Techsylvania

Techsylvania 2026: Day 2 Wrapped Up With Ideas That Shape the Future

stefania.muresan — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:30:35 +0000

Real Stories, Sharp Strategies, and the Builders Shaping What Comes Next

Day 2 of Techsylvania 2026 turned ideas into blueprints. From scale-up playbooks to hard-won lessons on building lasting companies, every speaker brought depth, honesty, and vision to the stage. If Day 1 sparked the conversation, Day 2 pushed it further.

Here’s a deeper look at what went down on Center Stage, Impact Stage, and the exclusive Q&A sessions.

CENTER STAGE

Slot Machine vs Clockwork – Sasha Khadivian, GTM Software Engineer, Cursor

Day 2 opened with an unexpected argument: stop using AI. Sasha Khadivian, GTM Software Engineer at Cursor, made the case that the winners in this era won’t be the ones using AI for everything, but the ones who know when not to use it, comparing deterministic software to Lego blocks and AI to water, where the builder’s job is to create the right containers rather than fight the unpredictability.

Drawing on his own background as a classically trained musician, he argued that engineering discipline, knowing what not to build, comes from tradition and judgment, not syntax.

“The winners of this space are not the ones who use AI in every possible application. They’re the ones who know when not to use it.”

Conversational Analytics: How Humans, Agents, and Lakehouses Learn to Speak the Same Language – Marcin Bawor, Data & AI Sales Specialist, Google

Marcin Bawor from Google Cloud framed today’s shift, from typing keywords to expressing intent, as the thread running through modern data infrastructure. His core argument centered on the “semantic contract”: without a shared semantic layer defining what terms like “revenue” actually mean across a business, AI agents produce inconsistent, technically valid but conflicting answers.

The honest admission that landed well: while companies have built plenty of tools for human users, almost nobody has successfully orchestrated a full business process end-to-end with agents yet. And the real obstacles – ownership, versioning, and trust- are people and process problems, not technical ones.

Same Same but Different: Building Product in Traditional Tech vs. AI-Native Companies – Michael Buzinover, Former Product Manager, TikTok & Perplexity

Michael Buzinover, who spent seven years at TikTok before moving to Perplexity, compared building product before and after AI became core to the stack. His sharpest observation was about time: at TikTok, much of a PM’s job was information logistics, chasing documents, tracking down engineers, while at Perplexity, the codebase itself becomes something you can query directly, freeing up time for the judgment calls that actually matter.

His advice on staying relevant was to go deep rather than broad: find one problem that motivates you and build from there, rather than testing every new tool. He also flagged the underrated value of psychological safety with AI, asking a model the “stupid” question you’d hesitate to ask a colleague.

Scale Content. Not Headcount. – Vladimir Danila, Founder & CEO, Linearity

Vladimir Danila, who started Linearity at 17 and returned to Techsylvania for the third time, argued that AI productivity gains have transformed software engineering but not marketing, because the bottleneck isn’t generating a first image; it’s everything after: fixing errors, resizing, localizing, and maintaining brand consistency. That’s the gap Linearity is building for: a platform for non-designers to produce on-brand, fully editable content without touching the design backlog. The numbers backed it up: one B2B company cut its agency budget by 25%, and an agency on the platform now handles ten times more clients at the same pace.

His advice to founders was the oldest one in the book: just start.

From Brain to Quantum the Journey – Newton Howard, Chairman, ni2o

Newton Howard, Oxford and MIT computational neuroscience professor and founder of ni2o, opened with a video of a Parkinson’s patient before and after deep brain stimulation, then introduced his team’s next step: a rice-grain-sized chip, implanted through the nasal cavity, that operates at the brain’s own low-power frequency. His deeper research found the brain exhibiting what he calls “quantum-light” behaviors, exceptionally efficient properties his chip only reproduces when attached to biological tissue, pointing to an entirely new category of computing between classical and quantum.

On building deep tech companies, his advice was direct: hold a 20-30 year vision against investors pushing for 5-7 year returns, and stay with an unsolved problem until you understand why it hasn’t been solved.

AI Needs a Home: Building Europe’s AI Future from Romania – Peter Wakelam, CEO, M247 Global

Peter Wakelam, CEO of M247 Global, now headquartered in Bucharest, gave a ground-level look at the infrastructure gap underneath the region’s ambitions: he’s had to turn away major US tech deployments in Romania simply because the data center capacity, power, and cooling weren’t ready. His ask was for a virtuous cycle, where local infrastructure attracts bigger deployments that fund more infrastructure, since the alternative means companies storing data outside Romania and outside European jurisdiction entirely. His view on Romania’s opportunity was grounded: the country doesn’t need to build the next large language model; it needs the infrastructure to execute and apply tools built elsewhere at scale.

Building a Startup with Systematic Inventive Thinking – Sam Lipoff, Partner, Liminal

Sam Lipoff, Partner at Liminal, opened with a provocative claim: creativity can be reduced to an algorithm. His framework, drawn from a Soviet study of invention called TRIZ, breaks innovation down into five patterns: subtraction, division, multiplication, attribute dependency, and task unification, each illustrated with concrete examples, from smartphone photography to Domino’s delivery guarantee.

His parting note: AI can run these patterns algorithmically faster than any human, but validating whether the results actually matter still requires you.

Becoming Irreplaceable in the Age of AI – Noah Berkson, Managing Partner, Austin Capital

Noah Berkson opened with a question few AI conference speakers ask: when AI makes everyone maximally productive, what actually becomes the advantage? Drawing on the “Blockbuster moment,” where the company failed not from missing technology but from misunderstanding what people valued, he argued that every technological revolution makes something abundant and shifts value to whatever becomes scarce instead, and what’s becoming scarce now is genuine human connection. Citing data on declining friendships and rising loneliness, his point was economic, not sentimental: capital and opportunity move through relationships, so the people who know how to build them will capture disproportionate value.

His practical advice was to skip trying to seem interesting and focus on being genuinely interested, since the best conversation at a conference rarely comes from the most impressive person in the room.

Scale Up Europe – Hermann Hauser, Co-Founder & Venture Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners

Hermann Hauser, who helped establish ARM as an independent entity, spun out of Acorn Computers, took the Techsylvania stage for a true masterclass on building deep tech at a European scale. He recalled how a lack of capital forced Acorn’s engineers to keep the first ARM chips small and simple, a constraint that inadvertently led to the low power consumption now powering nearly every smartphone in the world.

“It’s a powerful reminder for every founder that sometimes, a lack of resources is your greatest competitive edge.”

Q&A STAGE

While the Center Stage brought scale and story, the Q&A Stage brought personal connection. Speakers like Sasha Khadivian (Cursor), Michael Buzinover (Perplexity), Vladimir Danila (Linearity), Sam Lipoff (Liminal), and Noah Berkson (Austin Capital Partners) engaged in raw, audience-driven discussions on leadership, venture, and the real work behind the scenes.

IMPACT STAGE

FastSet: Verified Settlement for AI-Native Work – Grigore Rosu, Co-Founder, FAST

Grigore Rosu presented FastSet, a verified settlement system built on 25 years of formal verification research, at NASA and beyond. His core insight is that most blockchain transactions don’t actually need global consensus, so FastSet replaces the sequential chain with a set-based architecture where independent transactions settle in parallel, hitting over 200,000 transactions per second while still producing a mathematical proof of correct execution.

His closing point extended this to AI agents: in a world where AI increasingly does the work, trust won’t come from a promise, but from a proof.

Panel: AI Adoption from the Trenches – Cosmin Condurache, VP of Product – Data Products, & Richard Wartell, VP of Data Products & Sameen Jalal, CTO & Tom Stoepker, VP of Product Platform, Super Technologies

A panel of four builders from Super Technologies, moderated by Mark Porter, gave a grounded account of AI adoption inside a real company, opening with the story of an engineer’s AI coding tool accidentally deleting a cluster. Cosmin Condurache shared that Super blew past its 80% AI adoption target, hitting 98%, shifting the real question from adoption to maturity: are engineers directing AI and reviewing its output, or just using it as autocomplete? The panel also described weaving AI into interviews to see how candidates think with it, and Tom Stoepker’s framing of the deeper shift: engineers need to move their attachment from the code they write to the outcomes they’re driving.

Their shared view on what separates winners going forward: clean data, genuine customer focus, psychological safety to experiment, and a willingness to let go of the old idea that writing code, or managing process, is where the value lives.

Resource limitations on the path to Artificial General Intelligence – David Johnson, Founder & CEO, NovaTek Global Partners

David Johnson, CEO of NovaTek Global Partners and former Special Forces strategist, argued that AGI’s biggest obstacle isn’t technical; it’s physical. Modeling AI demand against realistic infrastructure buildout, he projected a gap of 185 petawatts by 2035, driven by bottlenecks few are discussing: outdated transformer technology, concentrated semiconductor supply chains, and widening talent and water constraints.

His framework for closing the gap is threefold: more power, more efficiency, and harder strategic decisions about compute allocation, with the biggest entrepreneurial opportunity in the last, most underexplored category. His closing point: the next trillion-dollar AI businesses won’t be the ones that build the most capable models; they’ll be the ones that figure out how to sustain them.

Awakening the Enterprise: From Passive AI to Autonomous Operations – Monica Garza, Former VP of IT, adidas

In conversation with Elena Enache, Monica Garza Viejo, former VP of IT at adidas, gave an honest account of why most enterprises are further from real AI transformation than they think. Her sharpest point was on leadership paralysis, arguing that failing to decide is itself a decision, and usually the wrong one, while the two unglamorous prerequisites for everything else are clean, well-governed data and active governance built into system architecture rather than policy documents. At adidas, her team drove adoption not through top-down mandates but by supporting early adopters and letting demonstrated value spread organically, resulting in 500% growth in internal AI usage.

Proof Over Potential: Venture Capital and Rethinking the Path to Work – Maks Stempniewicz, General Partner, Techni Venture

In conversation with Andrea Cordas, Maks Stempniewicz traced his path from a failed startup to founding Techni Ventures, where his contrarian thesis is investing only in the US, backing Thiel Fellows and exited founders because they represent proof, not potential. He was sharply critical of European investors’ obsession with downside protection, arguing venture returns depend on outliers, and that the biggest mistake isn’t backing the wrong company, it’s passing on the right one. He also detailed Techni Schools, his Polish technical high school where students work half-time for real companies by their fourth year, several graduating to salaries far above older peers on traditional tracks.

His closing advice to European founders wasn’t to wait for the ecosystem to mature, but to go to the US, build relationships there, and bring that knowledge back.

Gaming’s Next Chapter: Technology, Creativity, and the New Normal – Mihai Pohontu, CEO, Amber

Mihai Pohontu, CEO of Amber, traced his path from accidental game tester to running a 900-person studio, and made the case that games sit at a unique intersection of science and art, which is also why the industry adapts well to disruption. He was precise about where AI is and isn’t changing production, noting gamers’ strong aversion to AI-generated art even as AI transforms asset preparation, level design, and early concept work. His most vivid vision was for AI-native games where dialogue and characters respond genuinely to each player rather than pre-written branches, and where an agent could eventually generate a game from scratch based on what you tell it you want.

Not Another Panel: Join to Meet Your Edge – Laura Calmore, Conscious Regenerative & Mindfulness Facilitator, Revera

Laura Calmore opened with a provocation: we are the most optimized generation in history, and also among the most anxious and disconnected. Her argument was that systems built purely for efficiency and extraction crowd out something essential: the natural rhythm of rest and recovery that both people and ecosystems depend on to function. Drawing on regenerative principles, she proposed shifting from extraction to restoration, small choices like building in space for reflection rather than just production, as the real foundation for judgment and creativity that AI can’t replicate. The session closed with something rare for a tech conference: a guided breathing exercise, a quiet demonstration of the argument itself, that before building systems that serve humanity, we have to remember how to be human together.

