Send us a textNo more headaches with trying to manage your global workforce, compliantly hire and pay employees with Deel.comEver wondered how to pitch influencers?Well this is the episode for you. Jake Kitchiner is co-founder of Channel Crawler - a leading influencer YouTube discovery tool. In this conversation, Jake explains why a personalized outreach is the cornerstone of successful brand-influencer partnerships. He also shares advice on how brands should approach different stages of the ...

Send us a textNo more headaches with trying to manage your global workforce, compliantly hire and pay employees with Deel.comEver wondered how to launch a brand that sticks—fast? Carly Jefferson, founder of Uncomplicated Brands, reveals her strategy for helping tech startups build strong, cohesive brands in just days. In this conversation Carly walks us through her unique branding process, including quick-turnaround design and 90-minute brand blueprint sessions. Plus, she shares her go-t...

Send us a textStop losing customers because of a bad user experience. Try Mouseflow for free and get a free extended trial at Go.Mouseflow.com/tryIn this episode, Mike Maynard, owner of a leading PR marketing agency, shares his transformative journey from an engineer to a PR expert. From buying an agency to surviving the dot-com crash, Mike discusses the critical role of measurement, delegation, and execution in driving long-term success. He provides actionable advice for B2B marketers on how...

Send us a textChris Peters is the founder of Moon at Dawn - a community focused on supporting calibrations, education, content promotion and paid opportunities for b2b creators.In this episode we discuss:how the rise of B2B influencers presents an opportunity for B2B businesses to enhance their marketing efforts and engage with their target audiencehow thought leadership is crucial in marketing, and creating content such as newsletters and podcasts can help position oneself as an expert in th...

Send us a textEric Melchor shares how to launch an effective podcast advertising campaign based on executing campaigns for clients like Dealfront, Nasuni, Cocoon, Landbot and other SaaS companies.In this episode we cover:how to measure podcast advertising campaignshow targeting specific regions can enhance the effectiveness of a campaignhow Eric's podcast media network is community focusedThis conversation with Nemanja Zivkovic was initially aired on the Funky Marketing podcast.Subscribe and ...

Send us a textChris Silvestri is the founder of Conversion Alchemy - an agency that helps B2B SaaS companies increase conversions by matching your copy with the conversation already happening in your customers' heads. In this episode, he shares:his process for matching a brand's website copy to the thoughts and expectations of their target audienceHow usability testing is a valuable tool for validating copy and improving conversion rateswhy one should consider using AI models to gain insights...

Send us a textClaudia Cafeo from No Code Ops has built and grown two communities to more than 1,000 people. In this episode, she shares:- her strategies for building and nurturing communities- empowering community members and creating opportunities for them to take initiatives- building one-on-one connections with community members to foster a sense of belongingSubscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the latest startup founders in Europe.Reach your ideal target audience with B2BPodP...

Send us a textKristen Sesto from Custom Influence helps bridge the gap between brands and decision makers through custom influencer programs.In this conversation we chat about:- how to take events to the next level by partnering with industry influencers and incorporating them into the event experience- how it's necessary to understand the brand's goals and existing marketing efforts before implementing an influencer marketing strategy- why its important to educate and align brands and influe...

Send us a textAnu Ramani is the founder of agency Isoline Communications Limited - a B2B Tech Marketing agency.In this conversation we discuss:The importance of creating content for every touchpoint in the buyer's journey, from basic information search to in-depth technical contentThe power of generative AI to enhance productivity and innovation in marketingthe need for curiosity and experimentation in B2B marketingSubscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the latest startup founders ...

Send us a textSimon Court is the author of Founder's Legacy: 50 Game-Changing Leadership Lessons for Building a Great BusinessIn this conversation we discuss:The journey from startup to scaling business requires a shift in leadership approach and mindsetStartup failure is often attributed to leadership decisions and the lack of a growth mindsetRecruiting the right team involves understanding the pivotal skills needed and using tools like the GC index for assessmentSubscribe and leave a rating...

Send us a text-> Watch on YouTube! Video: https://youtu.be/220nRv-DqXMJoe Daniels is the founder of Spiel Agency. He believes the best product doesn't win. The best story does.In this conversation we discuss:The power of narrative positioning in marketing and the impact of storytelling on brand perception.The concept of villains in marketing and the importance of storytelling in B2B marketing.Roxy Music, not thinking wealthy enough, Buying LondonSubscribe and leave a rating to stay updated...

Send us a text-> Watch on YouTube! Video: https://youtu.be/-Y43cR-_pZwTom Hunt has tried and failed at 17 different businesses, but he's having a lot of success with Fame - a b2b podcast agency. His team is fully remote with 71 full-time employees and they're on pace to do about $3.5M dollars. We discuss:- what are the biggest lessons he's learned as a bootstrapper- how does an introvert lead a fully remote team- how did he grow his LinkedIn audience from 20k followers to 125k in...

