I was born in Cluj-Napoca, the heart of Transylvania, and I carry with me strong roots in this region.
I know its people, mindset, behaviors, and values deeply—not from observation, but from experience.
While I take great pride in my Transylvanian heritage, it’s important to emphasize that Transylvania is an integral part of Romania—a country full of beauty, culture, and potential, yet still too often overlooked or underestimated on the global stage.
Romania has enormous untapped potential. Behind the clichés is a new generation of entrepreneurs, thinkers, and doers—people who are not just catching up, but redefining innovation in their own way.
I’m Florin Pop, and for more than 25 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of entrepreneurship, investment, and strategic mentorship—helping founders turn vision into value.
Whether through entrepreneurship, angel investing, board advisory, education, or community-building, I’ve dedicated my life to building not just companies, but legacies rooted in trust, values, and long-term impact.
From Transylvania, with Purpose
Transylvania taught me about resilience long before I understood capital markets. Our region has endured centuries of transformation, and from that history comes a mindset that values adaptability, endurance, and purpose.
I started my professional journey in established institutions—North-West Regional Development Agency, Banca Transilvania, IFB Finwest, and Babeș-Bolyai University—where I gained a firm grounding in finance, stock exchange, business strategy, and regional development.
But what truly inspired me was working directly with entrepreneurs—those who dared to build something from nothing. This passion led me to establish PrimaInvest Capital Management, a firm focused on strategic advisory, business planning, and early-stage investments in companies with potential for meaningful growth.
Over time, I’ve worked on more than 200 business projects, across roles from founder and consultant to Board Member and investor. Always with one guiding belief: authentic entrepreneurship must be rooted in values and adapted to the context in which it grows.
Bridging Ecosystems: Local Values, Global Lessons
Romanian entrepreneurs are smart, agile, and full of potential. But we also face a reality: there’s a gap between our ecosystem and those of more established markets. The differences lie not just in funding or infrastructure—but in experience, mindset, and cultural nuance.
That’s why I’ve made it part of my mission to help bridge that gap—through education, mentorship, and strategic exposure. As an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business, Babeș-Bolyai University, I work closely with the next generation of business leaders, teaching not just theory, but the mindset needed to thrive in today’s fast-moving entrepreneurial world.
Much of what I’ve learned comes from valuable global partnerships—investors and entrepreneurs in more mature ecosystems. But I believe those lessons only matter when they’re aligned with local values and adapted respectfully to our context. We don’t need to mimic—we need to evolve with authenticity.
At the heart of my approach is a non-negotiable principle: build every project with trust and passion.
What Drives Me to Invest
My motivation stems from three pillars: a love for entrepreneurship, a pursuit of financial independence, and a belief in innovation as a driver of positive change.
I’m drawn to projects that align with my values and bring happiness, purpose, and contribution to the world. I want to be a catalyst—not just for business success, but for meaningful transformation.
I also see investing as a way to give back. Through my mentoring and consulting programs, I aim to shape solid business strategies, secure growth funding, and develop sustainable business models. But more than that, I work to inspire entrepreneurs to build companies that matter—companies that stand for something.
What I Look for in a Startup
When I assess a startup, I first look for a clear, inspirational vision—one that shows direction and ambition.
Next, I study the founding team: their dynamics, values, experience, and ability to execute. I ask: Can this team turn vision into reality? Can they overcome inevitable challenges with grit and alignment?
I then analyze:
– Scalability and innovation of the model
– The originality of the solution
– Market trends, timing, and potential risks
In short, I look for projects that don’t just sound good—but stand up under scrutiny and execution pressure.
Blugento & Telios Care: Impact in Action
Some of my most valuable investments have been in people. But two standout business examples are:
Blugento: A SaaS eCommerce platform built on Magento. I invested early (2017), helped syndicate the capital round, and served as a Board Advisor. I remained involved through their second round in 2019 before a successful exit. It’s a model of scalable innovation rooted in strong partnerships.
Telios Care: A telemedicine leader in Romania. From the first round of capital to ongoing board-level advisory, I’ve supported its mission to democratize healthcare access through technology. It’s a business that delivers both social and commercial impact—a rare combination.
My role in both went beyond capital: I supported investment readiness, strategic advisory, business modeling, expansion & partnerships. That’s what I believe good investors do.
From Pitch to “Yes, I’ll Invest”
My process begins with energy. I look for conviction and clarity in a founder’s pitch—but more importantly, I look for character.
The team is always central. I evaluate their motivation, complementarity, and leadership potential. I ask: Are they building for ego, or for impact?
I also ensure I understand the business model fully—how it makes money, what value it delivers, and how it grows.
And I always follow one rule: never invest more than you can afford to lose. Respect for risk is the foundation of smart investing.
Advice for Founders and New Investors
To founders:
Stay humble. Stay curious. Learn fast.
Be open to feedback, but always filter it through your vision.
Build something meaningful, not just profitable.
To investors:
Know the space you invest in—don’t chase trends.
Focus on people before product.
Back founders who show both passion and discipline.
Legacy: The Real Return
At this stage in my career, I think more and more about legacy. Not legacy in terms of wealth—but of values, people, and contribution.
I want to see the people I mentor become partners, collaborators, and leaders who build businesses that outlast us all.
If I can leave behind a generation of ethical, impactful entrepreneurs—then I’ll know my time has been well spent.
Final Thought
In Transylvania, legends endure not because they are magical—but because they are meaningful.
In business, it’s the same. The companies that last are the ones built on trust, clarity, and heart.
Build with those—and you’re already ahead.
Contact:
Florin M. Pop
+40 745512686
florin.pop@primainvest.ro
www.florinmpop.ro