How to Build Startup Ecosystem That Produces Unicorns ft. Csongor Biás #TheRecursivePodcast E111

Csongor Biás is the Managing Director of Startup Hungary, an initiative dedicated to accelerating the growth of Hungary's startup ecosystem. With extensive experience in the startup scene, he is an active angel investor and has worked with venture capital firms and accelerators. Csongor also played a key role as Country Manager in launching Vacuumlabs’ operations in Budapest. Now, alongside 12 startup founders, Csongor focuses on strengthening Hungary’s entrepreneurial landscape.In his conversation with Irina Obushtarova, he talks about:Hungarian startup ecosystem and its opportunities and challenges;the importance of telling the success stories;funding and the effect of the political climate;Timestamps0:00 Trailer 1:52 The development of the Hungarian startup ecosystem7:53 Startup Hungary’s mission15:44 Challenges that founders encounter in Hungary21:42 How to measure success31:30 Funding and finding the right investors37:05 Investing in early stage startups 42:30 Strengthening the ecosystem

Ivett Angyal brings experience from multiple industries. Currently, as Operations Lead for EDIHs at EIT Digital, she supports digital innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe by managing key processes, reporting KPIs, and ensuring impactful results. In 2018, Ivett co-founded and served as a CEO of a tech startup, a marketplace for pre-loved products.In her conversation with Irina Obushtarova, she talks about:career transition and social reactions;overcoming intimidation and self-confidence;personal development and gratitude.Timestamps0:00 Trailer 1:28 The function of European Digital Innovation Hubs14:11 The challenges of digital transformation for SMEs15:58 The success stories of the initiative 16:52 Growing up in entrepreneurial family and starting a venture19:52 Sustainability and consumers23:53 Lessons learned: failure and success43:40 Shifting priorities and prospects

In this episode of The Recursive Podcast, visionary entrepreneur Sergiu Negut shares his journey and insights on business growth, international markets, and fundraising. As the co-founder of FintechOS, one of the region's fastest-growing companies, Sergiu brings a wealth of experience, including raising a $60M Series B+ round this year. Beyond leading a tech company, he is an angel investor, founding partner at the healthcare-focused Cleverage VC, Board Member of Romanian Business Leaders and a professor of entrepreneurship at the Bucharest International School of Management.Together with Irina Obushtarova, they explore:Why Central and Eastern Europe needs to unite as a region.Strategies for creating more success stories and driving systemic change in the region.The intersection of tech entrepreneurship and politics.Tune in for an inspiring deep dive into Eastern Europe’s entrepreneurial pulse!Timestamps00:00 Trailer 2:01 Intro 4:45 Why CEE needs to stand together at a region 9:25 The halo effect of UiPath 13:45 How to create more success stories and systemic change 19:18 Is there a place for tech entrepreneurs in politics? 23:07 The American dream leaves in Eastern Europe 27:45 Why Sergiu Negut decided to go into entrepreneurship and his experience of living abroad 40:51 What does failure look like? 56:17 How does Sergiu deal with wearing more hats? 1:11:19 Next things in Sergiu’s career 1:23:46 Outro

In this episode of The Recursive Podcast, Mihnea Craciun shares his expertise and journey from media to banking, investing, and entrepreneurship, offering a comprehensive view of Romania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Together with Elena Vrabie, they explore:The evolution of Romanian entrepreneurship: challenges, opportunities, and the unique profile of local founders.The role of global networks and Endeavor Romania in fostering high-impact entrepreneurs.Strategies to attract foreign capital and strengthen connections between Romania’s diaspora and local ecosystems.Predictions for the future of entrepreneurship in Romania and the broader CEE region.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the factors shaping Romania’s entrepreneurial landscape!Timestamps00:00 Trailer 1:36 Intro 3:01 Mihnea’s experience with entrepreneurship and the theory of the lobster13:34 Why was Romania slow to move into entrepreneurship? 18:14 The profile of the Romanian entrepreneur20:21 The “sexy” part about entrepreneurship 26:12 The story of Endeavor Romania 40:07 Strategies to attract more foreign capital in Romania 47:00 How to build bridges between diaspora and local ecosystems? 50:25 Increased collaboration in CEE 53:07 How will entrepreneurship look in the future 59:09 Outro

György Simo is a Managing Partner at Day One Capital Fund. He began his career as a journalist before joining the Magyar Telekom Group, where he played a key role in launching [origo], Hungary’s leading internet portal. In 2003, György became the CEO of T-Online Hungary and took on executive roles at Magyar Telekom, overseeing media acquisitions, growth initiatives in media, e-commerce, and data services. He also founded the company’s innovation hub, Kitchen Budapest. In his conversation with Irina Obushtarova, he talks about:media and misinformation;the US elections and their impact on Europe;the economic models we need to adopt;Timestamps0:00 Trailer 5:31 Alternative journalism and mainstream media23:18 Media, identity and community36:10 Trump’s presidency affecting the CEE tech ecosystem46:40 Data is the center of everything1:15:35 Startup founders and problem solving1:30:18 The future solutions______________Follow György and Day One Capital:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gyorgysimo/https://www.dayonecapital.com/Follow The Recursive Team! https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recursive/Irina Obushtarova! https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-obushtarova/ If you would like to find out more about these topics…CHECK OUT 🟣 https://therecursive.com/ OR SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTERS 🟣 https://join.therecursive.com/signup🎆Get our 2024 AI report!🎆 https://therecursive.com/future-of-ai-in-cee-market-report/

