Sweat,Tears and Equity

Fortech Investments
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Welcome to Sweat, Tears and Equity, a podcast by Fortech Investments, where we discuss the untold truths of founding and funding start-ups. Our guests are founders, investors, and other players from the ecosystem who learned these valuable lessons the hard way. They share the things they wish they knew earlier about the challenges that lie in this journey, the things that no one prepared them for, so you and other founders can navigate this bumpy road successfully.  

Episodes

  1. Ep.08 - "You cannot put a price on vision or dreams"- Mihai Raneti, CyberSwarm

    02/07/2025

    Ep.08 - "You cannot put a price on vision or dreams"- Mihai Raneti, CyberSwarm

    In this episode of "Sweat, Tears and Equity", our host Sorin Bădulescu sits down with Mihai Raneti, founder and CEO of Cyber Swarm - a  hardware startup developing neuromorphic computing solutions that challenge tech giants. From their Romanian R&D hub, they're exporting advanced chip technology to the US, turning geographical constraints into competitive advantages. Drawing from his experience as a founder, Mihai shares candid insights about:  👉 Why hardware startups are harder to scale but more sustainable long-term  👉 How being outside Silicon Valley's radar gave them space to innovate  👉 The reality of choosing investors and why Eastern European founders should look westward  👉 Why current AI is "just statistics" and how neuromorphic computing might change that  👉 The lonely road of deep tech entrepreneurship and why your close ones might not understand Whether you're a founder considering the hardware space, an investor interested in deep tech, or simply curious about building globally competitive startups from Eastern Europe, this episode offers rare insights into the intersection of cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship.

    54 min
  2. Ep.07 - "The best founders are customer-centric, not VC-centric" - Bogdan Iordache, Underline Ventures

    11/28/2024

    Ep.07 - "The best founders are customer-centric, not VC-centric" - Bogdan Iordache, Underline Ventures

    For this episode of "Sweat, Tears and Equity", Sorin Bădulescu sat down with Bogdan Iordache, General Partner of Underline Ventures and founder of How to Web, one of the leading startup conferences in Eastern Europe. Based on his 15-year journey of building the Romanian ecosystem, he shared his insights on the cultural differences that shape the startup landscape in Eastern Europe versus the West, the importance of being customer-centric, and the challenges faced by founders in the region. They also discussed why customer-centricity trumps VC-centricity, and reveals how a new generation of founders is changing the region's tech landscape. From his unique perspective as both a conference founder and venture capitalist, Bogdan offers candid observations about what truly makes founders successful and why some investors initially underestimated Eastern Europe's potential.

    54 min
  3. Ep.06-"You need to be a bit crazy to be an entrepreneur"-Grégoire Vigroux, Serial Founder & Investor

    10/23/2024

    Ep.06-"You need to be a bit crazy to be an entrepreneur"-Grégoire Vigroux, Serial Founder & Investor

    In the 6th episode of "Sweat, Tears and Equity" our host, Sorin Badulescu, sat down with Gregoire Vigroux, a French serial entrepreneur who has been building businesses in Romania since 2006. With multiple successful exits under his belt, including the sale of CallPoint (1000+ employees) to Telus International and Fenix.eco to Recommerce after just 14 months, Gregoire brings tons of experience in scaling and selling companies. As the founder of Beyond Business School and a prominent voice in the Romanian startup ecosystem, he combines his entrepreneurial journey with education to address the gaps he's observed in the local business environment. In this episode, Gregoire discusses: 👉 Why entrepreneurship is a "gigantic graveyard" and what it takes to survive 👉 The stark reality of burnout in the business world and his personal six-month recovery 👉 Why Romanian professionals excel at problem-solving but struggle with sales and risk-taking 👉 The counterintuitive approach of befriending competitors and planning exits before launch 👉 The importance of family support and mental health in the entrepreneurial journey 👉 His unique perspective on the Romanian business ecosystem after 17 years in the market

    48 min
  4. Ep.05 - "The biggest advantage for SaaS - it's like a living organism" Ciprian Cazacu, CEO EasySales

    09/19/2024

    Ep.05 - "The biggest advantage for SaaS - it's like a living organism" Ciprian Cazacu, CEO EasySales

    In the fifth episode of our podcast, our host, Sorin Bădulescu, sits down with Ciprian Cazacu, the CEO of Easy Sales - an accessible “no code” platform that integrates important eCommerce systems in one place, used by all online merchants who want to be present on multiple marketplaces. Discover how EasySales pivoted from e-commerce website creation to e-commerce management, adapting to market demands and customer needs. Ciprian opens up about the challenges of balancing a full-time job while nurturing a start-up and the critical lessons learned about funding, growth, and international expansion. More than that, we discussed: - The pros and cons of different funding sources, from government grants to VCs - Leveraging AI to supercharge small teams and stay competitive - The power of crowdfunding and how to double your targets - Navigating family dynamics in a tech startup - Why Romania might be the next big thing in the startup world

