Flavoring Techsylvania — Creating an Impactful Connection.

Salt&Pepper’s long standing partnership with Techsylvania was once again on display, and this time, they sought new ways to elevate their collaboration. Hosting the Unusual Dinner was a natural choice for the company, as it reflected their culture of openness and dialogue. The event aimed to nurture connections within the Techsylvania ecosystem and create a unique space for bright minds to collaborate and spark new ideas.

“When bright minds come together, great things come to life, and this event was no different. It was important for us to share our culture of openness and dialogue with the Techsylvania ecosystem and help spark new connections.” — Cristin Iosif, CEO & Co-Founder of Salt&Pepper

Solving Tomorrow’s Problems — Innovation through Digital Projects

Salt&Pepper’s prowess in digital development allows them to drive impactful solutions across diverse industries. Their notable projects, such as Wave, an intelligent wristband offering relief to millions worldwide, and the mobile application for HID Global, revolutionizing access control, demonstrate the company’s dedication to solving tomorrow’s problems.

According to Cristin Iosif, the CEO & Co-Founder of Salt&Pepper, their work in various sectors, including healthcare and fintech, has profoundly impacted people’s lives. These projects stand as shining examples of the company’s unwavering commitment to creating meaningful differences through cutting-edge digital solutions.

Fostering Innovation — Empowering Talent for Success

Salt&Pepper’s commitment to attracting talented individuals and fostering innovation is at the core of their success. They believe in creating a community where bright minds can thrive, and their personalized approach to career development and client success has set them apart.

“We try to be our genuine selves and have an open approach to career development and raising concerns. We are ambitious about our goals but also care about our team members’ fulfillment and our client’s success.” — stated Cristin, the co-founder of Salt&Pepper.

As the future of work constantly evolves, Salt&Pepper has embraced remote and hybrid models of working while maintaining their culture of creativity and innovation. They value both personal connections and remote collaboration, seeing the benefits of each approach.

Organic Growth — Expanding Across Borders & Building a Stronger Network

Salt&Pepper takes pride in their organic growth across the country, expanding their search for talented individuals during the pandemic. Their community-oriented approach extends beyond Cluj, supporting student-led initiatives and fostering a sense of responsibility to give back to the tech ecosystem.

“We are grateful for the community we built and take pride in how we’ve grown. It pushes us to become better and contribute to a stronger network.”- Cristin Iosif, CEO & Co-Founder of Salt&Pepper

Salt&Pepper’s participation at Techsylvania 2023 showcased their commitment to innovation, authenticity, and fostering meaningful connections. As they continue to solve tomorrow’s problems through impactful digital projects, their vision for the future of work and the tech industry stands on embracing change and nurturing bright minds. With Salt&Pepper’s unique flavor, the tech world gains a superhero whose superpower lies in the strength of its people and their authentic approach to shaping a brighter future.

Unleashing Innovation and Authenticity: Salt&Pepper at Techsylvania 2023 was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

As part of their accelerated growth plan, Betfair Romania Development is on their way to reach 1.600 employees by the end of the year. The company is already the largest technology hub of its parent company, Flutter Entertainment plc., and their focus is being ready for what the future holds.
Today, we’re talking to Ioana Popa, General Manager Betfair Romania Development, and we’re delving into the company’s commitment to help their employees be prepared for a future that requires new skills and even more adaptability.

Ioana, with the current predictions about the future of work, how do you ensure your company is future-ready in terms of skills and capabilities?

„We have always tried to stay ahead of the curve, if I may say so. Our employees have not only benefited from a flexible work environment before the pandemic, but we’ve also created spaces where learning happens in various forms and builds a wide range of expertise and life skills. Anticipating their needs is the result of us listening to our employees, and making sure they are supported both personally and professionally.
At a global level, companies are still learning and testing different ways of working while trying to offer their employees the best experience. People are at the center of our organization, and our approach revolves around fostering a culture of continuous learning, by providing our employees with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. I believe we have successfully integrated that into our Talent and Development programs that suit different learning goals and styles: self-driven, on-the-job learning, as well as career courses, available both offline and online.”

Can you give us a sneak peek into the learning opportunities available at Betfair Romania Development? What are the options for someone looking to gain new skills?

„Absolutely! We believe that learning is no longer something done in a meeting room, nor does it rely solely on taking notes. Learning comes in many forms, and I’m very proud to say that we have what we like to call, a playground full of opportunities.

Apart from a wide range of career growth courses and online platforms, we are offering a yearly ‘Self-Development Fund’ of 1.000 EUR to every employee. As you can probably tell by its name, this fund gives employees the freedom to choose how they want to invest in their growth: by attending a masterclass, joining an event, or buying a ticket to a conference, anything is possible.

And because we were talking about being future-ready in the rapidly changing world of work, we have implemented a series of ‘Skills for the Future Masterclasses’. Each session is led by industry experts and is designed to equip our employees with the essential abilities needed to succeed: critical thinking & decision making, system thinking, sensemaking and more.

Predicting what the future holds is an impossible task, but it’s in our power to offer our employees options and flexibility, so that they’re empowered to take decisions to the best of their abilities. With this in mind, we have created the ‘Job Swing’ programme. I think we have all wondered at least once what it would be like to join a new team for a while and learn on the job? Well, our Job Swing programme does exactly that! It allows our colleagues to try out a different role in another field, with the purpose of learning new skills, changing career paths or just experiencing other areas of the business.”

We know that the right guidance can do wonders, especially in times of uncertainty. How are managers encouraged to invest in their growth at Betfair Romania Development?

