About
Vlad Panait is the founder and Managing Partner of Sparking Capital, having moved into entrepreneurship after C-level roles at Fortune 500 companies, with over 20 years of international experience in growth and go-to-market strategy across various industries and regions. He holds an MBA and a Diploma in Advanced Management & Leadership, and teaches in two master's programs at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies.
Contact· self-published, not guessed
Experience
- Sparking CapitalManaging Partner, Foundercurrent2017 — presentDusseldorf, Germany, Bucharest, Romania,
- PluriaInvestor & Board Observercurrent2026 — present
- QuestoInvestor & Board Membercurrent2020 — present
- Instant.SpaceInvestorcurrent2020 — present
- Evertoys RomaniaInvestor & Board Membercurrent2018 — presentBucharest, Romania
- SymphopayInvestorcurrent2019 — present
- The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, FABIZ, International MBAAssociate Professorcurrent2021 — presentBucharest, Romania
- Founder InstituteBusiness Mentorcurrent2023 — presentGreater London, England, United Kingdom
- Founder InstituteBusiness Mentorcurrent2024 — presentBerlin, Germany
- 2heartsCommunity Membercurrent2023 — presentGreater Dusseldorf Area
- FlaminjoyInvestor & Board Member2018 — 2026Bucharest, Romania
- EcoTree.roInvestor & Board Member2020 — 2025Bucharest, Romania
- HyperhumanInvestor & Board Member2020 — 2025Bucharest, Romania
- Mindful ChefSeed Investor2017 — 2020Greater London, England, United Kingdom
- ReUse HubBoard Member2018Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- PhilipsMarketing Director, Central Eastern Europe KA, SDA South East Europe2016 — 2018Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Heineken SerbiaMarketing Manager2014 — 2016Serbia
- HEINEKEN EthiopiaMarketing Manager2011 — 2014Ethiopia
- Heineken RomaniaGroup Brand Manager Golden Brau & Bucegi2008 — 2011
- Beiersdorf RomaniaSenior Product Manager2006 — 2008
- Star Foods (Pepsico International)Group Brand Manager2005 — 2006
- Unilever South Central EuropeAssistant Brand Manager /Brand Manager / Brand Activation Manager2000 — 2005
Skills & more
Brand Management53Marketing28FMCG31Business Strategy21Market Research25Trade Marketing34Business Planning15Market Analysis10Segmentation3Business Development10Start-ups8Forecasting7
+12 more
Marketing ManagementIntegrated MarketingMedia PlanningMarket PlanningSalesAdvertisingBrand ArchitectureCustomer InsightStrategyManagementLeadershipStrategic Planning- Leading Change — Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
- Leadership Fundamentals — Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) Belgium
- Leading with Presence — Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
- Venture Capital — IE Business School Executive Education
- Finance for Senior Managers — Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
- Make Strategy Work — Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
- The Challenge of Leadership — Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
From Vlad's professional profile.
Colleagues at Sparking Capital
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Vlad Panait?
- Vlad Panait is the founder and Managing Partner of Sparking Capital, having moved into entrepreneurship after C-level roles at Fortune 500 companies, with over 20 years of international experience in growth and go-to-market strategy across various industries and regions. He holds an MBA and a Diploma in Advanced Management & Leadership, and teaches in two master's programs at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies.
- Where does Vlad Panait work?
- Vlad Panait is Managing Partner and Founder at Sparking Capital.
- Where did Vlad Panait go to school?
- Vlad Panait studied at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (Advanced Management & Leadership Program, Diploma); C/O/N/E/C/T/A -Vienna School of Organizational Consultancy (Heineken CEE General Management Program); The University of Sheffield (Executive MBA, Business Administration /Marketing).
Same school
Also attended Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University168
Julian LuttermanInvestor at DN CapitalWouterHead of Nomads (Fund-of-Fund) at Hummingbird VenturesNoah FreyFinance Analyst at Emerald Technology Ventures AgJeroen PlinkVenture Partner at LegalTechMercedes TuinPartner at Heran PartnersCraig CimoroniHead of Business Development and Investor Relations at BTECH CONSORTIUM
+ 162 more
Also attended The University of Sheffield75
Dominic JacquessonInvestor at Index VenturesFrancois PrinslooInvestor at MedicxiRoberto BonanzingaPartner at Inreach VenturesAndrew McLoughlinBrit in San Francisco; seed-stage venture capital investorXavier MesnierPartner, Head of Frontiers in Health & Bio Investments at Verve VenturesRyan ProcterHead of Marketing & Communications at Nauta Capital
+ 69 more
Also attended Academia de Studii Economice din București24
Florin MihocVenture Partner at Ff Venture CapitalGiorgiana SologonGroup Financial Controller at FunFair VenturesDragos CioacaHead of Luxembourg Fund Finance at Harbert Growth PartnersAnna DinescuExecutive Team at Hilbert GroupLotte WitbreukInvestment Associate at KPN VenturesAlina GeorgescuInvestment Manager at Catalyst Romania
+ 18 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Symphopay1
Also worked at Philips104
Paul van OoikInvestment associate at NoaberLidwi van OsProgram & Office Support Officer at NoaberIdil KavakliExperts | Venture Partner at 212Daniel GrafGeneral Partner at redalpineRuben OsnabruggePartner & Chief Medical Officer at 415 CapitalNeelam DhawanTech Industry Trailblazer at SenseAI Ventures
+ 98 more
Also worked at Unilever South Central Europe159
Julian LuttermanInvestor at DN CapitalGizem CakilInvestor at OpenView Venture PartnersStacey HeroInvestor at Third Rock VenturesAshu GargInvestor at Foundation CapitalJoanna Skoler GilmanChief Marketing and Communications Officer at .406 VenturesPetra MeyerInvestor at Golden Seeds
+ 153 more