Welcome YTILI Spring

2024 Fellows!

Henri Ndreca is the co-founder and CSO of T-Blocks, which pioneered the first tokenization gateway in Albania and the Balkans. T-Blocks tackles liquidity challenges for real estate developers and introduces premium investment avenues to global capital via blockchain and EU-regulated frameworks. He is dedicated to expediting T-Blocks' growth, advancing the global blockchain ecosystem, and championing sustainable economic development, all while democratizing access to investment opportunities. Henri's vision combines technology, finance, and inclusivity to shape a more equitable future. Henri's YTILI objectives encompass fostering global partnerships, acquiring cutting-edge knowledge, and bolstering T-Blocks' capacity to empower emerging economies.

Emmanuel Ghandilyan is the co-founder and CEO of Foldink, a company specializing in the development of advanced biomaterials for 3D bioprinting technology, with the aim of supporting researchers worldwide in engineering lab-grown tissues and organoids. Foldink’s biomaterials have been used in world-leading bioengineering labs in North America and Western Europe. Foldink offers biomaterial customization services to laboratories, tailoring solutions to the unique research needs of scientists advancing regenerative medicine, drug discovery, cosmetics, and other disciplines. Emmanuel looks forward to meeting individuals to exchange knowledge and experiences, foster fruitful collaborations, and develop skills in business and leadership.

Kosima Kovar is the co-founder and CEO of the Austrian EdTech startup Ada Growth, which aims to put a digital mentor in every woman's pocket. The Ada App is borne of a realization that personal mentoring is often only offered to a select few employees, making it hard to have an organizational impact. Ada Growth helps companies attract, retain, and grow female talent to become an employer of choice. Kosima is excited to build strong ties in the United States during the YTILI program to works towards an eventual expansion and launch of the Ada App to North America.

Shahin Badirkhanli is the deputy director of BIOROPEAN, a company that aims to lead the way in waste management practices in Azerbaijan, with a focus on regional business development and promoting a sustainable future for the entire region. BIOROPEAN’s aim is to become the leading waste management company in the region and expand to other recycling segments, working with internationally recognized large corporations. Through YTILI, Shahin hopes to gain a deeper understanding of innovation in the United States and gain new insights that will help him to improve his entrepreneurial skills and apply these in his work back in Azerbaijan.

Tatsiana Zaretskaya is the founder and CEO of Laava Tech, a company on a mission to revolutionize the indoor vertical farming industry by developing innovative technologies that optimize plant growth and minimize usage of resources. Their AI-powered control unit and software platform can adapt the quantity and quality of light emitted by any LED grow light on the market to the exact needs of the plant beneath it, maximizing efficiency and profitability for indoor farms. During YTILI, Tatsiana hopes to increase her professional network, scale her ventures globally, and promote diversity and inclusion.

Stijn Belmans is the founder and CEO of Revaio BV, an organization which focuses on creating brands that have an added value in society and using this knowledge to strategically improve companies. The first brand the company pioneered is Studio Perspective, an ecological marketplace which works with social workplaces and responsibly made furniture. The second brand created is Offyce, a B2B interior brand that makes a happy workplace. The third brand invented is Heroad, a web shop to create memories of sport performances. The goal of Stijn’s agency is to make customers smile while taking care of our planet. Stijn is looking forward to meeting entrepreneurs with the same passions and hopes to create new partnerships.

Denimir Dimitrov is the founder and CEO of Zero Wave, a company with the mission to turn waste into valuable resources, by making food products made of the by-product that comes after the production of beer - brewer's spent grain. Food waste and loss are estimated to be responsible for 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Through circular economics, Denimir is tackling one of the most pressing issues nowadays - climate change. During the YTILI program, Denimir will use the opportunities to build a bridge between Europe and USA to align the mission of decarbonization of the planet.

Filip Novoselnik is the co-founder and CEO of Protostar Labs, a business entity aimed at developing advanced computer vision and AI technology that could be used both for Space industry applications and on Earth for the benefit of humanity. Protostar Labs’ goal is to turn state-of-the-art AI technologies into AI products and solutions for the industry.

