La Startup Italiana da 1 MILIARDO Che Può Battere OpenAI e DeepSeek? 🤖 Uljan Sharka, Founder iGenius

Summary

In this inspiring interview, Iulian Sharka, the founder of Igenius, shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Albania to building a billion-dollar AI startup. He discusses his vision of creating Europe’s largest AI supercomputer, backed by a significant partnership with Nvidia. Iulian emphasizes the importance of making bold decisions, like securing angel investors early, and challenges the fragmented nature of Europe’s tech ecosystem. He envisions a future where AI can empower individuals and offer Europe an alternative to U.S.-dominated technology. The conversation highlights the role of AI in shaping both societal and economic futures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Building Europe's largest AI supercomputer, aimed at challenging global players like OpenAI.
• 😀 Igenius, an Italian AI startup, raised €650 million in 2024, reaching a €1 billion valuation, becoming one of Europe's first AI unicorns.
• 😀 Iulian Sharka, the founder of Igenius, shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Albania to becoming a successful entrepreneur in Italy and the U.S.
• 😀 The decision to focus on angel investors early on allowed Igenius to grow without relying on institutional funds.
• 😀 Igenius has committed to creating a supercomputer in Southern Italy, which will be one of the most powerful in the world, to enhance AI capabilities.
• 😀 Igenius' supercomputer will perform 115 exaflops, increasing Europe's AI computational power significantly.
• 😀 The company aims to preserve the control and ownership of the supercomputer in Europe despite challenges with Italian institutions.
• 😀 Europe's AI ecosystem is behind the U.S. and China, with Igenius emphasizing the need for stronger investment in AI to avoid losing technological leadership.
• 😀 AI is seen as essential for Europe's national security, economic growth, and the preservation of intellectual property and individual freedoms.
• 😀 Iulian emphasizes the importance of leveraging Europe's diversity and languages to create a unified and competitive market in AI, contrasting with the more centralized approach in the U.S.

Q & A

What is the main goal of Igenius, the company founded by Willian Sharka?

Igenius aims to build one of the largest AI supercomputers in Europe, positioning itself as a leader in AI technology and ultimately targeting a company worth over one trillion euros.

How much capital has Igenius raised so far, and what is its valuation?

Igenius has raised 650 million euros at a valuation of one billion euros, making it one of the few AI companies in Europe to reach unicorn status.

Why did Igenius choose to work with Nvidia for their AI supercomputer project?

Igenius decided to collaborate with Nvidia to build a state-of-the-art supercomputer in Southern Italy, using Nvidia's advanced chips, to handle the high computational demands of training large AI models.

What is the significance of the AI supercomputer Igenius is building?

The supercomputer will be one of the largest in the world, significantly increasing AI computing power in Europe, and enhancing Igenius' ability to train and scale AI models.

How did Willian Sharka raise the initial funding for Igenius?

Sharka raised the first million euros in 2015 by presenting his business plan to anyone he met, eventually finding investors willing to support his vision.

Why did Igenius opt to raise funds from angel investors instead of venture capital firms initially?

Igenius chose angel investors because they believed in their vision and provided closer, more patient support, unlike venture capital firms, which tend to focus on larger companies with established track records.

What was the confusion surrounding Igenius’ funding round in June 2024?

There was confusion because Igenius announced a funding round with a pre-money valuation of one billion euros, but the full round had not been closed at the time, leading to misinterpretations about their funding status.

What is the long-term vision for Igenius and its role in AI development in Europe?

Igenius envisions itself playing a central role in AI development in Europe, helping to ensure technological sovereignty, fostering a competitive AI ecosystem, and positioning Europe as a leader in the global AI race.

What challenges does Europe face in the global AI race, according to Willian Sharka?

Europe lags behind the United States and China in AI development, facing issues such as fragmented markets, regulatory hurdles, and a lack of unified technological infrastructure to support large-scale AI growth.

How does Sharka see the potential of AI for Europe in terms of economic and social impact?

Sharka believes AI offers significant opportunities for Europe, including enhancing individual freedoms, improving economic growth, and ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all, rather than concentrated in a few large companies.