Going Global is About How You Perceive Limitations with Dan Mihaescu from GapMinder VC

The Recursive podcast is back in Bucharest to explore the most interesting stories of the Romanian tech ecosystem and this time we meet with one of the people who participated in its very inception. First as an angel investor, and later on as the founding partner of GapMinder VC, Dan Mihaescu has led GapMinder’s investments in companies like FintechOS, TypingDNA, Cartloop, Cyscale, and DRUID AI. 

Dan Mihaescu is also a seasoned business executive with experience in small, medium to large enterprises, M&A deals, and venture acceleration. He’s an INSEAD Alumni and Harvard Business School graduate. 

In his conversation with Irina, Dan Mihaescu reflects on the evolution of the Romanian tech ecosystem. He explains his decision-making process as an investor, and talks about the important next step in the economic growth of the region – building up the business expertise. 

“UiPath changed how we perceive limitations”, Dan Mihaescu says, explaining both the spill-over effect after UiPath’s global success, but also reflecting on the necessary mindset for growth. 

Going into the playbook of an investor, Dan shares what are the red flags when he is making a risk assessment, and what is the question he asks founders to test whether they’re playing the long game. 

Watch the previous episode with the editor-at-large at TechCrunch Mike Butcher with many practical insights on how to get international media attention as a startup founder.