Send us a textIf you want a better understanding on how to transform business operations from chaotic to streamlined using no code and AI, this is the episode for you.Kelly Goss is a leading expert in business process automation. In this episode, Kelly highlights the significance of starting with the basics before integrating AI and automation into your workflows. Kelly also explains the foundational principles of automation, the importance of understanding existing workflows, and how her com...

Send us a textEngage your leads, answer repetitive questions, or provide around-the-clock customer service on your website with Landbot.io/trySam Dunning is the founder of SEO agency Breaking B2B. According to Sam, B2B tech companies often make the mistake of approaching SEO as a checklist activity, focusing on top-of-the-funnel keywords and neglecting revenue-driven SEO.TakeawaysWebsites can function as 24/7 sales reps, unlike salespeople who have limited availability. It is crucial fo...

Send us a textEngage your leads, answer repetitive questions, or provide around-the-clock customer service on your website with Landbot.io/tryHector Forwood is the founder of Flooencer - an influencer marketplace platform that connects B2B brands with reputable influencers. The platform allows brands to create campaigns, match with influencers, and track campaign results.00:00 Introduction and Background02:58 Adrenaline-Fueled Hobbies03:26 Getting Started in Sales04:16 Effective Sales Strateg...

Send us a textNo more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get a free trial at Leadfeeder.comBeth Nevins is a renowned startup advisor and people and talent consultant. She is best known for helping founders refine their values and mission so they can lead. 00:00 Introduction00:39 Beth's Background and Expertise01:13 Hiring the Right Talent04:14 Managing Tensions Between Co-founders05:21 Building Accountability in Founders07:29 Creating Alignment and Collabora...

Send us a textNo more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get a free trial at Leadfeeder.comIs he the Elon Musk of startups in Austria?Vlad Gozman is the founder of multiple companies, non-profits and launched TedX Vienna. His latest venture is Involve.me which is an innovative interactive form that transforms the customer onboarding experience.Before moving to Vienna, Vlad founded and sold a tech startup in Romania. We talk about:- his approach to delegating and ...

Send us a textNo more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get a free trial at Leadfeeder.comIn this episode, Janko Brlecic from Lighthouse Advisory, shares his wealth of knowledge on scaling businesses through effective sales strategies. We discuss the importance of formalizing sales processes, the role of multiple decision-makers, and how to enhance communication within sales teams. Also, learn about the best tools for sales collaboration and the power of Li...

Send us a textMarin Smiljanic, co-founder and CEO of Omnisearch.ai, is building the next generation of search technology for businesses. Omnisearch.ai is different from traditional search engines like Google as it allows users to find information within various types of content, including videos, images, audio, and documents.In this conversation, Marin shares his journey from working at Amazon to founding his own startup and the challenges he faced along the way. We talk about the importance ...

Send us a textThis episode is powered by Planable. Head over to Planable.io and sign up for a no strings attached free trial.How can you utilize AI and automation to personalize your outreach efforts?Jesper Qvist, founder of Salestools.io, shares how you can use his platform to segment your personas and tailor your messaging to each one for better results. In this conversation, Jesper shares his journey in building a successful B2B marketing platform, the power of social selling, and the...

Send us a textNo more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get a free trial at Leadfeeder.comMy approach to monetizing your podcast is different than most. Not only have I made my podcast a sponsored show (with real money), but I've also helped several other podcasters generate their first paid sponsorship.This interview was originally aired on Linda Melone's B2B Healthy Copytalks podcast.Subscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the latest startup founders...

Send us a textNo more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get a free trial at Leadfeeder.comDelia Pitu's approach to B2B marketing is different than most. She's the co-founder of Nude Digital agency. And what I like about them is that they utilize B2B creators to create user generated content for B2B campaigns. But the creators don't actually publish any content. Instead, they take the content produced and test it on Facebook and other channels. Results?Well,...

Send us a textThis episode is powered by Planable. Head over to Planable.io and sign up for a no strings attached free trial.In this episode I chat with Alessandro Nora, co-founder of Stay, a marketplace for sustainable fashion, and MetrikFlow, a company that helps industrial companies reduce their environmental impact. Alessandro discusses the innovative approach of Stay, which combines AI personalization and sustainability to match consumers with the best sustainable fashion brands. He shar...

Send us a textI share my easy to follow process on how to host cocktail parties that grow your network.In the past 18 months, I hosted 8 of them across different cities. Most of the guests I had never met in person, but they were all interesting people I wanted to meet. They are a great way to deepen relationships and help bridge connections with other people. You can host one with these simple to follow steps.The original interview was a conversation I had with Michal Domanski on his Doman N...

Send us a textThis episode is powered by Planable. Head over to Planable.io and sign up for a no strings attached free trial.If you don't know Adriana Tica, you should. She is one of the best b2b copy writers on the planet. In this conversation, Adriana shares:- the importance of writing to one person and being transparent in marketing efforts- examples of companies that are successfully blurring the lines between B2B and B2C, such as Groove HQ and Basecamp- when writing content, it is import...

