Mario Špadina

Co-founder & CEO of SeaCras, a Croatian startup specializing in coastal water monitoring through AI analysis of high-resolution satellite data.His background includes a PhD from the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), two post-doctoral contracts at Ruđer Bošković Institute and the University of Ljubljana, and he is the author of 15+ scientific publications across physics, chemistry, applied mathematics, and operational oceanography by space. In the midst of his scientific career, Mario founded the award-winning company SeaCras and has served as CEO since.In 2024, Mario was recognised as one of the "Top Executives and Innovators" by the Uplink World Economic Forum. He also serves as a Board Member at the International Institute for Climate Activities (IICA).Beyond developing innovative marine technologies based on earth observation data, he actively contributes to national and EU strategic planning in the areas of the blue economy, innovation ecosystem development, impact financing and space landscape.Mario remains committed to voluntary and community-driven initiatives.