We’re so happy to announce our participation in the upcoming <a href="https://www.upstreamfestival.com/">Upstream Festival Rotterdam</a>, featuring a series of activities including a keynote speech by our esteemed Chairman of the Board, Radu Georgescu, an exclusive golf lesson and fundraising readiness event, and an informative booth on Capital Day. 
<h2 id="deep-dive-with-radu-georgescu">Deep dive with Radu Georgescu</h2>
Radu Georgescu will deliver an insightful talk titled &quot;How I Built 40 Companies and Sold 6 to Industry Giants.&quot; 
Scheduled for Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 12:25 PM at Poppodium Annabel, Rotterdam, Georgescu will share the secrets behind his remarkable success, emphasizing that in business, &quot;It&#39;s not the vision that sets you apart—it&#39;s the execution. While vision lays the groundwork, true success is driven by performance excellence.&quot; 
He will delve into his experiences with giants like Microsoft, Naspers, and Francisco Partners, providing valuable lessons on executional excellence in today&#39;s tech-driven landscape. <a href="https://app.swapcard.com/event/upstream/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMTg2MjIzOA==">Secure your spot. </a>
<h2 id="exclusive-city-event-hole-in-one-golf--financing-readiness-like-a-pro">Exclusive city event: &quot;Hole in One: Golf &amp; Financing Readiness Like a Pro&quot;</h2>
On May 28th, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, join the SeedBlink team for an exclusive city event designed for ambitious founders. &quot;Hole in One&quot; will blend a practical golf lesson with crucial fundraising readiness advice. This event promises to not only enhance your golfing skills but also equip you with strategic insights necessary for excelling in the startup funding arena. Limited to 30 participants, this is a perfect opportunity for those looking to improve their precision and strategic thinking—both essential on the green and in the boardroom. Interested founders can <a href="https://pages.seedblink.com/upstream-event/">apply here (limited seats).</a>
<h2 id="visit-our-booth-on-capital-day">Visit our booth on Capital Day</h2>
Additionally, you can find us at our booth at Capital Day, there to discuss our full suite of services for equity management, fundraising, and liquidity. This is an excellent chance for entrepreneurs and investors alike to explore innovative solutions tailored to streamline startup financing processes. 
The team joining Upstream consists of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbin-hoogstraten/">Robbin Hoogstraten</a> - Regional Manager Benelux, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanderpeltenburg/">Sander Peltenberg</a> - Investment Associate,<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-iulia-simion-89a60187/"> Bianca-Iulia Simion</a> - Head of Communications, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bogdan-stoian-b88a67279/">Bogdan Stoian</a> - Lead of Professional Services. 
<h2 id="special-offer-for-friends-of-seedblink">Special offer for friends of SeedBlink</h2>
As a token of appreciation, friends of SeedBlink can enjoy a 15% discount on Upstream tickets by using <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/796750130087/?discount=15s33dblink">this exclusive link. </a>
Join us at Upstream Rotterdam for an enriching experience that bridges the gap between sports and entrepreneurship. Don&#39;t miss this unique blend of networking, learning, and strategic development!

Expect a keynote speech by our esteemed Chairman of the Board, Radu Georgescu, an exclusive golf lesson and fundraising readiness event, and an informative booth on Capital Day. 

SeedBlink is set to boost entrepreneurial skills at Upstream Rotterdam, with Radu Georgescu as a speaker and an exciting city event 

