Ever wondered how someone goes from hosting festivals in a tiny German village to making waves in Silicon Valley’s tech scene? Golden Retriever energy. Ok not entirely, but still. This week on Something New, Steph and Leeor chat with Andrej Safundzic, the visionary founder of Lumos. With a life motto of “Screw it, just do it,” Andrej has built a career defined by bold decisions and fearless innovation.

In this episode, Andrej dives into his fascinating path—from founding social enterprises in Uganda to spearheading tech-driven projects for the German government. He shares invaluable lessons learned in Silicon Valley, discussing how Lumos is pioneering cybersecurity and identity management. Along the way, he offers practical insights on team-building, managing risks, and raising venture capital in a hyper-competitive market.

In the opening discussion, Teel Lidow, a legal and financial expert in the venture capital landscape, shares crucial insights for emerging fund managers with Steph and Leeor. He emphasizes the importance of understanding fundraising dynamics and the misconception that management fees should cover all fund expenses. Teel suggests focusing on fundraising as the key to success and notes that operational challenges are manageable once capital is secured. He outlines the average costs associated with running a fund, dispelling myths about the financial barriers to entry for new managers. He’s also Leeor’s go-to guy!

Key Discussion Points:

• From Social Impact to Tech Innovation: How Andrej’s work in Uganda and Germany shaped his entrepreneurial vision.
• Finding Your Market ‘Mountain’: The importance of iterative building and knowing when to pivot.
• Silicon Valley’s Unique Ecosystem: Andrej’s strategies for fundraising and creating strong networks in a new and fast-paced environment.
• Mastering the Art of the Pivot: Navigating tough decisions and knowing when to stick to your guns or change course.
• Innovation vs. Stability: How Andrej balances rapid iteration with team cohesion and long-term goals at Lumos.

Guest Info: Andrej Safundzic is the founder of Lumos, a Silicon Valley startup revolutionizing cybersecurity through innovative access and identity management solutions. His career spans social impact projects, government innovation, and tech entrepreneurship, all fueled by his relentless “Screw it, just do it” philosophy.

Follow Leeor on Twitter at @lmushin and Steph at @stephmui. Discover more episodes at SomethingNewPod.com.