Techsylvania 2026, Day 2: The 13th Edition Comes Full Circle

Day 2 reminded us that behind every bold vision is a team, a mindset, and a million small decisions. From founders building at the edge of what’s possible, to investors betting on proof over potential, the message was clear: the future belongs to the builders.

Techsylvania 2026 brought together over 3000 participants and over 50 leaders in business and technology across the Center Stage, Impact Stage, Q&A Stage, and Workshop Stage.

With over 314 meetings facilitated through the matchmaking area, attendees had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations that might not have happened anywhere else. The Startup Alley brought together 40 innovative startups, creating space for discovery, partnerships, and peer exchange. At the expo area, our partners hosted interactive booths sharing opportunities, insights, and even prizes.

The Official Reception on Day 1 and the Cocktail Party on Day 2 offered exclusive settings for deeper networking and relaxed conversations. Whether you were speaking with a global tech leader, connecting with a potential investor, or simply sharing ideas over coffee, the real value of Techsylvania lives in the community it brings together, one you don’t easily find anywhere else.

As we reflect on the success of Techsylvania 2026, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire community, participants, partners, speakers, and volunteers, who contributed to making this event a resounding success. We look forward to continuing this journey of business and technology exploration and discovery with you all in the years to come.

We’ll see you in 2027, until then, keep pushing boundaries.

The post Techsylvania 2026: Day 2 Wrapped Up With Ideas That Shape the Future appeared first on Techsylvania.

Techsylvania 2026: Day 1 Opened the 13th Edition with Bold Ideas and Great Energy

stefania.muresan — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:05:13 +0000

Bold Ideas, Real Talk, and the Minds Building What’s Next

Now in its 13th edition, Techsylvania continues to be a must-attend event for tech leaders, founders, and future-focused thinkers across Central and Eastern Europe. Day 1 set the tone for Where Ideas Shape the Future, delivering sharp insights on scaling companies, building with AI, navigating industry shifts, and unlocking the region’s next wave of innovation.

From Center Stage to the Workshop Stage, where attendees got hands-on with the topics shaping their industries, one thing was clear: the future belongs to those who pair bold thinking with the courage to build it.

Here’s a look back at some of the standout moments from Day 1 of Techsylvania 2026.

CENTER STAGE

Building Eastern Europe’s First Tech Entertainment Decacorn – Sacha Dragic, Founder & CEO Super Technologies

Sacha Dragic spoke with Philipp Kandal about what it means to build a global technology business rooted in Romania. Sacha spoke candidly about the experience of building without a safety net, in a constantly shifting landscape, and about why he believes ambitious founders in the region are facing a defining moment for their global growth potential. This is one of the reasons Super became a technology company with global reach that attracts talent from giants like Meta, Amazon, Google, and Netflix.

“If at the start of the year we probably had less than 1% of our code written by AI, we’re now somewhere between 30 and 40%. I’m an advocate for a sustained approach to rolling out AI. Obstacles will definitely come up, but it will be far cheaper to work through the discomfort of solving some costly problems than to not act now and risk becoming irrelevant in the years ahead.”

Building an AI Ecosystem: A UAE Perspective – Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park

The next talk brought Hussain Al Mahmoudi, a driving force behind Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem, to the stage to discuss what it takes to build an innovation culture, and what regions like Cluj could learn from it. His core message centered on partnership: a “local mission, global vision” approach that built connections across ecosystems from East to West, opening doors to investment, talent exchange, and technology transfer.

On young people navigating an uncertain world, he was direct about what’s being lost, genuine human interaction, at a time when job applications are flooded with AI-generated submissions and real opportunities still come from real conversations. He also addressed the gender gap in venture capital head-on, pointing to dedicated funding programs for women in tech and arguing that closing the gap starts with a genuine belief in equal partnership, not just a program on paper.

From Zero to Acquired: How User Research Built an AI Wearable Worth Buying – Brett Bejcek, Founder Click Clack Labs

In conversations with Vlad Ciurca, his lesson was to spend fewer “innovation tokens” on invisible infrastructure and more on what users actually feel, backed by a clear privacy policy and strong encryption, not architectural perfection. On user research, his framework was equally disciplined: start with the problem, list your assumptions, validate them by talking to 8-10 people in a day, and weigh feedback based on whether it’s actually coming from your ideal customer.

“User research is really important. That’s the backbone of what you’re building, especially in the age of AI, when AI is trained on general human knowledge. The real specialty is intimately knowing your users very, very well.”

The Company Around the Music – Oana Ruxandra, Co-Founder & CEO, PopHatch

Oana Ruxandra shared a revealing and deeply personal experience, from arriving in the United States in 1987 without speaking English, to building BlackRock’s India analytics team and running digital strategy at Warner Music and Universal. Her core belief: music is not a song, but a participatory experience, and Pop Hatch is built to help independent artists turn that belief into a real business. Asked what she had to learn after leaving the corporate world, her answer was disarmingly honest: how to validate herself.

From Banking to Digital Platforms: Reimagining Financial Services in the AI Era – Tsvetelin Minchev, Digital & Information Director, UniCredit Bank

The banking session brought a different kind of energy to Center Stage, as Tsvetelin Minchev walked through what it means to modernize a bank from the inside. His framing was sharp: nobody wakes up wanting to be “onboarded”; they want a credit card or a loan, so UniCredit stopped treating onboarding as a gate and embedded it into the product request itself, shrinking the journey from days to 24 hours, with the goal of getting to one click.

What stood out most was his take on where transformation stalls: not the technology, but people and mindset, and his view that leadership in the AI era is shifting from having the right answer to asking the right questions.

Innovation Takes Flight: Tech, Aviation, and the Entrepreneurial Journey – Michelle Rosa-Wolfe, Executive Vice President, VistaJet

Natalia Brzezinski sat down with Michelle Rosa Wolfe, VP at VistaJet, for a conversation that started with private aviation and ended up being about the shifting value of time and in-person connection. Michelle, with VistaJet for a decade as the fleet grew from roughly 30 to nearly 300 aircraft, spoke to a subscription model with guaranteed hours rather than aircraft ownership, which sold over 210,000 hours last year alone. The thesis resonated beyond the luxury angle: crossing borders is more valuable than ever, customers are getting younger (half are under 45), and founders increasingly treat private aviation as a productivity tool rather than a status symbol.

Bootstrapping in Ancient Times (Pre Claude + Codex) – Praveen Ghanta, Founder & CEO, Fraction & Raj Udeshi, Founder & CEO, FarmClub

The afternoon opened with one of the more refreshingly contrarian panels of the day, as Praveen Gantha and Raj Udeshi sat down with Diana Velica to make the case for building without outside capital. Their argument was practical, not ideological: in a niche market where the biggest exit would never hit unicorn territory, taking VC money just sets everyone up to be disappointed.

“The best funding is the funding that comes from your customers. It’s called revenue.” – Raj Udeshi

On bootstrapping in the AI era, both were clear that leverage has never been higher (Praveen now runs his engineering operation with one developer and two AI licenses), but so has the bar for everyone else, making a defensible niche and fast path to revenue more important than ever.

What comes after AGI? The Post-Biology Era – Sumon Sadhu, Co-Founder, Nativelink

If one talk genuinely stopped the room on Day 1, it was Sumon Sadhu’s. He opened with a provocation: that the human body, running on roughly 20 watts, already outperforms anything humanity has built in Silicon Valley

In the AGI era, he argued, that loop runs faster than ever, but choosing which loop is worth running remains a human job. From there, he moved into genuinely frontier territory, automated lab systems designing proteins that have never existed in nature, engineering plastic-eating enzymes, and even de-extinction, framing it not as spectacle but as humanity moving from reading the catalog of life to writing new entries in it, with the harder questions ahead no longer scientific, but about what we actually want to become.

“A loop optimizes towards a goal but it cannot choose its own goal. The objective always has to come from outside the loop. When intelligence is cheap and loops run fast, the distinctly human thing becomes deciding what the loop is for.”

From Local Champion to European Player: The Mindset Shift Nobody Talks About – Hrvoje Ćosić, CEO, Aircash

AirCash’s origin story makes sense in hindsight. Ten years ago, co-founder and CEO Hrvoje Cosic wanted to buy football tickets from a cash-only seller and decided payments deserved the same disruption smartphones had already brought to transport and accommodation. What started as a mobile wallet in Croatia has grown into a regulated fintech operating across the EU, with over 300 employees and thousands of merchant partnerships.

On scaling beyond Croatia, his playbook was methodical: analyzing transfer volumes, understanding cash-versus-card markets, mapping diaspora corridors, and partnering with retail chains people already trust, but when asked for AirCash’s single superpower in going from local to European, his answer was simple: finding the right people who share the same values.

What the Data Tells Us About the State of AI in 2026 – Jeanie Fang, Director Data & AI, Crunchbase

Jeanie Fang, from Crunchbase, brought hard numbers to the stage. Global venture capital funding rebounded strongly in 2026, with the first quarter alone surpassing $300 billion, roughly 80% of which went to AI. OpenAI accounted for nearly 40% of that quarter’s funding, and 226 new unicorns have emerged so far in 2026.

Her message to the founders in the room: the window of opportunity isn’t closing, and the conditions for building something meaningful have never been more favorable.

From AI Regulation to AI Adoption: What It Will Take to Scale in Europe – Guido Brinkel, Policy & Partnerships Lead Germany & CEE, OpenAI

Guido Brinkel, who leads policy and partnerships for OpenAI across the DACH region and CEE, spoke about what it looks like, from the inside, to work at the intersection of AI and governance. Six months into the role, his most important observation is about the speed at which things are evolving. Much of his time is now dedicated to cybersecurity policy: how to build governance structures fast enough to matter, so that legislation can catch up afterward. He closed on a personal note, recalling how he’s seen his own children use AI in different ways, and noting that the social license for AI still needs to be earned.

“The agility of Central and Eastern European markets is a genuine competitive advantage right now. CEE has a real window to lead.”

Q&A STAGE

While the Center Stage brought scale and story, the Q&A Stage brought personal connection. Speakers like Sacha Dragic (Super Technologies), Hussain Al Mahmoudi (Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park), Brett Bejcek (Click Clack Labs), Praveen Gantha (Fraction), Raj Udeshi (FarmClub), and Hrvoje Cosic (AirCash) engaged in raw, audience-driven discussions on leadership, venture, and the real work behind the scenes.

IMPACT STAGE

Recoding Life: Future AI in Hacking Living Systems to Produce Biotech Products – Dr. Farid Khan, Bioentrepreneur, Salonica Group

Over on the Impact Stage, Dr. Farid Khan shared how AI is compressing genetic engineering timelines from months to hours. His team engineers plants to produce high-value proteins at scale, free of the contamination risks tied to animal-derived methods, and is now applying the same approach to make therapeutic compounds for conditions like depression and PTSD more accessible.

His closing point: AI isn’t just accelerating biotech; it’s changing who gets to participate in it.

Working Backwards: Building Products That Start With the Customer – Andrew Watts, Chief Product Officer, Super Technologies

Andrew Watts, Chief Product Officer at Super Technologies and former product leader at Amazon Prime Video and Zalando, made the case for starting with the customer problem rather than competitors, current products, or feature requests. He pointed to Prime Video’s early days, when the team froze feature development for nearly two years to focus on getting the app onto devices people already owned, a decision that outlasted years of internal pressure to build differently. At Zalando, that same instinct led his team to build one of the first large-scale conversational AI shopping experiences, reaching six million users across 29 countries.

His closing note: AI increases speed, not discipline, and the risk isn’t building too slowly; it’s building fast in the wrong direction.

Responsible AI: From Hallucination to Trust (Youth Entrepreneurship Session hosted by UniCredit Bank) – Alexandru-Costin Baroiu, Founder & CEO, Heroo Technologies

Costin Baroiu, founder of Heroo Technologies, tackled the gap between what AI can do and what organizations can actually trust it to do, arguing that hallucination isn’t a bug to fix but a default that has to be engineered around with a layered “harness” of checks.

