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  • Our next guest has come a long way in his professional and personal development - from investment banking, through digital media and marketing, and e-commerce to rethinking humanity’s relationship with food. Victor Penev is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the food database and nutrition data provider Edamam. He is also a mentor and investor in food tech startups and an advisor to early-stage entrepreneurs.Before that, Victor co-founded and sold Bulgaria’s largest Internet Company NetInfo BG. In this episode we discover what is next on his journey.In his conversation with Irina, Victor Penev talks about: The legacy of one of Bulgaria’s firsts digital media companies and the early days of the Bulgarian Internet;The bittersweet experience of selling your company as an entrepreneur; Building a business on the intersection of food and technology without traditional fundraising;Defining success beyond financial metrics, focusing on long-term impact;His new longevity project: redefining health and food in Bulgaria *This episode of The Recursive Podcast is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.Time Stamps: 0:00 Trailer 03:25 Introduction 04:13 After the Fall of the Berlin Wall: Student Ventures and First Media Startups08:50 From Investment Banking to Entrepreneurship10:52 The Origin Story of NetInfo: Bulgaria’s First Digital Media Company 12:45 How NetInfo Shaped Bulgaria's Internet Landscape19:25 Trust and Transition: Victor Penev's Experience with Succession at NetInfo23:14 Cooking Up Ideas: The Birth of Edamam on a Thai Beach24:30 Breaking the Mold: Building Edamam without VC Money 30:40 Reflections on Venture Capital: Addressing Inefficiencies in Investment Practices33:26 Meditative Entrepreneurship: Finding Calm Amidst Chaos37:20 Do You Have to be Competitive to be a Good Entrepreneur? 45:10 The Art of Mentorship: Nurturing Organic Connections49:50 The Relationship between Food and Longevity: Victor’s New Project 1:03:10 Life as a Puzzle: Entrepreneurship, Home, and Identity1:09:29 Outro

  • Our next guest is an entrepreneur in the promising field of circular economy, advocating for the continuous use and reuse of materials.

    Mihail Dimitrov is the co-founder and CЕO of Swipe.bg, a Bulgarian marketplace for buying and selling used smartphones. The company recently raised an investment to expand regionally and grow its market share.

    Mihail Dimitrov comes with vast experience in e-commerce and business development. He previously worked for the world's largest classifieds platform OLX and Bulgaria’s largest mеdia group Nova Broadcasting Group.

    In this podcast episode, Mihail and Irina talk about:







    *This episode of The Recursive Podcast is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.

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  • Our guest is on a quest to redefine the way businesses collaborate and work with data in the cloud.

    With more than 20 years of experience in building successful enterprise software products, George Dochev is the co-founder and CTO of US-Bulgarian scale-up LucidLink.

    The company’s solution is used by the biggest names in the media, health, and finance industries, namely Adobe, Spotify, and WebMD.

    At the end of 2023, LucidLink closed the largest round for the Bulgarian ecosystem - a 75M dollars Series C.

    Is LucidLink on its way to becoming the next Bulgarian unicorn? Watch the episode to find out for yourself.

    In this conversation with George Dochev we unpack some of the big questions around scaling and growing a company to a multibillion dollars business:








    *This episode of The Recursive Podcast is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.



  • Our guest is only 27 years old but he already has several successful ventures in the e-commerce industry. Ruslan Leteyski founded his first company while still in high school.

    He’s the founder of CheckOutX and Vanga AI, e-commerce solutions for Shopify & WooCommerce that help merchants increase their revenue.

    His current project TimeCraft is a platform for providing session-based digital services.

    Ruslan Leteyski is also an active angel investor. Some of the businesses he supported include CloudCart, Klear, Puzl Coworking, and CoLiving Semkovo.

    In this episode, we follow his journey in building, scaling, and exiting profitable businesses in the e-commerce industry - from CheckOut X becoming the industry's top checkout alternative to being rejected by Shopify, through the challenges of transitioning to a WooCommerce ecosystem.

    The episode is packed with actionable insights on:

    The balance between validating a product idea through development and user feedback;

    The challenges of receiving feedback and managing imposter syndrome (while feedback is valuable, it's essential to filter and assess its relevance);

    Lessons learned from failure in building a lean startup

    In his conversation with Irina, Ruslan Leteyski introduces his latest project TimeCraft, a platform designed to streamline and support various session-based services such as coaching, therapy, and teaching. Leteyski aims to empower individuals to monetize their time effectively and to provide freedom for service providers.