Matija Srbić is the coordinator of deep-tech venture builder Nuqleus at the Innovation Centre Nikola Tesla, a periodic one-year-long startup program developed in partnership with the Croatian startup ecosystem, industry leaders, and research institutions, with the goal of fostering entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and the creation of spin-offs. Nuqleus supports researchers and scientists in the transition from academia to the startup world, providing them with education, mentors, and access to financing. Through the YTILI program, Matija is hoping to learn more about successful deep-tech venture builders and build strong business connections that can accelerate the growth of the Croatian startup ecosystem.

Marios Soteriou is the founder of Herodotus e-Learning, an online education platform that offers online training courses in Greek and English to professionals seeking to advance their career. Herodotus e-Learning was created in response to the challenges that conventional education faced in the light of the recent global pandemic. Recognizing a gap in affordable and easily accessible education, the platform offers custom-made, interactive, and affordable courses, blending innovation and affordability. Through YTILI, Marios aspires to delve deeper into online marketing, understand more about online learning management systems, foster ed-tech collaborations, and optimize e-learning experiences for his platform's users.

Monika Stepanova is the co-founder and CEO of Lightly Technologies, a Czech startup developing a portable solution to detect counterfeit medicaments. Lightly's innovative device performs real-time analysis of liquid samples, sharing results with a worldwide database, and facilitating cross-matching of individual cases. Monika's mission transcends business; she strives to bridge the gap between science and business in the fields of Biological Chemistry and Biotechnology. Monika's passion drives her to make a global impact. Her YTILI goals include creating global connections and collaborations with innovators. Through this fellowship, she aims to inspire fresh business concepts that benefit startups and society alike.

Arnaud Henric is the CEO of Crowlingo, a business service company that provides an AI-based solution that analyzes a massive number of online sources such as social networks, online press articles, or websites to extract insights in real time on its market, its competitors, or its brand. Crowlingo does all this in more than 200 languages to allow you to analyze content that was unusable before. Arnaud hopes to take advantage of this opportunity to immerse himself in the start-up innovation hubs, with a focus on expanding his network and gaining access to new business opportunities, connections, and expertise.

Julius Oförsagd is the founder, CEO, and head of design of the design agency Arctic Factory, which works towards the goal of solving problems with interdisciplinary design teams. Artic Factory has focused on helping public actors strategically solve problems and design new service and policy models. Julius hopes YTILI will help to make international openings so that Arctic Factory can be part of solving relevant challenges at a global level in the future. Julius is also looking for knowledge to create a new kind of design-oriented innovation ecosystem.

Tamta Gvelesiani is the co-founder and Business Development Manager at Clevertone, a forward-thinking organization dedicated to empowering individuals and startups with the knowledge and skills needed for personal and professional growth. With over a decade of experience in the field of education and seven years devoted to startups and innovations, she has established herself as a trusted mentor and educator, providing invaluable guidance to numerous startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Tamta sees this opportunity as a means to connect with leaders and innovators from around the world, fostering meaningful connections and initiating impactful projects both within Georgia and abroad.

Aaron Koivunen is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Karbook, a social enterprise committed to driving change in small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through technology, education, diversity, and innovation. Karbook's mission is to democratize technology access, focusing on Latin America and the automotive industry. Their flagship product, an all-in-one management software for independent car repair shops, streamlines operations, enhances customer communication, and simplifies administrative tasks. Beyond software development, Karbook is dedicated to promoting diversity within the automotive sector, empowering women and female-owned businesses. Aaron's goal for YTILI is to forge global partnerships, amplify Karbook's social impact, and advance SMB transformation worldwide.

Grigoris Nitas is the co-founder of Promilist, an enterprise aiming to redefine voyage optimization solutions for a greener and more sustainable maritime sector by utilizing the tools of neural networks, earth observation data, and naval engineering. Promilist addresses the lack of solid engineering optimization solutions with a positive environmental impact. Grigoris aspires to grow as a leader through the YTILI program and, in doing so, intends to contribute to the development of future leaders, all while fostering stronger connections between his home country and the United States.