He flagged the 90% automation trap where the last 10% of edge cases carries the most risk and made the case for governance built into system architecture, not policy: gating every consequential AI action behind human review by design, not by request.

His closing vision was the “Company Brain,” a single trusted AI core that knows an organization through its own documents and systems, with every write action gated and audited end to end.

Beyond the Algorithm: Intuition in the World of AI – Smaranda Teleaba, CDMO, L’Oreal

Smaranda Teleaba made the case that at L’Oréal, one of the world’s most data-rich companies, technology alone will never be enough; the future of beauty lies at the intersection of mathematical precision and human intuition. Drawing on 115 years of research and tens of thousands of terabytes of data, she pointed to an AI platform built with IBM that predicts formula success before a chemist mixes a single ingredient, alongside a firm commitment to never use AI-generated images of faces or skin in campaigns.

Her closing thesis: the companies that win in beauty will be the ones that use AI to deepen the relationship with customers, not replace it.

The VC Playbook: Spotting and Scaling Europe’s Next Giants – Nenad Marovac, Founder & CEO, DN Capital

In conversation with Andreas Cser, veteran investor Nenad Marovac reflected on 26 years of venture capital, including bets on Shazam, Auto1, and GoStudent, built on a consistent framework: market, management, product, and velocity.

He was direct about European founders needing to sell into the US from day one, since 90% of meaningful exits happen there, and equally direct about Europe’s limitations as an ecosystem: capital flows remain national, not continental, which is precisely why one flagship conference bringing international investors together in one place and region matters.

The New Founder Credibility Stack: How AI, Media and Reputation Shape Who Gets Funded – Lawrence Rosenberg, Founder & CEO, Rosenberg.Media

Lawrence Rosenberg opened with a striking example: before his company had a website, an AI assistant already knew he was its founder, built entirely from a single news article. His argument is that founder reputation has shifted from search to synthesis. AI systems now connect owned media, earned media, and public presence into one coherent credibility picture, weighting earned media most heavily because it represents validation you didn’t pay for.

Drawing on his own experience appearing in all 12 episodes of BBC’s The Apprentice, he stressed that attention only works when there are real proof points behind it, and that a single piece of coverage now does more work than ever because AI will index and resurface it indefinitely.

His closing advice: build consistency across your bio, LinkedIn, and website now, because the worst time to start is when an investor can’t find anything about you online.

The System Behind a Production-Ready SQL Agent – Juan Abia, Principal Machine Learning Engineer, Aily Labs

Juan Abia walked through the gap between a promising AI demo and a production-ready system, using Aily’s SQL agent as the case study. His team’s breakthrough was “progressive disclosure,” loading only short agent descriptions upfront and pulling detailed context only for the relevant ones, which solved a real production problem where performance degraded once context windows filled up.

He also detailed building data permissions directly into the agent layer for enterprise governance, and injecting domain-specific knowledge so agents operate with genuine expertise rather than generic understanding. His closing observation was refreshingly honest: we’ve reached maybe 10% of what’s possible with these systems, and the work is just beginning.

Productizing Support: Lessons from Building an Eco-System Co-Founder – Lian Boerma, Chief Product Officer, EWOR

In conversation with Andrea Cordas, Lian Boerma, Chief Product Officer at EWOR, spoke about what happens after a founder is selected into the fellowship, and how one-on-one mentorship gets productized at scale. Her framework rests on three pillars: talent matching, investor access, and curriculum, the last shaped heavily by her neuroscience background and the insight that learning only sticks when it’s immediately relevant to the challenge a founder is facing right now.

The results back it up: EWOR founders average €6 million raised before their next phase, with the most recent cohort reporting rounds above €20 million. She closed on the European ecosystem’s confidence gap, arguing that events like Techsylvania help close it by making the future feel more achievable.

TECHNICAL WORKSHOSP STAGE

Regarding the workshops, each offered practical and interactive learning opportunities for everyone, enabling us to acquire new skills in specific areas of interest.

The Garden of the Forgotten Prompt – Iurii Kogan (Google)
AI-Native Engineering. Shipping Faster Without Losing Control – Speakers: Luka Majstorovi, Filip Reskov, Zsolt Magyari (Super Technologies/ Crafting Technologies)
Create Your Own SQL Agent – Luis Castejón (Aily Labs)
Autonomous Development – Task Description to Cloud deployment – Cosmin Dimisca, Laviniu Domnica, Adrian Falcusan, Ioana Frincu (Eazy Asigurari)
Edge of Quality: How We Moved Streaming Platform Testing to Edge Devices – Adrian Barbos, Emanuel Bucsa, Alexandru Ont (Ensemble)
From Papers to Precision: Building Biomedical Intelligence at Scale – Alexandru Ghiurutan (Qiagen)

Techsylvania 2026, Day 1: Where Ideas Shape the Future Began

With conversations that spanned from founder resilience to frontier science, from bootstrapped fintech to post-biology, Day 1 proved one thing: the future of tech isn’t just about tools, it’s about the people brave enough to build what’s next.

Beyond the talks and panels, Techsylvania 2026 delivered powerful opportunities to connect, share, and grow. With over 314 meetings facilitated through the matchmaking area, attendees had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations that might not have happened anywhere else. The Startup Alley brought together 40 innovative startups, creating space for discovery, partnerships, and peer exchange. At the expo area, our partners hosted interactive booths sharing opportunities, insights, and even prizes.

The Official Reception on Day 1 offered an exclusive setting for deeper networking and relaxed conversations. Whether you were speaking with a global tech leader, connecting with a potential investor, or simply sharing ideas over coffee, the real value of Techsylvania lives in the community it brings together, one you don’t easily find anywhere else.

Let’s keep the momentum going, Techsylvanians.

The post Techsylvania 2026: Day 1 Opened the 13th Edition with Bold Ideas and Great Energy appeared first on Techsylvania.

Strategic Leadership in the Age of Unlimited Intelligence

stefania.muresan — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:57:13 +0000

1. You’re overseeing a tech organization of 900+ people supporting products across multiple international markets. How do you maintain engineering velocity and coherence at that scale, and where does AI fit into how you run the org itself?
First of all, coherence at this scale comes from shared platforms and clear decision rights, not central control. Autonomy is essential, as we scale judgment, not headcount. We invest heavily in ensuring engineering quality standards are clear and well-calibrated across all roles, because setting a high bar consistently is what keeps 900+ people moving in the same direction.
The classic failure mode is teams solving the same problem five different ways. Our answer to that is paved roads and strong defaults: the right thing should also be the easiest thing. We’ve simplified our systems and architecture considerably, and we empower every engineering and product leader to operate as the CEO and CTO of their own organization, with a strong emphasis on communication across teams to build efficiently.
When it comes to embedding AI, our focus is on reducing the time from question to answer, whether it is incident investigation, code understanding or data access. That means smaller teams can own larger surfaces. Today, 98% of our engineers use AI, and more than half do so in highly advanced ways. The results speak for themselves: roughly three times more code written this year compared to last, with no increase in AI-supported incidents. That’s been possible because we’ve invested just as heavily in our testing and development harnesses as we have in productivity, making sure the added volume is safe to launch.

2. Super is a complex, multi-market platform. What does embedding AI into a product portfolio at that scale actually look like in practice, and what separates the initiatives that stick from the ones that don’t?
The most successful initiatives always start from a real customer or operational problem. “Add AI” is never a useful brief. What AI actually does for us is accelerate personalization and enrich the experiences we invite customers into.
Before any of that works, though, you need the unglamorous foundations in place: data quality, evaluation harnesses (testing), guardrails, the ability to measure impact, and the ability to experiment in rigorous, repeatable ways. Equally important is building an institutional memory of past efforts and failures, one that improves the whole organization over time rather than just preparing people for the next sprint.
Operating across multiple markets adds another layer of complexity. A platform capability has to be able to adapt to local regulation and local content. Our principle is to build 80% of every feature centrally on our platform, reserving the remaining 20% for genuine localization needs: payment methods, government integrations or regulatory requirements specific to a given market. Basically, we are building once and then configuring for each market to make future product and market launches faster and better.

3. You’ve led significant platform work, from distributed systems at Facebook to Applied Machine Learning at Wayve to what sounds like a major AI strategy shift at Super. What’s the hardest part of a large-scale platform migration that rarely gets talked about?
The hardest part is running two worlds at once. Keeping the old system healthy while the new one earns trust is an operational and leadership challenge that gets far less attention than the technical work itself. Building clean transition tools from the old system to the new one is what represents the real coordination complexity.
There is also a timing problem that most people underestimate. You are only done when the last team moves, and that last 1% is just as difficult as the initial 99%. The early, middle, and late stages of a migration each require a different strategy and a different style of leadership. A forcing function for the final stretch is essential.
The organizational and incentive cost is the thing that surprises people most. Someone has to own the old system while everyone else is excited about the new one, and getting those people engaged in the transition is a genuine leadership challenge. In our case, our product and operations teams had to learn entirely new workflows after moving to our central platform. The amount of cross-functional collaboration required to make that shift smooth and productive was a real test of the organization.

4. There’s a lot of noise around AI strategy right now. What’s the question you think CTOs should be asking themselves that most aren’t?
When the cost of intelligence approaches zero, entirely new things become possible. The question is whether you have the clarity to act on that, and the discipline to let go of what no longer serves you. The cultural change required for AI transformation in bringing the organization along the journey with you is the key focus from the executive role.
A second question that deserves more attention: are we building evaluation and measurement capability as fast as we are shipping AI features? Shipping without that foundation is how organizations lose their ability to learn.
The third, and perhaps the most underappreciated: the majority of AI transformation is a leadership and management challenge, not a technology one. The CTO can set the direction, but the real leverage is in getting the full management team aligned.
Technology moves fast. Organizational alignment is the harder, slower, more consequential work.

The post Strategic Leadership in the Age of Unlimited Intelligence appeared first on Techsylvania.

Engineering Trust and Transformation: principal33’s Vision for the Intelligent Enterprise

stefania.muresan — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:26:42 +0000

As global industries embrace digital transformation at unprecedented speeds, principal33 is carving a unique path blending deep technical expertise, a people-first mindset, and a strong Eastern European foundation. With a majority of its engineering force based in Romania and an expanding footprint across Europe, the company is rapidly becoming a key player in regulated sectors like energy, pharma, aerospace, and automotive.

We sat down with the team at principal33 to discuss how they’re leveraging AI, cloud, and continuous learning to drive innovation and how their evolving identity and hybrid delivery model are shaping the future of enterprise technology across the continent.

principal33 has grown significantly in recent years, with over 75% of your engineering team based in Romania. What role does Romania play in your 2025 growth strategy, and why is this region such a strong asset for the company?

Romania is central to our 2025 growth strategy. With over 75% of our engineers based here, the country provides a rich pool of technical talent, strong education, very good communication skills and a culture aligned with our values. We see Romania not just as a delivery center, but as a true innovation hub.

Your company operates in highly regulated industries like energy, pharma, aerospace, and automotive. How do you combine domain expertise with emerging technologies like AI and cloud to deliver value in these demanding sectors?

We combine deep industry knowledge with AI and cloud by working closely with experts who understand sector-specific regulations. This allows us to build tailored, compliant solutions that improve processes like predictive maintenance, quality control, or compliance automation. Cloud platforms provide secure, scalable environments, ensuring our solutions deliver measurable business value while respecting regulatory demands.

You’re expanding your presence across Europe with new offices in Germany, Ireland, and Spain. How are you balancing nearshore delivery from Romania with this new onshore footprint, and what impact does that have on your client relationships?

We use a hybrid delivery model: Romanian teams provide scalability and technical expertise, while our local offices ensure close client collaboration and faster feedback. This balance strengthens trust and partnership, allowing us to deliver efficiently while maintaining a personal touch with clients across Europe.

principal33 emphasizes a people-first culture, with impressive retention and talent satisfaction. What’s your secret to building and scaling a high-performing engineering team in such a competitive talent market?