„Our managers are the backbone of our company, and we power them to guide their teams and lead them to success. We understood that even though we look at global trends and insights to gain knowledge on what the future brings, the best way to be prepared is by focusing on our business and workforce, learning what our employees need and adjusting our offer in a way that is relevant for them.
To support managers who take on a new role, we have built a dedicated programme that equips them with the know-how, skills, and tools to be ready for their new journey. They receive training and guidance along the way, plus plenty of resources to help them succeed.
Once in a manager role, leadership practices and pragmatic approaches are key, but learning to apply these has no ‘one-size-fits-all’ formula. We sensed a need for tailored courses, with a curriculum that adapts to everyone’s specific learning goals.
Lastly, we rely on each other. We do that through regular Managers Forums which are internal events around thought leadership topics, where our colleagues in management roles can connect, exchange views and experiences.”

With such a diverse range of offers and given Betfair Romania Development now has more than 1.400 employees, how do you measure the impact of your learning initiatives?

„It’s true that our dedicated team works relentlessly to curate both industry-related courses, as well as relevant workshops and courses. We believe in data-driven decision-making, and we wouldn’t be able to find the best options without measuring the impact of our initiatives.

Collecting feedback through surveys and assessments has been effective, but in parallel we also track employee satisfaction, skills acquisition, and career progression. This data helps us refine our programmes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that our learning and development initiatives align with our employees’ needs and current working environment.”

Future-ready workforce: how Betfair Romania Development employees are equipped for tomorrow’s world. was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Here is the wrap up for Day 1:

Center Stage: Unveiling Tech Innovations, Inspirational Leaders & Entrepreneurial Trends

The first day of Techsylvania on the Center Stage showcased a diverse range of talks and discussions that explored the cutting-edge technologies, entrepreneurship, and the future of various industries. Attendees were captivated by the insights and revelations shared by esteemed speakers from Google, industry leaders, and renowned entrepreneurs. Here’s a brief overview of some of the highlights from the day’s sessions:

Driving Societal Change Through AI Innovation: Yossi Matias from Google delivered a thought-provoking talk on leveraging AI to drive societal change. He emphasized how technology can help us stay ahead of time and prevent adverse events. Matias highlighted the significance of making a difference through innovations that utilize AI, such as the Flood Hub. This platform provides flood notifications, enabling individuals to take preventive measures up to seven days in advance. By analyzing river maps and creating 3D models, detecting wildfires, and issuing earthquake alerts, technology plays a crucial role in preventing disasters and protecting communities.

Conversational AI and Career Development: The session delved into the advancements in conversational AI, particularly focusing on Google’s Duplex technology. Attendees learned about the value created for businesses through AI and how Google courses provide interview warm-ups, enabling individuals to practice interview steps after completing certifications.

Health AI and Med Palm: The Health AI session introduced Med Palm, a groundbreaking language model that demonstrates advanced proficiency in medical examinations. Attendees discovered the myriad benefits of Med Palm, including enhanced accuracy and efficiency in medical diagnostics. This promising development has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery.

Deep Tech, Sustainability, and Diversity in the Netherlands Ecosystem: The Netherlands ecosystem took center stage as Prince Constantijn van Oranje, along with Steffi Czerny from DLD Media, shed light on deep tech, sustainability, and diversity. The session explored the Netherlands’ thriving entrepreneurial culture, emphasizing the importance of international perspectives, establishing robust communities of entrepreneurs, and embracing diversity to foster creativity and innovation.

Powering Health and Fitness Products: Jonathan Oakes from Google discussed the significance of health and fitness products. With a mission to help people worldwide achieve healthier lives, Oakes emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes, exercise, and healthier eating in preventing diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. Attendees gained insights into how small changes and the development of sensor technology can improve people’s overall well-being.

Bits to Bytes: Forging a Successful Career in Tech with Mark Porter (MongoDB): Mark Porter’s talk focused on human intelligence and the importance of effective collaboration between humans and robots in the tech industry. He highlighted the necessity of mentorship, encouraging individuals to have two-way mentor relationships. Porter also shared valuable insights on career advancement, emphasizing the importance of setting expectations and being honest about one’s capabilities when presented with promotion opportunities.

Scaling and Fundraising for Marketplace, Consumer, and SMB Software Companies in a Downturn: Vinny Pujji from Left Lane Capital engaged in an enlightening conversation with moderator Cory Reid. The session explored performance marketing and the motivations driving entrepreneurs. Pujji emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to have an international perspective, take advantage of the internet’s transformative power, and hire local talent when expanding into new markets.

From Y Combinator to Unicorn: Lessons in Building a High-Growth Startup: Qasar Younis, the founder of Applied Intuition, shared his experience and insights on building high-growth startups. He emphasized the importance of leading by example, identifying real-world problems, and scaling with an international mindset. Attendees gained valuable lessons on the significance of early customer feedback, the advantages of Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the potential for product-focused companies to thrive outside the outsourcing paradigm.

How Can Central and Eastern Europe Play a Leading Role in European Competitiveness and Innovation: Patrick Warnking from Google, alongside moderator Steffi Czerny, discussed how Central and Eastern Europe can contribute to European competitiveness and innovation. The Toothbrush Test was introduced as a metaphor for creating products that users engage with multiple times daily. Warnking highlighted the need for increased AI literacy and emphasized the importance of STEM education, encouraging students to embrace AI tools. The session underscored the potential of the region and the importance of continuous learning.

The ‘Hustle Culture’ Myths by Zoltan Vardy (The Launch Code): Zoltan Vardy addressed the myths surrounding the “hustle culture” prevalent in the business world. He emphasized the importance of hard work, determination, and continuous self-development as critical factors in building a successful business. Zoltan encouraged attendees to focus on value impact over monetary gain and to foster a supportive network and environment.