Send us a textThis episode is powered by Planable. Head over to Planable.io and sign up for a no strings attached free trial. Would you move to New York without a job to follow your dreams? Well in my 20s I was crazy enough to do that. In this interview with Andy Chiang from the Foreign Founders podcast, Andy and I dive into my Huckleberry Finn days as a kid to flying to Europe with only a $100 in my wallet. We then get into how I made it in New York and how I ended up in Romania.&...

Send us a textHead over to Sessions.us and sign up for a 14-day free no strings attached free trial. Eric Melchor is joined with Ray Berry – legend copy writer and founder of DSLX Content. In this episode we talk about how content is changing in B2B and what brands should do if they want to stay with the trends and be competitive from a content standpoint. Ray also shares his experience as a dyslexic founder. Thank you so much Ray for coming on. Thanks to B2BPodPros for producing this.&nbsp...

Send us a textHead over to Sessions.us and sign up for a 14-day free no strings attached free trial.Eric Melchor is joined with Michael Kamleitner – legend bootstrapper and founder of Walls.io. In this episode we cover Michael’s entrepreneurial journey and how he learned that people were looking for ways to keep their virtual audience engaged which led to the idea for walls.io. We also talk about:how Walls.io provides a platform for brands to collect and leverage user-generated content i...

Send us a textInnovators Can Laugh is now B2B Marketers Can Laugh. That’s right. The podcast has a new name. And you, my friends, are the first to know.Subscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the latest startup founders in Europe.Reach your ideal target audience with B2BPodPros: https://www.b2bpodpros.comConnect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor/Previous guests include: Arvid Kahl of FeedbackPanda, Andrei Zinkevich of FullFunnel, Scott Van den Berg of In...

Send us a textThis episode is powered by Leadfeeder - get a free 14-day trial here.Jelle had a friend in University who got burned out. She then fell into depression. And later, took her own life. Jelle Houben is the founder of Binqy – a platform designed to obtain relevant insights into an employees well being which can then be used to build a healthier work environment.In this conversation we talk about the growing pains in the first year and a half, how they provide masterclasses and acces...

Send us a textThis episode is powered by Leadfeeder - get a free 14-day trial here.Ep. 136: Eric Melchor talks with Sufyan Osamah, founder of HonestDog, about the future of pets. Sufyan started HonestDog with the realization that pets should not be sold on classifieds. After talking to hundreds of pet parents, vets, ethical breeders, and animal shelters, it became clear that there has to be a better way. With HonestDog he wants to bring transparency, accountability and fun to the often compli...

Send us a textIn this episode, Innovators can laugh with Mihai Cepoi, Founder & CEO at Jobful dive into the journey of creating a people-centric job recruiting platform. From the early days of balancing work at SAP and moonlighting on his project to the challenges faced during the pandemic, Mihai shares the story of resilience and growth. He discusses how Jobful stands out in a competitive market, the user experience it offers, and the broader impact it aims to make beyond Romania. Join u...

Send us a textIn this episode Innovators can laugh with Haz Hubble, Founder of Pally. Haz shares his insights and experiences from his journey as a young entrepreneur and his unique approach to building stronger, more meaningful relationships through AI technology. Find out how Pally aims to revolutionize the way people connect and maintain relationships, along with Haz's surprise revelation about dinner with Richard Branson. Connect with Haz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hhubble/?originalSubd...

Send us a textNichita Herput, the founder of Pineapple Square about Nichita's background in the hospitality industry, the concept behind Pineapple Square, his most embarrassing moments in the industry, the app's business model, and its traction in Romania and the United States. Additionally, they delve into the differences in the hospitality industries in the Netherlands, Romania, and the United States.Connect with Nichita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nichita-herput/Check out Pineapple Square...

Send us a textVincent Jong, VP Product at Dealfront talks about the challenges of merging two companies, and the importance of treating employees with respect to foster a collaborative work environment. He also emphasizes the responsibility of being a CEO and founder, where everything falls on their shoulders. He discusses the merging of two companies, Echobot and Leadfeeder, and the challenges of combining their cultures. Connect with Vincent Jong - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentj...

Send us a textBogdan Ionita, co-founder of Mirro.io, discusses the company's performance management software and its revenue expectations. He highlights the importance of adapting to market changes and creating a positive work environment. Bogdan also explains the collaboration between Ztech and Mito, as well as the origin story of Mirro. He shares the challenges faced by the company and the failed go-to-market strategies. Bogdan emphasizes the HR-driven approach of Mito and the advanced feat...

Send us a textIn this action packed episode, I chat with Ivan Hoo, founder of Inverse.fund. Ivan shares his background as a wedding photographer before transitioning to the startup world as a founder and now fundraising advisor. In this conversation Ivan shares his experience as a CEO of a biotech company and provides solid advice for startups that are seeking to fundraise.Ivan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ivanhooIvan’s website: https://inverse.fund/Subscribe and leave a rating to stay update...

Send us a textMihai Darzan has got a lot on his plate having to manage two different companies plus a family. He is the founder of Procesio, a visual development environment in the cloud AND is the CEO of another successful company here in Bucharest.In this interview we get into discussions about productivity, sales, and having to pivot multiple times in order to find the right path. I enjoyed his thoughts on deep work, getting two different groups to work together, and his overall passion fo...