Our secret is investing in people through continuous learning, career development and meaningful work. We create a supportive culture where engineers have ownership and a clear path to grow. Respect, transparency and challenges keep our teams motivated and committed.

AI and data are key pillars in your offering. How are you helping clients integrate AI into their workflows and what trends do you see shaping the future of intelligent enterprise solutions?

We help clients move AI from pilot projects to full integration in workflows: automating tasks, enhancing decision-making and improving efficiency. The future lies in operational AI embedded in daily processes, combined with data-driven insights that enable smarter, faster business outcomes.

You’ve worked with Fortune 500 and DAX-listed companies. What lessons have you learned from serving large-scale enterprises that might inspire startups or scale-ups in Techsylvania’s ecosystem?

From large enterprises, we learned the importance of scalable processes, strong governance, and building trust. Startups can apply these lessons by designing their operations to scale early, focusing relentlessly on customer value and building reliable delivery frameworks.

In a world moving rapidly toward industry 4.0, how do you envision the role of Eastern European tech talent evolving on the global innovation stage and what part does principal33 want to play in that evolution?

Eastern European talent is increasingly becoming a driver of global innovation, not just a support center. principal33 aims to be a launchpad for this talent, helping engineers take leading roles in cutting-edge projects and shaping the future of digital industries worldwide.

You’re currently upskilling dozens of Romanian engineers in SAP, Salesforce, and even foreign languages like German. How do you approach continuous learning as a strategic lever for company growth?

Continuous learning is a core part of our strategy. We invest in technical training, certifications and language skills to keep our teams competitive and ready for new challenges. This focus on upskilling ensures our growth and the ability to serve diverse markets effectively.

Your rebranding in 2024 signaled a more mature and international identity. How do you define principal33 today and what story do you hope people will associate with your name in the next 3 years?

Today, principal33 is a trusted, international partner for digital transformation with deep technical expertise and a people-first culture. In the next three years, we want to be known as the company that delivers innovative, reliable technology solutions that truly drive client success.

Their story is one of scale, substance, and strategic vision. From embedding AI into regulated workflows to cultivating top engineering talent in Romania, the company is proving that innovation and operational excellence can go hand in hand. As they continue to grow across Europe, their focus remains clear: building trusted partnerships, nurturing talent, and delivering real business value in some of the world’s most demanding industries.

With their eyes set on 2025 and beyond, principal33 isn’t just following the digital transformation wave, they’re helping define it.

The post Engineering Trust and Transformation: principal33’s Vision for the Intelligent Enterprise appeared first on Techsylvania.

Techsylvania 2025: Day 2 Wrapped Up with Vision, Energy, and Connection

stefania.muresan — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:42:28 +0000

Real Stories, Bold Strategies, and the Builders Behind the Next Wave of Tech

Day 2 of Techsylvania 2025 didn’t just deliver ideas, it delivered blueprints for action. From billion-dollar scale-ups to breakthrough infrastructure, every speaker brought depth, honesty, and vision to the stage. If Day 1 lit the spark, Day 2 turned up the heat.

Here’s a deeper look at what went down on Center Stage, Impact Stage, and the exclusive Q&A sessions.

CENTER STAGE

Scaling Revolut: From Idea to Europe’s Biggest Private Tech Company – Vlad Yatsenko, Co-Founder & CTO, Revolut

In one of the most anticipated talks of the conference, Vlad Yatsenko gave the audience a behind-the-scenes look at Revolut’s journey from a scrappy startup to Europe’s most valuable private tech company. He spoke about building code by hand, answering customer tickets himself in the early days, and launching with just a few thousand euros.
Yatsenko emphasized that Revolut succeeded not because of perfection, but because of relentless iteration and clarity of purpose.

Beyond Autocomplete: Developers, Agents, and the Future of Building Together – Kyle Daigle, COO, GitHub

Kyle took us into the evolving relationship between developers and AI through the lens of GitHub Copilot. Instead of treating AI as a shortcut, he positioned it as a creative partner that helps teams focus on what really matters solving meaningful problems. He shared internal GitHub stories on how AI agents are transforming engineering workflows and offered a compelling case for why AI won’t replace developers, but elevate them.

“We don’t need more tabs we need more time.”

From Seed to Stock: Investing, IPOs & the CEO Skills That Drive Success – Tim Jackson, Managing Partner, Walking Ventures

With experience that spans founding VC-backed startups to taking companies public, Tim Jackson provided practical wisdom on the emotional side of the startup journey. He talked about weathering market downturns, managing investor expectations, and building companies that last not just ones that raise.

“Resilience, not hype, separates good founders from great ones.”

Jackson also highlighted how great founders show up consistently especially when things get hard.

Bad Day? Good. Turn It into Rocket Fuel – Adrian Ionel, Founder & CEO, SurfDancer

Adrian shared an emotional and raw journey through the highs and lows of building companies including moments of burnout and near failure. His talk wasn’t about celebrating success, but about surviving the hard parts and continuing anyway. Through humor and personal stories, he reminded the audience that progress starts with small steps even if it’s just writing a subject line.

“Just begin. Even the tiniest action can create momentum.”

From Kabul to Silicon Valley: Entrepreneurial Innovation in GovTech – Zac Bookman, Co-Founder & CEO, OpenGov

Zac delivered a compelling story of how OpenGov, now valued at $2 billion, came from humble beginnings in a shipping container in Afghanistan. He spoke about designing systems that make local governments more transparent and efficient, and how OpenGov succeeded by staying mission-driven even through 49 funding rejections.

“Don’t raise too much too fast. Stay capital-efficient. Stay focused.”

His session underscored that purpose and capital discipline can (and should) coexist.

From Legacy to Leading Edge: The Tech Behind the UK’s Payment Modernisation – Karrista Rayment, Technology Service Owner & Eugenia Planas, Deputy Governorship Chief Information Officer, Bank of England

This technical but powerful session highlighted how the UK’s core payment infrastructure processing up to £750 billion per day was rebuilt from the ground up. Karrista and Eugenia walked the audience through the process of replacing legacy code with modular APIs, while ensuring zero downtime.
From digital currency compatibility to fraud protection, this was a masterclass in modernizing systems that can’t afford to fail.

“We’re not just building for now we’re building for the next 30 years.”

Economics of Living Longer and Why We Need a Whole City for This – Alexey Strygin, Core Team Member, Viva.City

Alexey Strygin took the stage with a provocative talk on the economics of living longer. He explored why the world urgently needs cities designed for health span, not just lifespan, citing the looming demographic crisis driven by aging populations and declining birth rates. From breakthroughs in biotech to experimental “pop-up cities” like Viva.City, Alexey challenged conventional thinking and made a compelling case for targeting aging itself, rather than individual diseases. His bold vision? A future where longer, healthier lives are not only possible but sustainable.

Panel: Bridging Silicon Valley and Transylvania: Lessons in Global Scale-Up – Mark Porter, CTO, dbt Labs & Adrian Ionel, Founder & CEO, SurfDancer

In a dynamic conversation about scaling across continents, Adrian Ionel, Mark Porter, and Philipp Kandal shared hard-earned lessons from building global tech teams. From early culture shocks to structuring truly autonomous teams, the panel explored how to balance independence with shared purpose. They emphasized the value of clear communication, strong local leadership, and purpose-driven expansion—especially when bridging ecosystems like Romania and Silicon Valley. Their key takeaway? Don’t just replicate Silicon Valley abroad—build systems that empower, trust, and scale locally with global impact in mind.

IMPACT STAGE

Identifying Your Target Customers: A Guide for Engineers in Tech – Sebastian Dobrincu, Co-Founder, Revocalize AI

Sebastian shared the story of Revocalize, a startup that uses AI to create digital voice replicas for music production. At first met with skepticism, the tool is now embraced by artists looking to scale their creativity not replace themselves.

“It’s not about replacing artists. It’s about giving them a powerful tool.”

His message resonated deeply with creators in the audience, showing that ethical AI can enhance not erase human expression.

How to Make $100 Million in the Stock Market – Dylan Yolles, Former Partner & Portfolio Manager, Capital Group

Dylan gave a masterclass in equity investing, explaining how real returns come from unique insights not chasing trends. He encouraged attendees to look for “rabbits dressed as ducks” companies that are miscategorized and undervalued.

“The best returns come when your insight becomes consensus years later.”

Owner-Led, Investor-Free: How to Build and Grow Without VC – Anurag Mendhekar, Co-Founder & President, Paper Culture

Anurag’s session was a refreshingly honest take on building companies without VC funding. He talked about aligning purpose with profit, and why owning your business matters more than chasing scale.

“When you’re mission-driven, you can choose freedom over pressure.”

Scaling Enterprise Sales in EMEA: Lessons from SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and ScaleUps – Thomas Cser, Seasoned Enterprise Software Leader

With over two decades in enterprise sales, Thomas broke down the complexity of selling across culturally diverse regions like EMEA. From compliance to communication, his session offered practical advice for scaling across borders without losing local relevance.

“In EMEA, one-size-fits-all will kill your deal before it starts.”

Workshop: Building Great Products at Scale – Daniel Chis Product Manager, Ilona Farkas UX Researcher, Mihai Mustea Software Engineer and Technical Lead Manager, and Catalin Miclea Technical Program Manager at Google

Google hosted an immersive workshop using Transylvanian woodcraft as a metaphor for product development. Teams explored how to build at scale, test ideas quickly, and stay grounded in user empathy.

“Great products come from teams who listen, iterate, and build together.”

Q&A STAGE: Honest Questions, Unfiltered Insights

Day 2 also featured intimate Q&A sessions with some of the most inspiring speakers:

Kyle Daigle (GitHub) on AI’s real role in creative work
Adrian Ionel (SurfDancer) on failure, grit, and mental resilience
Alexey Strygin (Viva City) on smart cities and public infrastructure

These off-stage conversations gave attendees space to ask bold questions and receive practical, human answers from leaders who’ve been through it all.

Surprise session at this year’s Techsylvania!

Billion-dollar company founders Sacha Dragic and Zac Bookman went head-to-head in a live, on-stage chess match.

The tension was real, the moves were bold, and the crowd was hooked.

Congratulations to both players on an intense and unforgettable game!

Techsylvania 2025: Day 2 Wasn’t Just a Finale It Was a Launchpad

Day 2 reminded us that behind every bold vision is a team, a mindset, and a million small decisions. From founders building systems governments rely on, to investors spotting value where others don’t, the message was clear: the future belongs to the builders.

Techsylvania 2025 brought together over 3,000 participants and over 50 leaders in business and technology across three main stages: Center Stage, Impact Stage and Q&A Session Stage.

With over 400 meetings facilitated through the matchmaking area, attendees had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations that might not have happened anywhere else. The Startup Alley brought together 35 innovative startups, creating space for discovery, partnerships, and peer exchange. At the expo area, our partners hosted interactive booths sharing opportunities, insights, and even prizes!

The Official Reception on Day 1 and the Cocktail Party on Day 2 offered exclusive settings for deeper networking and relaxed conversations. Whether you were speaking with a global tech leader, connecting with a potential investor, or simply sharing ideas over coffee, the real value of Techsylvania lives in the community it brings together one you don’t easily find anywhere else.

As we reflect on the success of Techsylvania 2025, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire community, participants, partners, speakers, and volunteers who contributed to making this event a resounding success. We look forward to continuing this journey of business and technology exploration and discovery with you all in the years to come!

We’ll see you in 2026 until then, keep pushing boundaries.

The post Techsylvania 2025: Day 2 Wrapped Up with Vision, Energy, and Connection appeared first on Techsylvania.