Mapping the Future with Lars Rasmussen, Founder & Angel Investor: Lars Rasmussen, the Founder of Google Maps, engaged in an insightful conversation about entrepreneurship and the role of angel investing. He shared his perspective on entrepreneurs being born during times of crisis and highlighted the potential for tech entrepreneurship in Athens. Rasmussen discussed the joys of being an angel investor and emphasized the importance of building a strong culture within organizations.

Keeping Your Startup Heart While Scaling Up with Tijana Kovacevic (Happening): Tijana Kovacevic delivered a compelling talk on change management and communication skills as crucial elements of maintaining a startup’s culture while scaling up. Attendees learned about the challenges faced when evolving and how intentional communication planning and thoughtful team routines can sustain a strong company culture.

Founding and Scaling Companies Solving the World’s Greatest Challenge: A Silicon Valley Perspective with David Gorodyansky (FaceOut): David Gorodyansky shared insights on founding and scaling companies with a focus on addressing global challenges. He emphasized that successful businesses can be built anywhere, challenging the notion that Silicon Valley is the only hub for tech entrepreneurship. Gorodyansky stressed the significance of building a strong board, fostering a purpose-driven culture, and developing products that make a real impact in the world.

Advancing AI for Everyone — Panel Discussion: The panel, moderated by Dan Oros from Google, featured Ioan Iacob from FLOWX.AI and Diana Borsa from Google DeepMind. The discussion revolved around the advancement of AI and digitalization. The panelists highlighted the need for collaboration between public and private sectors, NGOs, and academia in driving digitalization initiatives. They also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and seeking expert guidance when navigating the complex world of AI.

How I Built a $100M Quilting Business and Bought a Town: Al Doan from the Missouri Star Quilt Company engaged in an intriguing conversation with moderator Geoff Openshaw. Doan shared his experience in building a successful quilting business and the innovative strategies employed to revitalize a struggling small town. Attendees learned about the importance of customer-focused content, self-development, and the power of local economic circulation.

How To Build Your Own Internal ChatGPT: In this insightful talk, Victoria Albrecht from Springbok.ai explores the growing trend of companies building their own Large Language Models (LLMs). With LLMs being the talk of the town, Victoria highlights the immense risk involved in undertaking such a venture. She emphasizes that building your own LLM should only be pursued if you have an unwavering hunger for world domination, along with the necessary resources, expertise, time, and risk appetite involved in developing your own internal ChatGPT.

Why Sustainability, AI, and Web3 Are the Key Tech Sectors for the Next 10 Years We had Frank Meehan (BraveNewEarth) and moderator Tee Ganbold (OpenESG) joining in a captivating conversation about the future of technology. Delving into the world of alternative energies and creating a sustainable infrastructure for all, the talk emphasized the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles & how aligning your investments with your values can not only contribute to a better world, but also yield a remarkable 25% more income.

Practical & Revolutionary Insights from the Impact Stage

The first day of the ten-year anniversary of Techsylvania included a series of captivating talks on the Impact Stage, all hosted by Elena Vrabie, Country Lead @ The Recursive. From AI-driven product development to building successful companies and scaling engineering teams, here are some highlights from today’s discussions:

In his talk on “Vision to Product: Product Design, Development, and Manufacturing in the Age of AI,” Nima Banai explored the ever-changing process of product development and manufacturing. He highlighted how AI is revolutionizing the industry, providing new insights and approaches to designing and creating products.

The founder of Supernova, Jiri Trecak, held an insightful conversation with Jenny Dreier from EQT Ventures, sharing his journey in “Building a Company between Prague and the Valley.” He offered valuable tips and tricks for aspiring entrepreneurs and emphasized the significance of data and generative AI plans in their company’s success. Keep this as a reminder: “It’s always about the data.”

Tudor Mafteianu, founder of Blu Capital Partners, delivered a thought-provoking keynote talk on “What Drives the Value of Your Business? Why, When, and How You Unlock It.” He discussed the various drivers and methodologies that contribute to the business model, urging attendees to consider untapped potential and embrace storytelling as a means of unlocking value.

In a conversation with Nick Fryer (CTO at Dojo) and Andreas Cser (Partner at Fraser Finance), the session on “Building a Product-Led Payment Business From Scratch” offered insights into the challenges and strategies employed by these two industry experts. The discussion highlighted the importance of a product-focused approach and left attendees with actionable takeaways.

Aviran Mordo from Wix shared an innovative approach to scaling engineering teams in his talk, “Scaling Engineering by Hacking Conway’s Law — The ‘Operational Guild’ Model.” By breaking down organizational silos and fostering collaboration, Mordo presented the Gangs & Guilds Wix Model. A model that enhances efficiency and promotes a cohesive engineering culture, based on shared valuable insights on solving software development problems through knowledge sharing. He emphasized the fusion of professionals working together to create the perfect roadmap and user experience for a product, using

Amy Varney from Systemiq Capital addressed the pressing issue of climate tech, sustainability, and climate intelligence in her talk, “Has Climate Tech Graduated?” Attendees gained valuable insights into the progress and potential of climate tech, sparking important discussions about its impact on businesses and society at large, as well as the positive outcomes and effects of the company’s products. MassMutual hosted a partner session titled “How Is Technology and Innovation Shaping the Business Landscape” featuring Cristina Morariu. The session explored the transformative power of technology and innovation, emphasizing the ever-evolving nature of the business landscape and the need to stay adaptable, while also taking a deep dive into generative AI, mixed reality, and challenging hackathons already implemented into innovative solutions.

Sergiu Biriș, the representative from MultiversX, delivered a captivating talk titled “XPortal: Blurring the Lines Between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0.” This insightful session delved into the future of the internet and how XPortal aims to seamlessly merge the best elements of both eras. By integrating the familiar and interactive aspects of Web 2.0 while harnessing the decentralized and secure infrastructure of Web 3.0, XPortal strives to make technology disappear and enable users to navigate effortlessly. Sergiu emphasized the importance of blockchain technology, stating: “The Metaverse cannot really exist without blockchain — you need ownership on what you build.”

