1 of 100 Josip Vlah

Part of The HUNDR3D: A showcase of 100 of the most prominent and innovative figures in Web3 and beyond. Each profile explores the individual's journey in depth, revealing the ideas, breakthroughs, and philosophies that shaped their path. This is Josip's story.

Introduction:

At 26, Josip Vlah represents a new generation of Web3 entrepreneurs who have entered the space through unconventional routes. From his beginnings in a small Croatian village to his current work in blockchain and AI, his journey illustrates how the decentralized web is creating opportunities for those outside traditional tech hubs.

Roots in Nature, Foundation in Creativity

Growing up in northern Croatia, Josip spent his childhood in natural surroundings, building forts in the woods rather than focusing on screens. This environment fostered a practical creativity that would later influence his approach to problem-solving and innovation. Technology wasn't part of his early environment, but he gravitated toward it as soon as it became accessible.

First Steps: A Teenage Project and Important Feedback

At 16, Josip and a friend developed mockups for "Ticket," a social network concept for gamers. With optimistic enthusiasm but no market research, they arranged a meeting with Damir Sabol, founder of Photomath (later acquired by Google).

Sabol provided straightforward feedback about the importance of identifying actual market needs before developing solutions. This conversation gave Josip his first real insight into what building viable products requires - a lesson that would shape his later approaches to entrepreneurship.

(Early Mockups of Ticket App)

Early Ventures and Learning Experiences

Like many young entrepreneurs, Josip experimented with various business models. He created Shoppy.hr, a drop-shipping e-commerce venture that saw limited success before shuttering. He then moved to freelancing, building websites and creating content for local clients at minimal rates - valuable primarily for the experience gained.

These experiences led to Phi Technologies, a small digital agency that gradually expanded its services. The company eventually formed an international partnership and worked on projects for clients including the National Bank of Cambodia during its IPO campaign.

Exploring Augmented Reality and Marketing

With an interest in visual technologies, Josip began experimenting with augmented reality tools including Snapchat Lens Studio and Meta Spark AR. This interest evolved into Definition8, an agency that created AR campaigns and experiential marketing content.

While these projects generated significant view counts, Josip noticed a fundamental limitation: AR marketing tended to involve one-off campaigns rather than recurring work. This realization prompted him to look for more sustainable business models.

Entry into Web3

Josip's introduction to Web3 came through researching RTFKT Studios (later acquired by Nike) and their AR-NFT projects. He joined various NFT communities, including those around NounsDAO, Doodles, and Bored Ape Yacht Club, learning the technical and cultural aspects of the space.

After speaking about NFTs at a Croatian Blockchain Association event, Josip connected with Luka Sucic, who was starting RZLT, a Web3-focused agency. Initially joining as a community manager, Josip later took responsibility for metaverse and NFT strategies.

RZLT has since worked with several established companies entering Web3, including projects with Mastercard and the World Rally Championship's media group, helping these traditional entities understand and utilize blockchain technologies.

Regional Development: Web3 in Southeastern Europe

Recognizing opportunities for blockchain development in the Balkans, Josip co-founded ICP Hub Bulgaria, focused on promoting Internet Computer Protocol in the region. The initiative works to build awareness through university partnerships, educational programs, and industry events that connect local talent with emerging technologies.

The project particularly focuses on areas where blockchain intersects with AI and cross-chain functionality, aiming to create more technical resources and opportunities within the regional ecosystem.

Current Focus: AI Integration and Workflow Automation

Recently, Josip has turned his attention to what he terms "agentic organizations" - business models that integrate AI systems to handle creative and operational tasks. This approach examines how language models might automate routine aspects of content creation, design, and development.

"The concept is about efficiency and scale," Josip notes. "A small team or even an individual can potentially manage multiple clients by strategically implementing AI assistants for specific workflows."

At RZLT, they're testing these ideas by gradually incorporating AI tools into their processes, measuring how they affect productivity and output quality across different types of tasks and client needs.

Conclusion: A Continuing Journey

Josip's path from rural Croatia to the Web3 space reflects both personal ambition and the changing nature of technology careers. Without conventional advantages, he has navigated through various digital domains - from basic web development to augmented reality to blockchain applications.

As Web3 and AI technologies continue evolving, Josip represents part of a generation exploring how these tools might reshape organizational structures and create new economic models. For this young entrepreneur from Croatia, the work continues to unfold as these technologies mature.