    56 min
  5. Ep.04 - "If you can align these 3 elements, you'll deliver a product that works" - Sorin & Felicia Bârsan

    08/22/2024

    Ep.04 - "If you can align these 3 elements, you'll deliver a product that works" - Sorin & Felicia Bârsan

    In the fourth episode of our podcast, our host, Sorin Bădulescu, sits down with Felicia and Sorin Bârsan, the co-founders of Sales Partner, an all-in-one, API-based solution for the automotive industry—from manufacturers to importers to dealerships to the end user.  They share their journey from unexpected beginnings to becoming key players in a highly regulated market. Discover the secrets behind their approach as they reveal the three critical elements that can make or break a product. Along the way, they dive into the importance of asking the right questions, understanding customer pain points, and building solutions that not only work but transform entire workflows.     Whether you're a startup founder, an investor, or simply someone interested in the process of turning ideas into impactful products, and you want to do it right, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice

    43 min
  6. Ep.03- How AI in music is giving fans a voice and streamlining production - Marius Moga

    07/23/2024

    Ep.03- How AI in music is giving fans a voice and streamlining production - Marius Moga

    In this episode of "Sweat, Tears, and Equity," our host Sorin Bădulescu engages in a conversation with Marius Moga, co-founder of Revocalize AI. Marius, a renowned music producer, shares his transition into the tech world and the vision behind Revocalize AI. He discusses how AI revolutionizes music production, from streamlining the demo process to empowering everyday music lovers. Marius delves into the potential of AI to democratize music creation, exploring its impact on established artists and aspiring musicians. He candidly addresses the challenges and opportunities in this new landscape, touching on controversial topics like the future of live performances and the changing dynamics of music discovery. Tune in to get invaluable insights into the intersection of AI and music, the future of the music industry, technology entrepreneurship, or the creative applications of AI.

    1h 9m
  7. Ep. 02 - Cynical but hopeful, Gen Z founders are here to stay - Luca Știrbăț CEO Creative Motion

    06/20/2024

    Ep. 02 - Cynical but hopeful, Gen Z founders are here to stay - Luca Știrbăț CEO Creative Motion

    In this episode of "Sweat, Tears, and Equity", our host Sorin Bădulescu sits down with Luca Știrbăț, CEO of Creative Motion and ReaktorX. Luca opens up about his journey from high school robotics competitions to leading a Bucharest startup studio. However, the real heart of the conversation lies in his insights on the Gen Z entrepreneurial spirit.  Luca dives deep into what sets Gen Z apart: their pragmatism, cynicism, and drive to challenge the status quo. He discusses how growing up in a world of economic and environmental crises has fueled a generation determined to make impactful changes. Luca emphasizes that Gen Z's dissatisfaction with traditional paths has led them to innovate in spaces like sustainability, green energy, and gaming.  He also shares valuable advice for managers on how to effectively work with Gen Z employees, highlighting the importance of honesty, direct communication, and realistic expectations. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the fresh perspectives and unique challenges faced by Gen Z entrepreneurs and leaders.  Tune in to explore how this generation is poised to reshape industries and create a more sustainable future.

    52 min
  8. Ep.01 - Bogdan Nicoară, CEO Bright Spaces - "In the first years,I failed on every promise"

    05/08/2024

    Ep.01 - Bogdan Nicoară, CEO Bright Spaces - "In the first years,I failed on every promise"

    In the debut episode of "Sweat, Tears and Equity," hosted by Fortech Investments, Bogdan Nicoară, CEO of Bright Spaces, shares his entrepreneurial journey. Bogdan discusses the dual challenges of motivating his team with a grand vision while managing realistic investor expectations—a balance he admits to struggling with initially. From his early days of entrepreneurial experiments in high school to founding multiple projects, Bogdan’s narrative is rich with lessons on resilience and adaptability. He candidly explores the emotional rollercoaster of startup life, the importance of learning from failures, and the strategic decisions that shaped the growth of Bright Spaces.

    59 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Welcome to Sweat, Tears and Equity, a podcast by Fortech Investments, where we discuss the untold truths of founding and funding start-ups. Our guests are founders, investors, and other players from the ecosystem who learned these valuable lessons the hard way. They share the things they wish they knew earlier about the challenges that lie in this journey, the things that no one prepared them for, so you and other founders can navigate this bumpy road successfully.  

Information

  • Creator
    Fortech Investments
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sweat,Tears and Equity
  • Show Website
    Sweat,Tears and Equity