Founder of Materra | UAE-based nanotech platform

From Markets to Sovereign Systems.

Built Alone

Every system begins with conviction. I started alone — defining direction, building structure, and committing to a vision without external validation. That phase wasn’t about scale. It was about clarity and control.

Built Through Pressure

The path wasn’t linear. Misalignment, setbacks, and hard decisions tested everything. Through that process, I refined the vision and found the right people — building a UAE-anchored foundation capable of executing at the required level.

Built to Last

What began as a concept is now structured into something tangible. I turned conviction into execution — building what became Materra, a sovereign-scale system designed to operate, evolve, and endure over time.

Mario Urlic / Trading desk 2016 – 2019 Bloomberg Terminal

I’ve built across automotive, finance, digital systems, and sovereign infrastructure — operating through different cycles, environments, and levels of complexity. Each phase required adaptation, decision-making, and long-term execution.

Some ideas scaled. Others revealed their limits. But every phase refined the direction and strengthened execution. Over time, patterns became clear — what creates noise, and what creates lasting value.

I learned to operate without relying on ideal conditions — to move forward when the structure isn’t fully in place, and to build with discipline when others hesitate. That process wasn’t about speed. It was about alignment.

Today, that experience is consolidated into a single focus — building systems designed to endure, evolve, and operate beyond short-term cycles.

FOUR CHAPTERS. One Mission.

Started in 1997. Where I learned to operate under pressure and move with speed. From circuit racing to managing Mitsubishi and Škoda dealerships, this phase built discipline, focus, and the ability to execute in real business environments.

Started in 2003. Where I led operations within one of Croatia’s most active brokerage environments. Managing portfolios through cycles, IPOs, and volatility — developing timing, discipline, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.

Started in 2011. Where I moved beyond traditional markets into digital platforms and infrastructure concepts. From MyBusinessCard to Quickseek, this chapter shaped my understanding of ecosystems, scalability, and execution.

Started in 2021. Where science, digital assets, and infrastructure converged into one mission. From Cuprum Coin to Materra, this chapter defines my focus — building sovereign-scale systems through nanotechnology and programmable value.

MY EDUCATION LEGACY.

April 11, 2014

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Where My Education Legacy Began: Bringing Real Markets to Students

April 11, 2014 marked the beginning of my education journey with university students. Instead of classrooms, I brought them directly into a live trading environment — exposing them to real markets, real execution, and the psychology behind finance beyond textbooks.

May 25, 2017

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Bringing Markets to Life: Live Trading Education for University Students

In 2017, I welcomed 2nd and 3rd-year business economics students from the University of Dubrovnik for a full day of live stock and forex trading. We explored real markets, broke down trading psychology, and exposed the truth behind broker manipulation — far beyond what textbooks offer.

May 5, 2018

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Global Perspectives, Real Markets: Erasmus Students Dive into Live FX Trading

2018 brought the largest and most international group of students to my office. Erasmus participants from across Europe joined to explore live stock and FX trading. It was an intense, hands-on session filled with insights, questions, and honest truths about the markets.

May 11, 2019

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Inside the Markets: Erasmus Students Join My Forex Workshop

2019 wrapped the several-year series with another group of eager Erasmus students. I walked them through live trading, shared strategies from both the FX and stock markets, and emphasized the importance of discipline and real-world awareness over hype.

A look back at the moments where I shared real-world knowledge — from live trading sessions with university students to a blog read across the world. This is where theory met the trading desk.