Peter Lakatos is the co-founder and CEO of Entremo, a Hungarian MedTech startup that develops a medical monitoring bracelet to continuously measure vital signs of patients in healthcare institutions. The aim is to equip nurses with digital tools so they can oversee way more people and react faster in case of an emergency, which results in better quality care for all patients involved. Through the YTILI program, Peter hopes to absorb much of the American business mindset and extend his network of international entrepreneurs.

Andrew Gallagher is the co-founder and CSO of Filter, a manufacturer of innovative medical devices for patients with respiratory diseases. Filter's first product is a digital therapy for helping patients reduce the psychological symptoms of COPD. It is currently in pilot studies with clinics in the UK. Andrew wants to use the YTILI program to grow his international network and learn and share with other digital health leaders to drive health forward.

Daniel Flynn is the co-founder and CEO of Bearcover, a robotics company focused on addressing staffing shortages and improving care quality in the elderly care sector. Bearcover supports care staff at nursing homes and geriatric clinics with routine resident checks at nighttime. Their robots use radar technology to see through closed doors and walls, and detect position changes inside resident rooms, informing caregivers at night where they are needed. Dan is interested in all things' entrepreneurship — not just health or elderly-care-centric. Dan feels YTILI is an opportunity to expand his networks, grow as a leader, and learn from peers.

Enis Qafëleshi is the co-founder and executive director of "Makerspace – Innovation Center Prizren" (MICP), a nonprofit that serves as a vibrant hub for innovators, entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and students. At MICP, diverse minds converge to foster idea exchange, develop cutting-edge technologies, and create a positive impact on their community. MICP serves as a crucial bridge between education and the business sector by offering valuable services. Enis also serves as the co-founder and CTO of ASTech, a software development company. His vision is to create long term connections with individuals from YTILI by collaboratively working to drive positive change in the community he serves.

Inga Berkovica is the co-creator and board member of the Biocatalyst Foundation, a grassroots NGO headquartered in Latvia that is working to boost life sciences innovation in the Baltics and CEE. The Foundation focuses on two primary pillars centered around its long-term goal of maximizing economic and social benefits of MedTech and biotech for New Europe: startup support (spin-offs, incubation, mentoring, funding) and ecosystem development (conferences, workshops, networking, student activities). Inga is looking forward to new experiences, insights, and knowledge she could transfer as best practices for innovation support in her region, as well as connecting with fellow passionate individuals building the future.

Kristīne Tarvida is the founder of DarkHorse Vida, a Latvian company that offers a combination of expertise in growth strategy planning, CSR advisory, digital marketing, public relations, event organization, startup mentorship, and community building. The agency focuses on facilitating brand recognition and SDG popularization. Tarvidas' goal for YTILI is to grow as an entrepreneur and leader and learn from other ambitious entrepreneurs, startup accelerator representatives, and business incubators. The new contacts and knowledge will be used to scale DarkHorse Vida and build an innovative product that will be like a bridge for doing business between Latvian startups and the USA.

Jakub Viduto is the CEO and co-founder of SolarAide, a pioneering solar marketplace that connects customers with reputable solar installers, offering a seamless and hassle-free solar acquisition experience. SolarAide aims to facilitate conversion to renewable energy sources by bridging the information gap between solar buyers and sellers, empowering data-driven decision-making processes, and providing access to innovative products that enhance the financial viability of solar energy investments. Jakub is excited about the opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs who share his passion for the energy and climate tech sectors. He believes that collaboration and idea-sharing are instrumental in accelerating the journey towards a net-zero future.

Katherine is the founder and CEO of Muse Catchers, which excels in crucial services such as graphic design, social media management, UX/UI design, and photoproduction, bridging the gap between businesses and their online presence in Moldova and beyond. Katherine’s ultimate vision is for Muse Catchers to become a worldwide digital marketing powerhouse, offering top-tier services to a global clientele. Katherine isn’t just dominating Moldavia's digital landscape, she aspires to global conquest, one pixel at a time! Katherine’s YTILI goals are lofty: gain global market insights, forge connections with fellow entrepreneurs, and amass resources to expand Muse Catchers internationally.

