience helped them grow as students and future professionals, Dino and Arnes say that the fact that they developed an idea and a plan to commercialize It in two months, pitch it, and present on an international stage and being recognized for all their effort, was very motivating. “It has driven us to grow personally and professionally, preparing us to become well-rounded future professionals in whatever field we choose to pursue”.

Dino reflects, “this competition has helped me understand a new industry from scratch. It has also exposed me to new business models, and commercialization approaches, and enhanced my public speaking and networking skills”. Arnes adds, “Getting a feel for branding, marketing, and pitching in front of a large audience was quite fun and an amazing experience”.

Advice for students
When asked for advice for students considering similar competitions, Dino and Arnes emphasize the importance of taking risks and learning from the process, regardless of the outcome. “Even if you fail, it's not a failure—it's a learning experience”, they said. “When you look at it from a wider perspective, it's not just about adding something to your CV, it's about rounding yourself as a future professional and growing in the process”.