Techsylvania 2025: Day 1 Set the Pace for a Visionary 12th Edition

stefania.muresan — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:42:20 +0000

Real Conversations, Big Ideas, and the Minds Shaping the Future

Now in its 12th edition, Techsylvania remains a cornerstone event for tech leaders, founders, and future-focused thinkers. Day 1 set a bold pace, delivering sharp insights on scaling global companies, designing with AI, transforming industries, and unlocking Europe’s innovation potential.

From the main stages to backstage Q&As, the conversations reflected a shared belief: the future belongs to those who combine technology with clarity, courage, and purpose.

Here’s a look back at some of the standout moments from Day 1 of Techsylvania 2025.

CENTER STAGE

Rewriting the Narrative: Managing Culture in a Fast-Growing Betting Company – Sacha Dragic, Founder & Co-CEO, Superbet

Phillipp Kandal and Sacha Dragic broke the ice at Center Stage and talked about how a company can remain competitive and successful in the sports betting world. Sacha believes that:

”It is essential to live by the principles, not just have them on paper. The most important principle from the very beginning of Superbet is to do what is right.”

However, it is also vital to focus on encouraging employees to take ownership of their work, promoting open communication, and fostering responsible gaming.

CTO Confessions: What I Got Right (and Wrong) About Team Building – Mark Porter, CTO, dbt Labs

Most companies solving big challenges lack leaders who genuinely care about people. Few people combine care for their teams with business needs, value kindness and growth, and treat mistakes as learning opportunities.

”Google found out that psychological safety is the secret ingredient for having a great team where members trust each other, and the productivity is very high. It’s your job to make teams better. Focus on tomorrow being better than yesterday.”, Mark told us.

Building Ecosystems: Driving Sales Through Problem Solving – Lizzy Eisenberg, VP Global Sales, Lightspark

Lizzy Eisenberg was highlighting the surprising fact that, unlike communication, the evolution of money movement hasn’t kept pace with technology.

“We don’t want to recreate the old system with new players, we want to build an entirely new system… If you want money to move around the world freely, I think it’s quite arrogant to think that one company can be at the center and control it all. Another important thing is never to lose sight of the customer.”

Lies, Damn Lies and Gen AI – Jon McLoone, Technical Director, Wolfram

AI language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are not primarily designed to provide factual accuracy, but rather to produce fluent, plausible-sounding responses. This results in correctness being a byproduct, not the core goal. Large Language Models like to hallucinate when they do not know facts and have to fill in the gap, but they also like to convince you.

“Facts are not actually the core design purpose… correctness is a side effect that comes out of that very often“, said Jon McLoone.

Their job is to write, not to think. GenAI has improved a lot in the past year and generates content faster.

How Semiconductor Designers and Football Teams Fit into the Same Fund: An Intro to Today’s Private Equity – Chris Puscasiu, Managing Partner, Presidio Investors

Private equity (PE) firms usually invest in companies that are past the risky growth phase, stable, often founder-led businesses that don’t need fresh capital but would benefit from operational improvements. Rather than pursuing disruptive innovation, Chris Puscasiu focuses on “measured scaling” by institutionalizing small businesses: implementing tools like CRMs, expanding sales teams, and optimizing processes to grow from, say, 5% to 10% annually. Their investment approach includes partnering with founders who are willing to reinvest and stay involved to realize long-term value.

Is the Evolution of AI Headed in the Right Direction? – David Johnson, Founder & CEO, NovaTek Global Partners

AI has advanced features in fields like healthcare, robotics, and public safety, but there are also real risks such as bias, misuse (e.g., deepfakes), and ethical concerns. David Johnson has emphasized that both opportunity and risk coexist in AI’s development:

”Uncertainty is not just risk, it’s also opportunity. AI deals with probability, not possibility… it’s not perfect, but it’s a useful tool.”

Next-Gen Finance: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage – Giuseppe Castelbuono, Chief Digital & Information Officer, UniCredit Bank

Giuseppe Castelbuono and Philipp Kandal have talked about digital banking trends in Romania and Central and Eastern Europe. Romania stands out due to its digitally demanding young population, especially in large cities, contrasted by more conservative users in rural areas. Unicredit is already approaching Generative AI while navigating the strict regulatory environment in financial services.

“Sometimes clients don’t even notice the difference between working with the robot and talking with a human. This was already a successful experience born in Romania. We’re piloting one tool that allows employees to navigate the complexities of procedures and documentation… we called it ‘UniAsk’ you can ask any kind of question connected to this domain.”

Cultivating Impact – From Conferences to Communities – Steffi Czerny, Co-Founder & Managing Director, DLD Media & Natalia Brzezinski, Founder & CEO, Absolute Strategies

Steffi Czerny and Natalia Brzezinski were challenged by Cory Reid to talk about the true power that lies beyond the main stage in the communities, collaborations, and movements it helps ignite.

”Shake it up, don’t bring the same people together. Don’t talk to the same people, you know the magic happens in between sectors, in between generations, in between cultures.”, Natalia encouraged us.

”We grew slowly but steadily, a nice network of interesting people. We thought we shouldn’t talk only about the past, we should invest together in the future. The next ingredient for building a community is not being shy.” “There are no borders, just come, just talk to us, be present. Time is too short to talk about negative communities. Leave your comfort zone, be curious and courageous, and very driven.”, Steffi told us.

Global Tech Trends & The New Rules of Raising Venture Capital – Sarah Kunst, Managing Director, Cleo Capital

Sarah Kunst has noticed a disconnect they often see between founders’ capabilities and their confidence or ambition. Founders with elite qualifications sometimes undervalue themselves or aim too low, despite having the skills to build world-changing companies. The speaker emphasizes the importance of confidence, ambition (even a bit of delusion), and understanding how to build venture-scale businesses that can make significant returns for investors.

“The thing I want to understand from any startup is: how are you going to buy me a yacht? That is the other thing in this region that is sometimes missing brilliant, brilliant, brilliant ideas that just don’t have the ability to make enough money for venture scale.”, Sarah discussed with Andreas Cser.

Tales from the World of Tech Startups: Lessons Learned and When to Avoid Drinking Your Own Kool-Aid – Eric Friedman, Co-Founder, Fitbit

Eric is a seasoned entrepreneur who’s seen it all from launching multiple startups and learning the hard way. Now he is involved in other challenging projects, including an R&D hub in Romania.

“As a founder, you have one pile of money when that’s gone, it’s game over. My first exit was a $4 million exit. That was life-changing. You’ve got to pitch your crazy vision, but you can’t drink your own Kool-Aid. You’ve got to pitch it like a business.”, Eric said to us.

Remixing Reality: How AI & AR Are Reshaping the Creator Economy – Kathy Wang, Head of AR Product, TikTok

Kathy Wang discussed the current state and future of AI and AR in creative workflows. She emphasized that the industry is still in its early stages across the hardware, software, and application layers, with many open questions about how these technologies will evolve and integrate. At TikTok, she helped pioneer the AR strategy by introducing tools that empower creators, especially non-technical users, to build interactive content. Sarah has shared some insightful information:

“One of the biggest breakthroughs needed is around how we interact with 3D content hasn’t evolved yet. You’re looking at things in 3D, and there’s still an X button in the top right corner. We’re stuck in 2D thinking. To support AR content, we needed a completely new type of creator more like developers and designers, not just video creators. In a world overflowing with content-user-generated, AI-generated-being good isn’t enough. What matters more is having an authentic voice and building trust with your audience.”

Q&A STAGE: Intimate Access, Candid Answers

While the Center Stage brought scale and story, the Q&A Stage brought personal connection. Speakers like Mark Porter (dbt Labs), Lizzy Eisenberg (Lightspark), Chris Puscasiu (Presidio Investors), and Sarah Kunst (Cleo Capital) engaged in raw, audience-driven discussions on leadership, venture, and the real work behind the scenes. Also the “Working at Google” Q&A session featured Daniel Chis, Ilona Farkas, Mihai Mustea, and Catalin Miclea (Google), who shared candid insights on Google’s culture, careers, and day-to-day life at the company.

IMPACT STAGE

Stage of Scaling: Culture, People, Process – Sacha Dragic, Founder & Co-CEO, Superbet & Eric Friedman, Co-Founder, Fitbit

The first session on the Impact Stage at Techsylvania 2025 set the tone for the day. Sacha Dragic and Eric Friedman, joined by moderator Cory Reid, dove into what it really takes to scale beyond the usual metrics. Culture, people, and process emerged as the true drivers of sustainable growth. A powerful kickoff full of clarity and real-world lessons for any leader navigating the scale-up stage.

Panel: Building Technology to Scale – Josephine Hus, Chief Transformation Officer & Albert Simsensohn, Chief Operating Officer, Superbet

Andrei Dusu, Chief Product Officer & Sameen Jalal, Chief Technology Officer, Happening

What does it take to design, grow, and sustain tech platforms that serve millions? The panel explored how AI is transforming their business through user personalization, workflow automation, and enhanced engineering tools. They also addressed the risk of “perpetual piloting” in fast-evolving tech and stressed the importance of acting decisively on proven innovations. A great talk on scaling smart and staying agile in a global, regulated environment.

Why I Left Venture Capital and Have Not Looked Back? – A Primer on Search Funds – Jon Staenberg, Founder & Managing Partner, Agate Hound Fund

In his talk Jon Staenberg laid out a compelling case for search funds and entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). As baby boomers retire, thousands of solid businesses are becoming available quietly creating one of the biggest opportunities in the market. With strong returns and the chance to apply AI to legacy industries, ETA might just be the smartest path for the next generation of founders.

“This is where the action is,” Jon said and the room listened.

How AI Agents Can Save Your Job – Andrei Hasna, CEO, Hasna

Andrei Hasna flipped the narrative: AI isn’t here to replace us, it’s here to augment us. From generating contracts to managing operations, AI agents are evolving into digital coworkers.

“It’s not about replacement, it’s about augmentation,” he said, offering a fresh take on how we work.

The key? You don’t need perfect data, just solid input and the courage to start. A bold vision of productivity, redefined.

Building AI Focused Products – Rachana Kumar, Former CTO, Etsy

“What problem am I trying to solve, and how can AI help me?”

That’s the key question Rachana Kumar encouraged teams to ask during her conversation with Elena Enache at Techsylvania 2025. Sharing insights from her journey scaling human-centered products, Rachana emphasized that successful AI isn’t about perfect data, it’s about culture, curiosity, and intentional design.

“Start small, experiment fast, and learn faster,” she advised, in a session that blended clarity, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose.

Panel: From Teaser to Champagne – The Anatomy of a Successful M&A

Chris Puscasiu, Managing Partner, Presidio Investors & Ovi Negrean, Director of Business Development, WebPros, moderated by Ioana & Alin Laurentiu, managing partners, Laurentiu, Laurentiu & Associates

Mergers and acquisitions might end with a toast, but the real work happens long before the champagne. In a candid panel moderated by Ioana and Alin Laurențiu, Chris Puscasiu and Ovi Negrean unpacked the full lifecycle of a deal from the first teaser to cultural alignment and final sign-off. The message was clear: M&A isn’t just legal or financial, it’s deeply strategic. “Don’t just build to sell. Build something worth buying,” one investor shared, striking a chord with every founder in the room.

Panel: European Innovation Council – What Does It Take to Succeed

Jorge Canovas, Communication Adviser & Andrei Lintu, Deputy Head of Unit & Cristian Dascalu, Ambassador, European Innovation Council

Cornel Amariei, Founder & CEO, .lumen

At #Techsylvania2025, a high-impact panel featuring Cristian Dascalu, Jorge Canovas, Andrei Lintu, and Cornel Amariei spotlighted how European funding is fueling global ambition. With over €20M already awarded, the EIC Accelerator offers more than capital; it brings validation, mentorship, and a launchpad for breakthrough tech. From deep tech to visionary leadership, the session delivered a practical roadmap for founders ready to scale with Europe behind them.