How can extreme sports change your view on life & business? In this episode of The Recursive Podcast, Cosmin Curticapean takes us through his entrepreneurial journey that began in 1995, spanning industries from telecommunications to fintech. In 2016, he founded LENDOX, a tech startup focused on alternative financing solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises. Since then, LENDOX has secured around €3.5M in investment, fueling its growth in this innovative sector.Beyond building companies, Cosmin actively supports the startup ecosystem. He co-founded the Romanian Fintech Association, mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, and acts as an angel investor through Techangels Romania.In this conversation with Elena Vrabie, he discusses:- The lessons his father taught him that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset- How meeting his wife helped him embrace authenticity- The future of fintech in Romania and beyondTimestamps0:00 Trailer 2:30 Building the first business in 1995 and Cosmin’s entrepreneurial journey14:46 Cosmin’s leadership style and why authenticity is important21:22 How LENDOX helps SMEs with alternative financing by leveraging AI 33:04 Building a fintech company in a highly regulated market 39:39 The culture & standouts members of LENDOX 45:11 The current state of fintech of Romania vs globally 50:37 Cosmin’s take on angel investing in CEE 55:54 What the future holds for LENDOX

What was it like to study AI back in 2003, and how does it pay off today? In this episode of The Recursive Podcast, Bogdan Iordache shares his journey from becoming a CTO at just 21 years old to his evolution as a successful investor. Bogdan is a prominent person not only in Romania’s startup ecosystem, but in CEE. Over the years, he has worn many hats—founder, advisor, event organizer—and today, he plays a leading role as an investor. Just a year ago, he announced the first close of Underline Ventures with $20M in funding.Bogdan is also the founder of How to Web, one of the region’s most prominent tech conferences.In his conversation with Irina Obushtarova, he discusses:- Why he didn’t enjoy being a founder, but loves being an investor- Passing the reins of How to Web to Alex Agatinei and Monica Zara- Underline VC's approach to identifying excellent founders ______________Timestamps0:00 Trailer 1:33 Reflections on How To Web Conference & how it started 7:36 Doing business as a teenager and how selling sunglasses paid off 16:18 Getting a degree in AI in 2003 and what was it about 11 year ago 19:21 Becoming a CTO at 21 y/o in 2000 and challenging your superiors 26:56 Leaving for France, but finding the way back to Romania 31:08 Founder life vs investor and what is Bogdan better at 43:12 Underline VC’s checklist for finding investable founders 51:38 Bogdan’s daily routine and non-negotiables ______________If you would like to find out more about these topics…CHECK OUT 🟣 https://therecursive.com/ OR SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER 🟣 https://join.therecursive.com/signup 🎆Get in line for our 2024 AI report!🎆 https://therecursive.com/future-of-ai...

Nika Pintar is the founder and Head of Revenue at Ani Biome, a longevity biotech startup at the forefront of microbiome health and longevity. Nika believes the winning longevity drug won’t be a molecule but an algorithm. At Ani Biome, they have built an integrated ML infrastructure to tackle mental, muscular, and immunological longevity through the gut. Their bioactives, AgeBiotics, are pre-clinically and clinically proven and offered through a personalized subscription model.In her conversation with Irina Obushtarova, Nika talks about:🟣 The path to discovering personalized microbiome health 🟣 How everyday life influences your gut health🟣 The future of the longevity industry and Ani Biome’s role in it______________Timestamps0:00 Trailer2:14 From precancerous condition to gut health10:17 Getting the entrepreneurship “bug”15:10 The gut as communication channel21:15 How to influence your microbiome26:40 Personalized ways of improving the health38:53 Understanding the essence of longevity48:00 Unlocking the final level53:04 Outro______________Follow Nika and Ani Biome:  / nika-pintar     / anibiome  Follow The Recursive (Team)  / the-recursive  Irina Obushtarova -   / irina-obushtarova   If you would like to find out more about these topics…CHECK OUT 🟣 https://therecursive.com/ OR SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER 🟣 https://join.therecursive.com/signup🎆Get in line for our 2024 AI report!🎆 https://therecursive.com/future-of-ai...

What makes a “perfect marriage” between founders and investors? In this episode of The Recursive podcast we explore investor’s dilemma and founder’s mindset with Pedja Predin. He is General Partner at Fifth Quarter Ventures, a new early-stage venture capital fund creating global success stories from Southeast Europe.Pedja has over 12 years of experience in venture capital, corporate strategy, business development, and global expansion. Before establishing his own fund, he was a venture capital investor at South Central Ventures.In his conversation with Irina Obushtarova, he talks about:The importance of the diaspora bringing in new perspectivesThe challenge of cultural and historical attitudes towards feedbackChemistry and collaboration between investors and founders0:00 Trailer1:25 The stepping stone to venture capital8:35 Scaling to the US and other major markets12:22 The founder’s mindset that scores higher20:19 Achieving a level of maturity as an investor27:06 Region’s potential in AI30:00 The importance of the talent pool32:42 VCs community involvement in future innovation36:38 The “dating” process between founders and investors38:41 Staying on top of the game45:07 The symptoms of a good investor51:23 Outro

In this episode, Irina Obushtarova talks with Martina Silov, President of CroAI, the Croatian Artificial Intelligence Association, and Head of Partnerships at Mindsmits. Martina is an advocate for tech optimism, focusing on integrating technology into education and fostering a strong AI community. In this episodes, she shares about:  Connecting with the AI community in Croatia and beyond The responsibilities of the mentors and their role The role of AI in decision-makingTimestamps0:00 Trailer1:27 Intro3:07 The beginning of Martina’s journey to CroAI8:46 Engaging the AI community in Croatia13:05 How much Tech optimism is OK24:23 Women vs men in technology 28:07 The role of the mentors39:00 The future of AI and Croatia’s place in the change58:00 Outro