Innovantage Podcast

Max Golikov

Welcome to the Innovantage podcast, where technology, business, and innovation converge. Join host Max Golikov as we explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence and digital advancements across various industries. Each episode features in-depth conversations with industry leaders and offers practical insights on integrating technology into your business. Subscribe to stay ahead in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape and discover how AI drives change and inspires new business strategies. Tune in to unlock your competitive edge in the world of technology!

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#54
August 21 · 1 hr 4 min
What Recruiters Actually Look for in Salespeople | Innovantage Podcast #55
Sales and recruiting rarely get discussed together, even though they shape each other constantly. This episode, Max sits with Edvin Vosylius, founder of European Sales Headhunting Agency, a Vilnius-based recruitment agency focused specifically on sales talent, to unpack how those two functions collide in practice. Edvin brings 19 years of hands-on sales experience to the table, having worked as a rep, a head of sales, and a chief sales officer before building a business around placing salespeople for a living. That path, including a failed corporate venture and a startup collapse, shapes everything he now looks for when hiring or advising others in the field. In this episode, hear about mid-market versus enterprise sales, the mechanics of building a profitable recruitment agency, the traits recruiters look for in top salespeople, and how AI is reshaping CVs and interviews. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 1:00 How Edvin founded a recruitment agency 3:56 Why mid-market deals beat enterprise sales 9:27 Is the agency business still relevant? 15:00 What companies get wrong about hiring salespeople 21:07 Different types of salespeople explained 24:41 How to identify a great salesperson? 29:31 Why great salespeople fail in new industries 33:16 Do you really need to start a business? 51:06 How recruitment agencies actually make money 56:11 Advice for salespeople and hiring managers 57:48 AI in sales 1:03:30 Where to find Edvin Connect with our guest Edvinas Vosylius – https://www.linkedin.com/in/edvinasv/ HEMES – https://www.wearehemes.com/ Connect with Max Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang Did something surprise you in this conversation? Drop a comment below — we read every single one. Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode of Innovantage Podcast.
#53
August 7 · 58 min
How to Build a Defense Tech Startup & Raise €1.1M | Innovantage Podcast #54
What does it take to build a defense tech startup, raise €1.1 million, and manufacture drone technology in Europe? In this episode of the Innovantage Podcast, Elvinas Kukys, CEO and Co-Founder of Luna Robotics, shares how the Lithuanian hardware startup is building advanced vision systems for unmanned platforms without relying on Chinese supply chains or unnecessary AI. Drawing on his military background and startup journey, Elvinas explains how Luna Robotics grew from an idea into one of Lithuania's emerging defense tech companies, developing dual-use technology designed for both military and civilian applications. Learn what investors actually look for, how to become better at pitching, when bootstrapping becomes a mistake, and why building a hardware startup requires a different mindset than chasing the latest AI trend. Introduction 0:00 Luna Robotics and Elvinas' journey 0:31 How AI hallucinates drone camera images 05:51 Why Luna Robotics is China free 07:34 Manufacturing hardware in the Baltics 09:52 How Luna Robotics raised €1.1 million 15:34 Mastering the art of startup pitching 21:41 Why you shouldn't bootstrap too much 27:13 Building a startup with dual use technology 33:33 Never build custom features for only one customer 38:15 What metrics investors actually pay attention to 46:20 Lithuania's defense tech boom and AI's future 50:23 Advice to my 20 year old self 56:33 Where to find Elvinas 57:37 Connect with our guest Elvinas Kukys – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekukys/ Luna Robotics – https://www.lunarobotics.eu/ Connect with Max Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang Did something surprise you in this conversation? Drop a comment below — we read every single one. Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode of Innovantage Podcast.
