We Sold the Company: 13 Years, 4 Million Books, One Decision
After 13 years of building Hooray Heroes, selling more than 4 million personalised books across 15 markets, and growing the team to over 100 people at its peak, founders Mic Melanšek and Rado Daradan sold the company to the US-based Personalised Story Group in September 2026.
Now, for the first time, they are sitting down with a small group of founders to talk openly about the decisions behind that journey.
The conversation will focus on five defining moments: choosing a personal loan over outside investment, expanding internationally, scaling and later reducing the team, deciding when the time was right to sell, and figuring out what comes after an exit.
This is not a traditional keynote. Only 20 founders of technology companies will sit around the table with Mic, Rado, and moderator Urban Lapajne for a 90-minute conversation built around concrete decisions, lessons, and questions from the room.
The event is designed for founders and co-founders who are already building a technology product, team, and market. Priority is given to startups listed in the Slovenian Startup Database.
Ready to live a new experience? Book your experience now and get 10% OFF.
Event schedule
12:00–12:30
Arrival, brunch & networking
12:30–14:00
Mic + Rado: 5 Decisions
A 90-minute founder conversation covering the journey from their first €15,000 personal loan to the sale of the company. Questions from the room are encouraged.
The five topics:
01 · Take a loan or find an investor?
Why they started with a €15,000 personal loan and how that decision shaped the company.
02 · Expand abroad before becoming big at home?
How they approached international expansion and eventually entered 15 markets.
03 · What happens when a team of 100 becomes 25?
Scaling, restructuring, company culture, and difficult decisions involving people.
04 · How do you know when it is time to sell?
Timing an exit, evaluating a buyer, and balancing financial and personal considerations.
05 · Who are you the day after the exit?
What remains after selling a company you have spent more than a decade building.
14:00–15:00
Networking
The conversation continues informally over coffee with Mic and Rado.
Speakers
Mic Melanšek
Co-founder, Hooray Heroes / Mali junaki
Spent 13 years building the product and brand that took personalised books from Slovenia to international markets.
Rado Daradan
Co-founder & CEO, Hooray Studios
Led the company from its initial €15,000 personal loan through international expansion, a team of more than 100 people, and the eventual sale to Personalised Story Group.
Moderator: Urban Lapajne
Tovarna podjemov & Start:up Slovenia
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