In the “Personalized Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatments in the Context of Technology” session hosted by Regina Maria, Dr. Daniel David, the distinguished Ph.D. in clinical cognitive (neuro)sciences and the rector of Babes-Bolyai University, shed light on revolutionary personalized mental health treatments: by harnessing the power of data and evidence-based methodologies, technology can play a crucial role in enhancing mental well-being. Dr. David emphasized the shared responsibility for mental health, concluding: “We are all responsible for our mental health.”

Amazing Q&A sessions, practical workshops & a lot of valuable networking

During the Q&A sessions, attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with the main speakers, asking questions and gaining further insights into the topics discussed. The Q&A sessions provided a valuable interactive element to the conference, allowing for deeper exploration and clarification of the ideas.

As for the workshops, they all provided practical and interactive learning experiences for all, allowing us to acquire new skills in specific areas of interest:

1. MVPs Unleashed: Building Robust Products with Elixir by Constantin Cheptea (Crafting Software) focused on using the Elixir programming language to build Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) that are scalable, reliable, and maintainable.
2. Data-Driven Predictive Maintenance in Railway by Roxana Muresan & Adrian Pusca (Accenture) explored the application of data-driven techniques for predictive maintenance in the railway industry, highlighting the benefits of using data analysis to optimize maintenance operations and improve reliability.
3. Building Your Event-Driven Infrastructure Within 1 Hour by Sebastien Blanc & Ben Gamble (Aiven): In this workshop, participants learned how to quickly set up an event-driven infrastructure using Aiven, a cloud-based platform, enabling efficient processing and handling of real-time events.
4. Test Driven Development with Kotlin by Mihaly Nagy & Alin Turcu (Cognizant Softvision) focused on Test Driven Development (TDD) principles and practices using the Kotlin programming language. Participants gained hands-on experience with writing tests before implementing code, promoting quality and maintainability in software development.
5. From Prompt to Cloud: Unlocking the Potential of Advanced Prompt Engineering with genezio by Bogdan Vlad, Andreia Ocanoaia & Radu Dumitrescu showcased genezio, a platform that enables advanced prompt engineering for natural language processing (NLP) models. Participants learned how to leverage genezio’s capabilities to enhance the performance and versatility of NLP applications.

The first day of Techsylvania’s 2023 10th anniversary edition was a remarkable display of technological innovation, entrepreneurial insights, and potential for societal impact. The diverse array of topics and speakers provided attendees with valuable knowledge and inspiration, setting the stage for the remaining day of the conference.

See you tomorrow, dear techsylvanians!

Day 1 Wrap Up @ Techsylvania’s 2023 10th Anniversary Edition was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Techsylvania 2023 concluded with resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on its 3500 participants from around the world. Over the course of the event, a remarkable lineup of 60 speakers shared their expertise and insights, while attendees immersed themselves in a diverse range of topics discussed during 60 engaging sessions on stage. Techsylvania 2023 offered an unparalleled experience to all those involved and extended its reach through 27 satellite events and 2 dedicated events for startups, further enhancing the impact and collaboration within the tech community.

Day 2 on Center Stage: Embracing Innovation and Diversity

The second day of the anniversary edition of Techsylvania kicked off with a captivating talk on the future of programming in an AI-powered world. Scott Chacon, co-founder of GitButler, took the stage to discuss the impact of AI on workflow and the importance of continuous learning. He emphasized the need to address real needs and contribute to open-source solutions for global challenges. Chacon stressed the value of building great teams and products by eliminating redundancy and maintaining a sense of fun.

In a thought-provoking session titled Getting Past 93 VC Rejections, Slava Rubin, co-founder of Indiegogo and Humbition, shared his entrepreneurial insights and highlighted the importance of perseverance in the face of rejection. He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their passion, be persistent, and learn from failure. Rubin recounted his own journey, which involved countless rejections before ultimately raising millions of dollars.

Later in the day, Chris Leacock, also known as Jillionaire, delivered an inspiring talk on embracing diversity through interdisciplinary exchange. Leacock emphasized that diversity and inclusion lead to better business outcomes by fostering innovation, diverse thought, and a culture of competence and ownership. He discussed the power of collaborative exchange, combining knowledge, music, food, and technology to unlock untapped potential and maximise team performance.

JP Castlin, esteemed author and entrepreneur, challenged conventional wisdom in his session titled “Delusions of Determinism: Why Planning for Success So Often Leads to Failure.” He questioned the effectiveness of rigid planning and emphasized the need for practical and flexible strategies. He encouraged attendees to embrace uncertainty and adapt to changing circumstances, highlighting that innovation often stems from iteration and reevaluation. Castlin urged the audience to prioritise success over adherence to a predefined plan: „There is no right answer to be found. Planning is the answer for that perfect path that doesn’t exist.”

Jean-Marc Denis, a prominent figure in the tech industry, engaged in a conversation about designing for impact. As a product designer for Meta, Denis has worked on platforms such as Instagram and Messenger, serving billions of users. He talked about the importance of data-driven decision-making and the power of feedback to shape user experiences. Denis shared his insights on designing for international markets, highlighting the significance of understanding cultural nuances and optimising products accordingly.

In this thought-provoking talk, Bradford Cross, the AI expert with over 20 years of experience from Two Lions, discussed the impending disruptions and transformations brought about by AI and crypto: AI, Crypto, and Future of State: Why the World Is About to Change Way More and Way Faster Than You Think. He emphasized the need to innovate governments as an industry, suggesting that they should be treated like any other sector. Cross highlighted the potential for radical solutions to global problems through technological advancements and AI models. „Governments will fight like hell, they will try to shut down ChatGPT and outlaw crypto, and this is stupid, because they are trying to shut down progress, because they can’t control it and don’t know what to do about it. We will see thousands of decentralized city states. The monolithics states will break apart — and this is as radical as it gets. Governments must be run as a profitable business — as now, they are all failing.” also concluding ”You should be prepared, the future will look a lot different than what you expect.