Send us a textWondering how to collaborate with Instagram or TikTok influencers?Recently I executed an influencer campaign for a client using Insta and TikTok influencers. It was easier than expected.In this episode I break down all the steps I did that you can copy so that you don’t waste a lot of money or effort in doing one on your own.Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor/Eric’s b2b content creator website: https://www.innovatorscanlaugh.com/p/b2b-podcast-network/Subsc...

Send us a textJoin Lavinia Mehedintu, founder of Offbeat, as she shares valuable strategies for remote team learning, social learning, and overcoming leadership development challenges. Discover why L&D is a game-changer for companies worldwide. Explore key takeaways, practical tips, and success stories that will elevate your understanding of L&D's crucial role in today's dynamic workplace. In this conversion you will learn:effective learning and development approaches for remote ...

Send us a text"Resilience isn't just bouncing back; it's bouncing forward with newfound strength and wisdom."In this conversation with Elisa Viaud, seasoned expert in organizational development, Elisa challenges conventional norms, offering a roadmap for turning setbacks into stepping stones.If you're ready to elevate your leadership skills and foster resilience, this episode is your guide.Elisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisaviaud/Subscribe and leave a rating to stay updated w...

Send us a textCan you imagine transitioning from the rigor of military life to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship?In this conversation, Vicentiu Vlad shares the pivotal moments that led him from a structured military environment to the vibrant world of real estate and technology. In this episode, you will learn how Stock.Estate operates as a marketplace connecting real estate developers seeking capital with investors looking for attractive opportunities. The platform's due diligence p...

Send us a textSubscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the latest startup founders in Europe.Reach your ideal target audience with B2BPodPros: https://www.b2bpodpros.comConnect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor/Previous guests include: Arvid Kahl of FeedbackPanda, Andrei Zinkevich of FullFunnel, Scott Van den Berg of Influencer Capital, Buster Franken of Fruitpunch AI, Valentin Radu of Omniconvert, Evelina Necula of Kinderpedia, Ionut Vlad of Tokinomo, Di...

Send us a textClips from interviews with European startup founders.Subscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the latest startup founders in Europe.Reach your ideal target audience with B2BPodPros: https://www.b2bpodpros.comConnect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor/Previous guests include: Arvid Kahl of FeedbackPanda, Andrei Zinkevich of FullFunnel, Scott Van den Berg of Influencer Capital, Buster Franken of Fruitpunch AI, Valentin Radu of Omniconvert, Evel...

Send us a textThis episode is powered by Dealfront. Head over to Dealfront and book a free demo."Crowdfunding requires a lot of preparation. It's like a lot of preparation in advance so you need two to three months to really prepare the campaign, to build your audience, to engage people so that they know that on this day in this hour you're launching and their support is super important for you."Radina Popova is the co-founder of Difold - a tiny collapsible water bottle for humans and a big f...

Send us a textGian Seehra, founder of GS Advisory and a seasoned expert in fundraising, shares valuable insights and advice for startups navigating the challenging world of fundraising. Hosted by Eric Melchor, the episode delves into Gian's experiences as both a founder and a venture capitalist, offering a unique perspective on the dynamics between founders and investors. Gian provides actionable tips on:- how to approach introductory calls with potential investors- sheds light on the re...

Send us a textWhy would a highly respected engineer at Microsoft who enjoys her job and the people she works with, go and launch a startup?For 5+ years, Anastasia Staniloiu worked as a technical engineer and consultant for Microsoft. And then in Jan-23, she co-launched Witanalytica - a company that provides analytics strategic consulting and architect data solutions.In this conversation we chat about why she left a promising career for the high risk of launching a startup, her favorite tools ...

Send us a textEp. 121: :Eric Melchor ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor) talks with Anastasia Staniloiu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-staniloiu-a43805103/) about why she left a promising career at Microsoft. Subscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the latest startup founders in Europe.Reach your ideal target audience with B2BPodPros: https://www.b2bpodpros.comConnect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor/Previous guests include: Arvid Ka...

Send us a textPodcast is a media channel that has the biggest ROI. But which podcasting strategy should you invest in? In this episode I breakdown the Pros and Cons of the three ways you can grow your business through podcasting:1/ starting your own podcast2/ guest podcasting3/ podcast advertising***CONNECTwebsite: https://www.innovatorscanlaugh.com/📬 Subscribe to the ICL newsletter🤗 Connect on LinkedIn***SAY THANKS💜 Leave a reviewSubscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the lat...

Send us a textI chat with Alexander Lukashow, a tech-savvy entrepreneur turned managing partner. In this conversation Aleksander shares:invaluable strategies for successful business expansionthe significance of delegation in business operationsthe importance of not handling everything personallythe effectiveness of Facebook and Google ads, as well as search engine optimization (SEO)***CONNECTwebsite: cleanwhale.pl/📬 Subscribe to the ICL newsletter🤗 Connect on LinkedIn***SAY THANKS💜 Leave a re...

