Meeting Bianca Furtuna, Head of Data Science at Founders Factory, immediately brings to mind the phrase “passionate tech innovator.” Her transition from electrical engineering to a leading role in AI and data science highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of the tech industry.
In the latest video series edition of Techtalks with TFN, we had the pleasure of meeting Bianca Furtuna in the inspiring surroundings of Home Grown, the private members’ club for founders and entrepreneurs just around the corner from Marble Arch.
You can see the whole interview on our YouTube Channel.
From Sensors to Sense-Making: Furtuna’s Journey as a woman in tech
Bianca started her career in IoT, developing solutions that automate the lives of many through sensor technology and the data behind it. “What really captivated me a lot more was what we could do with that data, what we could learn, and how we could use those insights to better human existence,” she told us. This curiosity led her to data science and AI, working for tech giants like Microsoft, Citi, and IBM a decade before AI became mainstream.
Back then, data science was emerging as a new industry pillar. “The data scientist role wasn’t yet defined, so we were really exploring the capacity of this technology in a commercial setting,” explains Furtuna. In fact, the commercial application of data science lagged behind research, creating a gap in the field, meaning the time for innovation is now.
As we can see, the industry has undergone quite a transformation. One of Bianca’s biggest observations about field changes was the growing public awareness of AI and machine learning and how they co-exist in our daily lives. Furtuna further shares: “We are surrounded by it in our devices; whenever we take public means of transport, there’s probably some data and machine learning there.”
Industry changes go hand in hand with challenges, and Bianca is no exception. You can imagine that being a woman in tech is not an easy job. She described her main hurdle as “default capacity,” explaining, “Whenever a male in tech presents themselves with a specific title, they automatically assume that they know what they’re talking about. As a woman in tech, you always get a big question or test at the beginning of a meeting.” This serves as a testament to her resilience and determination.
Currently, Bianca works at Founders Factory, an early-stage startup accelerator, collaborating with promising startups to drive their businesses forward using data and AI.
Never forget the fundamentals: Furtuna’s golden rule for startups
Founders Factory operates through two mechanisms: the Venture Studio, which builds ventures from scratch, and the Accelerator, which advances existing startups in collaboration with corporate partners like Aviva, Mediabank, and Vonovia.
The accelerator primarily selects startups through an online application form, which you can fill out on their website. Key factors in their decision-making include a strong team, a clear vision, and a product addressing a significant market pain point. Furtuna’s key advice to startup founders is: “Never forget the fundamentals — you’re building a business. Make sure your vision, your commercial, and your product strategy are all in place, and you’re driving the right metrics. And when it comes to AI, use it for the right reasons.”
During our conversation, Furtuna also highlighted some innovative startups in their portfolio:
- Xapien – an AI-powered platform for complex due diligence that recently raised £8M
- Ogma (originating from Founders Factory’s Venture Studio) – a startup harnessing AI’s power to widen speech and language therapy access for UK children.
- Scan.com – a startup improving access to MRIs for people that secured $12M in a Series A funding round
The current funding landscape of the UK is much better than last year. “This year, we’re seeing many more funding rounds at different stages, and the market has much more excitement. Founders are getting more interest, so things are picking up,” Furtuna explained. In essence, investors are now interested in companies with a “strong AI essence,” focusing on businesses using AI creatively and innovatively rather than using “AI” as a buzzword.
Beyond the ChatGPT rappers
By the end of 2024, Founders Factory aims to empower founders to progress faster, expanding their portfolio globally in healthcare, climate, fintech, and deeptech. Furtuna further stressed the need for risk assessment and thoughtful development in AI, urging founders to consider the ethical implications of their technology from the outset rather than as an afterthought.
“This comes around this idea of human trust – where the information comes from or where those ideas and thoughts come from,” Furtuna concluded.
This article is part of a media partnership with Founder’s Factory and Homegrown. For partnering opportunities, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