Asif Makhani and Marco Eylert, founders of Handshake, along with moderator Andreas Cser, engaged in a conversation about their platform’s global expansion and its impact on democratizing opportunities. They discussed how Handshake aims to connect students and young professionals, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to educational and career opportunities worldwide. The speakers highlighted the importance of community-building, researching individual aspirations, and providing more opportunities for early talent professionals. They also emphasized the role of AI as a tool to leverage and enhance human potential.

Donald Sumbry from Upbound focused on the utilization of AI, specifically ChatGPT, to overcome writer’s block and enhance engineering managers’ performance, in the Unleashing the Power of AI: How Engineering Managers Can 10X Their Performance with ChatGPT talk. He emphasized the importance of prompt engineering, providing context and examples, and knowing what to ask to achieve desired results. Sumbry referred to ChatGPT as a process accelerator that assists with heavy lifting and offers a live demo of its capabilities. He cautioned against using ChatGPT for purposes beyond its intended scope, highlighting its effectiveness as a specialized tool.

Zeinab Ardeshir, the founder of PillSorted, shared her journey from being a pharmacist to a tech specialist and discussed the challenges of navigating the startup roller coaster in the health industry, in a discussion with Hussein Kanji (Hoxton Ventures) as moderator. She talked about the importance of skill improvement, optimization, continuous learning, and integration to create rapid solutions in healthcare. Ardeshir highlighted the significance of word-of-mouth promotion, ambassadors, and leveraging technology to improve medicine sorting and overall health systems. She also stated the need for a motivated and driven team, feedback culture, and the impact of treating people well in building a thriving culture.

Tom Mason delved into the topic of computing large foundational models, focusing on the value of platforms and open-source technology. He discussed the advancements in image generation and talked about the continuous improvement of AI models. Mason highlighted the need for infrastructure optimization and educated the audience on the benefits of AI models, emphasizing the expertise and collaboration of his team at Stability AI to advance the field of artificial intelligence.

Andrew O’Neal, one of the brilliant minds behind Clearbit shared his insights on building and scaling product teams while fostering a world-class team culture. He discussed the challenges of transitioning from building great products to building and managing teams effectively. O’Neal emphasized the significance of clarity in product vision, hiring for willpower and drive, and avoiding excessive processes that hinder progress. He stressed the importance of feedback and maintaining motivation within the team for continuous growth.

Andrei Stamatian, the UniCredit Bank representative & expert in the banking industry, provided insights into digital transformation and its impact on the banking sector. He discussed the key drivers of digital transformation in a regulated industry and highlighted conversational AI with natural language as a transformative technology. Stamatian showcased UniCredit Bank’s use of conversational AI and introduced Ioana, their AI service consultant, stating the enhancement of customer experiences.

Levi King from Nav Technologies shared his entrepreneurial journey, from starting with limited resources to building and scaling eight successful companies: From Zero to Unicorn: A Deep Dive into Building and Scaling 8 Companies. He was the true model of will power, ambition, and overcoming failures in pursuing meaningful solutions. King discussed the importance of addressing critical problems, securing funding, and maintaining a strong foundation. He highlighted the value of a growth-minded culture, honest leadership, and the lessons learned from failures in achieving sustainable growth and success.

Ryan Sarver provided insights into leadership, continuous adaptation, and investing in the closing Lessons in Scaling as Employee #30 at Twitter & 10 Years of Investing session of Techsylvania 2023. He shared his experiences as an angel investor and discussed the constant need for reinvention in the face of changing circumstances. Sarver emphasized the importance of creating a culture by openly discussing core values and actively seeking feedback to drive progress. He encouraged deep exploration within teams to identify areas for improvement and highlighted the dynamic nature of the investment landscape.

Day 2 on Impact Stage: Mastering Determination, Adaptability, and Scaling

On the Impact Stage, the day started with Angus Keck, COO of AgUnity, delivering a compelling talk on the roadmap to impact. Keck emphasized the importance of determination for entrepreneurs, stating, “If the market doesn’t want it, you’re doomed.” He shared insights on how to cultivate determination, including the use of positive affirmations. Keck also discussed the significance of adaptability and storytelling, emphasising the need to create a compelling narrative that resonates with customers.

Efi Dahan from PayPal took the stage next to discuss tips and trends for scaling businesses from local to global. Dahan emphasized the need to dream big from day one and understand the target market. He shared insights into PayPal’s comprehensive solutions and highlighted the importance of collaborating when you want to grow on multiple markets, while stressing the value of investing in mobile apps and providing customers with a localised experience.

Sandi Conroy shared valuable insights on selecting metrics aligned with the mission and user value. She emphasized the need for a clear mission that reflects user value and highlighted the importance of team alignment with the mission. Conroy reminded the audience not to develop metrics before having a clear mission, stating, “Develop a clear mission that reflects user value.”

Aarik Mudgal from METRO.Digital introduced attendees to Google Cloud Armor, a powerful tool for ensuring the availability of applications and protecting against security attacks. He explained how Google Cloud Armor Threat Intelligence helps users secure their traffic by identifying and blocking threats based on various categories of threat intelligence data. Mudgal conducted demonstrations and provided insights on managing security attacks effectively.

Patrick Poels from Snyk focused on the importance of building globally distributed teams. He shared his experiences and highlighted the value of brilliant, driven engineers with diverse backgrounds, emphasising the need to hire great leaders and give them autonomy, as well as the significance of meaningful work in retaining talent. He stated “Nobody wants to do unimportant work.” Poels also revealed that Snyk has expanded its presence to Cluj, talking about the company’s commitment to the Romanian ecosystem.

