The Recursive Podcast The Recursive Media
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- Business
The Recursive podcast is your weekly wander inside the minds of innovation leaders across SouthEast Europe. Each week our hosts cozy up with a digital economy champion and dive deep into their life philosophy, values, leadership style, and personal development. Join us for inspirational stories on how to grow, learn and think big.
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How to Follow Industry’s Rules, Yet Stay out of the Box With Konstantin Bezuhanov @Evrotrust Ep.96
Our guest for this episode has a big, bold ambition to make digital identity services the cornerstone of all economic and social activities of people around the world.
Konstantin Bezuhanov is co-founder and CEO of Evrotrust Technologies, the company that aims to solve the challenges associated with secure digital identification.
Evrotrust's products are adopted by over 1.3 million users across 58 countries. The company has attracted partnerships with industry giants like Mastercard and leading banks such as Unicredit Bulbank, and KBC, and it has been recently recognized by governments and the European Commission.
In this episode, we learn more about the complexities of identity in the digital age, but also what it takes to solve meaningful problems.
Konstantin also shares:
How it is to build a global identity system transcending national borders and work with strict entities like banks or government;
Views on mission-driven entrepreneurship how a strong sense of purpose guides decision-making and success metrics;
How the future would look if digital identity seamlessly integrates into daily life;
The importance of data protection and compliance in Evrotrust’s solution;
TIME STAMPS
00:00 Trailer
0:56 Introduction
1:47 Moving from the comfort zone to entrepreneurship and what it takes
4:41 Konstantin’s endeavors in London and why he lived there
10:08 Why Konstantin moved back to Bulgaria
11:03 Why execution matters more than the idea
13:00 Evrotrust’s story and how the founding team was formed
20:42 Choosing the best market and end users for Evrotrust
24:00 The most difficult problem in the space of digital identity
28:58 The mission and vision of Evrostrust
36:08 Early adopters for digital identity solutions
38:05 Konstantin’s many hats and switching them
44:39 Finding success as a founder and in life
47:30 The future of digital identity
55:43 Outro -
The Secret of a Successful Lifestyle Company with Radoslav Gaydarski from Cleverpine Еp.95
Our guest today is Radoslav Gaydarski, co-founder of CleverPine, a company that has made significant strides in the tech industry since its inception during the pandemic. Prior to this position, he was the co-founder and CEO of Upnetix, offering client-tailored software solutions, which was acquired by Scalefocus.
With a deep background in software development and a passion for entrepreneurship, Gaydarski shares his journey from tinkering with computers in his youth to leading a company that has seen substantial growth and has recently partnered with Lufthansa Technik to innovate within the aviation sector.
In this discussion, you will discover Radoslav’s approach to leadership style,but also CleverPine's way of delivering exceptional value to its clients.
On top of that, he touches on:
How their company cultivates a positive and productive workplace culture;
The importance of surrounding oneself with the right team;
Learning from past challenges, and how these principles have guided his strategies for talent development and company growth;
TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Trailer
01:47 Introduction
03:27 Why Radoslav Moved to the US and Back to Bulgaria
08:11 Choosing Entrepreneurship and What Does It Take
13:25 Radoslav’s Failures and What He Took Out of It
20:00 What Is a Lifestyle Company
20:33 Upnetix’s Acquisition and the Learnings Learned
23:20 Cleverpine and Lufthansa Technik’s Partnership and What Is ViTech
39:06 The Importance of Studying the Client’s Industry and How Cleverpine Does That
42:41 How a Lifestyle Company Works and Why It Doesn’t Care About Metrics
51:59 CleverPine’s Working from the Office Culture
54:59 Team Structures and How to Deliver Quality Projects on Time
1:01:17 Developing Yourself as a Leader and Self-Reflection
1:04:58 CleverPine’s Flans for the Future
1:10:20 CleverPine Ventures and Supporting New Businesses
1:16:30 The Happiness Culture and How Can a Leader Foster This
1:21:40 Outro -
Why to Visualize Failure and How to Find Your Energy as a Founder with Milen Manev from PlanDelta Еp.94
Our guest today is Milen Manev, the co-founder and CTO of PlanDelta, a next-generation planning tool bridging the gap between strategic and financial planning.
With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, Milen has a wealth of knowledge in software product development and has held various leadership positions, including Vice President at the American software company SyncHR.
He holds a Master Degree in Management of Information Systems from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.
In this episode we discover Milen’s approach to entrepreneurship, fundraising and what he learned from pitching to the biggest VC funds.
He talks about:
How visualizing failure and making peace with the worst case scenario can help you prepare for hard decisions;
Why self-promotion and highlighting your capabilities is crucial during fundraising;
What sacrifices comes with entrepreneurship and what mental health challenges occur;
*This episode of The Recursive Podcast is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.