Ivana Sreckovic works as the General Manager of NEST Coworking space in Montenegro, a vibrant coworking space that extends unwavering support to individuals daring to pursue their dreams. Starting in 2020, Ivana also obtained the prestigious EIT Climate-KIC license, enabling her to host Montenegro's sole Climathon event at NEST, where she passionately supports eco startups, companies, and NGOs in Montenegro. Ivana is enthusiastic about her YTILI journey and expects to connect and collaborate with fellow program participants, harnessing the program's international exchange opportunities to nurture her leadership skills and actively contribute to innovative initiatives.

Jaap van de Vorst is founder of ‘The Inventive Step’, which works to accelerate innovation. Jaap believes innovation is at the heart of solving today’s biggest challenges. With his company he focuses on projects in an early phase that are bound to make an impact, primarily in fields like clean energy and mobility. With tools developed in-house, Jaap is working towards a broader support platform empowering inventors and entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life. Through YTILI, Jaap aims to learn more about diverse cultures and different technology ecosystems with the goal of fostering a greater international perspective for empowering innovation.

Aleksandar Dimeski is the founder and CEO of Photonyca, a startup clean-tech company with a goal to solve problems in concentrated solar power. Photonyca is introducing the next-generation of concentrated solar power technology based on high-temperature ceramics and fixed bed thermal energy storage powered by air cycle and help decarbonize the industries that are the hardest to decarbonize like hydrogen, steel, cement, aluminum, desalination, and industrial heating. Most importantly, Photonyca aims to do this in a sustainable and affordable way.

Nikolina Cvetanovska is the co-founder and CMO of Monday, a forward-thinking strategic creative agency that crafts distinctive brands, impactful campaigns, and pioneering digital solutions. Nikolina is also the driving force behind Monday Learning, a training center that addresses the skills gap by offering affordable courses in digital marketing and graphic design. Nikolina's commitment to education extends to her role as an IB Business Management Teacher at NOVA International Schools, where she shapes young minds to understand business in a global landscape. Nikolina looks forward to engaging with other YTILI fellows, believing in the power of shared experiences and collective wisdom to drive meaningful change in their respective communities.

Leonore Olsen is the founder, major shareholder, and CEO of Sjy Seaweed, a pioneering seaweed company who transforms Norwegian farmed seaweed into groundbreaking products. Seaweed from Norway is a unique raw material with an ultra-high sustainability. This superfood has incredible potential and Sjy is leveraging product development to make it accessible as an easy-to-understand and easy-to-like vegan seafood. Leonore is grateful for YTILI and will use this opportunity to develop in leadership, to widen her network, and to strengthen her ability to scale business with local value creation and sustainability as core values.

Yanislav Zagorov is the CTO and co-founder of Arealize, a Norwegian Proptech startup revolutionizing early-stage floor plans by providing property managers with a quick and easy generative design software. Arealize addresses the complex challenges of space optimization and floor plan customization in the real estate industry. Through the YTILI fellowship, Yanislav aims to expand his leadership skills and foster international collaborations, with the goal of elevating his company's impact on sustainable and efficient property management.

Michał Kruszyński is the co-founder and the CEO of ZNIKA, a marketplace for sustainable packaging and labels dedicated to SMEs. The startup also focuses on the development of their own compostable bioplastic materials. ZNIKA was created to tackle plastic pollution, and it's Michał’s third project, following an educational NGO: Fundacja Nowy Głos, and a climate communication think-tank: Planet-A Foundation. During YTILI, Michał looks forward to meeting professionals, startups founders, investors and fellows. His goal is to broaden his perspective through meaningful conversations and broaden his understanding of the US startup ecosystem.

Afonso Santos is the founder and CEO of Viridius Technology, a company at the forefront of transforming fresh food production through the use of autonomous systems, robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and AI. His leadership drives the company's ambition to streamline fresh food harvesting and its supply chain. With a deep-rooted passion for tech innovation, Afonso is committed to bridging digitalization and automation gaps in multiple sectors. Eager to engage with global market dynamics, he joins the YTILI program to connect and learn with like-minded innovators and amplify his impact, steering Viridius toward international success.