Eduard Varvara from MassMutual had a nice presentation about all teams in MassMutual. Eduard was one of the first employees in Cluj. It was a great experience for him to work in a team that emphasized the need of digitalization. The Data Team from MassMutual has built an amazing system that provides a consistent way of interpreting data. One of their goals is to check if the data they are reading makes sense for the business.

Andrew Davies from Paddle has talked about Market-fit, how to find your efficient & scalable growth method. When defining a target market we have to be big enough to matter and small enough to win. He has shared with us a piece of advice: “Whatever method you use in demand generation, you should test it. Drive customer growth having a multi-product strategy.vThe truth is, even at the highest growth companies, this is a process of constant learning. Everything is always breaking and it’s your job to fix it. “

Sharon Gai shed light on the remarkable growth of ecommerce in China and the lessons it offers for brands worldwide. Gai emphasized the importance of looking at China as a market, given its rising middle-class population. She introduced the audience to Singles’ Day, a shopping festival in China that dwarfs Black Friday in scale. Gai highlighted the cashless nature of Chinese society and the significance of live streams and personalization in driving consumer engagement. She shared compelling statistics, stating, “89% of consumers report that watching a video has led to a purchase,” and “84% of consumers expect personalization in their shopping experience or won’t make a purchase.”

Reuven Azar from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, in conversation with Andrei Pitis from genezio, discussed how Israel supports the scaling of Romanian companies, in Following the Steps of the Start-Up Nation: How to Scale-Up the Romanian Ecosystem talk. Azar highlighted the importance of thinking globally, analysing global competitors, and creating a marketing strategy. He emphasized the role of the government and venture capital in fostering the growth of startups, revealing that Israel has had more unicorns in recent years than all of Europe.

Moderated by Will Sternlicht from NFX, the Fundraising from the East to West: Best Practices in Raising Funds and Leveraging VC for International Expansion panel featured Masha Bucher from Day One Ventures and Francois-Xavier Cope from First Bridges Ventures. The panel described best practices in raising funds and leveraging venture capital for international expansion. They focused on the need to understand your strengths, create a culture of efficient communication, and quickly pursue international expansion. They also encouraged attendees to stay informed about global trends and maintain connections with international networks.

Opportunities of Networking and Q&A Sessions

Apart from the inspiring talks on the Impact Stage, attendees had the chance to engage in valuable networking opportunities, book meetings with peers, and participate in Q&A sessions. These sessions provided a platform for exchanging ideas, seeking advice, and building meaningful connections with industry experts, speakers, and fellow participants. Attendees took full advantage of these interactive sessions to expand their networks and gain insights from experienced professionals.

Until we meet again, let’s keep pushing the boundaries of technology, driving progress, and creating a future that surpasses our wildest imaginations.

Thank you for being a part of Techsylvania 2023, and we eagerly await your return for an even more remarkable Techsylvania next year.

Save the Date & let’s groove into the next decade together: 2024, June 26–27!

Day 2 Wrap Up: Techsylvania’s 2023 10th Anniversary Edition came to an end, see you in 2024, June… was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Excitement is reaching its peak for the highly awaited Techsylvania event, where Happening, a leading player in transforming the way sports fans engage with their favorite games, is set to captivate attendees with innovations in the sports entertainment industry. As a Gold Partner at Techsylvania`s 10th edition, Happening is prepared to make an impression with its state-of-the-art technology and revolutionary experiences.

Giuseppe Madonna, the Chief Product Officer at Superbet and Managing Director at Happening is an expert in product experience and a driving force behind Superbet’s success. He shares his excitement for the event:

“We are thrilled to participate in Techsylvania. It provides us with an outstanding platform to expand our network, engage in current conversations, and stay updated on the latest trends in the tech industry. Additionally, as we’re actively hiring in Romania, we’re confident that we’ll meet skilled professionals who share our passion for innovation and technology.”

Unleashing the Power of Technology

By leveraging advanced data analytics and captivating platforms, Happening offers sports fans an unprecedented level of engagement, elevating their experience of their favorite sports.

Giuseppe elaborates on Happening’s tech-driven approach:

“With a focus on user-centric design, innovation, and leveraging technology and data, Happening is uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in this evolution. By staying ahead of technological trends and industry shifts, we will continue to shape the betting and gaming industry, delivering exceptional experiences that redefine user engagement and satisfaction.”

Happening serves as Superbet’s dedicated technology hub, powering all three consumer brands within the Superbet Group: Superbet, Napoleon Sports & Casino, and Lucky 7. Leveraging the latest technology, Happening strives to provide the best sports entertainment experience across these brands.

Connecting with Visionaries and Industry Leaders

Happening capitalizes on the possibilities presented at Techsylvania, the event that, each year, attracts a diverse community of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts. Through its participation and booth in the expo area, Happening will connect with like-minded individuals and showcase its innovative solutions. Through meaningful discussions, Happening strives to foster collaborations and build valuable relationships with industry leaders who share a mutual objective of shaping a brighter future.

Inspiring the Future of Sports Entertainment

Through its presence at Techsylvania, Happening aims to inspire and challenge the status quo in the sports entertainment industry. By showcasing innovative solutions and sharing their visionary outlook, they hope to foster a community of forward-thinking individuals who believe in the transformative power of technology in revolutionizing the sports experience.

Giuseppe emphasizes the significance of Techsylvania in advancing their mission:

“Techsylvania stands out as one of the most prominent tech events in Romania, bringing together a diverse group of tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators. It provides us with the ideal platform to showcase our innovative technological solutions and the complexity of our product, while also enabling us to learn about the latest trends in the technology industry and establish valuable relationships in Romania.”

