
The sixth edition of Leap of Tech brought a fresh perspective on global entrepreneurship with guest speaker Daniel Ilinca, Founder and Chairman at Softbinator Technologies. Hosted by Lucian Popovici (Bridging Gaps & Cegeka Romania), Edward Crețescu (Regista & ANIS Romania), and Alexandru Agatinei (How to Web), the event focused on navigating the transition from outsourcing to product-building and how to build relevance in competitive tech markets.
Daniel’s story starts in Târgu Jiu. After high school, he studied at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science in Bucharest. Unlike many tech founders, he never worked in a corporation. From early on, he was drawn to autonomy and ownership. That drive led to founding Softbinator and launching one of his first startup concepts—a “LinkedIn for engineers”—before realizing the deeper challenges of platform businesses.
From Meetups to Momentum
What began as a networking initiative quickly grew into a consistent presence in the local tech ecosystem. Daniel and his co-founders organized recurring meetups for over a decade, creating a strong developer community in Romania. That effort not only helped them attract engineering talent but also led to strategic partnerships with US companies that were looking to build local teams.
One of their earliest contracts started with a three-hour call. An American partner needed engineers and assumed Daniel ran a recruiting agency. That misunderstanding turned into an opportunity. Over time, Daniel and his team helped more than 50 startups—from scratch to launch—offering not just code but co-building support and, in many cases, investments.
Lessons from the U.S. Market
Softbinator focused heavily on the U.S., UK, and Israeli markets. The choice wasn’t random. “The U.S. is the home of tech. The UK is Europe’s innovation hub. Israel creates unicorns even in wartime,” Daniel explained. But tapping into these ecosystems required more than talent.
“You can’t just say you’re present. You have to be there.” In the Bay Area, credibility is built in person, not pitch decks. Being physically present, understanding the culture, and building a network locally matter.
He highlighted the importance of trust and local reputation. Americans want to see your track record. They shake hands fast and talk even faster. You either adapt, or get filtered out. “If you want to play in the big leagues, you need to be on the ground, speak the language, and know their expectations.”

Sales Doesn’t Travel Without Context
Daniel admitted something most founders don’t: “I thought I was good at sales — until I had to sell outside my network.” He compared local sales to being the popular kid in a small town. The challenge begins when you enter a new market and no one knows your name. That’s when credibility and branding become essential.
He emphasized that marketing in new geographies isn’t always measurable at first, but it builds over time. His method? Wearing the Softbinator brand with consistency and asking new contacts if they’ve heard of the company. “You find out fast how much ground you still have to cover.”
What It Takes to Compete Globally
If you want to compete in a mature market like Silicon Valley, you need traction, not just an idea. There are over 2,000 funds in the Bay Area alone. “Why would they choose you? They fund what’s close. They back what they know.” Startups there often attract investors before they even pitch. In contrast, if you’re from Romania or Eastern Europe, you need results, not promises.
Daniel emphasized the importance of market-specific knowledge and local teams. “Every region thinks differently. ‘Very good’ means something else in California than it does in Miami. HR is strong on the East Coast. Tech values dominate the West. You can’t sell with the same story everywhere.”
Romania’s Outsourcing Reality and Future
Daniel acknowledged Romania’s strength in outsourcing but challenged founders to aim higher. While companies like Epam have done well with this model, building globally relevant products requires a different playbook. One that includes exits, reinvestment, and second-time founders tackling new ideas.
“The only repeatable system we have in Romania is our high school math and computer science education. That’s where our Olympians come from. But we don’t yet have a startup machine like Israel or the U.S. That’s what we need to build.”

If You’re 21 and Just Starting Out…
When asked what he would do if he were 21 again, Daniel didn’t hesitate: “I’d move to Silicon Valley.” The density of talent, opportunity, and capital is unmatched. He described walking into cafés in Palo Alto and wondering how many millionaires or billionaires were sitting nearby. “It’s humble. You might have $5 million and drive a Toyota. That’s the culture.”
Systems, Not Luck
What impressed Daniel most in the U.S. wasn’t just the money—it was the structure. Systems for growth, for hiring, for scaling. Unicorns aren’t accidents. In the U.S., you get one per 1,000 startups. It’s not about who you know. It’s about the environment you build in.
Daniel closed by reinforcing the mindset shift needed for founders who want to play on a global stage. Don’t build for your local bubble. Don’t assume your tech alone is enough. Get closer to the markets you want to win in. Be visible, be local, and be ready to adapt.
Stay tuned for the next Leap of Tech.
We’re just getting started. The next edition will feature Julian Lukaszewicz, Founder of CareerIQ Academy, and take a closer look at how founders build distribution into their products from the start, and why the strongest growth advantages are built on technology, timing, and trust. Register here!
Leap of Tech #6 brought this message home: If you want to sell globally, you can’t just translate your website. You have to translate your presence.
Leap of Tech isn’t just a series. It’s a community in motion. You shape where it goes next.
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