We recently connected with Vlad Cazacu and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Vlad with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I can attest that the “not enough” kids can always find a way to succeed.
My journey to the US was a leap of faith, an immigrant’s dream fueled by the desire for education, self-improvement, and a better future for me and my family. Adapting to a new culture, navigating the challenges of language, and finding my footing in an unfamiliar land taught me the essence of perseverance and hard work. I started my first job the day I got approval to do so and held several part-time roles to pay my way through college. The night shifts at Starbucks were a cultural mosaic of superhumans, people from all corners of the world and the US with a burning desire to overcome the class they grew up in.
From the bustling streets of Bucharest, Romania, deep in Eastern Europe, to the innovative ecosystems of New York, Austin, and Miami, my journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, filled with moments of exhilaration, challenges, and profound learnings. As the CEO of a tech startup and an ex-VC investor, something few people from our side of the world get to experience, I often get asked about the source of my work ethic. Reflecting on this question, I realize that my work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing, my immigrant journey to the United States, and the myriad experiences that have shaped me along the way.
Growing up in Bucharest, life was a canvas of contrasts, rich history intermingled with the hustle of modern living. From a young age, I was captivated by the concept of entrepreneurship. It wasn’t just about starting a business; it was about creating something from nothing, about impacting the world in a meaningful way. As a child, I loved trying new things and was relentlessly figuring out my next big move. However, this fascination was not only born out of books or stories told but from observing the world around me. I saw firsthand the resilience of people striving to make a difference in post-communist Romania, a period marked by transition and the quest for a new capitalistic identity without the economic resources of the West. It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention. You are unable to not feel empowered when surrounded by such individuals, regardless of how exhausted you are. These experiences were not just about earning a living; they were about understanding the importance of seizing opportunities and the relentless pursuit of goals.
One such opportunity came about during my college years to serve as an apprentice in the venture capital industry, a world blocked from the many and reserved for the few. It wasn’t a seat at the table, but a crack in the door and that was more than enough. My professional path took me from ff Venture Capital to VU Venture Partners, Assure Syndicates, and finally Fuel Venture Capital. I’ve been fortunate to immerse myself in the dynamics of investing in technology companies and supporting early-stage entrepreneurs. Each role has been a building block, teaching me the significance of vision, the power of collaboration, and the impact of strategic thinking. The founders I met were some of the most impressive people I’ve encountered. This only puts fuel on the fire as you raise the standard you have for yourself.
I’ve documented some of these conversations and experiences in my book, “When They Win, You Win: A More Human Approach to Supporting Entrepreneurship”. It reflects my belief in the symbiotic relationship between success and support, underscoring the essence of a work ethic grounded in empathy, integrity, and a commitment to collective success. This is the same philosophy that prompted me to leave a comfortable role that others were yearning for to start a tech company, a decision incomprehensible to my Eastern European parents. That was not an easy decision but each and every time I dared to take a risk, a significant learning occurred.
My work ethic and desire for success is a tapestry woven from the experiences of my past, the challenges I’ve faced, and the lessons learned along the way. It is driven by a relentless quest for improvement, not just for myself but for the communities and industries I serve. At Flowlie Technologies, we embody this ethic every day, striving to create solutions that are not only innovative but also inclusive and impactful. We’re a team of hand-picked innovators from all corners of the world, a mosaic not that different from my night shift team at Starbucks back in my college days. It’s what I believe is needed in order to succeed in today’s world.
To my fellow entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives facing challenges, know that your journey is unique, yet you are not alone. The hurdles you encounter are only the stepping stones to greater heights. Let us embrace our experiences, draw strength from our roots, and continue to forge paths that lead to meaningful change. After all, it’s in the bold journey of overcoming adversity that we truly discover the essence of our work ethic and the depth of our potential.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Vlad Cazacu is the CEO & Co-Founder of Flowlie Technologies, an Ex-VC investor and syndicator having led investments in 11 companies, a published author on VC, and a 40x angel investor.
At the age of 12, I sold a used bike for more than it was worth new…and that’s where it all started! I have been an entrepreneur my whole life, excited to be around the geeks and innovators who are building an incredible future for all of us.
I was born and raised in Bucharest, Romania. As a child, I loved trying new things and was relentlessly figuring out my next big move. After failing to become a professional basketball player at the age of 10 and a famous guitarist at the age of 12, I found a passion for acting. For 6 years I have performed across the country, managed a national arts festival, and started several small businesses. Hustle was a lifestyle. What stuck with me through my whole childhood and teenage years was business making and my favorite magazine, Science & Technology. That fueled my fascination with the future and the entrepreneurs building it.
At 18, I moved from Eastern Europe to the United States. I graduated from the University of Rochester and then pursued my Master’s at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. During that time I started a company in the ed-tech space, learned what it means to not sell at the right time, got into venture capital and the rest is history.
Over the past 3 years, we have been building a new platform, Flowlie, with two products: one for founders and one for investors. Fundraising has always been a tedious, highly manual process that relies on wide networks that are hard to establish. This led to a lot of founders not getting the attention they deserved and unfortunately, for a lot of overlooked individuals, their ideas not coming to market.
While everyone has rushed to build a marketplace, we decided to tackle the root problem and leverage the latest advancements in technology to empower founders to run an efficient process without disintermediating it. We launched publicly in June 2023 and since then helped thousands of people from across the world. We know the impact that we can make at scale and are excited to bring this technology to life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
These three principles have guided my decisions, shaped our company culture, and driven our success in the competitive fintech industry. They reflect not just strategic priorities but also personal values that I believe are essential for leading a fintech company in today’s dynamic environment.
First, is visionary thinking. Understanding where the fintech industry is headed and positioning our company to lead the charge has been crucial. It’s about seeing beyond the horizon and preparing for future shifts. At Flowlie, we constantly read about the latest technologies so that we are ready to incorporate them when necessary.
The second is adaptability. The fintech landscape is constantly evolving. Being adaptable has allowed me to pivot strategies effectively, embrace technological advancements, and stay ahead of industry trends. We have shifted product focus several times based on market demand.
Last but not least, is empathetic leadership. Building a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation starts with empathy. Understanding and addressing the challenges faced by our team has fostered a resilient and highly motivated workforce, driving our collective success.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I believe the decreasing costs of building software companies will have a net positive impact on the world but will increase competition in most sectors. AI has only accelerated this. As a result, we are actively thinking about how we can further speed up our product and engineering processes to stay ahead of the curve and develop deeper moats.
Advances in AI and its likeness will have a positive impact on Flowlie. We’ve been having a lot of internal conversations and R&D projects around how an AI-first fundraising process would look like and we believe a lot of the heavy lifting and research components can be completed by AI models. We are actively releasing new features leveraging such technologies to make our user’s life easier.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vladcazacu.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cazvlad/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladcazacu/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cazvlad?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flowlie
- Other: https://www.flowlie.com/
Image Credits
Vlad Cazacu