Meanwhile, on the main stage, Tijana Kovačević (VP of People @Happening) will discuss what it takes to preserve the startup spirit and culture at your company, and how to avoid bureaucracy as you scale up. Don’t miss the chance to experience Happening’s remarkable presence at Techsylvania and be part of the revolution that is reshaping the sports entertainment industry.

Techsylvania serves as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, and Happening is poised to make an unforgettable impression at this year`s edition. With their advanced technology, fascinating experiences, and visionary approach to the future of sports entertainment, Happening is set to revolutionize the way sports fans engage with their favorite games. As they connect with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and inspire others, the impact of Happening’s involvement at Techsylvania will resonate throughout the tech landscape.

Happening Steals the Spotlight at Techsylvania 2023 with their state-of-the-art technologies and… was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Artificial Intelligence — AI is the closest thing we have to magic in the modern world. It’s like having a superpower that allows us to create machines that can think and learn just like humans. At its core, AI is the development of intelligent machines that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as generating images, solving problems, or even making decisions.

In 2023 AI powered technologies and applications will continue to advance rapidly and become more integrated into various aspects of our lives.

Let us show you the top 5 AI software systems of 2023 that you need to know about:

ChatGBT, one of the most popular languages created and developed by OpenAI, it’s a chatbot based on the GPT architecture. It’s capable of generating human-like responses and it can engage in meaningful and informative interactions with its users. ChatGBT is considered a valuable tool for a variety of domains, from customer service and chatbots to language translation and creative writing.

NVIDIA Deep Learning AI software is a powerful toolset that helps developers create and deploy deep learning models for various applications such as image recognition, natural language processing, and autonomous vehicles. It includes popular frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and MXNet, optimized libraries for fast computing, and tools for training and deploying models.

IBM Watson is a question answering system developed by IBM that uses advanced natural language processing and machine learning algorithms to analyze large amounts of data and generate insights that can help businesses and organizations make better decisions. IBM Watson has been used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and education, to help organizations analyze data and gain valuable insights that can drive innovation and improve outcomes.

Stability AI is a cutting-edge technology company that uses artificial intelligence to help industrial companies prevent equipment failures and improve safety. With Stability AI, companies can save money by preventing costly repairs and downtime, while also keeping their workers safe. The team at Stability AI is passionate about using technology to make a real difference in the world of industrial operations. Stability AI runs one of the largest HPC centers for AI researchers, currently featuring over 4000 Nvidia A100 GPUs on AWS Cloud.

Dream Studio AI is a creative agency that offers businesses a range of services, including branding, design, web development, and digital marketing. Their team of experts is dedicated to helping businesses succeed by creating compelling visual content and effective marketing strategies. With a focus on innovation and creativity, Dream Studio AI is at the forefront of the industry, helping businesses stand out and grow in today’s competitive marketplace.

If you’re interested in learning more about the innovative technologies that are shaping the future of business, technology and innovation you won’t want to miss Techsylvania 2023.

This exciting event will feature a wide range of speakers, including the CTO of both Stability AI and Dream Studio AI.

Whether you’re interested in AI, blockchain, machine learning, blockchain, cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud computing, and many more Techsylvania 2023 is the perfect place to connect with like-minded professionals and explore the latest trends and technologies.
Secure your spot now!

Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Software in 2023 was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

With most of the wanted experts in the technology industry, technical workshops, business opportunities, a networking area, and satellite events, there’s something for everyone at Techsylvania 2023.

Here’s what you can expect:

Conference, Keynote Speakers, and Q&A sessions.

Techsylvania 2023 conference will bring together the best minds in technology, business and entrepreneurship such as:

Mark Porter — CTO of MongoDB

He has over 25 years of experience leading engineering teams at companies like Amazon, Oracle, and most recently, MongoDB.

Scott Chacon — CEO of GitButler and the Co-founder of GitHub

He is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder of GitHub, the world’s largest software development platform. GitHub is a website that lets software developers store and manage their code, collaborate with other developers, and track changes to their code over time.

Alan Doan — Founder & CEO of Missouri Star Quilt Company

He is responsible for overseeing the company’s growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Alan’s leadership has helped Missouri Star Quilt Company become a successful global enterprise, expanding from a single store to a diverse range of operations.

Techsylvania’s Q&A sessions

Q&A sessions connect participants with experts in the tech industry, providing the opportunity to ask questions and receive insightful answers.

These sessions are only available for attendees with PREMIUM tickets, and they are designed to facilitate interactive discussions on the latest trends, developments, and best practices in the field, helping attendees gain valuable knowledge and expertise.

Technical Workshops

In addition to the conference sessions, Techsylvania 2023 will also feature a range of technical workshops. These workshops are designed to provide attendees with hands-on experience. From blockchain to artificial intelligence, the technical workshops will cover a range of topics and provide attendees with valuable insights and skills.

Business Opportunities

Techsylvania 2023 is not just about learning and networking, it’s also about creating business opportunities. With a range of investors, entrepreneurs, and startups attending the event, attendees can connect with potential partners or investors. Whether you’re looking to raise capital, expand your network, or find new business opportunities, Techsylvania 2023 is the perfect place to do it.

Networking Area

The networking area at Techsylvania 2023 is designed to facilitate networking and collaboration among attendees. Whether you’re a startup founder, an investor, or simply interested in technology and innovation, the networking area is the perfect place to meet like-minded individuals and exchange ideas.

Satellite Events

In addition to the main conference, Techsylvania 2023 will offer a variety of satellite events taking place throughout Cluj-Napoca. These events will provide attendees with even more opportunities to connect with industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and expand their knowledge in the tech industry.