Not Another Panel: Join to Meet Your Edge – Laura Calmore, Conscious Regenerative & Mindfulness Facilitator, Revera

The session with Laura Calmore brought something truly unique to Techsylvania. This wasn’t just another talk, it was a guided somatic meditation, a moment to slow down and reset. Designed to interrupt the hustle not by checking out, but by checking in, Laura created a space to reconnect with the body as a compass for clarity, focus, and intention.

In a world driven by speed and logic, this gentle pause reminded us that real innovation begins from within.

Techsylvania 2025, Day 1: Mission Accomplished

With conversations that spanned from product to purpose and startups to systems, Day 1 proved one thing: the future of tech isn’t just about tools, it’s about the people brave enough to build what’s next.

Beyond the inspiring talks and panels, Techsylvania 2025 delivered powerful opportunities to connect, share, and grow.
With over 400 meetings facilitated through the matchmaking area, attendees had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations that might not have happened anywhere else. The Startup Alley brought together 35 innovative startups, creating space for discovery, partnerships, and peer exchange. At the expo area, our partners hosted interactive booths sharing opportunities, insights, and even prizes!

Let’s keep the momentum going, Techsylvanians.

The post Techsylvania 2025: Day 1 Set the Pace for a Visionary 12th Edition appeared first on Techsylvania.

Why dbt Labs Is Betting Big on Romania: A Vision for Local Talent, Global Impact

stefania.muresan — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:42:38 +0000

As dbt Labs expands its global footprint, Romania has emerged as a key strategic hub for innovation. In this exclusive Techsylvania interview, we sat down with Mark Porter, a senior leader from dbt Labs to explore the reasons behind their investment in Cluj and Bucharest, the company’s approach to building empowered local teams, and how AI and next-gen data tools are reshaping the analytics landscape. From career growth opportunities to the bold future of dbt Fusion, this conversation offers a deep look into how Romanian talent is powering the future of data transformation.

Why Romania? What strategic factors led dbt Labs to invest in a Romanian engineering hub, and how do you see Romania’s talent pool shaping the future of the dbt product suite?

We’re genuinely thrilled to be growing in Cluj and Bucharest—and I’m personally excited as well. So, why Romania? Let’s start with the people. At my previous company, Grab, we acquired a team in Cluj, and I was immediately impressed. The talent was exceptional. The culture was grounded in hard work, high judgment, and kindness. And the people? Really, really smart. That’s a pretty unbeatable mix.

We currently have two teams based in Romania—one focused on customer-facing special projects, the other working on core platform technology. While Romania’s tech talent pool may not be as large as that of the U.S., it’s more than robust enough for us to build full, capable teams. Between Cluj and Bucharest—and the strong technical universities in both—we’ve got access to a healthy pipeline of junior and senior engineering talent, as well as product managers and designers.

This is not about outsourcing. This is about building long-term, full-stack teams that own and ship critical pieces of the dbt product suite. We’re here to grow together.

Career Growth & Learning. What opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and technical leadership can Romanian engineers expect when joining dbt Labs?

Helping people grow is a personal passion of mine—because when people grow, amazing things happen.

Historically, our technical team has been concentrated in North America. But as dbt Labs becomes a truly global company, we’re committed to scaling the right way. That means avoiding scattered teams split across wildly different time zones. I’m not a fan of small engineering teams stretched across oceans—it’s hard to build the camaraderie and shared context that drive great outcomes.

Instead, we build complete local teams. That means engineers at all levels, paired with product and design teammates who are either local or in a nearby time zone—like Dublin, Ireland.

Of course, this takes real work. We have to architect our codebase, our org structure, and our internal systems to support distributed but self-sufficient teams. That means clean architecture, clear roles and responsibilities, and robust onboarding—designed to work in any time zone, not just U.S. hours.

When we launch a new hub—like in Cluj—we don’t just drop people in and hope for the best. We send Senior and Staff-level mentors to support the team. We nurture the environment. And we ensure that growth is baked into the experience.

This model benefits everyone. Diverse, empowered teams operating with psychological safety are more likely to take ownership and deliver exceptional results. That’s what we’re building.

Innovating in Data Transformation. Looking ahead, what emerging trends or features in data transformation and analytics excite you most, and how is your team preparing to integrate them into the dbt platform?

It’s a thrilling time to work in data. For the past 30 years, the industry has been laser-focused on collecting and analyzing more and more data. Today, we have systems that can process 100 times more data than before. But despite all that scale, one thing hasn’t changed much: how humans extract insights. We’re still looking at dashboards, writing SQL, and trying to translate machine output into business meaning.

AI is changing the game.

When AI operates on trusted data, it can surface real insights—not guesses. And when it has access to dbt’s rich metadata, large language models (LLMs) become dramatically more accurate and useful. They hallucinate less and help users more.

Enter MCP—the Model Context Protocol. It allows LLMs to do what they’re great at: ask smart questions and form answers. Meanwhile, MCP allows data systems do what they’re built for: provide timely, accurate answers. Paired with dbt’s multi-cloud, multi-warehouse capabilities, this enables our users to extract insights faster than ever across their entire data estate.

This is the missing link that data teams have been waiting for….forever.

Long-Term Vision. Where do you see dbt Labs—in terms of team size, product capabilities, and market impact—five years from now, and how will your Romanian engineering base factor into that vision?

If you’d asked me five years ago where tech would be today, I would’ve gotten a lot of it wrong—so I’m wary of five-year forecasts. In this fast-moving world, two years is about as far as anyone can reasonably see. But within that window? The future for dbt is electric.

We’re expanding our global footprint and rapidly evolving our product. What began as a focused transformation tool—turning raw data into clean, reliable models—has grown into something far bigger. dbt is now a true data control plane: with orchestration, observability, metadata cataloging, and a semantic layer. We’ve become the connective tissue of the modern data stack.

And now, with the launch of dbt Fusion, we’ve entered a new era. Fusion is a ground-up rewrite of our core technology—bringing blazing performance and smarter SQL understanding. It’s helping developers move faster while helping companies save on compute costs. That’s a win-win.

Looking ahead, we’re doubling down on features that speed up development, surface deeper insights, and help businesses move from data to action faster than ever.

Romania will play a central role in that future. We’re investing in Cluj and Bucharest not just for engineering, but for product, design, and support. The tech ecosystem here is vibrant, growing, and full of promise—and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. If you want to join us on this mission, please visit us at our booth or connect with me directly!

As dbt Labs continues to redefine the modern data stack, its investment in Romania signals more than just global expansion—it reflects a commitment to building high-impact teams rooted in technical excellence and collaborative culture. With a focus on mentorship, innovation, and long-term growth, the Romanian hub is set to become a cornerstone of dbt’s mission to empower data teams around the world. For those looking to shape the future of data transformation, the journey starts here.

The post Why dbt Labs Is Betting Big on Romania: A Vision for Local Talent, Global Impact appeared first on Techsylvania.

Techsylvania 2024: uniting innovation and insight Day 2 Wrap-Up

Vlad Ciurca — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 14:31:33 +0000

This year’s edition of Techsylvania has come to a close! We enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere that fostered relationship-building and the exchange of innovative ideas and projects.

Over 3,500 participants had the opportunity to select their favourite sessions from 4 amazing stages: Center Stage, Impact Stage, Technical Workshops Stage, and Q&A Session Stage, where more than 50 leaders in business and technology shared their insights.

In addition, our event featured 5 workshops, was supported by over 60 partners, and benefited from the efforts of more than 50 hard-working volunteers. We couldn’t be more grateful to the entire Techsylvania community: participants, partners, speakers and volunteers for contributing to the success of Techsylvania 2024.

We have some highlights below that you might want to read if you missed the event or if you want to refresh your memory.

CENTER STAGE

Center Stage was the epicenter of activity on Day 2, hosting sessions that kicked off the day’s events. International leaders in business and technology shared invaluable insights for techsylvanians.

Mircea Geoană, Deputy Secretary General of NATO was the first speaker of the day. He emphasized the transformative role of technology and innovation in the global landscape and the unprecedented speed and scale of technological advancements, particularly in AI and biotechnology, and their impact on various sectors, including national security, economy, and society. While acknowledging the immense potential of new technologies, Geoană also warned about the risks they pose and how important is the responsible use and ethical standards to prevent these advancements from becoming threats to security and stability.

He ended the speech by pointing out the necessity of collaboration between governments, private sectors, and civil societies to harness the benefits of technological innovations effectively. He mentioned initiatives like NATO’s Innovation Fund which supports startups and technological advancements. This collaboration is crucial to ensuring that innovations are used for the greater good and that societies can adapt to rapid technological changes.

Sacha Dragic, Founder and Board Member of Superbet was next on stage and he talked about the global expansion of Superbet into Latin America, highlighting the company’s strategic vision and adaptability. Despite initial challenges, including significant fraud issues in Brazil, the company managed to develop effective solutions and apply them globally.

This expansion underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and being prepared for the complexities of new markets. Sasha emphasized the critical role of hiring the right talent and fostering an innovative culture. He stated that he spends a significant portion of his time on talent recruitment and believes in combining diverse perspectives to drive innovation. Additionally, Superbet invests heavily in AI and technology, positioning itself to stay ahead of competitors and adapt to future industry changes.

“One of the secrets of success in the early days was discipline. It’s very easy as a founder and entrepreneur to get distracted because new ideas come every day. You need to be very disciplined, focus on your main goal, and continuously question your beliefs because what you think is true today may be totally wrong in a year or two.”

Drew Banin, Co-Founder dbt Labs talked about his journey in building a database in order to understand how databases work under the hood. Towards the end, he integrated music with the database in Google Sheets, demonstrating how data can be transformed into musical notes and played back, adding a creative and engaging dimension to the database’s functionality. He also talked about future plans: to build a query optimizer, get it distributed and then create a YouTube series on how to build your own database. Also, for those interested, he mentioned they are soon opening an office in Cluj-Napoca and hiring talented people.

Giuseppe Castelbuono, Chief Digital and Information Officer at UniCredit Bank discussed UniCredit Bank’s digital transformation strategy, focusing on enhancing customer experience through improved technology and business processes. This transformation involves leveraging technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence to optimize both customer interactions and internal operations.

He emphasized that while banks must adopt new technologies quickly, they must also ensure security and compliance. Castelbuono envisions a future where banking services are simpler, more secure, and seamlessly integrated into customers’ daily lives. He highlights the importance of making banking processes as effortless as possible while maintaining stringent security standards.

“Artificial intelligence is not gonna replace humans but humans with artificial intelligence are gonna replace humans without artificial intelligence.”

Jonathan Rivers, Chief Technology Officer at Fortune Magazine talked about the transformation of Fortune Magazine under his leadership. The magazine underwent a significant transformation, including the development of new products and revenue streams. A notable achievement was the launch of a generative AI application that modernized the Fortune 500 data, turning it into a SaaS product. This initiative aimed to democratize access to financial data and improve user interaction through advanced data visualization and AI-driven functionalities. Rivers highlighted key lessons learned during the rapid development and deployment of the AI application. These include the importance of clean data, the necessity of focused and user-friendly AI applications, and the understanding that an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the starting point for further development. He emphasized that enterprise applications must meet high standards set by best-of-breed consumer experiences.

“The MVP is not the finish line; it is the beginning. It is the start of the marathon. You have done a warm-up; you are deciding if you are ready to even run the race.”

Nigel Richardson, SVP and CIO Europe at PepsiCo, talked about how PepsiCo has leveraged AI and digital transformation to significantly impact their agricultural operations. By using machine learning for pattern recognition, they have been able to optimize farming practices. AI is also crucial in PepsiCo’s manufacturing processes. They use AI-driven applications to monitor and manage plant operations, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and addressing packaging concerns. By integrating AI solutions to predict and fix issues before they escalate, PepsiCo enhances operational efficiency and sustainability.

AI helps PepsiCo understand consumer preferences and behaviors, enabling better market segmentation and product assortment. By analyzing consumer data, they tailor products to different demographics and regions, minimizing waste and ensuring precise product distribution. This AI-driven approach aids in delivering the right products to the right places, enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing excess inventory.

