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Name: Miha Jagodic

Company name: Bloq.it

Colour of your eyes: blue

How many people are in the team:

Approximately 85 talented individuals are part of our team today, driving Bloq.it forward with their dedication and expertise, and we’ll be 100 people in a couple of months.
Many more to join shortly.

What is the difference between you and Steve Jobs?

While I deeply respect Steve Jobs’ brilliance and innovation, I give more attention to healthy work culture and long-term talent retention. Although I do enjoy the occasional stroll during a meeting, same as Steve back in the day.

Discussion on the product/service

Can you describe your product/service to us?

Bloq.it is transforming the logistics industry by offering cutting-edge smart parcel locker solutions.

We’re doing so by offering an end-to-end smart locker solution that allows companies to quickly and effectively launch these networks, create user adoption, and manage them at scale.

How did you get the idea to start with this?

The inspiration for Bloq.it stemmed from recognizing the challenges in the logistics sector, particularly in last-mile delivery. E-commerce was on the rise (and boomed during Covid), and we understood that there is infrastructure to be built to accommodate this growth. Smart parcel lockers seemed to be one of the most reliable and long-term solutions for the industry, that no one really tackled correctly until then.

What are your plans for the future?

Our vision for Bloq.it is to establish ourselves as the global leader in smart locker solutions for the logistics industry. We aim to expand our footprint internationally, forging strategic partnerships and continuously innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers. “We want Bloq.it to become the synonym of Smart Lockers excellence,” — this is our goal. We believe that by the end of 2026, we will be the largest smart parcel locker provider worldwide, and later on achieve the vision of becoming the largest out-of-home solution provider.

Rather Ginto or Whiskey?

Personally, I appreciate the company more than the beverage itself. But to be fair, I do enjoy a bit of a stronger drink..

Personal conversation

What is it like to run a business and what do you like the most? 

Running a business is a journey of constant growth and learning. It’s a very fulfilling journey that causes you many sleepless nights, constant pressure, and stress, which is something I can relate to as a recent father as well. The business is a baby just like my daughter.

What are your biggest obstacles?

Over time I learned that the biggest obstacle is growing the team. Once you achieve an advantage in the market and build a great product, you need to scale the team that will transform your vision on a much wider scale. This is a challenge we still haven’t solved completely!

Are you more Goulash or Odojak? Caviar or Foie gras?

I like to experiment with different cuisines, especially in Europe, since I am constantly traveling to different countries representing our team. Goulash would still be my choice from the mentioned.

What advice would you give to other people that are interested in starting something new?

Surround yourself with capable people that you trust, both in terms of founders and people outside, such as investors and advisors. You will face unpredictable challenges, downturns, and pivots of some sort are unavoidable; this is where the people you surround yourself with make all the difference.

What would you advise a founder to do?

Be consistent and focused on what’s important. Work on healthy fundamentals, those win long-term. Have a vision that reflects monetary outcome, and not how to win an award at a startup event. Resources compared to larger competitors are typically limited, therefore time and execution are worth more.

What would you advise a founder not to do?

It’s easy to get distracted by awards, events, and potential investors so don’t forget that sales is what determines your success, especially long-term. Be very careful what you dedicate your time to. Don’t celebrate investment rounds, this is a responsibility you onboarded and is not yet paid off.

What is a key factor to success?

The team is a key enabler to success. The key values to success are focus and consistency. Success is not to get on top (eg. build a leading product, or win the best client), but to stay on top afterward (since only that brings the desired outcome for shareholders). For that, you need the right team to be focused and consistent. You should never relax and think that the job is done.

How to teach a frog to smile?

Teaching a frog to smile is not something I’ve done yet, but sounds like vacation compared to running a business.

FRC experience

Can you tell us something about your experience with the FRC team?

We’ve received quite important guidance from FRC’s team since their investment. They invested in us almost at the very beginning, and we are grateful for the trust and the vision they provide since the beginning!

What is your favorite spot on the planet?

If I have to narrow it down, I would say my apartment, as I tailor-made it to my needs. There’s no place I feel better at these days. More widely speaking, the US is a place (not a spot) where I like to return to get inspired.

What was the most important takeaway from the FRC Partners and partnership?

Referring to the most important takeaways we’ve received from FRC in those years speaks to the values that I mentioned before. Shortly, no bs, and stay focused on growing revenue.

Would you suggest other founders to apply for funding?

Absolutely. The FRC accelerator program offers invaluable opportunities for growth, networking, and mentorship. I highly recommend it to fellow founders seeking to accelerate their startup journey or get their business off the ground.

Who was your favorite FRC team member? Why?

I spent most of my time with Julien and Ales. I can’t pick a favorite among them, they both helped us in their way, which is very valuable to me (and Bloq.it).