Not Everything Needs to Be Perfect, Especially at the Start – A Candid Talk with Solved’s Co-Founder Denis
What drives Denis isn’t always the “big idea”, sometimes it’s the small, steady routines, the late-night focus and the courage to say no to shortcuts that don’t align with long-term values.
Built On Simplicity
For Denis it’s all about simple routines. “One thing I swear by is at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, even if it’s just going for a walk.” That’s the daily non-negotiable for the co-founder of Solved, a start-up.
He jokes that he’s a night owl living in a world built for early risers. “I work best when everyone and everything else is asleep,” he says. “That silence, that’s when my focus sharpens.” Maybe that’s why he likes his coffee black, no sugar, no fuss.
Vision Meets Execution
From the very beginning, he’s been at the intersection of technology and business. His path wasn’t marked by flashy pivots or viral launches, but by a steady rhythm of projects, each one building experience in both technical execution and strategic planning.
That combination is rare and it’s what led him to co-found Solved. “I’ve always been drawn to creating solutions that have real impact and long-term value. We started Solved because we saw a process that was painfully inefficient. We knew there was a better way.” The excitement? It wasn’t just the idea. It was the team as well, the way they clicked, challenged, and trusted each other. Denis further adds “everyone has their own strong area, while I’m the bridge between tech and vision.”
Still, leadership wasn’t always about code or strategy decks. “People think I just build tech,” he laughs. “But a big part of my job now is building a team and a culture.” In the early days, his focus was almost entirely on hands-on product development, writing code, testing features, iterating quickly. Now, his role has grown to include technical strategy and long-term vision. “I make sure our solution stays a step ahead of the competition, while also staying close enough to the execution to understand what’s really happening on the ground.”
Over the years, Denis developed an ability to quickly assess what will work and what won’t, a skill that saves both time and resources. “That kind of fast evaluation helps me avoid costly detours and stay on track,” he explains.
The Mindset That Drives Him
“If it doesn’t align with your long-term values, it’s the wrong decision even if the short-term gain is tempting,” Denis says when asked what belief has served him most through tough decisions and he doesn’t hesitate it when he says it.
It’s this kind of clarity that has guided him through the rollercoaster of startup life. That, and a quiet, relentless belief: “if you really want something, there’s always a way.”
Denis applies that same focus when navigating high-pressure moments. “Staying calm isn’t a luxury, it’s a key,” he says. Then he follows up with “first, I break the problem down, find a small win and then build from there.”
Lessons in Progress
One of the hardest lessons? Perfection kills momentum. “In the beginning, I wanted everything to be flawless. But then I’ve learned that is better to launch and learn as you go, that’s where the real progress happens.”
And if you were to ask him, what advice would he offer to his younger self, he would say “allow yourself to make mistakes”. It’s advice he still leans on today. That willingness to learn on the go is paired with a strength he credits as one of his most valuable traits as a co-founder: “analytical thinking and the ability to adapt quickly”. In a fast-moving environment, that combination isn’t just useful, it’s essential.
Looking Ahead
So, what’s next? “We want to become a leading provider of smart, integrated solutions in our field, but without losing our agility.”
When Denis is not thinking about development of product, he’s often reflecting on the kind of culture he wants to build “one that’s open, collaborative, and solution-oriented”. “We want people to speak up and to focus on what they do best” he says. For him, it’s never just been about creating a great product. It’s also about creating an environment where people feel energized to do meaningful work and empowered to grow while doing it.
Life Beyond the Startup
Outside of work, his passions are simple and surprisingly grounded. “Long and deep conversations with people who matter the most,” he says. These aren’t networking chats or hurried catch-ups, but the kind of conversations that stretch late into the evening, where ideas slow down and meaning settles in. One thing Denis appreciates the most in a day is a “first coffee and a moment of silence”.
When asked what keeps him passionate outside of work, his answer is immediate: “Technology, sports, and meaningful relationships.” And the best 3 words to describe him? Decisive. Reliable. Resourceful. But if you asked him to sum up this chapter of life in one word? “Metamorphic.”
A Wrap-Up
… And maybe that’s the lesson here: that in a world obsessed with noise and speed, focus, simplicity, and staying grounded might just be the real edge.
When you lead with that kind of principle, you don’t just build products. You build trust. You build culture. You build something that lasts.