    Ruslan Leteyski is also a prominent critic of the prevalent startup culture's fixation on fundraising and the misconception that raising capital equates to success. He advocates building a solid business model and addressing real market needs rather than solely chasing investment rounds. And urges the media to cover and recognize the stories and potential of bootstrapped companies more often.

    *This episode of The Recursive Podcast is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.

    Time Stamps:

    0:00 Introduction

    01:17 Curiosity Fuels Entrepreneurial Journey

    03:39 Building a Profit-First Mindset

    8:56 E-commerce Disruption: The Rise and Fall of CheckOut X

    12:00 Navigating the Shift from Shopify to WooCommerce Ecosystem

    18:15 The Product Validation Journey: Balancing Vision with Customer Feedback

    26:56 Vanga AI: Lessons Learned From the Transition and Exit

    32:15 TimеCraft: Redefining Session-Based Services in the Digital Era

    43:11 The Digital Nomad Lifestyle and the Future of Remote Work

    52:12 Why Startup Success Shouldn't Revolve Around Investment Rounds


    59:10 Outro

  • In today's special episode, we're breaking away from the norm to revisit some of our most memorable conversations and catch up with our guests to see where life has taken them since.Our guest for today is none other than Ivaylo Slavov, a veteran in Bulgaria's IT industry. Last time we spoke, his company BULPROS had recently merged with the German giant ec4u, forming DIGITALL and setting ambitious goals to lead the digital cloud services market in the US.Fast forward almost two years and Ivaylo has traded his CEO hat for that of an investor, diving into projects at the intersection of AI and HR. After 13 years at the helm, he reflects on the transition, marked by international travels, and reevaluation of life priorities.Ivaylo shares his decision to step away from operational duties, focusing instead on providing advisory support to tech startups. He unveils his involvement in four impactful projects: Transforming Easy Consult into a flexible workforce service provider;Supporting Team Schedule's shift management software, which addresses scheduling and resource challengesWork Talent, a modern job board, aiming to streamline hiring processes and better match candidates with employers;Vibe Jobs, tackling the challenge of connecting non-digital workers to job opportunities through a chatbot-based job board within Viber. The emphasis is on simplifying the application process for those with limited access to digital platforms.In his role as a strategic investor, Ivaylo emphasizes his active contribution to strategic development, market penetration, and mission validation.The conversation delves into the evolving impact of AI on the workforce. While noting positive effects for senior knowledge workers, they acknowledge challenges for low-qualified workers, underlining the crucial need for strategic thinking and addressing security concerns in the realm of AI.Join us on this insightful journey as we unravel Ivaylo Slavov's post-CEO ventures and explore the ever-changing landscape of AI and HR.*The Recursive Podcast is excited to announce that this episode is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.

  • Our next guest is on a quest to unlock the code of longevity.

    Milena Georgieva is a molecular biology, genetics, and epigenetics professor at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

    She is also a Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at the startup company EPIX.AI.

    In her role, Prof. Georgieva is in charge of R&D activities and manages a group of experts working to understand aging processes and create instruments to measure biological age and extend the human lifespan.

    The conversation spans from the genesis of Prof. Georgieva’s fascination with molecular biology, genetics, and epigenetics.

    The discussion delves into the current state of genetic research and the mission of EPIX.AI, emphasizing the importance of health span over the lifespan. She explains how their interdisciplinary team leverages biological data, genetics, and epigenetics to create personalized prevention protocols for age-related diseases to extend healthy lifespans.

    EPIX.AI, as its name suggests, deploys AI and ML algorithms, to decipher genetic triggers and organize and utilize effectively the abundance of health data.

    Prof. Georgieva expresses the necessity for a cohesive ecosystem integrating scientific breakthroughs into practical applications, pointing out the gap between research and its implementation in business. She advocates for a shared language and collaborative mindset between the scientific, business, and governmental sectors to bridge this divide.