Swisspod, co-founded by 2 multiple award-winners of the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition — Denis Tudor, CEO, and Cyril Dénéréaz, CTO, stands at the forefront of transportation. They ventured into hyperloop technology development following an insightful conversation with industry titan Elon Musk himself, and their groundbreaking achievements garnered attention from forward thinkers, including Sir Richard Branson. Denis Tudor&#39;s track record in electrical engineering and hyperloop systems, and Cyril Dénéréaz&#39;s technical prowess, form the backbone of Swisspod&#39;s ambitious vision.
Swisspod is leading experimentation and research in high-speed transportation systems, supporting of the Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory (DESL) at EPFL. The company built Europe&#39;s first operational hyperloop testing facility, in Switzerland, and started the construction of a second hyperloop testing facility in Colorado, USA, marking a significant milestone in the realization of their vision.
1. What ‘aha’ moment led to the founding of Swisspod?
That &#39;aha&#39; moment was winning the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition in 2018 and the conversation we had with Elon Musk. That year, we landed first place for our innovative capsule design focused on safety and third place for speed. We realized the potential of our ideas and how they could revolutionize transportation as we know it, reshaping every aspect of our lives. It was time to take the prototypes out of the lab and into the real world. Because the spirit of innovation is about ensuring that what you create leaves a positive mark on the future.
2. What was your drive back then, and what change did you aim to make?
Both me and Cyril are engineers at the core, so we kickstarted Swisspod driven by our passion for technology and innovation. We were determined to tackle the complex challenges of developing a high-speed transportation system that not only surpasses existing standards, but redefines efficiency, sustainability, and safety. Plus, we knew we were in for an exciting and fun ride.
Beyond the thrill of solving technical puzzles, our moonshot mission was to revolutionize how people travel, connect, work, and live. Hyperloop is our ticket to a future where distance no longer defines our bonds or opportunities – where speed, convenience, and environmental responsibility are the norm.
3. How do you plan to sell Swisspod&#39;s hyperloop technology?
Our approach to selling our hyperloop technology centers on two main pillars. The first is selling our hyperloop capsules directly, as a turnkey solution for organizations seeking to deploy advanced high-speed transportation systems. The second is by forging partnerships with infrastructure makers exploring new markets and innovative transportation solutions.
4. How do you envision Swisspod&#39;s future growth?
Taking our technology worldwide, and revolutionizing industries, empowering businesses, and improving lives worldwide. Growth is just a part of our journey; the heart of our mission lies in driving meaningful change worldwide through progress and innovation.
5. What&#39;s the ideal customer profile of Swisspod?
Our ideal customers are governments and transportation operators. Governments can greenlight major infrastructure projects such as Hyperloop, while transportation operators will need reliable vehicles for running their Hyperloop networks.
6. What&#39;s the ideal investor profile of Swisspod?
We&#39;re looking for investors who play the long game, ideally institutional partners, willing to commit to a journey that may span even a decade. They understand that groundbreaking technologies, like hyperloop, take time to mature and monetize. With their support, we can revolutionize the industry and deliver substantial long-term value.
7. Do you have a mentor or figure whom you admire and draw inspiration from?
Elon Musk is a huge source of inspiration for me. He takes ambitious ideas and makes them happen, and has a strong commitment to tackling some of the world&#39;s most pressing challenges head-on. Elon Musk is the only entrepreneur with a track record of success in tough tech industries, from sustainable energy to space exploration. He is proof that with hard work and vision, anything is possible.
8. Why should investors consider being part of Swisspod&#39;s journey?
We&#39;re leading the path with top-notch technology and a viable, promising approach to bringing Hyperloop to the market. Our real-world progress proves it — we&#39;re making things happen! And we&#39;ve got the best, most skilled team driving this forward. Investing in Swisspod is more than envisioning a thriving future, it’s about being part of history in the making.
<a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/swisspod/246?utm_campaign=investor-24-q2-organic&amp;utm_medium=email-marketing&amp;utm_source=nl-seedblink&amp;utm_content=swisspod&amp;utm_term=null">Explore the opportunity on SeedBlink.</a>

Hyperloop can soon become a reality - learn more from one of its key innovators.