“AI has made a massive impact for farmers because it can increase their yields, improve quality, reduce the amount of pesticides, and reduce water usage. It’s one of those examples of AI being a win-win for everyone that we couldn’t do before.”

Quharrison Terry, Growth Marketer at MarkCuban Companies talked about the startup culture in Japan. Currently, Japan is increasingly focusing on technology and AI to drive economic growth and innovation. The government is actively supporting AI initiatives and startups, aiming to become the most AI-friendly country in the world. The Japanese government has launched several initiatives to foster a vibrant startup ecosystem.

Traditionally conservative in their business practices, Japanese companies are beginning to embrace more risk-taking and innovative approaches. This shift is necessary to combat economic challenges such as an aging population and deflation. By fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and supporting venture activities, Japan aims to revitalize its economy and compete globally.

“The government basically said they want to become the most AI-friendly country in the world. The prime minister actually is pushing this and the chairman of the Democratic Liberal Party actually said Japan is not thinking of implementing strict regulations and it will be fewer regulations as possible when it comes to AI development.“

Suthen Thomas, Group CTO at Grab, talked about how at their company, the approach to technology, including AI, starts with the customer. The company focuses on identifying customer problems first and then finding the best technological solutions, which may include AI, to address these problems.

This method ensures that technological advancements directly enhance customer experiences and solve real-world issues effectively. Grab employs auto-adaptive systems that continuously adjust to changing conditions and user behaviors. These systems use feedback loops to evaluate and refine their performance over time. AI models at Grab are extensively used across various segments of the business, including mobility, deliveries, and financial services. These models are active in production environments, helping to determine pricing, predict ETAs, and ensure safety. This widespread application demonstrates AI’s versatility and critical role in optimizing Grab’s operations and services.

“At Grab, when we think about artificial intelligence, we treat it no different than any other technology. We start with the problem of the customer and then use AI to solve their problem.“

Michelle Rosa-Wolfe, Executive Vice President at VistaJet, declared that VistaJet heavily relies on technology to optimize its aviation operations. This includes developing new technologies to predict demand patterns and surge areas months in advance. By leveraging these innovations, VistaJet strategically positions its aircraft around the globe to meet growing business demands, such as recent expansions into Africa and India. The company focuses on enhancing customer experience through technological advancements.

This includes developing internal platforms that provide intelligence and optimize fleet management. These technologies enable VistaJet to offer seamless customer interfaces, allowing clients to book flights and manage services efficiently through user-friendly apps. The company has seen significant increases in aircraft movements in regions like Romania, reflecting its ability to flexibly expand operations based on emerging market dynamics and client demands.

“At VistaJet, we lean on technology because we need to learn, predict, and automate. We’ve invested significantly in internal platforms that not only provide intelligence but also optimize our fleet management, helping us place our assets strategically to meet business demands.”

Vladimir Dănilă, Founder and CEO of Linearity, talked about how he had this belief that success in the app market was quick and straightforward, akin to launching Flappy Bird. However, the reality of managing teams, aligning people, and understanding customer needs reset these expectations. The company now prioritizes simplicity in design and functionality, aiming to make complex technology accessible and user-friendly.

“I’ve learned that simplicity is key—not just in product design, but in how we approach technology. Complex technology should be made simple for the end user. That’s why I love the idea of using technology to make design accessible and powerful.”

Christyl Johnson, Deputy Director for Technology & Research Investments at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, talked about how NASA is envisioning a future where humanity not only returns to the moon, but also establishes sustainable habitats on Mars by 2100. This involves overcoming significant technological challenges such as creating habitats, generating resources like oxygen and water, and managing energy effectively. NASA’s approach involves pushing the boundaries of technology across various fields. This includes advancements in AI for managing energy and agriculture on other planets, 3D printing for constructing habitats, and medical technologies like digital twins and robotic surgery, which are crucial for sustaining human life in extraterrestrial environments. NASA emphasizes the importance of diversity in thought and collaboration to solve complex challenges.

The agency has historically partnered with diverse industries and disciplines, from sports equipment manufacturers to medical professionals, to develop groundbreaking solutions that often have broader applications beyond space exploration.”In order for that to happen again, we have to think about everything differently today because we’re gonna have humans living on Mars by 2040. We’ve got to really start now ramping up the technology capability in order for us to get there.”

IMPACT STAGE

Smaranda Teleabă, Chief Digital and Marketing Office at L’Oreal, talked about how the company is pioneering the integration of technology into the beauty industry under her leadership. They have introduced concepts like green science chemistry and they are digitalizing the customer journey, which are transforming how consumers interact with beauty products. This innovative approach not only enhances customer experience but also underscores L’Oréal’s commitment to sustainability and personalized beauty solutions. By combining deep beauty industry knowledge with advanced technological expertise, L’Oréal is shaping the future of beauty, ensuring a sustainable and enriching customer experience.

Angus Keck, COO at AgUnity underscored the critical importance of adhering to deadlines, maintaining regular contact (without coming across as desperate or pushy), and mentioning other investors. Moreover, he stressed the belief that with self-confidence, anything is achievable. His advice emphasized the necessity of perfecting your pitch and avoiding assumptions that the deal is already secured.

Shravan Nageswaran, Co-Founder & CEO at Atman Labs, encouraged participants to challenge the consensus, learn from nature and invent from first principles. He believed that advancements across multiple deep learning disciplines beyond large language models will allow to take flight.

“Humans will coexist with benevolent AI. Challenge the consensus. Learn from nature. Invent from first principles. Advancements across multiple deep learning disciplines beyond LLMs will allow us to take flight.”

Peter Sandberg, Founding Partner at Nordic Secondary Fund has been at the forefront of pioneering liquidity options for startup stakeholders through secondaries. With over 35 years of experience in investment banking and asset management, including founding successful asset management firms and making impactful pre-seed and seed investments as a business angel, Peter brings a wealth of expertise to the table and talked at Techsylvania about Navigating Secondaries: Unlocking Liquidity Options for Startup Stakeholder.

Under his leadership, N2F has carved out a unique position in the Nordic market, raising €140M across two funds and completing over 30 secondary deals, resulting in five successful exits. His commitment to navigating secondaries has not only unlocked new liquidity pathways but also set a precedent for strategic investment in the region.

Masoud Al – Rawahi, Co-Founder & Partner at Phaze Ventures is a dynamic figure in the realms of entrepreneurship, investment, and technology. He talked about his whole journey, including details about working for over a decade in information technology within corporate settings.

Bogy Skowronski, Partner at Founder Partners, is a seasoned serial entrepreneur and influential figure in the technology startup ecosystem. With a distinguished background in capital transactions at UBS AG, EBRD London, and FFC Fincoord Ltd, she also thrives as an active venture capitalist and angel investor. Bogy’s commitment to global success is encapsulated in her title of presentation, “Building Global Success: Strategy, Support, and Capital.” This encapsulates her expertise in providing strategic guidance, robust support systems, and crucial capital to emerging ventures.

Sorin Anagnoste, Applied Strategy Professor is specialized in online business models and technology entrepreneurship. With a profound finance background of over 15 years in managerial roles, Sorin brings a wealth of practical experience to his academic efforts. He talked about how generative AI has reached peaked interest and the revolution is continuing. He underscores concerns about overregulation stifling growth in this burgeoning field, advocating for balanced policies to sustain innovation and development.

Arnaud Collery, CEO of Humanava emphasized the importance of leadership in defining purpose, setting clear goals, and fostering a cohesive vision while promoting a culture of trust through meaningful rituals.

Arnaud’s diverse background includes coaching top tech CEOs and unicorn startups like Careem, leveraging his creativity and empathy to drive innovation and sustainable success.

Adrian Pica, CPO Potters Maps, delivered a compelling presentation on navigating modern business challenges with strategic clarity. He emphasized understanding a business’s intrinsic value and the pivotal role of product leaders in integrating digital and physical elements for broad market appeal. Bica illustrated his points with examples such as the surge in food delivery services during economic crises, highlighting the importance of achieving a strong product-market fit. His analogy of “cooking your business recipe” underscored the potential of platforms like YouTube and Netflix for revenue generation, even in competitive landscapes.

Partner session with Dan Mihăescu, Founding Partner at GapMinder Ventures, Alex Popa, President at AXP Holding and Elena Vrabie, Moderator and Country Lead Romania at The Recursive.

The speakers talked about the importance of choosing investors and Alex Popa emphasized that you should select investors based on their ability to contribute to your growth rather than just their capital. He also advised fostering strong relationships with investors to leverage their support effectively as your company scales.

Dan Mihăescu spoke about the importance of going to as many events as possible, having the right people besides you and learning from them. Then the next step is to focus on technology because proper technology can help you advance fast.

During the day we also had some insightful Q&A sessions where attendees engaged directly with keynote speakers, actively posing questions and gaining deeper insights into the topics at hand. The speakers who attended the sessions where: Sasha Dragic – Superbet, Drew Banin – dbt Labs, Jonathan Rivers – Fortune Magazine, Quharrison Terry – Mark Cuban Companies and Suthen Thomas – Grab.

Techsylvania 2024 brought together over 3,500 participants and 50 leaders in business and technology across four main stages: Center Stage, Impact Stage, Technical Workshops Stage, and Q&A Session Stage.

Attendees engaged directly with keynote speakers during Q&A sessions, asking questions that uncovered deeper insights into complex topics. This interactive format not only enhanced the conference experience but also fostered discussions on the cutting edge of technology and business strategy. Participants also benefited from practical learning in technical workshops, gaining new skills and strategies.

As we reflect on the success of Techsylvania 2024, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire community—participants, partners, speakers, and volunteers—who contributed to making this event a resounding success. We look forward to continuing this journey of business and technology exploration and discovery with you all in the years to come!

The post Techsylvania 2024: uniting innovation and insight Day 2 Wrap-Up appeared first on Techsylvania.

Inspiring ideas, innovative business solutions, and future predictions – Day 1 Wrap Up @Techsylvania 2024

Vlad Ciurca — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 14:00:13 +0000

Techsylvania is the place where you need to be if you are a tech expert, entrepreneur, or passionate about the latest technologies. This year the main focus was on topics regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on business and society, how local and international authorities can join forces and improve our everyday lives and how important is to believe in your business idea and never give up despite all obstacles you may encounter.

Here’s a brief overview of some of the highlights from the day’s sessions.

CENTER STAGE

Shai Shalev from Mobileye has walked us through the evolution of AI and how self-supervised learning, particularly through large language models, revolutionized the field. For applications in the physical world, such as robotics and autonomous driving, learning from experience is crucial but challenging due to the risks and constraints of real-world testing. Simulations offer a safer alternative, though they may not perfectly replicate reality.

Daniel Hume, Chief AI Officer at WPP, critiques the current use of the term “AI,” arguing that many systems labeled as AI are merely automation and not true artificial intelligence. True AI involves systems that can learn, adapt, and make decisions autonomously, rather than simply executing repetitive tasks.

”You, the leaders, have to understand that AI is going to radically transform your business and is very important what you want to do. Ultimately, you want to create an organization that innovates.”, said Daniel. He has also addressed risks associated with AI, including micro risks (safe deployment), malicious risks (preventing misuse), and macro risks (potential existential threats). Effective AI implementation requires addressing these risks and ensuring AI is used ethically and responsibly.

Shervin Pishevar, Chairman & CEO of Edison Fund believes that ”As an entrepreneur, I understood that nothing can replace the human connection. Even if AI is moving thousand times faster, the value of people who have verbal communication skills, who can express things is going to go off now.” Yet, we are going to witness incredible advancements in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and Shervin encourages staying alive to witness these changes, suggesting that the next 20 years will bring significant breakthroughs in longevity and intelligence.