Send us a textStartup founders Elena Oprea & Viorica Vanica of Selftalk think differently when it comes to seeking investment. So I had them explain how they were able to attract new investment opportunities.In this conversation Elena and Vio share:how they got a free booth at Tech Crunch (and attracted people to it)how they elevated their pitch to be on the same level as startups coming out of Y Combinatortheir journey from Moldova to London to San Francisco (and why they pivoted from a ...

Send us a textEp. 118: :Eric Melchor ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor) talks with Elena Oprea (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-oprea/) about how they prepared for their pitch at Tech Crunch. Want to see more of Innovators Can Laugh? Subscribe to our channel here. - Check out Eric's stuff:Innovators Can Laugh B2B Podcast Ad Network -https://www.innovatorscanlaugh.com/p/b2b-podcast-network/ Podcast Growth Playbook - https://podcastgrowthplaybook.carrd.co/Innovators Can Laug...

Send us a textIn this episode Eric Melchor chats with with Scott Van den Berg, founder of Influencer Capital, about influencer marketing and how startups can accelerate their success through creator equity deals.Show Highlights:0:35 - the soft drink backed by the Victoria Secret model3:50 - what was your experience like living in Bucharest?5:23 - how my parents influenced me into entrepreneurship7:15 - my first entrepreneurial venture9:17 - why isn’t there much information on equity deals and...

Send us a textTeaser clip of ep. 117 with Scott Van den Berg, founder of Influencer CapitalShow drops on Thursday, Oct. 26thTune in to every conversation about exciting European Startups and Innovators on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon! Leave a rating and review so we can keep making amazing interviews!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovators Can Laugh in your favorite podcast player.Connect with Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmelchor/Subscribe ...

Send us a text▶ higher retention than other ad platforms including YouTube videos▶ podcast ad revenue is projected to be about 4 billion by the end of 2024▶ podcasts are a nice pillar of content that allow you to repurpose like crazyThese are just some of the reasons why you should start a podcast.In this short 5-minute episode you will discover the 5 main reasons why you should consider starting one.***CONNECTwebsite: 📬 Subscribe to the ICL newsletter🤗 Connect on LinkedIn***SAY THA...

Send us a textCooper Pet Care is an innovative service for pet parents that allows them to connect to certified veterinarians via video call instantly. No more waiting times, stress and unreasonably high bills. Fast advice and trusted care for your furry friends at the tap of the button.In this conversation we discuss Michael's career journey, starting at Procter & Gamble, moving to Uber, and eventually launching Cooper Pet Care. Michael shares insights from his experiences at these compa...

Send us a text“Within a month we had a 100 testers using the application. And within 3 months of releasing the app in the US we helped users cross over 200,000 streets.”This is the phenomenal story of a few engineers who came together to help a friend. A friend who is blind.You see one day their friend was complaining that he wished he had a way to be able to navigate intersections. Pedestrian signals work for those who can see, not for those who are visually impaired. That’s when Willem...

Send us a textCombining travel with entrepreneurship is something that many of us dream of. But what are the financial aspects of being a digital nomad? How can one make informed decisions about where to work and plan a budget?In this conversation with Jessie van Breugel, he shares how being a digital nomad allows one to break free from traditional work constraints. And since Jessie is a highly sought after LinkedIn Brand strategist, he explains how entrepreneurs can leverage platforms like L...

Send us a textImagine this.Fatmata, who had never used an ultrasound, watched a 3-minute tutorial video. Afterwards, with a smartphone, she then scanned 22 women to look for pregnancy risk factors.Sounds science fiction? Well, it’s not. Enya Seguin is the Head of BabyChecker - a smartphone-based ultrasound probe that uses AI to automatically detect pregnancy risk factors. It is created for resource-limited settings and designed for community health workers.In this conversation...

Send us a textIn this captivating episode with Chiara Lung, co-founder of Finuprise, we dive into the world of impact investing.Unlike normal investing, impact investing assesses how an investment portfolio aligns with ESG (environmental, social, and governance metrics. Such insight helps you make more informed and socially responsible investment decisions while also creating a brighter future for our planet.But that’s not all…We discuss the challenges faced by female founders, particularly i...

Send us a textDirk van Meer is co-founder of Core Changemakers. 5 years ago Dirk got together with 3 friends with the idea of creating a student team that focuses on a sustainable economy. Fast forward to today and there are 160 students who have joined and they are working on innovative projects like reducing battery fires and recycling solar panels!In this conversation we talk about:the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for like-minded individuals to connect...

Send us a textLinda Klunder is co-founder of Kumasi Drinks - a delicious tropical cocoa fruit juice made from the flesh surrounding a cocoa bean. Previously the outside of the cocoa bean was never used. It was just thrown away. But Linda and the team at Kumasi took something that normally goes to waste and made it into a soft drink while also helping cocoa farmers earn a little extra income.In this conversation we talk about:grant writing and securing fundingthe role of storytelling and team ...