#52
July 24 · 58 min
Why 70% of Mergers & Acquisitions Fail (And How to Avoid It) | Innovantage Podcast #53
Why do 70% of mergers and acquisitions fail after closing? In this episode of the Innovantage Podcast, integration strategist Sabine Janssens shares what separates successful M&A integration from value destruction, why the first 100 days are critical, and how companies can turn acquisitions into long-term growth. Sabine Janssens has led more than 40 M&A integration projects over the past four years and developed a pragmatic 100-day integration model used in buy-and-build environments. Drawing on decades of strategic marketing and integration experience, she works with acquiring companies to align strategy, operations, technology, and people after the deal closes. Rather than treating integration as an operational checklist, this episode explains how to preserve business value, avoid the mistakes that derail acquisitions, manage IT integration without disrupting customers, and keep founders, employees, and leadership aligned throughout the transition. 0:00 Introduction 0:29 Sabine's journey into 40+ M&A integrations 4:51 Which industries see the most M&A activity 6:37 Why only 30 percent of acquisitions succeed 12:46 Early warning signs an integration is failing 16:27 Why the first 100 days matter most 21:52 Common challenges when integrating IT 26:03 Biggest IT integration mistakes 31:28 What founders experience after selling 45:56 The hidden cost most companies underestimate 54:14 The biggest misconception about M&A 56:50 Where to find Sabine Connect with our guest Sabine Janssens – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinejanssens/ Connect with Max Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang Did something surprise you in this conversation? Drop a comment below — we read every single one. Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode of Innovantage Podcast.
#51
June 29 · 59 min
We Let a Pimple Go Viral and It Worked | Innovantage Podcast #52
Can AI actually fix your skin or just feed your insecurities? On this episode, the founder of System Akvile breaks down how a skincare app reached 900K+ users by letting data, not assumptions, drive the product. Akvile Ignotaite is a PhD data scientist who moved from corporate finance and M&A into founding System Akvile, an AI-powered skin-health platform now used by more than 900,000 people across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Her path ran through economics in Lithuania, an MBA in Germany, and a forced detour into statistics and coding during her PhD, all of which now shape how she builds for a Gen Z and Gen Alpha audience. Akvile gets specific about what worked and what failed: why the original medical-grade app flatlined on user acquisition, how launching a pimple character on TikTok before writing a single line of code validated demand, and why staying disciplined on data rather than chasing big-tech features keeps a lean startup alive. 0:00 Introduction 0:25 From corporate finance to founding a skincare startup 3:17 How TikTok taught us what our audience wants 6:00 Inside "System Akvile" - the app for skin health 10:58 How AI killed our endless calls and meetings 13:25 Why the Indian skincare market is booming now 17:54 The blind spots hiding inside skincare tech 21:13 What ayurveda actually means for skin health 24:42 How to adapt one app for every country 28:26 Finding the balance between trends and education 35:55 How a pimple became a skincare influencer 45:08 Can AI really predict your skin patterns 49:37 The one piece of advice every founder needs 58:05 Where to find Akvile Connect with Our Guests Akvile Ignotaite – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-akvile-ignotaite/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial Did something surprise you in this conversation? Drop a comment below — we read every single one. Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode of Innovantage Podcast.
#50
June 11 · 1 hr 4 min
Nobody Climbs the Career Ladder Now | Innovantage Podcast #51 | Powered by BMI Executive Institute
Can AI transformation actually make a company faster, or is it just hype? In this episode of the Innovantage Podcast, we go inside Wix to find out what real AI transformation looks like when you're running engineering sites across Europe. This is the latest episode in our ongoing series with BMI Executive Institute, spotlighting leaders who put business theory into practice. Joining Max is Monika Laukaitė, a senior operations and site leadership executive at Wix and a current EMBA participant at BMI Executive Institute, who oversees R&D and engineering sites across Lithuania, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, and Dublin while scaling teams and folding AI into daily operations. A practical look at how to roll out AI without forcing tools teams don't understand, what genuinely breaks as a company scales across markets, and how to measure whether a transformation is actually working. Introduction 0:00 What does Monika actually do at Wix 0:48 AI transformation at Wix 04:12 Why do AI transformation? 06:56 How AI makes you more efficient 08:30 How do you measure a successful transformation? 10:58 Is AI just hype, or real? 14:40 AI transformation - where to start? 17:16 When business leaders force AI they don't understand 21:51 Monika's unusual career path to Wix 24:38 Why Lithuanian tech giants don't compete with each other 29:22 Scaling a company across cultures 32:47 The first thing that breaks when you scale 37:48 How leadership has to change when scaling 40:00 The career ladder is broken - what to do now 47:47 Max almost got scammed by a fake Zoom call 52:03 Why networking is a must 55:43 Does AI transformation ever actually end? 58:16 Where to find Monika 1:03:10 More about the episode partners: www.bmiinstitute.com Connect with Our Guests Monika Laukaite – https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikalaukaite/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial Did something surprise you in this conversation? Drop a comment below — we read every single one. Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode of Innovantage Podcast.
