Podcast Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsEYyIH4E28
In a world where breakthroughs are born in labs and scaled in code, Vladimir stands at the intersection of science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. A Y Combinator mentor and founder-turned-coach, Vlad now dedicates his energy to empowering deep tech entrepreneurs—those working in fields like aerospace, biotechnology, and advanced computing—to maximize their impact and navigate the messy, unpredictable path of innovation.
From Robotics to Startups to Satellites
Vlad’s journey began in the realm of computer science and robotics, before pivoting into the financial world where he spent nearly a decade building trading systems for institutions like the National Bank of Canada and Citi. But the rigid structure of large corporations wasn’t for him. He left to pursue startup life, eventually co-founding a wealth management platform that grew from two people to 150 and was successfully acquired.
Later, he ventured into aerospace, co-founding a company that secured $10 million in government contracts and even launched satellites into orbit. Yet even amid such high-flying accomplishments, Vlad began to question whether the narrow scope of government-dominated aerospace truly aligned with his broader mission: to help others amplify their potential and bring meaningful tech into the world.
Coaching as Scaled Impact
Rather than build the next startup himself, Vlad chose to multiply his impact through coaching. “If I work with 50 executives across various startups, and help them scale their ideas and teams,” he explained, “I become an agent of their collective impact.”
For Vlad, success isn’t measured in dollar signs—it’s about shifting mindsets. The true win is when a founder walks away from a conversation saying, “I’ve never thought of it that way before.”
The Systems and Emotions Behind Entrepreneurship
Vlad’s view of the business world is uniquely dual: a blend of systems-thinking and emotional awareness. He sees the world as a web of imperfect systems, constantly interacting and evolving in unpredictable ways. “Atoms don’t care about us,” he says, “they just follow rules of interaction. It’s us who bring meaning and emotion to those interactions.”
This emotional layer matters deeply to Vlad. He believes founders must know not just how to build great products, but also why they’re building them. To that end, he challenges clients with questions like: Five minutes before you die, what memories do you wish you had made?
On Moonshots, AI, and Ethics
In today’s AI-obsessed venture capital world, Vlad urges founders to look beyond trends. “AI is a tool. But not every problem should be solved just because AI can be applied to it.” He believes that more ethical consideration should go into startup creation—especially when those startups shape the future of industries or societies.
He also warns against idolizing moonshot culture without acknowledging its risks. “For every Elon Musk, there are 90 others who failed doing the exact same thing,” he says. True impact, he argues, is more communal than individualistic.
Business and Society Are Converging
The conversation touches on the increasing overlap between technology, politics, and ethics—particularly in Silicon Valley. As companies grow, leaders often shift from being builders to politicians, navigating boards, public perception, and conflicting values. Vladimir emphasizes the importance of remaining grounded, authentic, and intentional even as influence scales.
What Drives the Future?
In a world that may soon automate everything from farming to emotional companionship, Vladimir isn’t nihilistic—he’s thoughtful. He acknowledges the possibility of societal stagnation, but also the human capacity for reinvention. “Maybe we’ll create new goals, new colors, new emotions,” he muses. But until then, he’s committed to helping founders make the most of the tools, time, and talent they already have.
Want to Work with Vladimir?
Vladimir offers personalized coaching for science and tech founders who want to align their work with deeper meaning and greater impact. Schedule a free discovery session at https://humaninterfaces.co/schedule-session.