I build financial systems, companies, and AI tools that let Europe's most excluded communities participate in the economy. PhD chemist. MBA strategist. Self-taught full-stack builder. Now building AI for the chemical industry.
Born in a Roma village in Romania. Educated through the sacrifices of an older brother who worked night shifts so I could stay in school. I got a PhD in chemistry, moved to Belgium, and built a career in catalysis research — ruthenium catalysts, ammonia-to-hydrogen cracking, automotive emissions.
Then I went back. Friends I'd played football with couldn't find work. They didn't ask for money — they asked for jobs. I started businesses to employ them. Then I asked: how do I scale this beyond the people who know me?
That became REDI — the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative — and the REDI Fund, the world's first investment vehicle for Roma entrepreneurs. I did an MBA to sharpen the strategy. Started the KU Leuven AI master — then chose to spend that time with my three daughters and build a company instead of writing another thesis. I already had a PhD; I didn't need to prove I could write. I needed to prove I could ship.
Ruthenium catalysts, NH3 cracking for H2, automotive catalysis at ULB & Bosal
Capstone on scaling impact funds while preserving mission integrity
Europe's leading Roma economic empowerment platform, 8 countries
Consulting at the intersection of catalysis, AI, and social innovation
KU Leuven AI MSc (1 semester) → chose building over theory → full-stack by shipping
Most people live in one domain. I operate across three — and the integration creates value nobody else can offer.
Designed and launched the world's first Roma-focused investment fund. Proved that financial inclusion for Europe's most excluded community isn't charity — it's infrastructure with NPL rates matching or beating traditional portfolios.
Interviewed 1,100 Roma entrepreneurs. Deployed €15M+ across 8 countries. When everyone said it couldn't work, the data said otherwise.
PhD-level expertise in catalysis research — from low-temperature emission catalysts to ammonia cracking for hydrogen production. Published researcher and industrial consultant.
I understand the science behind the green energy transition AND the EU R&D funding systems that accelerate it. That's a rare combination.
Creating "aggregator companies" — social enterprises that connect marginalized producers to mainstream markets. From elder care to employment agencies to creative industries.
MBA strategy meets self-taught full-stack development. I chose building real products over writing another thesis — and I'd do it again. The best learning happens in production.
A decade of proving that investment in excluded communities generates real returns.
What we have is not given, but borrowed from someone else. I have a responsibility to come back and give back.
Whether you're an investor, government, tech company, or fellow entrepreneur — here's how I can help.
Design financial inclusion vehicles for marginalized communities. Product design, investor pitch, portfolio management — based on a decade of operational data, not theory.
For: DFIs, Impact Investors, Foundations, GovernmentsTechnical guidance on automotive catalysis, ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion, Euro 7 compliance. Bridging academic research and commercial application.
For: Industrial Companies, R&D Teams, Cleantech StartupsBuild market-making companies that serve excluded populations. Strategy, operational design, and go-to-market for aggregator business models.
For: Social Entrepreneurs, NGOs, Corporate CSRNavigate EU funding instruments (ERDF, ESF+, CERV, EIF guarantees) and policy. 15 years with DG EMPL, DG NEAR, EIF, CEB.
For: NGOs, Governments, MultilateralsFrom AI-powered healthcare to chemical compliance — each project sits at the intersection of technology, science, and social impact.
AI-powered REACH registration platform built by a PhD chemist. Guided 5-step workflow from substance identification to IUCLID submission. Generates all 10 XML files, drafts CSR/eSDS documents, runs gap analysis, and provides an AI copilot trained on EU chemical regulation. The tool a regulatory team actually needs.
Launch PlatformAI-powered medical documentation assistant that helps healthcare professionals generate accurate clinical notes, discharge summaries, and referral letters. Reducing administrative burden so doctors can focus on patients.
Coming SoonDesigning healthcare access solutions for underserved rural Roma communities across Eastern Europe. Connecting community health workers with telemedicine, preventive care protocols, and health literacy programs.
Learn MorePhD-level industrial R&D at Bosal Emission Control Technologies. Developed ruthenium-based catalysts for ammonia decomposition (NH₃ cracking) for hydrogen production and automotive emission control systems for Euro 7 compliance.
Read MoreAI that actually understands chemistry. Built by a PhD chemist, not a software company guessing at science. REACH compliance and green hydrogen project assessment — automated.
The same depth that designed a €15M impact fund now powers an AI engine that predicts hazard classifications, generates Safety Data Sheets, and models hydrogen project economics.
CLP classification, SDS generation, dossier preparation, regulatory alerts. QSAR-powered.
Catalyst selection, performance prediction, techno-economics, EU funding eligibility.
Not linear. Chemistry, then business, then social innovation, then tech — each building on the last.
Rural Romania. An older brother worked night shifts so Petrica could continue school. That sacrifice shaped everything.
Ruthenium catalysis, ammonia decomposition for hydrogen. Published researcher with deep lab-to-industry expertise.
Automotive emissions, catalytic converters. Bridging academic research with industrial manufacturing at scale.
Flower trading in The Hague, office cleaning in Brussels — built to create jobs for friends who couldn't find work. Age 26.
Launched the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative. Interviewed 1,100 Roma entrepreneurs. Designed the model from the ground up.
Secured first-mover investors. Deployed €5M pilot. NPL rates matched traditional portfolios — shattering the "too risky" myth.
Presented at the Global Impact Investing Network. The message: it takes more than capital, and first-movers willing to lean into risk.
Completed MBA. Started AI master — chose daughters and company-building over another thesis after one semester. Founded BelgaLabs. Learned full-stack by shipping.
Growing REDI Fund to €30M. Training 10,000 entrepreneurs. Launching 5 social enterprises. Being present for three daughters. Building in public.
Whether you want to invest, consult, partner, or just talk — I'm open to conversations that lead somewhere real.