In November/December 2012, while most online business directories still relied on static listings and basic search categories, I started developing a much more ambitious concept — a geo-based global business ecosystem called MyBusinessCard Global.
The idea evolved from my earlier MyBusinessCard business network project, but this version aimed to move beyond a traditional directory into something far more interactive, scalable, and intelligent.
At its core, the platform was designed to connect companies, sectors, locations, and business visibility into a single structured system.
The entire concept was built around Google Maps integration, allowing users to search businesses geographically through countries, regions, sectors, and subsectors. Instead of scrolling through endless search results, users could visually discover companies through an interactive map-based interface.
The platform architecture included:
- geo-based business discovery,
- sector and subsector filtering,
- interactive company pins,
- real-time company news feeds,
- smart business profiles,
- integrated advertising systems,
- partner connectivity,
- social media integration,
- localized and global content layers.
One of the most advanced concepts at the time was the “Smart Profile” system — a premium business profile structure that allowed companies to distribute highlighted content, smart news, visual promotions, and enhanced visibility directly through the platform ecosystem.
Looking back today, many of these concepts resemble features that later became standard across modern digital platforms and marketplace ecosystems.
What made the project especially important for me personally was not only the technology itself, but the mindset behind it.
For the first time, I was no longer thinking only about markets or finance.
I was thinking about systems.
How information flows.
How visibility is created.
How ecosystems scale.
How infrastructure connects users, businesses, and data into structured digital environments.
The project documentation from late 2012 still shows the level of detail involved in the development process — from interface architecture and user flows to profile logic, map interaction, monetization systems, and scalable global expansion.
Around the same period, the project also reached the Top 3 stage in a Seedcamp startup selection process among more than 200 applicants. While the project did not move further into the final event stage, the recognition confirmed that the concept carried international potential beyond the local market.
Although MyBusinessCard Global never became a large international platform, it played a defining role in shaping my long-term thinking around digital infrastructure, ecosystem architecture, and scalable systems.
Looking back now, I can clearly see that this was one of the earliest foundations of the path that would eventually lead toward much larger ecosystem thinking years later — from Quickseek, to digital asset systems, and ultimately to Materra.
Selected screenshots from the original MyBusinessCard Global project documentation, developed in late 2012.
Mario Urlic
Mario Urlić 