“I learned how to tell the difference between a good and a bad startup idea and how to validate them properly.”

 

Marcin during a lecture at ABC Silicon Valley 2025.

 

Can you introduce yourself? Tell us your name, where you’re from, and a bit about your background.

My name is Marcin, I live in Vienna, and I work as a backend engineer at Upstream Mobility. I studied computer science.

 

What motivated you to join ABC Silicon Valley?

I was thinking about starting a startup and wanted to develop my idea further. A friend couldn’t attend the bootcamp and shared the opportunity in a group, so I decided to apply and join.

 

What did you learn from the program?

I learned how to develop a startup idea and how to validate and test it.

Before this, I didn’t really know how to distinguish between a good and a bad idea, or how to evaluate them properly.

 

How was your experience in Silicon Valley?

The connections I made here were really valuable. People in Silicon Valley also have a different mindset — they are much more open compared to Austria. I think many of the people I met here can help me further in my career.

 

Would you recommend the program?

Yes, definitely. Especially if you’re interested in entrepreneurship or you work as a software engineer. It’s a great opportunity to see companies here, experience the environment, and understand the Silicon Valley mindset.

Published On: April 14th, 2026 / Categories: ABC Alumni /