    Watch the episode to learn more about:




    *The Recursive Podcast is excited to announce that this episode is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:27 Unraveling Life's Code: First Steps into Molecular Biology & Genetics

    05:10 Bridging the Gap: Integrating Science and Business in Genetic Research

    12:35 From Lab Discoveries to Entrepreneurial Impact

    17:00 Nature's Blueprint, Nurture's Influence: Understanding Genetics and Epigenetics

    30:59 EPIX’s Mission to Revolutionize Aging

    42:15 2024: EPIX’s Roadmap to Personalized Health Transformation

    47:10 The Future of Healthcare: From Treatment to Prevention and Precision

    52:46 Decoding Stress: Understanding Its Diverse Impact on Health

    58:58 The Power of Listening to Your Body

    1:04:46 Outro





  • Our next guest is a dedicated engineer looking for solutions to reduce harmful emissions and popularize hydrogen technologies.Dragomir Ivanov is a leading expert in the field of hydrogen with over 16 years of experience. He is the founder of Hydrogenera - a company developing technologies for the production, storage, and consumption of hydrogen. He is also the author of two patents in the field. Dragomir’s vision is to demonstrate that hydrogen can be the main energy source because it is universal, has a zero carbon footprint, and can completely replace conventional fuels. In his conversation with Irina, Dragomir shares insights from his transition from lab innovations to entrepreneurial endeavors focused on hydrogen technology, emphasizing the simplicity and potential impact of converting water into clean fuel.The entrepreneur says that the technology for a hydrogen-based energy system is here but the primary challenge he sees is a shift in the mindset and a proper legislation. In his view Bulgaria is lagging behind in adopting hydrogen compared to other European countries, missing on the potential for market growth and energy efficiency improvement.In this podcast episode you’ll also hear: How an energy revolution based on hydrogen could reshape society, influencing economic structures and labor dynamics. The conversation shifts to envisioning a future where hydrogen becomes a widely adopted and affordable energy source, akin to the evolution of solar panels' affordability over time. The business model at the core of company, which customizes systems for each client rather than mass-producing standardized products; Time Stamps: 0:00 Introduction 01:28 The Origins of Hydrogen Passion: From University Sparks to Green Energy03:20 Hydrogen Innovation: Bridging the Gap Between Lab Discoveries and Market Solutions11:02 Hydrogen Adoption: Challenges, Readiness, and Market Potential19:56 Hydrogen Integration: Competition, Collaboration, and Customization27:14 Redefining Energy Costs: Hydrogen's Place in Future Economies 31:21 Navigating Deep Tech Fundraising: Insights and Challenges34:30 "Hydrogen Valleys" - Potential Models for Communities Generating Their Own Green Energy38:40 Sofia's School Hydrogen Project: Reducing Emissions & Inspiring Curiosity41:11 The Energy Transition: Dual Push by Government and Industry44:30 Outro

    The Recursive Podcast is excited to announce that this episode is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.

  • Hello, The Recursive Community! We are back from our summer break and today we are taking you on a journey to Bucharest and inside the mind of a seasoned investor.

    Marius Istrate is currently the Chairman of the Board of TechAngels Romania, an investors' community planning accelerated growth after a decade on the market. He is also a Venture Partner at 3VC and Crew Capital.

    Among the companies he invested in are FlowX.AI, parol, Carsup, Snackable AI, Transition-One, Romania-Insider.com, Younichoice, SmartDreamers, Bunnyshell, OxidOs.

    In his previous modus operandi, Marius was an entrepreneur himself, CTO, and CEO at various IT companies. He also took on the role of Chief People Officer at the Romanian unicorn UiPath, leading the company's growth from 100 people to 3K.

    In a conversation with our Country Lead in Romania Elena Vrabie, Marius discusses the transition from being an entrepreneur to an investor, highlighting how his experience at Uipath shaped his thinking, but also the importance of embracing change and gaining diverse experiences in the business world.

    “One of the things that people appreciate about working with me today is that I'm capable of asking questions from different angles that they haven't really thought about before”, he explains.

    Marius reflects that the most rewarding aspect of his work as an investor is the opportunity to continuously meet and learn from people with diverse backgrounds, values, and perspectives.

    Join Elena and Marius’ conversation as they explore the value of education today, what it means to be a decent human being, and why founders should explore life in different cultural contexts.



  • Join us in our latest podcast episode as we delve deep into the realms of leadership, mental health, and authenticity together with Velina Getova, founder of NotYourTherapy, which provides psychological support in the workplace.With more than ten years in human development, Velina has worked with multinational corporations, tech start-ups, universities, and nonprofit organizations in Bulgaria, the US, and the UK.Long years of experience led her to the realization that the most needed skill in the future is not only our ability to learn but also our ability to manage our interior state.In her conversation with Irina, Velina shares personal stories of leaders opening up about their mental health struggles and the transformative power of being genuine in leadership roles. She discusses the societal molds that define what a leader "should" be and how breaking free from these molds can lead to more genuine and effective leadership.Velina also touches upon the challenges of modern communication tools and their potential to lead to burnout. We learn about Velina's passionate mission to change the narrative around entrepreneurship in Bulgaria, emphasizing happiness, success, and mental well-being.As we envision a future where discussions around entrepreneurship focus on joy and positivity, we invite you to be part of this enlightening conversation. Tune in and discover how to find your authentic leadership style and the importance of self-reflection in our fast-paced world

  • Join us in our latest podcast episode as we explore the journey of Svilen Rangelov, the co-founder and CEO of Dronamics, the world's first cargo drone airline.