Techsylvania 2023 offers valuable experiences for all, whether you’re an experienced tech professional or simply curious about the industry. Attendees can engage with industry leaders, explore the latest trends, and gain insights to help advance their knowledge and careers in tech. So mark your calendar, book your ticket, and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

What to expect from Techsylvania 2023? was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Techsylvania is an annual technology conference held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, that brings together professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts from various fields and industries.

The event features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops by some of the brightest minds in the tech industry, making it an excellent opportunity to learn, network, and showcase your work.

But here are the main 3 reasons why you should be at Techsylvania 2023.

The opportunity to network.

The event provides an excellent place for attendees to expand their network, make new connections, and potentially find new opportunities for collaboration or employment. The attendees come from various parts of the world, so the chances of meeting people with diverse perspectives and experiences are high. The connections made at the event can potentially lead to future collaborations, partnerships, or even job opportunities.

Keynote speakers

In addition to networking, Techsylvania offers a great opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s brightest minds. The keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops at Techsylvania offer insights into the latest trends and innovations in the tech industry. Attending these sessions can help you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in your field, gain new perspectives on the industry, and learn from experienced professionals.

Techsylvania partners

Techsylvania has established partnerships with some of the leading tech companies in the world, including Google, MassMutual, Accenture, and Metro Digital. These partnerships bring immense value to the event, providing attendees with access to some of the most innovative technologies, insights from industry leaders, and a chance to interact with these companies' representatives.

Something extra

Finally, attending Techsylvania can be a great way to explore Cluj-Napoca, one of Romania’s most vibrant and entrepreneurial cities. The city has a thriving tech community, and Techsylvania offers a chance to experience the city’s culture and tech ecosystem.

Attending Techsylvania can be a great way to learn, network, and showcase your work. The event offers a unique opportunity to connect with experienced professionals, gain insights into the latest trends and innovations, and potentially secure funding for your business. Moreover, Techsylvania provides a “platform” to interact with new and upcoming technologies, and experience the vibrant culture of Cluj-Napoca.

3 reasons why you should be at Techsylvania 2023 was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Victoria Albrecht, Managing Director at Springbok AI, recently shared her experience as a speaker at Techsylvania in an exclusive interview. Techsylvania is an annual tech conference held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The conference attracts international leaders in tech and offers an opportunity for networking and B2B matchmaking.

In this interview, Victoria shares her thoughts on the conference and offers tips for businesses looking to expand their horizons at tech events.

When asked about her first thought upon hearing about Techsylvania, Victoria expressed her admiration for the conference’s impressive reputation and the caliber of speakers who have graced its stage. Victoria also shared her admiration for Techsylvania's agenda: “I particularly admired the calibre of speakers you’ve had on your stage in the past and was keen to be involved.”

Victoria went on to share her thoughts on how Techsylvania stood out from other tech conferences she had attended. She emphasized the special speaker events and personal connections that Vlad and the team create between the attendees and the local community. Victoria particularly enjoyed the B2B matchmaking saying that “The opportunity to meet with other global leaders in tech — in the middle of Romania — is very fun indeed! The special speaker events make the trip 100% worth it. Add to this the opportunity to network with the international tech community, this event really stands out to me as a unique opportunity.”

Victoria also shared how her participation in Techsylvania led to a business collaboration with Flutter, a leading sports betting company. Her personal introduction to Mihai Popa, Director of Gaming Technology, led to a face-to-face meeting at the company’s offices. The relationship with Flutter spun out of her being a speaker at Codiax, a sister event of Techsylvania. “I connected with Flutter through Vlad and the Codiax/Techsylvania team, Springbok was able to meet Mihai Popa {…} After my talk at Codiax in 2019, Vlad’s personal introduction to Mihai led to a F2F meeting at Flutter’s offices.”

Finally, Victoria shared tips for businesses looking to expand their horizons at tech events. She urged businesses to set clear intentions and be aware of what they want to achieve. Depending on their goals, businesses should attend niche events to gain inspiration or more industry-focused events to network with potential clients. Moreover, businesses should be aware of their strengths and attend events that cater to their niche.

In conclusion, Victoria shared her love for Codiax and her willingness to join Techsylvania next year. However, she also acknowledged the importance of empowering her team to take advantage of such fantastic opportunities. Victoria’s insights offer an excellent overview of the benefits of participating in tech conferences and how to get the most out of them.

Getting Ahead in the Tech Industry: Victoria Albrecht’s Advice on Networking and Building… was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

AI and ML have been growing in popularity for several years now, but 2023 is set to be the year when they truly come into their own. From chatbots to intelligent personal assistants, AI and ML are already transforming the way we live and work. In the future, we can expect to see even more sophisticated applications of this technology, such as autonomous vehicles and predictive analytics for healthcare.

At Techsylvania 2023, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Tom Mason, CTO of Stability.ai, who will be speaking about the latest developments in AI and how they can be used to improve cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity

As technology continues to advance, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes increasingly important. In 2023, we can expect to see more focus on cybersecurity, as companies and individuals seek to protect their data and privacy in an increasingly connected world.

Blockchain

Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize many industries, from finance to supply chain management. In 2023, we can expect to see more widespread adoption of blockchain, as companies begin to realize the benefits of using decentralized systems to increase transparency and security.

5G Technology

5G technology promises to bring faster speeds and more reliable connections to mobile devices. This will enable a range of new applications, from augmented reality gaming to remote surgery. In 2023, we can expect to see more widespread adoption of 5G technology, as it becomes more affordable and accessible.

The world of technology is constantly evolving, and 2023 promises to be a year of exciting innovations and advancements. From AI and blockchain to XR and quantum computing, these tech trends are set to shape the future of technology and transform the way we live and work.

Get your ticket to Techsylvania 2023 and get all the valuable insights from tech experts.

Tech Trends to Watch in 2023: The Future is Here was originally published in Techsylvania on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.