Mário Gago is the co-founder and CEO of Pink Room, a consultancy studio that specializes in developing mobile digital products for clients across different industries. By leveraging human-centric methodologies and cutting-edge technologies, Pink Room crafts Android and iOS applications for smartphones, tablets, and wearables, while promoting sustainable practices and corporate responsibility. Mario’s unwavering dedication to personal growth underscores his aspiration to give back to the community. Mario is passionately committed to deepening his understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape in the United States, with a keen eye on forging new business opportunities.

Felix Staicu is the co-founder of Cyber Dacians, a Romanian cybersecurity firm dedicated to bolstering global cybersecurity infrastructure. Their premier product, StageOne, proactively simulates adversarial actions within networks, identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities before exploitation. Additionally, as President of the Romanian Cybersecurity Cluster of Excellence, Felix fosters collaboration among the private, public, and academic sectors. Felix is keen on meeting like-minded visionaries in the YTILI program who are enhancing transatlantic cooperation in all domains of strategic and operational significance.

Timur Dementev is the founder and commercial director of AUCD Project, a startup company that develops advanced industrial control systems for chemical processing equipment, such as heat exchangers, providing various industries with energy efficient solutions. The systems developed by AUCD Projects ensure the most sustainable operation modes possible. Timur looks forward to establishing long-lasting connections between young professionals from Europe and the USA, developing his own leadership abilities to keep his company growing, and implementing the best practices learned both from American mentors and fellows from Europe.

Dušan Jovčić is the co-founder and CEO of Hectic Games, a Serbian R&D center and board gaming startup on a mission to implement innovative solutions and lean startup methodology into the board game industry. Hectic Games is focused on fast prototyping and lean testing of new board gaming ideas and bringing them to market via self-publishing, crowdfunding, or collaboration with partners. Dušan looks forward to exchanges of ideas with other YTILI fellows, as well as practical examples from the business practices in the US that could be transferred and implemented in his own business and in his community back home.

Terezia Jacova is the co-founder of Lumus Investment Collective, an investment club dedicated to empowering women angel investors, with a focus on fostering growth in technology startups from the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. Terezia and her co-founders are on a mission to close the gender investment gap by educating and inspiring more women to join the cap tables of emerging technology companies. Terezia’s goal at the YTILI program is to leverage the gained experience to grow as a leader, get inspiration, and network to further empower women in tech investment and promote social impact initiatives in the CEE region.

Viktória Pikovská is the founder of Victory Art, a platform that provides mentorship, consultancy, and opportunities for artists. Viktória founded Victory Art at just 21 years old, driven by her passion for the arts and the need to empower overlooked Central and Eastern European (CEE) artists. She's successfully showcased art from this region, breaking stereotypes and fostering modern perspectives. She's dedicated to democratizing the CEE art market, making it more inclusive, and nurturing emerging talents, shaping a brighter future for artists in the region. Her primary goal within YTILI is to leverage international exchange opportunities, network with like-minded people, and create innovative opportunities.

Ana Jezerc is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Optiweb, a pioneering company shaping captivating online experiences, distinctive brand identities, and cutting-edge marketing strategies. For over 15 years, Ana's team has excelled in crafting websites, e-commerce platforms, apps, and configurators, while also offering advanced product information management (PIM) solutions, enhancing efficiency for businesses. Ana's primary goal for YTILI is to expand her network, access valuable resources, and deepen relationships with US entrepreneurs, facilitating Optiweb's entry into the US market. As an ardent learner, Ana aims to explore US entrepreneurship practices, furthering her mission to achieve Society 5.0 and drive global impact.

Eva Esih is the co-founder and CEO of PsyBit, a dynamic and innovative Slovenian company, specializes in creating cutting-edge HR solutions that boost organizational efficiency while ensuring employee satisfaction and fulfilment. With a focus on inventive software tools and streamlined employee management services, PsyBit addresses recruitment challenges, employee retention, motivation, and cultivation of a positive organizational culture. PsyBit is a realization of Eva’s vision from seeing a gap in available HR tools in the Adria region. Eva looks forward to enhancing her entrepreneurial skills, expanding her business network, and connecting with other like-minded innovators from all over the world.

