When 2 Alumni Found a Company Together

Can you, please, share with us your career development until now? What stages in your life have had the greatest impact on you and why?

Toma: My professional development has been quite diverse, with each role serving as a launching pad for the next. My first corporate role was as an IT consultant for a Fortune 500 company in Chicago. Upon returning to Romania, I joined Euroweb (part of the Turk Telekom International Group), progressing to Chief Sales Officer over eight years. This role prepared me to navigate boardroom dynamics and understand top-down company management.

Next, I transitioned to the AD tech industry, joining VE Global as Head of Commercial for CEE and eventually becoming VP, managing New Digital Technologies and global go-to-market strategies. This experience provided me with a broad perspective across markets, cultures, and industries marking a transformative stage in my career.

Today, I am CEO of MAD – Mad About Digital, a tech and media agency co-founded with Adrian Pocola and Natalia Neamț, alongside angel investors and AdTech pioneers. Moving from corporate to entrepreneurship has been a challenging yet rewarding shift, requiring a mindset focused on building from the ground up. Letting go of the corporate safety net was precisely the challenge I needed to grow further.

Adrian: I started as an IT enthusiast, joining a company in my first year of university that was rapidly growing. I was involved in expanding the company from 150 to 600 employees across 10 locations before scaling back to four. This experience allowed me to learn management, IT, logistics, project development, and the corporate world.

After that, I advanced into entrepreneurship, launching my first company. Later, I aimed for an MBA which gave me a different perspective on business development. Since then, we have achieved constant growth, establishing a stable and impactful business.

In recent years, I focused on investments and developing high-impact companies. This has led me to develop expertise in new industries, including medical, AdTech and construction.

How & when did you two decide to found your own company together?

For several years, we contemplated transitioning to entrepreneurship. Adrian and I, Toma, had discussed starting a venture together, having collaborated on multiple projects, fostering trust and mutual respect - essential ingredients for any business. In 2022, as the advertising industry’s shift to a privacy-first approach gained momentum, we saw a tremendous opportunity and decided to build our own company to lead the way.

Alongside Natalia Neamț and other AdTech experts, we left the corporate world to create MAD. Adrian was the perfect partner - highly experienced, optimistic, and solution-oriented. His expertise in financing strategies, and technological support proved invaluable.

On a summer afternoon in 2022, we met in Cluj, and MAD was born. To accelerate our growth, we brought in two additional investors: Josh Mortensen, an AdTech pioneer, and Data Revolt, a leading data marketing agency in Romania. Together, we built an ecosystem that positioned MAD for success in the evolving digital advertising landscape.

What challenges did you encounter founding MAD About Digital, and what are the most satisfying aspects of your agency?

Building MAD required assembling the right team and ecosystem. We sought partners with domain expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and shared values—a challenging but essential process. Transitioning from structured corporate environments to the resource-constrained startup world came with a steep learning curve. Managing administrative tasks, developing processes, and ensuring payroll, all while driving growth, was demanding.

The most rewarding aspects have been our market reputation, client appreciation, and the strong engagement within our team. Winning the Grand Prix at the ExchangeWire “The Wire Awards” validated our efforts and placed us on the global map - a significant milestone that continues to motivate our growth.

Did you originally want to pursue a different career?

Toma: Twenty years ago, I aimed for a career in horticulture. However, as I explored opportunities, my passion evolved toward technology and marketing. Problem-solving became a central theme, and today, I see myself as a business problem-solver specializing in advertising and technology. This passion drives me to help brands overcome their business challenges.

Adrian: Starting in IT, I got the challenge to get into all side of it, from hardware, software and project management, but all roads moved me in the direction of Project Management, leadership and entrepreneurship. My skills are on finding solutions on problems, so now I’m active in 5 different industries, with different mind sets and I find solutions to grow every day. WU MBA also helped me in taking faster decisions and calculating risks, which helps a lot in everyday tasks.

What was your biggest professional/personal success?

Founding MAD is our greatest professional achievement. Building a company from the ground up, creating a strong team and ecosystem, and gaining international recognition for our work has been incredible.

What was your biggest challenge and most valuable lesson from a professional mistake?

The greatest challenge was transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship - letting go of the safety net and embracing uncertainty. In startups, processes must evolve rapidly, and failure to adapt cost us time and resources. For over two years, we reengineered our business multiple times, learning the importance of adaptability and resilience.

We learned to prioritize alignment among founders, establish clear processes, and hire strategically. Despite setbacks, our commitment to learning and strengthened our position. As we continue scaling, change remains our only constant.

Which 3 most important experiences in your life have led you to where you are right now?

Many experiences profoundly shaped our life and career, but three stand out:

1. Becoming a parent: This fundamentally changed my priorities and outlook on life.

2. Transitioning from local to global roles: Living and working across Romania, the United States, Austria (Vienna), before returning to Romania (Cluj, and Bucharest) provided invaluable insights into different markets, cultures, and business dynamics.

3. Founding MAD: This leap from corporate to entrepreneurship has been transformative, requiring a complete mindset shift and teaching resilience, innovation, and leadership in challenging environments.

These experiences, combined with milestones like attending the WU MBA and navigating managerial transitions, have shaped our journey and prepared us two for what lies ahead.

When you think of the most talented individuals in your company, what 3 pieces of advice would you give them for a successful and fulfilling life?

1. Invest in yourself: Continuous learning is the best investment you can make, yielding lifelong personal and professional growth.

2. Take risks early: Step out of your comfort zone and embrace challenges.

3. Protect your reputation: It’s your most valuable asset. Never compromise it for short-term gains.

Additionally, we’d emphasize perseverance. When things get tough, passion and grit will carry you through.

Using just 5 words, how would your team describe you as a leader?

Motivational, gritty, empathetic, adaptive, MAD (in the positive way!).

What has changed in your career because of your MBA degree?

The MBA was a turning point in our career. It provided us with a structured understanding of business and expanded my networking opportunities. The MBA set us apart in the job market and equipped us with the tools and confidence to pursue ambitious goals. It was a launchpad for the next stages of my career and remains a valuable asset today.

How did you manage an MBA alongside a demanding job and family life?

It was a test of focus, priorities, and persistence. Balancing a demanding job, family responsibilities, and the MBA workload required meticulous planning and a supportive employer who valued personal development. It wasn’t easy, but the challenge was worth it. We have deep respect for anyone who takes on this journey - it’s both demanding and incredibly rewarding.

What was the last book/movie you really enjoyed and why?

Two books stand out:

1. “Grit” by Angela Duckworth: Her research on passion and perseverance resonated deeply with my journey. It’s a reminder that grit often makes the difference between success and failure.

2. “Leading” by Sir Alex Ferguson: Sir Alex Ferguson’s emphasis on building stable management teams and prioritizing long-term strategies resonates deeply with the challenges I face as a leader. His reflections on adaptability, fostering trust, and cultivating a winning mindset provide invaluable insights for navigating leadership in any field.

Read more interesting career stories of our students and graduates here.

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