#49
May 28 · 1 hr 4 min
Can AI Replace CEOs? | Innovantage Podcast #50 | Powered by BMI Executive Institute
What does real innovation look like in 2026 — inside a 160-year-old state railway and a modern AI-first startup? We continue our series with BMI Executive Institute, sitting down with two guests from two different worlds to explore how innovation, AI adoption, and the future of work actually play out on the ground. We cover the startup vs enterprise mindset, the project management triangle of speed, cost and quality, the EU AI Act, AI anxiety, and whether humans are still relevant when AI can do most of the work. Our guests are Jonas Valuta and Vidas Vasiliauskas. Jonas, participant of the EMBA programme at BMI Executive Institute and the head of Asset management and Sales from Lithuanian Railways, one of the country's largest state-owned organisations, where modernising systems that have been running for over a century means navigating security, compliance, and change management at scale. Vidas is the CEO of Teamhood, a project management tool for teams that have outgrown simple software but don't need the full weight of enterprise platforms — and he is currently rebuilding it from the ground up with AI as the foundation, not a feature. Introduction 0:00 Why Vidas calls himself a product creator 1:07 Running asset management at Lithuania's national railway 2:43 How big corporations actually approach innovation 4:22 How startups innovate when competition is global 8:30 Fewer stakeholders means your team moves faster 10:24 Balancing speed, cost and quality when building products 14:30 Is AI overhyped? 21:37 What the EU AI act means for businesses 32:23 Are humans still necessary when AI does the work 43:00 Why AI is giving everyone anxiety and FOMO 53:02 Where startups and big companies are headed with AI 56:36 Where to find Jonas and Vidas 1:03:20 More about the episode partners: www.bmiinstitute.com Connect with Our Guests Jonad Valuta – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonasvaluta/ Vidas Vasiliauskas – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidasvasiliauskas/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial Did something surprise you in this conversation? Drop a comment below — we read every single one. Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode of Innovantage Podcast.
#48
May 14 · 1 hr 3 min
AI vs Human Traders in 2026 | Innovantage Podcast #49 | Powered by BMI Executive Institute
This episode marks the beginning of our special series in collaboration with BMI Executive Institute, where we explore the intersection of business, leadership, and technology with standout entrepreneurs connected to the BMI network. We kick off the series with Bas Kooijman, tech-to-finance entrepreneur, CEO/co-founder of DHF Capital, and participant of the EMBA programme at BMI Executive Institute AI is no longer a future concept in finance — it’s already trading real money. Bas built and sold telecom businesses operating across 35 countries before transitioning into professional trading and asset management. Today, he leads DHF Capital, where AI-driven systems and automated strategies actively manage capital across global markets. In this episode, we discuss: • Why AI trading is already outperforming humans in efficiency • How 187 AI agents operate inside a single hedge fund • The negotiation tactics used against him during acquisition • How currency automation boosted margins beyond industry averages • Why younger investors increasingly trust AI with their money • Whether jobs are disappearing — or simply evolving • The real risks of AI in finance and how to secure data properly If you want to understand where trading, entrepreneurship, and AI are heading — this conversation sets the stage. Is AI the ultimate competitive edge or the beginning of full automation in finance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #AI #Trading #Finance #Entrepreneurship #BMI #Automation #Investing #techinnovation Introduction 0:00 From Telecom founder to AI Hedge Fund CEO 0:28 Why tech now controls modern finance 2:11 Professional traders tech stack 2:49 From algorithms to self improving AI trading 4:01 How to spot a trend? 6:10 The telecom business journey 9:51 How to identify the best offer 17:20 How currency automation unlocked massive profit 20:19 AI is not a trend anymore 28:57 How AI agents can run teams 38:14 Why younger investors already trust AI with all money 47:44 How to secure data while still using AI 55:04 Skills you need now to stay relevant in AI age 59:06 Where to find Bas 2:02:02 More about the episode partners: www.bmiinstitute.com Connect with Our Guest Bas Koojiman – https://www.linkedin.com/in/baskooijman/ DHF Capital – https://dhf-capital.com/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#47