TIME STAMPS:
00:00 - Trailer
01:56 - Introduction
02:27 - How PlanDelta Choose the Problem They Want to Solve
05:52 - How to Know if You Are Solving the Right Problem
09:22 - Carving a Niche in Complex IT Ecosystems: How PlanDelta Identified Its Place in the Big Picture
15:09 - Data Integrity for Strategic Decisions in Fast-Moving Startups
17:06 - Mastering the Pitch and How Many Meetings With Investors You Need
27:48 - The Truth About Fundraising as an Early Stage Startup
30:32 - Why and How PlanDelta Fundraised from 17 Angel Investors
34: 54 - Step by Step: PlanDelta's Methodical Approach to Growth
39:00 - The Fine Line Between Ego and Ambition
44:28 - Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Tech Startups
51:09 - How to Get Energized as a Founder and the View on Failure
1:04:37 - Mentorship and Asking for Support
1:08:33 - Outro -
The Formula for Sustainable Business Growth with Diana Aladzhova from CFO Insights | Ep.93
Our guest today is Diana Aladzhova, an experienced investment manager and partner at the first Bulgarian mezzanine fund Silverline Capital.
Shе is also the founder of the cloud-based provider of CFO services CFO Insights.
Diana has a background in banking and the private sector, with a focus on investment structuring, due diligence, financial analysis, and company valuation.
She holds a Master's degree in Finance and Private Equity from the London School of Economics and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
In this episode we follow her journey from finance, to private equity and entrepreneurship.
In her conversation with Irina, Diana Aladzhova talks about:
How her experience as an investor helped her found her own company focused on supporting startups and scaleups with financial expertise;
The importance of strategic financial management vs. “growth-at-all-costs” strategy;
How to build the right foundation for sustainable growth as a company;
Achieving balance between life and work is about building efficient work habits and self-awareness;
*This episode of The Recursive Podcast is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.
TIME STAMPS:
0:00 Trailer
03:13 Introduction
04:16 From LSE to Building Bulgaria's Private Equity Landscape
13:00 Learning Curve: First Experiences as Equity Investor
18:00 The Hedgehog Concept: Mastering the Art of Exponential Growth
25:40 How to Build A Sustainable Business Model: Lessons from an Investor Turned Founder
34:29 The Perils of Growth-at-All-Costs: A Financial Perspective
38:32 Building Strong Foundations: Resilience and Responsibility in Startup Culture
44:55 How to Scale a Service Business Efficiently: CFO Insights Long Term Vision
49:45 Creating Social Impact Through Business Logic: The Story of Box to Remember
54:55 Balancing Act: Juggling Work, Family, and Passion Projects
1:02:15 Balancing Vision and Action: Strategies for Long-Term Success
1:07:20 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Self-Doubt
1:14:31 Outro -
Food, Tech, and Longevity: Rethinking Health with Victor Penev from Edamam | Ep.92
Our next guest has come a long way in his professional and personal development - from investment banking, through digital media and marketing, and e-commerce to rethinking humanity’s relationship with food.
Victor Penev is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the food database and nutrition data provider Edamam.
He is also a mentor and investor in food tech startups and an advisor to early-stage entrepreneurs.
Before that, Victor co-founded and sold Bulgaria’s largest Internet Company NetInfo BG.
In this episode we discover what is next on his journey.
In his conversation with Irina, Victor Penev talks about:
The legacy of one of Bulgaria’s firsts digital media companies and the early days of the Bulgarian Internet;
The bittersweet experience of selling your company as an entrepreneur;
Building a business on the intersection of food and technology without traditional fundraising;
Defining success beyond financial metrics, focusing on long-term impact;
His new longevity project: redefining health and food in Bulgaria
*This episode of The Recursive Podcast is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.
Time Stamps:
0:00 Trailer
03:25 Introduction
04:13 After the Fall of the Berlin Wall: Student Ventures and First Media Startups
08:50 From Investment Banking to Entrepreneurship
10:52 The Origin Story of NetInfo: Bulgaria’s First Digital Media Company
12:45 How NetInfo Shaped Bulgaria's Internet Landscape
19:25 Trust and Transition: Victor Penev's Experience with Succession at NetInfo
23:14 Cooking Up Ideas: The Birth of Edamam on a Thai Beach
24:30 Breaking the Mold: Building Edamam without VC Money
30:40 Reflections on Venture Capital: Addressing Inefficiencies in Investment Practices
33:26 Meditative Entrepreneurship: Finding Calm Amidst Chaos
37:20 Do You Have to be Competitive to be a Good Entrepreneur?
45:10 The Art of Mentorship: Nurturing Organic Connections
49:50 The Relationship between Food and Longevity: Victor’s New Project
1:03:10 Life as a Puzzle: Entrepreneurship, Home, and Identity
1:09:29 Outro -
Do You Know the Value of Your Used Smartphone? Mihail Dimitrov from Swipe.bg | Ep.90
Our next guest is an entrepreneur in the promising field of circular economy, advocating for the continuous use and reuse of materials.
Mihail Dimitrov is the co-founder and CЕO of Swipe.bg, a Bulgarian marketplace for buying and selling used smartphones. The company recently raised an investment to expand regionally and grow its market share.
Mihail Dimitrov comes with vast experience in e-commerce and business development. He previously worked for the world's largest classifieds platform OLX and Bulgaria’s largest mеdia group Nova Broadcasting Group.
In this podcast episode, Mihail and Irina talk about:
*This episode of The Recursive Podcast is released in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As part of their mandate to support small and medium-sized businesses, The EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Team provides knowledge, network, and skills to help emerging businesses innovate, thrive, and succeed.