Dragan Tutic

Dragan Tutic is a mechanical engineer by training and entrepreneur by nature. He is propelled
by a distinctive mix of empathy, curiosity, and determination. Demonstrating an inventive flair
even before entering university, Tutic accomplished the remarkable feat of constructing a fully
operational electric motorcycle, showcasing his ingenuity and passion for sustainable solutions.

Tutic’s journey as an entrepreneur began in high school when he launched a sticker and
signage company. His business acumen and innovative approach allowed the company to
expand its reach to clients in over 30 countries, marking his first foray into the global market.
In his first year of university, Tutic embarked on another ambitious project by launching a racing electric cycle motorcycle team. This venture not only demonstrated his technical skills but also highlighted his leadership qualities, as he discovered the power of assembling a team to achieve goals far beyond individual capabilities.

Tutic’s worldview was profoundly shaped by his travels across the globe, spanning three years.
During this period, he witnessed firsthand the stark inequalities and challenges posed by water scarcity. These experiences ignited a desire to create solutions that would positively impact society and the environment. With a new understanding of global challenges and a curiosity to delve into the ocean environment, Tutic founded Oneka in 2015. His vision was to harness the ocean’s power by combining seawater and waves to produce freshwater, an innovative approach to addressing water scarcity.

Tutic’s involvement in Oneka has been hands-on and multifaceted. In the early years, he was
deeply involved in market exploration, traveling to regions like the Caribbean, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia to meet clients and understand their needs.

He played a critical role in technology development, including ideation, designing and machining to bench testing and ocean deployments. Tutic even took part in diving operations, underscoring his commitment to making the technology work.

With the help of his team, he raised over $50M over four funding rounds, enabling further
development and expansion. Tutic assembled a team of industry veterans specializing in
finance, impact, manufacturing, ocean product development, desalination, and operations.

With over 40 employees, Oneka is now entering a new phase. The company is poised to realize ambitious projects in California, Chile, and the Caribbean, reflecting Tutic’s vision of combining entrepreneurship and engineering to create impactful solutions for society and the environment.