Send us a textDiscover the remarkable journey of how I Am Hable's co-founders sold a product before it even existed. Learn how they overcame hurdles and collaborated with diverse communities to empower those with disabilities by transforming tablets into accessible workstations for the blind and visually impaired.***CONNECTwebsite: www.iamhable.com📬 Subscribe to the ICL newsletter🤗 Connect on LinkedIn***SAY THANKS💜 Leave a reviewSubscribe and leave a rating to stay updated with the latest sta...

Send us a textMaria Nek is building the European Culture Academy - an innovative platform uniting artists, architects, educators, and art enthusiasts from around the world.Her story takes us on a global adventure through Russia, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, highlighting the contrasting educational systems and cultural traditions she encountered along the way. In this conversation we discuss we learn about the significance of understanding different educational systems, trad...

Send us a textActor.Paper boy. Security guard.Chemistry teacher.Created a community of 2,500 engineers to revolutionize real-world challenges with AIMaverick. That’s what I would describe Buster Franken who unveils the remarkable genesis of creating Fruitpunch AI where you can join challenges and apply AI to solve real world challenges.***CONNECTwebsite: https://www.fruitpunch.ai/📬 Subscribe to the ICL newsletter🤗 Connect on LinkedIn***SAY THANKS💜 Leave a reviewSubscribe and leave a rati...

Send us a text“You gave away 30% of the profits to a cancer foundation?”“When I ran my 2nd hand fashion store, yes.” said Julien“And you created a project where you awarded Covid front line workers with free hotel stays and dinners at fancy restaurants?” I asked, completely mesmerized“Yes. It was called Nederland Bedankt” said Julien Jukema of AnywyseThere’s something inside Julien that compels him to having a giving first, and then give some more, kind of attitude.A characteristic that not m...

Send us a textHow does a startup founder with autism hold many different careers living in 9 countries and then launches a company that treats brain injury using virtual reality?Here’s my thoughts:- Extremely intelligent- Can easily work 14 hours without a break- There are super powers of being a founder with autismThese are some of the things I tried to get to the bottom of during this episode of ICL with Faviola Brugger of Neuro Reality***CONNECTwebsite:www.neuro-realit...

Send us a textJulian Martijn is the founder of Somnox - a revolutionary product that helps people sleep better. But before Julian created Somnox, he had a brief music career. In fact, one of the songs he co-produced made it in the top 40 of the Dutch pop charts. That’s right - he’s a rock star slash startup founder. In this conversation Julian sharesHow they burned a lot of cash with the wrong advertising in the US marketWhy he chose to forego a music career and decided to focus on engin...

Send us a textGet ready for a candid and enlightening solo episode as I share the 5 crucial mistakes I made while growing my beloved Innovators Can Laugh podcast! 🎧✨💥 Mistake 1: Neglecting the Power of Keywords! I failed to insert relevant keywords into the RSS feed's name, description, and keywords fields, missing out on valuable organic reach and discoverability. I should have optimized my podcast metadata for maximum visibility!💥 Mistake 2: Overlooking "Top [[Niche]] Podcasts" Articles! I ...

Send us a textRemco Jansen is the founder and publisher of SiliconCanals - a leading technology media source for the startup ecosystem here in Europe. They provide VCs, innovation managers, and people in the tech community with invaluable information and news pertaining to startups in Europe.In this episode, you’ll learn how Remco grew a blog that was written in Dutch into what Silicon Canals is todaywhy he believes a strong startup ecosystem is necessary to help safeguard democracy&nbsp...

Send us a textIn this week’s episode of Innovators Can Laugh, I sat down with Maurits Last, the founder of Swap-box, a startup that is making a real impact by producing high quality reusable packaging for B2B companies. They offer a modular service of reusable packaging, logistics, tracking technology, and cleaning that fits any type of operation or event.Maurits is a young and passionate entrepreneur. He spent some time living in Spain when he was younger so there is a unique blend of growin...

Send us a textOver the last couple of decades, Valentin has held a variety of jobs (and launched a few companies). Everything from selling cookbooks on the street to launching an internet service company just because he wanted to play Startcrat on broadband!Then he launched one of Romania’s largest online car insurance companies doing 3-4M in annual turnover. But they weren’t profitable. Based on that experience and discovering why determining customer lifetime value is critical for comp...

Send us a textIn this interview, I chat with Maxim Rotaru, founder of a digital product studio Webamboos. Maxim shares insights on how he landed his first client, how he hired his first employee (funny interview process), and a mistake he made early on - not having a clear goal beyond creating a company he liked.We also dive into his approach for guiding clients through the entire process of product development strategy. If you're looking to develop a tech product or start a company, this int...

Send us a textAdrian Cighi started his career in the financial field having worked in Great Britain, and for companies such as Banca Transylvania and Goldman Sachs. He then co-founded Pago which is an application that automates payments to suppliers. They have close to 400k active users and are projected to do 3 million Euro in operating revenue in 2023.In this conversation, Adrian shares how partnerships were essential in growing Pago. By solving a problem for bigger, more established ...