    Svilen's passion for fast, affordable, and green freight is transforming the way goods are moved across the globe.

    Dronamics is the company he co-founded with his brother Konstantin in 2014 and in this episode, Svilen shares the story of how they built Dronamics from the ground up, overcoming nearly 700 rejections, plenty of skepticism, and challenges in the tech industry.

    Dronamics develops and operates large, long-range drones built specifically for cargo to serve a variety of industries: from pharma to food, from e-commerce to spare parts.

    Their full-scale flagship drone, the Black Swan, recently successfully completed its first test flight.

    In his conversation with Irina, Svilen explains the vision behind creating an airline, rather than just a product, to offer same-day delivery services over long distances.

    The CEO of Dronamics delves into the strategic decision of starting the company in Bulgaria, a contrarian bet that turned into a talent filter for those deeply committed to the vision. Svilen shares insights on how their hands-on approach and commitment to innovation led them to build their own equipment and machinery, creating a solid foundation for growth.

    Svilen opens up about Dronamics' long-term vision, aiming to turn the company into a generational one, making a positive impact on a global scale.

    Svilen and his team aim to continue innovating = the aviation industry, redefine logistics, and democratize access to rapid and reliable goods delivery

  • Our next guest is a well-known entrepreneur and investor in the Romanian IT industry.

    Andrei Pitis has 30 years of experience in tech. He was one of the first official Linux contributors in Romania and co-founder of RoEduNet, a network that offered free internet to students.

    Later, Andrei founded Vector Watch, a Romanian start-up that produced the first Romanian smartwatch. The company was later acquired by Fitbit, where Andrei held various positions including VP of Engineering and VP of Product.

    In the meanwhile, Andrei invested as an angel in CleverTaxi that got acquired by MyTaxi.

    Later, Andrei founded Simple Capital, a private investment vehicle supporting local startups with global aspirations.

    As an active angel investor and mentor, Andrei is the president of ANIS (The Romanian Employers' Association of the IT&C industry), an associate professor at the Politehnica University of Bucharest, and a creator of educational programs like Innovation Labs.

    In his conversation with Irina, Andrei walks us through his long journey in the tech industry, having witnessed many shifts from the first programming languages to the dot-com bubble, the 2008 global financial crisis, to the emergence of AI and blockchain.

    He offers his insights on the cyclical nature of technology's evolution, the importance of branding for building a successful tech business, and why launching your product globally from the start is the way to go for entrepreneurs from the CEE region.

    In this episode, he also talks about:

    Why creating magic is important in tech;

    Edge Mentality vs. Center Mentality;

    How To Cope With Stress as an Entrepreneur;

  • Today on The Recursive Podcast we get to find out more about revolutionizing in-store advertising with robots.

    Ionut Vlad is the co-founder of Tokinomo, a technology company that uses sensors, motion, light, and sound, to bring shelf products to life and increase shopping engagement.

    No wonder the startup which produces in-store marketing robots has received various awards, like “Impact Star” by Deloitte, and “Most Inventive Startup” by La French Tech Romania.

    With a background in graphic design and fine arts, Ionut honed his craft as an Art Director at Saatchi & Saatchi before launching his own game-changing project.

    As Ionut Vlad shares in his conversation with Elena Vrabie, it was his creativity that eventually led him to a tech solution of a marketing problem - how to make products visible and attract shoppers’ limited attention spans in stores.

    “I noticed something quite interesting - my creativity helps a lot because I think the best engineers have this creative approach to things, otherwise they wouldn't invent stuff. If you are kind of a stickler for the rules, you will always come up with the same stuff. If you're creative and you're trying to bypass certain obstacles, then the creative mind comes into play”, Ionut Vlad says.

    In the episode, Elena and Ionut Vlad also discuss:
    🛍️ The Psychology Behind Shopping Decision-Making;
    🧲 Do opposites attract in a co-founding team?
    👂 Listening to feedback vs. following one’s original ideas to solve problems;
    😳 How to be a successful founder if you’re an introverted person?

