Tilen Travnik

Yo, so let me tell you about Tilen Travnik. This guy’s the real deal in the startup scene, especially in the plant-based food world. He’s the CEO and co-founder of Juicy Marbles, which is basically about making plant-based meats that actually look and feel like real steak, like, they nailed the marbling and quality, no bullshit. This dude jumped into the game with some serious vision, and honestly, he crushed it.

But here’s the kicker, before he started Juicy Marbles, Tilen spent over 10 years at d.labs, a tech advisory firm. So, he’s been in the trenches helping startups and small businesses figure out their product and customer stuff. That’s where he learned how to operate lean, move fast, and be productive without wasting money. Basically, he’s been around the block helping others build things, and he took all that knowledge and channeled it into his own company.

Tilen’s got a solid background, studied Food Science and Tech in Ljubljana, then went for an Executive MBA at COTRUGLI. That combo of food tech know-how and business hustle? No cap, it’s what makes him a total boss. And he’s not just about building his own stuff, he’s an angel investor, super plugged into the local startup scene, always dropping insights and pushing everything forward.

And let’s talk about the big win, Juicy Marbles got into Y Combinator (W21), which is a huge deal. They crushed it there, secured a $4.5 million funding round, and proved that a small team with a clear vision can make some serious waves. Tilen is known for being super resourceful, like, operating on a tight budget but still pulling off flawless execution. That’s a rare skill, especially when you’re trying to disrupt a big industry like meat.

He’s also out there sharing knowledge, giving talks, workshops, telling startups how to fundraise, execute, and stand out. The guy’s all about hustle, smart work, and making shit happen without needing a mountain of cash.

Bottom line? Tilen’s story is about turning a passion for good food into a legit business, using his tech background and startup experience to make it happen. He’s all about pushing boundaries, doing more with less, and proving that with the right mindset, you can totally shake up a huge industry. That’s why he’s so important, he’s the embodiment of how to go from an idea to big impact, all while staying resourceful and real.