INNOV-8 Presents: Entrepreneurs in Tech

AI, Biotech, and Billion-Dollar Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur

In this episode of INNOV-8 Presents: Entrepreneurs in Tech, host Bob Shami sits down with inventor and entrepreneur Tareq Risheq, founder of Biovera, for an in-depth conversation on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the future of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Tareq shares his extraordinary journey—from building a globally successful vacuum cleaner business in the Middle East to pivoting into health technology and AI-driven innovation. He opens up about the failures that shaped him, the lessons learned from early ventures, and how personal health challenges inspired the creation of Biovera’s sleep apnea technology. The conversation explores how Biovera is developing cutting-edge solutions using AI and micro-vibration systems to address sleep disorders, alongside the challenges of funding, FDA trials, and market adoption in a highly competitive health tech space. This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to build, fail, and rebuild in the world of high-impact innovation—offering practical wisdom for founders, engineers, and anyone interested in the future of health and AI. Tareq Risheq: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tareq-risheq-111a352/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tareq-risheq-111a352/] | tr@biovera.ai [tr@biovera.ai] | https://www.instagram.com/trisheq [https://www.instagram.com/trisheq] | https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTk9ygbgy/ [https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTk9ygbgy/] | https://www.tiktok.com/@trisheq [https://www.tiktok.com/@trisheq]

Resilience in Reality: Entrepreneurship at the Edge of Innovation

In this episode, Bob Shami sits down with Minas Kyriakou, CEO of Ascanio, to explore a powerful story of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship. From his early curiosity and background in health and safety to leading a cutting-edge mixed reality technology company, Minas shares how problem-solving shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. The conversation dives into Ascanio’s transformation from near bankruptcy into a promising tech startup, leveraging mixed reality to revolutionize training in maritime and military industries. Minas also discusses the evolving startup ecosystem in Cyprus, the opportunities created by government funding, and the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining top tech talent. This episode is a must-listen for founders, technologists, and anyone curious about how passion, resilience, and emerging technologies can drive meaningful change across industries. Minas Kyriakou: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaskyriakou-7/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaskyriakou-7/] | minas5194@hotmail.com [minas5194@hotmail.com]  Ascanio: https://ascanio.io/ [https://ascanio.io/]

Women in Leadership: Entrepreneurship in FinTech and MedTech

In this episode, Mălina Turcuț, CEO of PrimeDash and co-founder of MLA MedTech, shares her inspiring journey from the oil and gas industry to becoming a leader in FinTech and medical technology. Mălina opens up about her unexpected transition into FinTech and how that experience shaped her entrepreneurial mindset. She explains how PrimeDash is transforming financial services for small and medium enterprises by focusing on real SME behavior and delivering innovative, embedded finance solutions through PrimePay. The conversation also explores her work with MLA MedTech, a platform designed to connect startups with the medical ecosystem, driving innovation in healthcare. Beyond technology, Mălina is a strong advocate for women in leadership and entrepreneurship, emphasizing that success comes from hard work, focus, and the courage to seize opportunities. Recognized as a speaker at international events, including Forbes, Mălina also shares her vision for expanding PrimePay into new markets in 2026 and how innovation will continue to shape finance and healthcare. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, FinTech professionals, and anyone passionate about innovation and leadership. Mălina Turcuț : https://www.linkedin.com/in/malina-lucia-turcut-pd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/malina-lucia-turcut-pd/]  MLA Medtech: https://mlamedtech.com/ [https://mlamedtech.com/]  Prime Dash: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prime-dash/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/prime-dash/]

The Language of Spikes: Programming Living Brain Cells with FinalSpark

In this episode of INNOV-8 Presents: Entrepreneurs in Tech, host Bob Shami sits down with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys, the visionary Founder & CEO of Ekai.io and Strategic Advisor to FinalSpark. With a PhD in Neuroscience, Dr. Kurtys is at the forefront of the next great leap in technology: Biocomputing. As AI models like ChatGPT demand unprecedented levels of electricity and water for cooling, the tech world is facing a sustainability crisis. Dr. Kurtys discusses how FinalSpark is building "living computers" using biological neurons that are one million times more energy-efficient than traditional silicon chips. We dive into the "language of spikes," the transition from academia to tech entrepreneurship, and the philosophical questions surrounding machines built from living cells. Whether you're interested in the future of AGI or the mechanics of hybrid computing, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the biological future of artificial intelligence. Dr. Ewelina Kurtys: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys/] FinalSpark : https://finalspark.com/ [https://finalspark.com/]  Ekai.io [http://ekai.io] : https://www.ewelinakurtys.com/ [https://www.ewelinakurtys.com/]

The Mindset of Leadership and Self-Actualization

In this episode, Dr. E.K. Mallela, founder of Transcend Mind, dives deep into the principles of personal and professional growth. He challenges the traditional notion of work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of building leverage and mastering one’s mindset. Dr. Mallela shares practical strategies for overcoming limiting beliefs, navigating career transitions, and achieving self-actualization. Listeners will gain valuable insights on leadership, wellness, and time management, and discover how to unlock their full potential, both personally and professionally. His personal journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of mindset and intentional growth. Dr. E.K. Mallela: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elitesuccesswithek/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elitesuccesswithek/] | info@ekmallela.com [info@ekmallela.com] | https://www.ekmallela.com/ [https://www.ekmallela.com/] Transcend Mind: https://thetranscendmind.com/betteryou-homepage [https://thetranscendmind.com/betteryou-homepage]