Angela Ivanova, Co-Founder & CEO at LAM’ON OOD, and Michiel Scheffer, President of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Board have talked about how your startup can thrive internationally.

Even if there are some difficulties in securing initial funding, especially due to skepticism about the potential success and benefits, having angel investors and grants is vital for your business.

Chris Mirabile from Novos has offered us a different perspective on what we think longevity means. Chris defines longevity not just as living longer, but more importantly as extending the period of life without chronic illness, referred to as healthspan. His deep knowledge in the field stems from a personal passion for longevity and health. This passion led to extensive reading of scientific studies and surrounding themselves with subject matter experts.

In the age of AI & digitalization, the power of working together has never been greater. Moderated by Elisabeta Moraru, Country Lead at Google, the discussion on Center Stage about ”How Can CEE Countries Leapfrog Leveraging Digital and AI?” has brought together visionaries like Patrick Warnking from Google, Bogy Skowronski of FounderPartners, and Sabin Sărmaș from the Romanian Parliament. Here are some takeaways:

“We are all very busy but take some time and educate yourself on the latest AI tools that are all available for free.” (Patrick Warnking)

“We don’t have time for administration, we want to have time for strategies, for our organizations. So, governments play a crucial role on this topic.” (BogySkowronski)

“Which are the cultures that are performing best? I received this answer: wher ethe leadership of the country is at the highest level. I would like to have bold leaders that would assume a digital transformation of our country, not just a statement.” (Sabin Sărmaș)

Sumon Sadhu from Atman Labs believes that “The most ambitious company you can build is one that redefines a nation.” Seizing unique moments in history and raising the ceiling of ambition is crucial for transformative success. Flipkart capitalized on the rise of the Indian middle class and the shift from offline to online shopping, while DeepMind elevated the ambition for AI and contributed to global advancements.

Exploring the virtual world of Metaverse might be fascinating but there are always two sides of a coin. Nina Jane Patel, Interpol’s Metaverse Expert emphasizes the rapid evolution and integration of technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR), spatial computing, AI, and blockchain into the fabric of our digital lives.

Nina highlights the complexities, challenges, and potential risks associated with virtual worlds. These include issues related to safety and security, such as online grooming, sexual exploitation, and other forms of metaverse-specific crimes. The importance of developing effective safety measures, educational resources, and regulations to protect users, especially children, in these digital environments is a key focus of her work.

Yet, there are immense opportunities that virtual worlds and associated technologies present. From the significant growth forecast in the virtual world market to innovative applications in gaming, education, and entertainment, these technologies offer new ways to engage, create, and connect. Patel also discusses the need for long-term strategies that prioritize user empowerment and the continued innovation that drives the technological landscape forward.

The next generation of AI is going beyond the surface. Fernando Dominguez Pinuaga from SandboxAQ thinks AI is transforming healthcare by simplifying complex processes, such as interpreting heart data, making it accessible without extensive training. Additionally, AI is advancing encryption methods, enhancing data security, and accelerating the development of quantum computing, highlighting the interconnected progress in technology and AI’s role in driving these advancements.

How do we transform ourselves so we don’t lose who we are but at the same time become very competitive with these other services? This is a tough challenge, especially for a satellite radio company like SiriusXM.

Joe Inzerillo has had an interesting discussion with Quharrison Terry about the development and challenges of satellite radio. Joe highlights the experience with Disney, focusing on the company’s strategic shift to streaming with Disney+. This transformation was driven by the need to adapt to changing media consumption habits and compete with established streaming platforms like Netflix.

Slava Rubin from Humbition strongly believes that it is important to have a passion for what you’re doing and be committed to it for the long term.

The early stages are challenging and may not yield immediate rewards. However, continued dedication and willingness to endure these struggles are essential for eventual success. Startups often fail due to a lack of focus, trying to do too much, and not identifying the right market fit. Learning to say no to distractions and concentrating on a core idea is crucial for survival and success.

We have found out from John Caspers, Co-founder Adyen & Rootline, that despite not succeeding in the SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) market, the experience was valuable as it provided important lessons in product-market fit, operational optimization, and understanding customer segments.

Hiring talented individuals with a creative and entrepreneurial mindset, allowing them freedom and support to innovate within the company not only nurtured internal innovation but also contributed to the broader startup ecosystem, with former employees starting new ventures based on their experiences.

IMPACT STAGE

We have had the chance to explore other countries’ entrepreneurial environments as well as dive deep into how to scale and fund your company. All the captivating talks on the Impact Stage were hosted by Elena Vrabie, Country Lead @The Recursive.

Partha Nageswaran from Aabhra brings our awareness on data. Enterprises have a lot of data that is not analysed and analysts don’t have support from systems. Unifying the world’s data will expand the world’s knowledge.

Rutger de Waard from Rootline had an interesting discussion with Elena Vrabie from The Recursive about sales, startups, tactics, and innovation. He agrees that there is a challenge to start from scratch but he strongly advises to “Listen to what the client wants. Sell your value before pricing. If you sell on pricing, it’s only about pricing.”

Yosuke Kurosawa (Japan Facts Organization) and Quharrison Terry (Mark Cuban Companies) have explored Japan’s entrepreneurial environment. The culture startups in Japan are supported by the government yet, there are not a lot of Japanese people starting companies.

Michiel Scheffer and Elena Ungureanu from the European Innovation Council have discussed with Ioana Mihai (European Investment Bank) and Endre Hunnyadi, Business Development Manager Lumen, about funding your deep tech company to scale up in the European Union. It is important to identify, develop, and scale up high-risk, high-impact innovation across Europe.

The EIC prioritizes deep tech innovations that align with the EUs strategic goals and address major societal challenges.

Karel Obluk from Evolution Equity Partners believes that there are opportunities for new technologies . A product becomes a product only when a customer pays for it. Understanding the market is very important and many people underestimate this.

Nick Powell from Bolt has shared inspiring stories about Bolt’s evolution and emphasized the importance of expanding value for their customers such as adopting new features, services and options like Bolt Luxe, long-term car rentals, and Bolt business card expense management.

Andreas Cser (Fraser) and Thomas Cser (Pricefx) had a debate on tech, culture, and who’s right. We should see the value of failure. People should not be afraid to fail and start again because failure is an opportunity to grow.

Andrei Hasna has talked about how we can remain competitive when AI has the potential to disrupt any business and what is the true cost of innovation. There are 3 pillars of innovation: collaboration, transformative and multidisciplinary. Andrei has made us thinking about this question: “Do we afford to live in a world where AI is how it is right now and do we need regulations?”

Andrei Bica from Profi said that the main goals of CFO’s in 2024 are continuous automation, using data to drive value, taking charge of digitalization, guiding the enterprise value and ncrease the value of the company using the technology. Profi focuses on 4 main pillars: Customer Engagement (next step after customer experience – Mobile App – 2.4 million subscribers ), Sustainable Expansion (AI tools to check the traffic), State of the art logistic (6 distribution centers ), Efficiency (dedicated team taking care of process information).

Pranay Prakash from Windsor.io was very honest and confessed to Elena and the audience that if there is something that he would have done differently, he would be more careful with the hiring, maybe implement a different hiring process.

Martina Vidakovic has 6 years of experience working at Happening. She told us that each market had problems: inconsistent implementation, increased development time, frontend overhead, and testing. Using KMP has some advantages like shared codebase which allows consistency, simplified maintenance, flexibility, interoperability, scalability, consistency, seamless integration.

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

During the Q&A sessions, participants had the chance to interact directly with the keynote speakers, posing questions and gaining additional understanding of the discussed subjects. These sessions added a valuable interactive dimension to the conference, fostering deeper exploration and clarification of the ideas presented.

Regarding the workshops, each offered practical and interactive learning opportunities for everyone, enabling us to acquire new skills in specific areas of interest.

Design Smarter: The Untapped Power of Product Simulation with Tamás Biró & Dacian Lucaci (Accenture)
Leveling up the Medical, Legal, and Regulatory process in Pharma with Gen.AI with Radu Radocea, Bogdan Peltea, Mario Dumitru (Deloitte). They showed us how AI is supporting the pharmaceutical industry and how you can ask the model for formula if you are a chemist.
Making it all come together: How Critical User Journeys shape products that empower people long-term with Ilona Farkas , Dragoș Bardac, Daniel Chiș (Google). They talked about impactful user experience design.
Achieving Low Latency and High Throughput with Apache Kafka with Andrei Moldovan (msg systems Romania). Andrei shared strategies for optimizing data processing efficiency.
Preparing and Using Data for AI with LangChain and OpenSearch® Sébastien Blanc & Tibs (Aiven)

See you on Day 2, dear techsylvanians!

The post Inspiring ideas, innovative business solutions, and future predictions – Day 1 Wrap Up @Techsylvania 2024 appeared first on Techsylvania.

Meet the Visionaries Taking the Stage as Top 5 Speakers at Techsylvania 2024

Vlad Ciurca — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 13:43:07 +0000

Techsylvania 2024 is just around the corner, and the excitement is palpable.

This year’s lineup of speakers promises to be nothing short of phenomenal, with some of the brightest minds in technology, business, and innovation taking the stage to share their insights and visions for the future.

Here are the top 5 speakers you won’t want to miss:

Christyl Johnson – Deputy Director for Technology & Research Investments at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Dr. Christyl Johnson is a renowned expert in the field of space technology and innovation. As the Deputy Director for Technology & Research Investments at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, she manages the Center’s research and development portfolio, formulating the Center’s future science and technology goals. With her extensive experience in the space industry, Dr. Johnson’s talk at Techsylvania 2024 is sure to be a highlight, as she shares her insights on the future of space exploration and its potential applications. including her topic “Harnessing Technology to Bring Sustainable Human Presence to Mars“.

Sebastian Dobrincu – Co-Founder of Revocalize.ai

Sebastian Dobrincu is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and software engineer with a passion for AI and innovation. As the co-founder of Revocalize.ai, an AI startup building synthetic AI voice technology, Dobrincu is known for being the youngest investor on the Shark Tank franchise and has been recognized as Silicon Valley’s Youngest Self-Made Millionaire.

His talk at Techsylvania 2024 will likely focus on the future of AI and its potential applications in various industries, including his topic “Identifying Your Target Customers: A Guide for Engineers in Tech”

Nina Jane Patel – Vice President of Metaverse Research at Anthropic

Nina Jane Patel is an expert in the field of virtual and augmented reality, with a background in computer science. As the Vice President of Metaverse Research at Anthropic, she has worked on developing innovative technologies for immersive experiences.

Her talk at Techsylvania 2024 will likely focus on the future of metaverse technology and its potential applications in various industries. Her topic will be “Spatial Computing: Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of the 3D Metaverse”

Shai Shalev-Shwartz – CTO of Mobileye

Professor of Computer Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem & Chief Scientist at Deci AI
Shai Shalev-Shwartz is a leading expert in machine learning and has made significant contributions to the field of deep learning. As a Professor of Computer Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Chief Scientist at Deci AI, he has published extensively in top-tier machine learning conferences and journals. His topic will be “Through the AI Looking Glass: A Personal Chronicle of Innovation and Safety”.

Nigel Richardson – SVP & CIO Europe at PepsiCo

Nigel Richardson is a seasoned technology executive with extensive experience in leading digital transformation. As the SVP & CIO Europe at PepsiCo, he is accountable for all aspects of Information Technology and leading digital transformation. Prior to this role, Richardson served as CIO for PepsiCo’s East Europe region and CIO for UK, Ireland, and Sub-Saharan Africa. His insights on the future of digital transformation and its impact on business will be invaluable at Techsylvania 2024.

These five visionaries are just a few of the many incredible speakers lined up for Techsylvania 2024. With their combined expertise and insights, this year’s conference promises to be an unforgettable experience for attendees. Don’t miss your chance to meet and learn from these industry leaders and shape your vision for the future of technology and business.

[button link=”#https://techsylvania.com/tickets/” newwindow=”yes”] Buy your ticket![/button]

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