  • Next stop for The Recursive Podcast - Bucharest, where we meet with Lavinia Mehedintu.

    She has dipped her toes in different educational programs as a student before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey of her own, in the learning and developing pool with the social learning platform Offbeat.

    With a diverse background in HR and communications, Lavinia aims to provide a fresh, actionable twist to the learning industry's ongoing transformation.

    In her conversation with Elena Vrabie, Lavinia shares how her desire for freedom and autonomy in solving problems eventually led her on the entrepreneurial path and helped her build a community for learning and development professionals.

    Their discussion delves into the intricacies of learning - how we learn, how our neurons connect, why is it so hard to change our behaviour, and what should a long-term learning strategy for your professional and personal development look like.

    In the episode you’ll also hear:

    How AI will change our learning experience;

    How to build effective knowledge-sharing in your organization;

    The Importance of having a support system as an entrepreneur;

  • Our next guest comes from London but has a special interest in Central and Eastern Europe. Bakhrom Ibragimov is a partner at Molten Ventures, which invests in Europe’s tech leaders from Series A to the growth stage.

    Bakhrom joined Molten in 2022 from EBRD Venture Capital. There he founded and managed commitments of €500m over three VC funds.

    Previously Bakhrom was leading investments with Virgin Green Fund and TLcom Capital. He was also an Internet Finance Director at Virgin Media and a tech investment banker with Cowen & Co and Credit Suisse.

    Bakhrom holds degrees from LSE, Cambridge University, and Tashkent State Technical University.

    In his conversation with Irina, Bakhrom highlights the potential of Central and Eastern Europe, emphasizing the abundance of engineering talent and the advantage of entrepreneurs having a global perspective from the start due to the small economies in the region.

    In the episode, he also talks about:

    Bridging the funding gap between seed and growth equity stages in the region;

    How to build a repeatable and scalable sales process, focusing on the value the product brings to customers;

    Strategies for scaling in an economic downturn;

  • Today The Recursive podcast is live from Bucharest, meeting one of the most prominent founders and investors on the Romanian tech scene.

    Radu Georgescu is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the tech industry.

    He has successfully exited several companies, including the acquisition of RAV antivirus technology by Microsoft, the ePayment business by Naspers, Avantgate by Francisco Partners, and VectorWatch by Fitbit.

    Radu is currently the founder of Gecad Ventures, a family office that invests in high-growth potential companies.

    He is also a Board Director and adviser to numerous technology companies, including the equity management and financing platform for tech startups SeedBlink.

    In this conversation with Irina, we get a sneak peek into the mind of a strategic thinker, a prolific entrepreneur, and a passionate investor.

    Radu shares his learning experiences gained from founding 37 companies, both successful and failed, and his revelation that the operational roles are not well suited for him.

    Radu Georgescu explains that he has always been focused on identifying market niches and the problems that need to be solved. By not being involved in execution, he managed to maintain a broader perspective and use his network to gather information and deliver it to the team that is better equipped to create and build the product.

    In the episode, he also talks about:

    Why pivoting is one of the most important tools in a founder’s bag; (“Just pivot and figure out where the market goes as you roll.")

    The Danger in Treating Your Business as Your Baby;

    What really makes a company stand out;

  • Our next guest - Sasha Bezuhanova - has left an impact in manifold ways on the Bulgarian tech ecosystem and society.

    She’s one of the first internationally recognized managers. One of the first Bulgarian female leaders in tech. She’s an active angel investor. A philanthropist. A social mover and shaker.

    Sasha Bezuhanova is the founder and chairman of the board of MOVE.BG. Ten years ago she left her business career at HP to dedicate herself to positive social change and sustainable development in Bulgaria through innovation, education, and active leadership.

    Among the causes Sasha Bezuhanova pursues through many initiatives and projects is positioning Bulgaria as a global digital center, promoting entrepreneurial and green transformation culture, and affirming the role of women in business in Bulgaria and Europe.

    In her conversation with Irina, Sasha dives in-depth into the transformative decision she took 10 years ago on a plane from Jakarta to Frankfurt. Inspired by the street protests in Bulgaria, she left a successful corporate career to try to foster a meaningful societal change, based on dialogue, collaboration, and grassroots empowerment.

    In the episode, she also talks about when it makes sense to break rules in business, how Bulgaria built a deep tech expertise, and how to harness the power of networks to enable social change.

  • Our next guest has close to 20 years of experience in management consulting and digital transformation.

