Cosmin Manea
I was born and raised in Romania (in a city next to the black sea, Constanta) and moved at the age of 18 to Dubai with my family where I did my undergraduate in American University in Dubai. Right after graduation, I joined Philips Electronics in Dubai in a Management Trainee Program for 12 months and afterwards I joined IE Business School in 2013 for a dual specialization MIM program (Digital Business and Sales & Marketing).
Right after graduation I joined a startup called Vound that eventually failed and then continued with another startup, InstaShop, in 2015, where I was the Founding Partner. InstaShop was sold to Delivery Hero in 2020, for $360M, after successfully launching in 6 countries and being the leader in online grocery in the Middle East.
I have departed InstaShop, to focus more on my family and more urgent matters that I believe in. I am currently an impact focused Angel Investor, and I think it is our responsibility as a generation to prioritize projects that have nature and sustainability at core, in order to make the world a better place.
"It is a responsibility on all of us to make the world better, for the current generation, and for the generations to come."
MORE ABOUT COSMIN
What was your favorite aspect of the IE experience and why?
I think the most interesting thing about IE, is that it reflects very well the work environment, the fast paced, entrepreneurial society. It is very much focused on networking, project based, entrepreneurial thinking, while enjoying life in the beautiful city of Madrid.
After finishing my MiM program, I felt that I was ready to join any position and solve any problem that I will face. That was mainly due to the endless case studies and group projects we have done, where you learn that any problem, small or big, can have a solution, as long as you sit down, start brainstorming and make a plan.
What advice would you give to a new student starting their journey at IE?
Try to take in as much as you can. Be open about group projects and new challenges. Join as many clubs as you can.
Be part of Area 31.
Enjoy the beautiful city of Madrid and start working already on your entrepreneurial journey!
What lesson learned at IE do you apply in your daily professional life?
Every problem/challenge becomes smaller if you break it down into small parts and make a plan. And I learned to not limit myself in my thinking. Since then, nothing is too big, or impossible. Just, some things are harder to achieve and require a stronger sacrifice.
Briefly describe your career path since graduating.
Right before graduation I realised I want to work in the startup world, so I decided to not apply to any multinational roles and focus on that. An opportunity came and I joined InstaShop in 2015 as the Founding Partner (after 6 months in another startup that ran out of money).
In 2020, InstaShop was sold, after achieving incredible numbers, expanding into 6 countries and being the leader of online groceries in the Middle East. After 6 years of working 7 days a week I decided it was time to focus on my 2 daughters, so I left InstaShop. Since then, I am also an Angel Investor in impact focused projects that can make society better.