S2 | Episode #19 - Stefan Anca - Co-Founder & CTO at Likeminded - 'Empowering Technology Leaders in the Mental Health Industry'

About Stefan

Stefan Anca is the co-founder and CTO of Likeminded, a tech startup in the mental health space. Originally from Romania, Stefan has been living in Germany since 2004. He studied computer science and advanced computer science in Bremen. Stefan's career began as an engineer in a small family-owned company, but he soon realised his desire for growth and development. He moved to Berlin, the startup capital of Germany, and started working in startups, specialising in programming mobile applications, before moving on to management level positions.

Synopsis

In this episode of the Technology Leadership Podcast, Stefan Anca, co-founder and CTO at Likeminded, discusses the challenges of raising funding in the tech industry, especially during difficult economic times. He shares his career journey, from studying computer science to working in startups and eventually becoming a people-focused manager. Stefan highlights the success of Likeminded, a mental health tech startup, and how they secured funding by showcasing their unique selling point and market potential. The episode emphasises the importance of understanding user needs and creating a user-friendly platform for accessing mental health services.

Key Takeaways

• The significance of self-awareness, seeking mentorship, and continuously enhancing  skillset as a CTO.
• The success of the tech department relies on a product team with a strong focus on user needs, versatile engineers capable of addressing various aspects, and a deep commitment to the field.
• Likeminded successfully raised funding in a difficult economic climate by showcasing the untapped market for mental health services and demonstrating their growing revenues.
• Evaluate and understand your own skills and identify any gaps that need improvement.
• Seek feedback from mentors and experienced professionals in order to determine the skills necessary to progress in your career.

Episode Outline

[00:09] Meet Stefan
[02:16] Career growth and fundraising for a mental health tech startup
[08:57] Building a digital platform for mental health support.
[14:35] Career growth and success as a CTO
[16:48] evaluating skills for career growth
[30:51] Common pitfalls for young engineering managers.
[37:05] Career growth and management tips for young engineers
[42:51] Mental health and work-life balance in the tech industry