April 30 · 1 hr 6 min
The World’s First Industrial LEGO Sorting Machine Powered by AI | Innovantage Podcast #48
What if mixed, unused LEGO bricks could become complete sets again — at industrial scale? Ilya Malkin, founder of Sort A Brick, is building an AI-first automation company that does exactly that. Using computer vision, machine learning, and custom-built hardware, his team identifies, cleans, and sorts over 100,000 unique LEGO elements by shape, color, and print, turning chaotic brick bins into rebuildable sets. After nearly 20 years in consulting, Ilya pivoted into hard-tech to solve a problem most people overlook: making large-scale LEGO refurbishment economically viable. In this episode, we unpack the technology, the business model, and why AI-powered reuse could unlock a massive secondary market in construction toys. Introduction 0:00 Meet founder and CEO of Sort A Brick Ilya Malkin 0:52 “We иuilt the world’s first industrial LEGO sorting machine” 8:08 From consulting to hardware tech business 15:43 How to find the right tech people for your startup? 19:11 Raising €2M for AI LEGO sorting 28:54 How kidults are changing the toy business 37:31 How does the technology work behind Sort A Brick? 45:25 Competing with LEGO or helping them? 55:07 Brutal lessons from building a hardware startup 1:02:15 Where to find Ilya 1:05:39 Connect with Our Guest Ilya Malkin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyamalkin/ Sort A Brick – https://www.sortabrick.com/en-de Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#46
April 16 · 1 hr
Your Startup Isn’t Failing for the Reason You Think | Innovantage Podcast #47
What does it really take to go from founder to venture capitalist, and why are most startup ideas actually “bad ideas” at first? In this episode, Raimonds Kulbergs shares the real story behind BADideas Fund, what founders consistently get wrong about fundraising, why most VCs will struggle in the AI era, and what separates ambitious startups from small ideas that never scale. If you’re building a startup, raising funding, thinking about Y Combinator, or wondering whether AI is now mandatory for investment, this episode will reset how you think about venture capital and early-stage growth. 👇 useful links Subscribe to our channel for more tech and business insights Watch next: https://youtu.be/VkwqUmyoABY?si=hCM2dw282zPlRZfZ Connect with Our Guest Raimonds Kulbergs – https://www.linkedin.com/in/raimondskulbergs/ BADideas.fund – https://www.linkedin.com/company/badideasfund/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#45
April 2 · 1 hr 3 min
China Vs Silicon Valley: Who Leads Innovation? | Innovantage Podcast #46
China tech and innovation | Chinese economy | Silicon valley vs China | AI strategy In our new episode, Pascal Coppens — sinologist, author, and tech entrepreneur with decades of experience working between China and Silicon Valley breaks down how the Chinese economy actually works and why Western perceptions of China are outdated. We cover how Chinese innovation differs from Silicon Valley, the role of competition and survival in Chinese business, the truth about Chinese electric vehicles and monopolies, why Europe struggles with strategic decision-making, and what the so-called AI race really looks like. 👇 Useful links Subscribe to our channel for more tech and business insights Watch next: https://youtu.be/VkwqUmyoABY?si=hCM2dw282zPlRZfZ Connect with Our Guest Pascal Coppens – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pacovision/ Pascal’s website – https://www.pascalcoppens.com/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial #china #chinaeconomy #siliconvalley #innovation #ai #techstrategy
#44
March 19 · 56 min
Why AI Won't Replace Top Lawyers (But Will Destroy Mediocre Ones) | Innovantage Podcast #45
Are law firms using AI all wrong? The answer might cost you millions. Aku Sorainen, Founder & Senior Partner at Sorainen and Chairman at Crespect, reveals why most legal tech investments fail and what actually works after 25 years of building his own systems. In this episode, we explore the dangerous gap between AI hype and real-world legal practice. • Why Sorainen spent €2M building software after discovering global solutions were "years behind" • The "chaos in, chaos out" problem: Why 25M documents can be a liability • Why lawyers are using AI less for drafting in 2025 • The truth about junior lawyers and who survives the AI revolution • How clients now use AI against their own lawyers Connect with Our Guest Aku Sorainen – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aku-sorainen/ Sorainen website – https://www.sorainen.com/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovantagePodcast Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#43
