The Sofascore Product Management Academy officially started this weekend at Sofascore’s headquarters in Zagreb, bringing together aspiring product managers for an in-depth learning experience. The first two sessions featured insights from Sofascore Co-Founder and CSO Ivan Bešlić and Product Lead Tomislav Haramustek, covering key aspects of product management, strategy, and innovation. With a record number of participants, this has become the most attended Sofascore Academy so far, highlighting the growing interest in product development within the sports tech industry.
AI, Team Management, and the Mindset of Successful Companies
In his session, Ivan Bešlić emphasized how AI is rapidly transforming the work of developers. With an estimated 10,000 developers in Croatia, many are already integrating AI tools into their workflow, allowing them to identify bugs and develop new features at an accelerated pace. As a result, companies will soon see developers delivering results two to three times faster than before, creating challenges for traditional micromanagement structures.
“I foresee a major issue in managing teams. While the number of team members remains the same, their output will increase significantly.”
Ivan Bešlić, Sofascore’s co-founder and CSO
Ivan also highlighted the importance of continuous adaptation, a key trait of successful companies:
“Companies that thrive are constantly experimenting, seeking new opportunities—it’s a mindset shift.”
For product managers, he stressed the importance of agility. “A senior product manager has the right to say, ‘We’re doing it this way, we’re moving fast and agile, let’s shorten sprints from months to weeks.’ If you’re in the industry and you’re a senior, push for change.”
Bešlić also pointed out that Sofascore hires professionals dedicated to the product—designers, project managers, and teams focused on continuous improvement. And in a statement that sparked discussion, he added:
“If you don’t have TikTok, you’re not suited for this industry.”
Ivan Bešlić, Sofascore’s co-founder and CSO
The Product Mindset
Tomislav Haramustek focused on the difference between product-driven teams and agency work. Unlike agencies, which prioritize delivery, product management is centered around results.
“In a product team, you have a self-contained unit with all the necessary resources to manage the entire product lifecycle—from concept and development to tracking performance,”
Tomislav Haramustek, Product Lead at Sofascore
He also outlined the core responsibilities of a product manager, emphasizing that each feature must be assessed for its value, usability, feasibility, and viability before implementation.
Sofascore Product Management Academy: Shaping Future Product Leaders
The Sofascore Product Management Academy is a dedicated program designed to help aspiring product managers develop the skills needed to succeed in the fast-moving world of digital products. This track focuses on real-world challenges, agile workflows, and data-driven decision-making. Led by industry experts, participants gain hands-on experience in product strategy, feature development, and innovation in sports tech. You can read all about it in our previous article.
More Insights Ahead: Upcoming Sessions at Sofascore Product Management Academy
The Sofascore Product Management Academy is just getting started! In the coming weeks, more industry pros and Sofascore experts will take the stage to share their knowledge. Sofascore’s Head of AI Karlo Knežević and CBDO Toni Jermaniš are up next, followed by interesting insights with Juraj Kovač (Talkwalker) and Ante Sladojević (ESL FACEIT Group).
Sofascore’s second co-founder Zlatko Hrkać will also take the speaker stage , with Ivan Bešlić returning for a one-on-one talk, and there’s still room for surprises with open Q&A slots.
Each session brings real product insights, straight from those shaping the industry.
If you want to learn more about Sofascore, visit our corporate website.