We are delighted to introduce Dan Lupu as a Venture Partner at Earlybird. Previously, Dan was a Partner with the Digital East Fund I and II. He now joins the core Earlybird team with a specific mission to bring his experience to advance Earlybird’s investment legacy in the CEE region. Dan Lupu’s successful history, including his investment in UiPath and his cultural roots in the CEE, will enhance our commitment to the region’s growth and innovation.

🛣️ What experiences led you to Earlybird?

I studied Computer Science in high school and university, which helped me build the mental models for understanding today’s new technologies. However, I transitioned to finance and investments immediately after graduation, launching a career in Equity Research and Private Equity. I then joined Intel Capital, the venture capital arm of Intel, where I could combine my two passions — investing and technology. Already an active investor dedicated to the region since 2007, in 2012 I joined Earlybird as a Partner of the Digital East Fund to focus on investing in the wider CEE region. There I led investments for a decade, backing companies such as UiPath, Minit, Photoneo/Brightpick, DCSplus, FintechOS, & Flipps/FITE. Now I’m excited to get restarted with Earlybird in a new way.

♟️What strategic priorities will you focus on in your new role at Earlybird?

I will continue to focus on the CEE region and diaspora, where I have a wide network of founders and co-investors – along with close cultural ties to the region. Growing up in Romania, I am passionate about my home region — on a personal and professional level. Regarding investing, I am a generalist, and particularly interested in B2B software and deep tech startups. I am keen to talk to founders in Romania, Bulgaria, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, and countries of ex-Yugoslavia, and am looking forward to discovering even more visionary entrepreneurs.

✍️ What lessons did you learn from your investment in UiPath?

The grit and commitment of entrepreneurs are the key to creating large companies and generating outsized returns for investors. It is not only about the value of the product but the ability of the leaders to push the team in trudging through challenging times and working together through these ups and downs.

🏅As an investor, what core values do you prioritize?

I am a big believer in honest, direct communication with founders. This is especially important in CEE which has a distinct cultural background. While CEE founders are incredibly resourceful and technically outstanding, they may not always appear as polished as some Western European or US founders. I am keen to connect with and back those quirky, underrated, and yet highly driven founders.

🌅 What is your long-term goal as a Venture Partner at Earlybird?

Long term, I would like to drive the expansion of a local CEE Earlybird team to continue our pan-European investment initiatives. Although we live in a digital world, in-person touchpoints remain crucial for driving impact.

💫 Founders in the CEE region reach out to Dan on LinkedIn — let’s connect!