    Orlin Dochev is a managing partner at Next Consult, an international business, and digital transformation consultancy, blending both strong management consulting expertise with deep IT knowledge. The company has offices in the USA, UK, Switzerland, Romania, and Bulgaria and is partnering with global technology vendors like Salesforce, Tableau, and SAP ERP.

    Orlin co-founded Next Consult 13 years ago with the vision to add value to its clients by introducing best practices in sales, marketing, etc. He’s also an avid supporter of various educational initiatives.

    In his conversation with Irina, Orlin shares insights from his journey from programming to sales to business leadership, combining rich experience in global corporations, startup companies, and entrepreneurship.

    He talks about his philosophy of continuous learning by self-challenging and how they spotted the gap on the market with Next Consult where IT companies would focus on programming systems without questioning the client's processes and operations. The mission of Next Consult, Orlin shares, is to focus on making clients more successful by helping them to restructure their businesses. “This requires a lot of sales psychology, discovering business models, challenging the client, challenging yourself, and listening”, he points out.

    In the episode, you’ll also hear:

    The potential impact of Chat GPT on the consulting industry;

    Building a company culture of continuous learning;

    The state of digital transformation in the Bulgarian market;

  • Today on the podcast we welcome a Ukrainian entrepreneur who currently resides in Sofia.

    Dmitriy Aleksandrov is the CEO of Homsters, a SaaS provider of automated digital marketing solutions for the property segment.

    For 8 years, he grew the company from an idea to a PropTech business running in 5 countries. Homsters was acquired by the global media company Ringier at the end of 2022. But Dmitriy is still at the steering wheel to scale the company’s solutions.

    Initially working in marketing and transitioning to project management in the fintech and telecom industries, Dmitriy gained valuable experience in tackling complex problems and managing diverse projects. This experience prepared him for his role as CEO, where he emphasized the importance of both a big-picture perspective and attention to detail. Dmitriy credited his colleague and mentor, Andrew Olejnik, for inspiring him to join the proptech industry and become part of Homesters' early stages, even when the company was just an idea on a napkin.

    In his conversation with Irina, Dmitriy discusses the culture clash with his corporate background and the challenges of building a startup from scratch. He shares their company's pivots, the need for customization in different markets, and the importance of establishing partnerships. He opens up about their failed expansion attempt in Vietnam and the lessons learned from scaling back.

    In this episode, Dmitriy also talks about

    The importance of defining values and maintaining them despite changes in the company and its products;

    The role of AI - property matching algorithms and the emergence of conversational interfaces in the real estate industry;

    The challenges of managing a dispersed team and the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine on their business;

  • Our guest today is one of the Co-founders and а Board Member of Scalefocus - Viktor Bilyanski.

    He started his career in the field of software development two decades ago.

    In 2012, a pivotal moment in his career came up, as he joined forces with 4 other professionals to establish Scalefocus.

    With 7 delivery locations in Bulgaria, Turkiye, and North Macedonia, the company provides tailored software solutions and services that empower Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, and established leaders to innovate, grow and meet technology and business challenges.

    In the past decade, Scalefocus has developed hundreds of successful projects on an international level.

    The company is one of the biggest IT employers in Bulgaria and allows local talent to work on impactful projects for various international clients across many industries - IT, financial services, healthcare, energy and utilities, and more.

    Viktor is heavily involved in the local startup ecosystem as an angel investor, community supporter, and event organizer. He is also an avid sports enthusiast.

    In the episode, Viktor talks about:

    How to stay competitive in today's very fast and constantly evolving business environment;

    How to balance between aggressive scaling and maintaining focus;

    How to multiply your value as a software engineer;

    AI and Leadership: can technology help us make better decisions?

    Learning through teaching: the power of sharing knowledge;

  • Our next guest is helping marketers all over the world have a scalable process for user acquisition, engagement, and storytelling through social media.

    Sinisa Rakovic is the CEO and co-founder of HUNCH, a marketing technology company focusing on creative intelligence.

    Sinisa is also a serial entrepreneur with several successful exits behind his back. He graduated from California State University and spent time at Stanford University.

    In his conversation with Irina, Sinisa reflects on all these experiences - his time in the US, his first venture and exit, the challenges and opportunities to build and scale a company from Eastern Europe - and how they have shaped his definition of success and views on building an infrastructure and support system for the long-term success of tech entrepreneurs.

    Tune in for more insights on:

    How to win in the attention economy with creativity;

    How will creativity evolve in the AI era;

    The Growth Story of Hunch;

    In the podcast, Sinisa references the Zone of Genius framework by Gay Hendricks;