March 5 · 1 hr 7 min
Why Women Leave Tech And How Leadership Can Fix It | Innovantage Podcast #44
What does it really take to succeed as a woman in tech leadership today? In this episode of the Innovantage Podcast, we’re joined by Diana Gold — CTO | Head of Digitalization and Technology at Gijos, Partnership Associate Professor at Vilnius University, and PhD candidate at ISM University of Management and Economics. In this conversation, Diana shares: ➡️Her journey from IT and consulting roles to becoming a CTO in the energy sector ➡️What women in tech leadership still struggle with — and what actually helps ➡️Why many digital transformations fail without cultural change ➡️How AI can both reduce and reinforce bias in hiring and leadership ➡️What skills matter most for women entering or reskilling into tech ➡️How public sector, private sector, and academia approach innovation differently Whether you’re a woman working in tech, considering a career in technology, or a leader building digital and inclusive teams, this episode offers practical insights, real‑world experience, and a thoughtful look at the future of tech leadership. Connect with Our Guest Diana Gold – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianagold1/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovantagePodcast Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#42
February 19 · 1 hr 2 min
How to Win Startup Grants in Europe Without Wasting Time | Innovantage Podcast #43
Most founders think grants are about paperwork. In reality, they are about positioning, clarity, and execution. In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Spruytte, Grants & Incentives Senior Manager at KPMG Belgium, with prior EY Subsidia experience and a Ghent University research/PhD background, helping organizations secure Belgian and EU funding through structured grant strategy and writing. In this episode we talk about: • How the grant process actually works • What makes a company truly “grant ready” • Why some proposals succeed and others fail • How long it realistically takes to secure funding • The human factor behind successful applications Connect with Our Guest Jonathan Spruytte – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanspruytte/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovantagePodcast Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#41
February 5 · 1 hr 4 min
Why Hiring With AI Alone Is Failing and What Works Better | Innovantage Podcast #42
Is AI fixing hiring or breaking human connection? Why do the best candidates never apply to job ads? And what really happens inside a startup during its first 9 months? Juris Zalāns — Co-founder at Talenme, HR Tech strategist, and digital transformation expert shares unfiltered insights from building a referral-driven hiring platform and navigating the fast-changing world of talent acquisition. From startup realities and fundraising to the future of HR tech, this episode explores how technology, trust, and human networks are reshaping recruitment. What you’ll learn from this episode: ➡️Why passive candidates dominate today’s job market — and how companies actually reach them ➡️The real role of AI in recruitment ➡️How referrals, reputation, and human networks may outperform traditional hiring funnels ➡️The shift toward project work, gig models, and changing career expectations across generations ➡️Practical lessons from scaling an early-stage HR tech startup while balancing product, clients, and fundraising 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovantagePodcast Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#40
January 22 · 1 hr 3 min
How United Wardrobe Sold to Vinted (and What Came Next) | Innovantage Podcast #41