The ultra-fast transportation of the future, shaped by Denis Tudor, co-founder of Swisspod

Catalina, a seasoned professional with over 12 years of experience in delivering IT and technology services across various industries such as logistics, telecommunications, and mining, has a fervent passion for learning and exploration. Despite her educational background in European studies and international relations, Catalina found herself immersed in IT service operations early on in her career.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to broaden her understanding of business operations, Catalina embarked on an executive business administration program. This endeavor aimed to augment her existing knowledge and equip her with a more comprehensive perspective on the intricacies of running businesses.
While Catalina&#39;s journey into investing began several years ago, her foray into the world of tech start-ups is a more recent development, spanning just a couple of years. Eager to delve deeper into this burgeoning ecosystem, she eagerly joined the SeedBlink community upon discovering it. Catalina&#39;s diverse professional background and relentless pursuit of knowledge position her as a valuable asset in the realm of tech start-up investment.
1. What is your biggest personal satisfaction since joining our community of startup investors? 
Being part of the SeedBlink community opened a new universe for me, as I could have access to like-minded and curious people to learn and contribute to the creation of future products and companies that should improve our world. 
2. How would you describe our community and to what extent do you feel it generates value for you? 
The knowledge available within the community, the easy access to a wide range of start-up options, and the fact that the platform offers a smooth way to start as a beginner in start-up investments made me join the community.
As a SeedBlink community member you can exponentially expand your knowledge about start-up ecosystems, learn from people with broader experience, and be able to get access to a curated list of start-ups, from where you can choose by doing your due diligence. 
3. What does investing mean to you? 
I think in the world of today it is important to contribute and support solutions that we need for those problems we face as individuals and society. I believe investing in start-ups is a great way to do so, even if sometimes it is just to test, try, and fail because even from those situations we can learn how we could do it better next time. 
4. What motivates you to invest in startups? 
I think the main motivator is contributing and supporting those people and companies trying to improve our day-to-day ecosystem, from the communities we live in, to the country we are part of, and why not even further. 
I would encourage everyone to do it. Investing in start-ups brings a lot of value through learning new technologies, and new ways of doing or improving things and services around us, therefore keeping your brain ‘young’ through continuous learning and as an individual, you remain up to date with the latest technology and business changes.
5. How would you describe your investor profile? 
I like to consider myself a balanced one, I have parts of my portfolio where I am taking risks, but also parts of it, which are more contained in terms of risk-taking. 
It is important to have a strong why on why I am taking a certain investment decision and what is the time horizon when looking at the outcome of the investment. 
6. When did you start investing in startups and what does your portfolio look like?  
I am calling myself a ‘rookie’ investor in the start-up landscape, as until now I have made only a few investments, in areas such as process digitalization, security, and transport. I am not following a specific industry, but there are some common points when deciding to invest -- what technology is used, what is it solving, who is the team behind and what are its societal implications. 
7. What are the most important aspects for you when evaluating a startup? 
There are some core elements that I look at: 
<ul>
<li>why the start-up was born (is it purely profit-driven or is there some kind of other trigger behind it), why the team behind came together to build a company, </li>
<li>who is the team behind (expertise, years in the industry, team dynamics/cohesion, etc.), </li>
<li>what is the vision for medium to long-term </li>
<li>how is the business operating (model, sustainability, scalability, etc.) </li>
</ul>
8. How much and in what ways do you choose to get involved in a startup&#39;s post-investment evolution? 
Up until now, I was not involved in their evolution, apart from following their performance and results. Though coming next, I am looking to get actively involved and support the start-ups with my expertise (if of help) or any guidance they might need. 
Though, here I am usually a cautious profile, as sometimes there is a need for a proper balance on how much an investor might get too involved and not allowing ‘space’ for the founder(s) and their team to move forward with the vision. 
All in all, I strongly believe it is important to get involved in the evolution of a start-up, though it needs to bring value and facilitate solutions, not create additional burdens and work. 
9. What has been one of the best or most impactful investments you&#39;ve made so far? 
The best investment made was in my personal development and professional growth and I assume this will remain the most impactful one. 
10. What lessons have you learned from your early investment experiences? 
I tended to jump quickly into the areas I thought I knew, looking only at the technology used, without looking too much at the industry to which is applied. 
Therefore, core lessons are to learn, search, research, and expose yourself to as much as possible; meet start-up founders (face to face, if possible, as it gives extremely valuable insights into the human dynamics of the company), do your research on the start-up and the industry they activate, ask questions, build a network of people with whom you can discuss and try to connect the dots by building thinking systems (it will ease the decision making process).

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