Send us a textA while back, I stumbled onto a story on TechCrunch that caught my attention - an innovative medical startup from Romania, helped doctors from three countries collaborate to treat Ukraine refugee cancer patients – this of course happening after Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. That startup was Medicai.Mircea Popa is the founder of Medicai which is a collaborative imaging platform that enables better sharing and communication between patients, doctors and clinics. They currently ha...

Send us a textGiants Village is a community-owned tech product with a real-world utility that started with a collection of 10,000 unique digital collectibles, known as NFTs, on the Multiverse X blockchain. The project currently has 1,400 holders and aims to raise an additional €500k in 2023 by selling tokens and NFTs to the community. Giants Village is focused on building a strong community first, with the recognition that community is what's really important, and that companies need to build...

Send us a textPushkar Chatterji, is the co-founder of Aiva, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to help businesses become more efficient and productive through the use of machine learning algorithms. In this chat, he shares how he arrived in Romania, steps one can take to incorporate AI into their business, and of course his experience with unusual foods and drinks.***CONNECTChambr’s website: https://www.playlearn.games/chambr📬 Subscribe to the ICL newsletter🤗 Connect on LinkedIn***SA...

Send us a textOne of the challenges that retailers face is attributing money spent on digital advertising to in-store results.Fortunately, Footprints AI is helping retailers overcome this challenge by providing them with the tools they need to accurately attribute money spent on digital advertising to in-store results. Footprints uses advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyze customer data and identify patterns that can be used for attribution.Result?Lower customer acquis...

Send us a text▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube***EPISODE DESCRIPTIONDiscover the story behind Kinderpedia, the EdTech startup that is changing the way parents are involved in their child's education.In this episode, I chat with Evelina Nicola, the co-founder of Kinderpedia, about how to overcome challenges in building a successful startup, and from funding to convincing people of the value of your product.You will also gain insights into the future of education and technology, including the i...

Send us a text▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube***EPISODE DESCRIPTIONFlorin Lazar is the Chief Operating Officer of Freya Sense - a startup that helps other startups reduce their time to hire by 87% and look for the qualities and personality traits they should be looking for when hiring.In this chat, we discuss:- the importance of personality in job performance and how to quantify it - how they were able to push their product to market quickly this year- if he would rather have $25,000 in...

Send us a text▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube***EPISODE DESCRIPTIONRomanian startup founder Raluca Haulica has grown her fashion ecommerce brand Alura to $500k in just three years. In our chat, we discuss:How she started the business utilizing her father’s networkThe various marketing strategies she’s using such as influencer marketing and PPCHow testing a pre-order strategy paid offHow sharing videos from the factory with her customers has created loyaltyThe unique experience her brand prov...

Send us a text▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube***EPISODE DESCRIPTIONHow do companies like UiPath, KPMG, and Deutsche Telekom onboard new employees?Through gamification. Chambr is a digital platform used in 22 countries for community building, team bonding, and learning sales and leadership skills. But the road to launching Chambr could have ended when companies canceled their contracts due to the pandemic. Forced to pivot and go digital, in this chat Gabriela shares the highs and lows of her ...

Send us a textIonut Vlad is the founder of TokiNomo. TokiNomo is an in-store advertising solution that uses robotic displays to increase engagement and sales. In this conversation, Ionut shares his journey creating Tokinomo.For example, he recounts how he and a group of entrepreneurs had two weeks to create 30 prototypes for a beer company, which they managed to do with the help of a carpenter friend and some quick solutions from a shoemaker friend.😂Tokinomo has had success with pilot and ful...

Send us a textTaking calculated risks can often lead to great rewards if done correctly. In this chat with Alexandru Anghel, co-founder of Solo, Alexandru shares journey from management consultant to startup founder. To begin, Alex quit his job as a management consultant and joined an incubator run by an experienced entrepreneur who became the first investor of Solo. From this experience, he learned how to hire, manage money, build a product that people love to use, and bootstrap for as ...

Send us a textHow can you empower working moms and bootstrap a platform?After facing initial rejection from investors, she bootstrapped a platform with her own money that provides resources and a supportive peer community to empower working women and Moms. In this conversation, Alexandrea Badea, founder of She is Mom, shares:How networking is key to finding mentors who can help you grow your businessnot to limit yourself by only looking for people with similar backgrounds or experiences as yo...

Send us a textI chat with Dragoš Duse and Diana Andritchi, co-founders of medtech startup Synaptiq. Synaptiq creates software solutions based on AI for improving medical devices, with one tool using revolutionary software to separate cancerous tumors and organs at risk. Currently, they have seven customers in Romania and are projected to generate 400,000 euros in 2023.We discuss the importance of employee retention in comparison to other aspects of business such as client acquisition and inve...

Send us a textDiana Florescu is the founder of Media Growth. In this episode we learn about Diana's journey as an entrepreneur and her current project Media for Growth which involves exchanging equity for media assets. Plus, hear about the survival rate among companies that have raised media for growth funding and the insightful conversation on valuing time and self-reflection.Show highlights:1:23 – what is the weirdest food you have ever tried living/traveling abroad?3:00 – do you prefer a w...