If you are building a startup, this episode might save you from expensive mistakes. In this new Innovantage Podcast episode, we talk with Thijs Verheul, Co-founder of United Wardrobe, acquired by Vinted. Thijs is now an Angel Investor and author of Thrift to Triumph. We focus on execution: how to build the right team, launch fast, find distribution, manage burn, and make decisions when the runway is shrinking. What you will learn: ➡️How to structure a founding team with complementary strengths ➡️Why launching early beats waiting for “perfect” ➡️A community growth strategy that created liquidity fast ➡️What happens when you scale headcount before product-market fit ➡️How to cut costs without killing momentum ➡️How angel investors think about teams, traction, and risk Connect with Our Guest Thijs Verheul – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thijs-verheul-b777504b/ Check out the book Thrift to Triumph: The story of United Wardrobe Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovantagePodcast Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#39
January 8 · 1 hr 5 min
From Startups to Scaling Global Innovation in Lithuania and Beyond | Innovantage Podcast #40
Building a startup is a series of tests you don’t see coming until you fail one. In this episode, Max sits down with Povilas Žinys, Director of Plug and Play tech center in the Baltics, working with startups from Pre-Seed to Series B and helping founders prepare for the realities of venture-scale growth. They unpack what separates scalable companies from “busy” startups that never break through — the 2026 landscape founders are walking into, how investors filter opportunities, and what it really takes to go global from Lithuania and the Baltics. What you’ll hear in this conversation: ➡️ What startup accelerators actually do for founders ➡️ The toughest startup challenges founders face in 2026 ➡️ Why investors back teams before ideas ➡️ The thinking behind the “90% fail” reality ➡️ Older founders and the edge experience can create ➡️ Unfair advantage that’s real, not branding ➡️ What’s missing in Lithuania’s startup ecosystem ➡️ Going global faster and avoiding common traps Connect with Our Guest Povilas Žinys – https://www.linkedin.com/in/povilaszinys/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovantagePodcast Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#38
Dec 18, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Rethink Creativity in the Age of AI | Innovantage Podcast #39
What if creativity isn’t about “expressing yourself”, but about understanding yourself? In this episode, Max sits down with Fredrik Härén, the Creativity Explorer who has spent decades traveling the world to understand how humans create — and the truth he’s uncovered will challenge everything you assume about creativity. This episode goes straight into the uncomfortable, the surprising, and the transformative parts of creativity most people never talk about. Prepare to rethink everything: ➡️ Why Westerners misunderstand creativity ➡️ The Bhutan idea that destroys the “expression” myth ➡️ Why “creative anxiety” might not even be real ➡️ The Icelandic insult that explains modern innovation ➡️ Why your company should stop thinking in demographics ➡️ How global travel rewires your creative brain ➡️ Why AI is NOT a threat to creators — it’s the biggest upgrade ever ➡️ How curiosity separates innovators from followers ➡️ The emotional high of having an idea — and why we crave it If you’re tired of shallow creativity advice, this is the episode that finally goes deeper. Connect with Our Guest Fredrik Haren – https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrikharen/ Website – https://www.fredrikharen.com/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InnovantagePodcast Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#37
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
AI-Powered ESG Reporting & Building a Startup That Survives the Storm | Innovantage Podcast #38
In this episode of The Innovantage Podcast, Max sits down with Jerome Cloetens, Co-founder & CEO at Palau, Sustainability Tech Entrepreneur, to unpack what it really takes to build and scale a startup in today’s AI-driven world. From bootstrapping with almost no runway to signing major enterprise clients, Jerome shares the hard realities, clever strategies, and mindset shifts that kept his company alive and growing even when a regulation change nearly wiped them out overnight. Explore the psychology of fundraising vs. bootstrapping, the power of community-driven product development, and why enterprise sales are both the hardest challenge and the biggest moat for early-stage startups. What you’ll learn: ➡️ How startup founders survive between building product and raising funds. ➡️ Why bootstrapping creates discipline and when to switch to venture capital. ➡️ How Palau signed 20+ enterprise clients and built a 750-member expert community. ➡️ Why AI enables small teams to outperform big competitors. ➡️ The reality of enterprise sales cycles and how to shorten them. ➡️ What to do when regulation changes destroy your assumptions overnight. ➡️ Why transparency and non-financial data will reshape global decision-making. ➡️ How AI agents are already transforming real-world workflows. Connect with Our Guest Jerome Cloetens –https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromecloetens/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#36
Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
Can We Trust Again? Digital Identity and Democracy in the Age of AI | Innovantage Podcast #37
What happens when technology outpaces democracy? In this episode, Max sits down with Mathieu Michel — Belgian politician, State Secretary for Digitalization, and advocate for digital identity, trust, and responsibility in the online world. He has played a leading role in shaping Europe’s digital identity standards and initiatives such as eIDAS 2.0 and the Declaration of Leuven, with a strong focus on protecting democracy, empowering citizens, and building a safer digital future. Together, they explore the tension between freedom, responsibility, and innovation. From the AI Act to digital identity, they tackle the hard questions: Can regulation protect democracy without killing progress? Is anonymity a right — or a risk? What you’ll learn: ➡️ Why Europe’s AI Act took five years — and what that means for innovation. ➡️ How digital identity standards like EIDAS aim to rebuild trust online. ➡️ The three levels of identity: anonymous, pseudonymous, and verified. ➡️ How responsible identity can combat fake news and online harassment. ➡️ Why trust is the foundation for innovation and new business models. ➡️ The role of startups in shaping Europe’s digital future. ➡️ Why education and digital literacy are critical for democracy in the age of AI. ➡️ How regulation can unleash technological progress. ➡️ Why Europe’s values could become its competitive advantage in tech. Connect with Our Guest Mathieu Michel – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathieumichelbe/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437 Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial
#35
Nov 6, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Founder-Market Fit and the Baltic Startup Ecosystem with Gytenis Galkis| Innovantage Podcast #36
In this episode of The Innovantage Podcast, host Max sits down with Gytenis Galkis, Partner at Superhero Capital and venture capitalist with over a decade of experience investing across the Baltic and Nordic startup scenes. From evaluating 600 startups a year to spotting the elusive “founder–market fit,” Gytenis shares what really separates great founders from good ones — and why luck, timing, and conviction all matter more than most entrepreneurs think. Together, they unpack how investors think, what makes a founder credible, and why being 40 might actually be your startup’s superpower. From poker-table analogies to billion-dollar lessons from Tesla, Uber, and OpenAI, this conversation reveals the human side of venture capital — where judgment, belief, and storytelling shape the future as much as data does. What you’ll learn: ➡️ How VCs filter and evaluate 600 startups per year. ➡️ The real difference between product-market fit and founder-market fit. ➡️ Why founders around 40 years old statistically succeed more often. ➡️ How investors test “fit” before there’s traction or revenue. ➡️ What makes a non-consensus investment worth the risk. ➡️ Why venture capital is more like poker than spreadsheets. ➡️ How to impress investors with the right risk-reward profile. ➡️ The role of luck, timing, and preparedness in startup success. ➡️ Why some bets fail — and what investors learn from them. ➡️ How to turn deep market insight into a winning pitch. ➡️ The current and future potential of the Baltic startup ecosystem. ➡️ Why even in an age of AI, the future of investing — and entrepreneurship — is still human. Tune in for a candid, insight-packed discussion on startups, risk, and the mindset behind every bold idea that just might make it big. Connect with Our Guest Gytenis Galkis – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gytenis/ Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov/ 🎧 Listen Now Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast... Follow for More Insightful Episodes Innovantage Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovantage-podcast/ Sigli: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sigli/posts/?feedView=all Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigli.gang TikTok: @innovantage / @sigliofficial

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