Florin Cașotă
Oana CoșmanWatch the Documentary
Watch the full documentary movie and discover Romanian startups and investors changing the world.
Lectură de 3 min
- 21 Februarie 2025
Ilinca Păun: “Education is the cornerstone of empowerment”
Ilinca Păun is a strong woman that has created a name for herself in a man’s world, first as the manager of the biggest real-estate consultancy firm in Romania, nowadays, as an angel investor. If you are a startup founder, are part of a diverse team, or are developing something impactful, Ilinca’s name is one that you should definitely know. Her mission: to empower more and more women to either become founders, to embark on the road to entrepreneurship, and to grow the number of female investors.
The documentary "Romanian Startups: Roaring Tigers of Europe", made by the start-up.ro team, spans across 33 years of history, from the first entrepreneurs in the transitional years to the initial technology company transactions that brought Romania into the international spotlight.
Romanian Startups: Roaring Tigers of Europe - The Extended Series will present the people who built the Romanian ecosystem and who discussed with the VideoCorp and start-up.ro team for this documentary. In this series you will find the extensive interviews and find out the stories of those who built entrepreneurship in Romania.
“It’s not just about where you start, but how you navigate the opportunities that unfold before you”, Ilinca told us for the Romanian Startups. Roaring Tigers of Europe documentary.
For Ilinca Păun, the driving force behind the Bravva Angels, adaptability and curiosity are of key importance in one’s career journey.
In our discussion for the documentary, Ilinca reflected on her transition from architecture to real estate and then to entrepreneurship, illustrating that success often comes from seizing unexpected opportunities and being open to change.
Like in the world of startups, although the path may not always be linear, a willingness to explore and learn can lead to fulfilling outcomes.
Ilinca told us about her experiences in corporate environments, the lessons learned from her tenure at a multinational corporation, and the challenges faced in transitioning to entrepreneurial endeavors.
“True innovation thrives where authenticity and courage intersect”, says Ilinca highlighting the need for genuine leadership and the courage to embrace risk—essential qualities for fostering innovation within organizations.
We also talked about the current state of the startup ecosystem in Romania, the significance of empowering women entrepreneurs, and the need for better education and mentorship in this field.
“Education is the cornerstone of empowerment; it transforms potential into progress”, said Ilinca, stressing the pivotal role of education in shaping futures and driving societal change.
She talked about a passion for lifelong learning, asserting that education equips individuals with the tools needed to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in both entrepreneurial endeavors and personal growth. Education as a transformative force is critical, particularly in nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators.
The Bravva community founder also highlighted some cultural barriers to entrepreneurship in Romania and advocated for a shift towards a more supportive environment for budding entrepreneurs.
We’ve discussed at length with Ilinca Păun for the Romanian Startups: Roaring Tigers of Europe documentary.
- Career transformation: Ilinca Păun discusses her transition from architecture to real estate and then to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the role of opportunity and curiosity in her career choices.
- Real-estate experience: She recounts her experiences during the construction of the first mall in Bucharest, highlighting the challenges and learning opportunities presented by international developers.
- Corporate lessons: The emphasis on client-centricity and rigorous preparation learned in a corporate environment is crucial for entrepreneurial success. Ilinca highlighted the importance of understanding client needs deeply and preparing thoroughly for meetings, which can differentiate successful ventures from unsuccessful ones.
- Shift to education: After nearly two decades in corporate real estate, she transitioned to education and entrepreneurship, seeking a more innovative environment to apply her skills and values. She discussed her involvement with the Entrepreneurship Academy, which aims to provide practical education in entrepreneurship, addressing the lack of such programs in Romania.
- The role of education in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs: Through her association with the Entrepreneurship Academy, Ilinca emphasized the critical need for practical, entrepreneurship-focused education in Romania. This perspective illustrates the importance of equipping future entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed.
- Adaptability and opportunity: Her journey underscores the importance of being open to new opportunities and adapting to changing circumstances. Her career reflects a willingness to pivot and embrace different roles, leading to her eventual success in entrepreneurship.
Empowering women entrepreneurs
- Women investors: Ilinca explained the formation of Bravva Angels, a community for women angel investors, emphasizing the potential of women entrepreneurs and the need for more female representation in the startup ecosystem.
- Women in leadership: Ilinca’s involvement in initiatives that support women entrepreneurs highlights the untapped potential of female-led startups. She argues for the importance of creating networks and communities that empower women to take on leadership roles in the entrepreneurial landscape.
- Cultural barriers to entrepreneurship: She addressed the cultural challenges in Romania that deter individuals from pursuing entrepreneurship, including risk aversion and a preference for stable employment. This insight sheds light on the broader societal norms that need to shift to foster a more entrepreneurial spirit.
- Investment landscape: The conversation touched on the need for a stronger investment ecosystem in Romania, particularly for startups. Ilinca advocates for increased funding and mentorship opportunities, which are essential for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
- Need for continuous learning: Ilinca’s journey reflects her belief in lifelong learning as a fundamental tool for personal and professional growth. This insight is particularly relevant in the fast-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, where adaptability and learning are key to staying ahead.
- By advocating for education, investment, and a cultural shift towards embracing entrepreneurship, Ilinca Păun envisions a more robust and diverse entrepreneurial landscape in Romania. Our conversation serves as both an inspiration and a call to action for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, to pursue their passions and contribute to the evolving narrative of entrepreneurship in their country.
Roaring Tigers of Europe is a production by start-up.ro and Videocorp, part of the Romanian publishing company InternetCorp, active for almost 20 years on the market. The documentary was made with the support of partners BCR, Orange, and 2Performant. Community partners included Guran Consulting Global, How to Web, Launch, Impact Hub Bucharest, Flaviu Simihaian, Rubik Hub, SoftServe, and the Romanian-American University.
Watch the full documentary in the video below:
Recomandarile noastre:
Florin Cașotă
Jurnalist cu peste 10 ani de experiență în print, online și video. Florin este pasionat de tehnologie, startup-uri și de industria de jocuri video. Vrea să spună povești, în scris, dar și pe video, într-un mod cât mai atrăgător posibil și vrea să prindă ziua în care va putea cumpăra un robot-majordom. Deocamdată are doar robot-aspirator.
Oana Coșman
Editor start-up.ro & redactor-șef Green Start-Up, jurnalist cu o experiență de 17 ani în presa de business (Forbes România, Ziarul Financiar, Business Standard), călător avid și cu o pasiune pentru unicorni și fonduri de investiții, Oana urmărește îndeaproape antreprenorii din întreaga lume și descoperă poveștile lor.