Send us a textListen to Maralina's inspiring journey from wanting to be a painter as a child to becoming an NGO volunteer in countries like Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, and Suriname. Hear her discuss her work in creating ecosystems for people to exchange knowledge and creating safe spaces for local kids and women empowerment programs in Haiti. Plus, learn about the unique winemaking tools found in Romania and how Madalina uses games to create a relaxed environment.Do you wish to connect with our sp...

Send us a textDiscover how Claudio Descalescu, the chief growth marketer for Y Combinator-backed ArchBee, uses chess, manipulation, product-led growth and surveys to improve products and gain insights into customer behavior. Listen to Claudio's interview on Innovators Can Laugh to learn about his experience with ArchBee and the tools he uses to increase conversion rates.Do you wish to connect with our special guest?Visit Archbee’s website: https://www.archbee.com/Tune in to every conversation...

Send us a textMatthias Rettenbacher is the founder of Carbony - a European marketplace for high quality carbon removal projects. In this conversation, he shares his passion of reversing climate change through biochar and enhanced weathering technology. We also discuss his preference for dinner with Gary Vee over $50,000 cash and he shares an amazing gift he received from a friend who was like a father figure to him. Matthias’ goal is to neutralize 500 million tons of emissions by 2040. H...

Send us a textCan you imagine a plant-based food that can help prevent diseases? Well it exists and is beginning to sprout globally. Jivko Djamiarov is the founder of Ancestral Superfoods. His mission is to bring the healing power and benefits of plants and foods to others. On this episode of Innovators Can Laugh, Jivko shares his entrepreneurial journey of opening the first vegan restaurant in Bulgaria and how he launched Ancestral Superfoods and gained traction. They have more than 3,000 cu...

Send us a textCan you imagine working as a hotel GM, being exhausted after working a 16-hour shift and then getting a call from a customer asking to translate to the waiter “to not put onions on the pizza”?Sounds horrific right? Well Elitza Stoilova, founder of ai chatbot startup Umni, felt the same way. After watching a YouTube video on chatbots, Elitza, with no technology background, began a journey of improving business operations for 40+ companies in the Bulgarian market. By developi...

Send us a textIf you thought you knew Irina Obushtarova, think again. In this conversation we learn about her days working as a waitress while wearing short shorts to her first gig at a media company in Vienna. We touch on her first startup (sounds like a script from a Telenovela) to why Eastern European startups are so admirable. We even dive into a story about a hilarious bad date she had.One hell of a conversation that I think you’ll like!\Show highlights- 1:05 – what is a...

Send us a textCan you imagine your dad giving you a spreadsheet at the age of 8?Telling you to fill out all the chores you completed and penalizing you if you didn't include 'playing with friends'?Why penalize?Because her father wanted her to know that just working and hustling won't improve your mental or physical health.Check out my conversation with Aleksandrina Ikonomova from Balli Go.Show highlights:​​0:52 – where did you grow up and how has that changed your view of the world?2:53 – as ...

Send us a textDo you wish to connect with our special guest?Visit the Lamon website: https://lam-on.com/Tune in to every conversation about exciting European Startups and Innovators on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon! Leave a rating and review so we can keep making amazing interviews!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovators Can Laugh in your favorite podcast player.Connect with Eric:Visit his website: https://innovatorscanlaugh.comFor the Innovators Can...

Send us a textFrom a body builder to creating innovation in protein snacks. Jasmina Gevezieva-Berova is a performance nutrition coach and co-founder of Cardinal Bites. These are delicious protein balls with no sugar! Perfect for people who want to maintain their figure. With projected revenue of $120,000 for 2022, Cardinal Bites is just getting started.Highlights from the show:0:50 – what was your 2021 TedX speech about?2:30 – as a kid did you want to be a powerlifter?6:15 – how I train for a...

Send us a textIn the communist regime back in Soviet times, you didn’t have a labor market. The job is found for you. So if you had quit, you couldn’t easily find another job especially if you were not a communist party member. So in Zornitsa Nikolova’s eyes, her father was like a hero. This shaped her beliefs and desire for personal freedom. For creating for yourself options when others didn’t see them. For fighting to survive and do what she really wants to do and not be somehow oppres...

Send us a textEmpowering consumers and producers to reduce through environmental footprint through business intelligence. In a world in which we over-produce, over-consume, and dispose of things with ease, how can we empower consumers and producers to reduce their environmental footprint? In this episode I chat with Eva Vucheva, founder of Impakt ID – a business intelligence tool that combines material impact research, product data and statistical modeling to turn generic product in...

Send us a textShe’s a mindset coach for top poker players throughout the world. She has been a meditation teacher for 7+ years, is an advisor to several tech startups, and has experience in corporate training having worked at companies such as IBM, Apple, Siemens, and AIG. Now, Karina Karagaeva’s startup, Mindset Design, is a platform that aims to help athletes incorporate science-based mental skills training into their routine.If you like to compete and are looking for tips to improve your m...