Ignacio Kleinman is the founder and CEO of Culpass, a digital platform that helps companies to organize events in a much simpler way. Culpass is a tech company specializing in event management solutions. With a passion for innovation, Ignacio is developing a cutting-edge platform that streamlines event planning, ticketing, and engagement. His business fills a crucial gap in the event industry, providing efficient tools for organizers, venues and providers, and seamless experiences for attendees. Ignacio's goals for YTILI include expanding Culpass’ international presence, fostering global partnerships, and further enhancing event technology to empower organizers worldwide.

Max van der Mars is the co-founder of Skosh, a company pioneering circularity in consumer goods, effectively lowering carbon emissions and promoting the responsible use of natural resources. Max aims to expand Skosh's reach in European markets, forge partnerships with local sustainability initiatives, and collaborate with like-minded businesses. Through his participation in YTILI, Max seeks to enhance his leadership and coaching skills while also leveraging the platform to accelerate Skosh's growth and promote sustainable living on a broader scale, ultimately contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

Saâd Dhif is the co-founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Swiss Zakat Foundation, which through taking a "TechforGood" approach aims to harness the potential of technology for greater social impact. Given the lack of appropriate digital solutions and platforms in the field of Islamic finance, Saâd's idea was to facilitate both online giving and grant-making, all from a local perspective to help disadvantaged young people and families in Europe. With YTILI, he wants to go one step further and facilitate investment in sustainable, local projects, thus promoting the local economy.

Özgür Olgun is the co-founder and product & business strategy leader at Janus, a startup that smartens the tools and methods of networking. Janus aims to democratize networking and make it accessible to everyone, not just a privileged class. Janus offers intelligent digital business card profiles and NFC cards linked to these profiles, e-mail signatures, virtual backgrounds and usage statistics. These features will help users to understand their networking dynamics and receive personalized networking assistance services. Özgür joined the YTILI program to interact with unique fellows, be a part of the peer learning opportunity, and expand business beyond his country.

Ievgen Demchenko is the founder and CEO of demch.co, a web studio that helps nonprofits represent themselves on the Internet. demch.co develops websites and web services for charitable, human rights, and anti-corruption organizations to promote their activities, engage people, and collect donations. The company also creates websites for governmental bodies to make them more open and friendly to citizens. For the YTILI program, Ievgen’s goal is to exchange experiences with other fellows and boost personal and company development.

Viktorija Sydorenko is the CEO of LLC "NIKA-TEXT PLUS," a leading supplier in the military sector. LLC "NIKA-TEXT PLUS" specializes in providing high-quality products and services to meet the specific needs of the army. As the CEO, Viktorija's goal is to uphold the company's reputation as a reliable and trusted supplier internationally, while expanding its market presence. With a focus on strategic planning, financial management, and team leadership, Viktoriia aims to drive the company's growth, fulfill customer requirements, and contribute to the overall success of the military industry. Through the YTILI program, Viktoriya hopes to find new partners and learn how to operate in international markets.

Kikelomo Oniwinde is the founder and CEO of BYP Network, a company that accelerates the careers of Black professionals by connecting our 150,000 members to opportunities at 1,000+ organizations through jobs, mentorship, up-skilling content, and events. BYP Network utilizes an AI-driven platform, “Javelin” to promote connection, growth, and success.

Yemi is the founder and CEO of The Change Hive, a company that helps FinTech and Financial Services companies, from Startups to Fortune 100s, grow revenue and enter new markets with Sales Funnel Automation, and Go-to-Market and Global Expansion Strategies. Yemi was listed as the UK’s Top 100 Most Influential Women in Technology for three consecutive years. Yemi is passionate about social impact through entrepreneurship – she serves as a business mentor on the UK Help to Grow and Founders Institute programs – where she helps early-stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Yemi's goal for the YTILI program is to grow as a leader and gain practical insights into business growth strategies.