With a background in archaeology and anthropology and over a decade of experience in international marketing agencies and as an independent consultant, Nika Bogdanic has become a pivotal support for companies in the European startup scene.

By transforming complex tech into relatable narratives, she propelled Leapfunder’s blog to the global top 10, secured endorsements from Techstars, and brought insights from leaders such as Prince Constantijn van Oranje. In an era where AI-generated noise is the new default, Nika explains why the most disruptive tool a founder has is a human story.

The European startup scene

• Hi Nika, thank you for agreeing to do the interview. Tell us about your background and how you first got connected to the startup ecosystem. How have you been helping startups since?

Thanks for having me! I’ve always been fascinated with understanding human evolution and how humans operate, which is why I studied archaeology and anthropology. I’m Croatian-born, Barcelona-based, and globe-oriented. Having lived in 6 countries and speaking 5 languages further enhanced my thirst for understanding people and societies. And it ultimately led me to my career as an international marketer.

A decade ago, I moved to Barcelona and started working at a marketing agency, focused on international startups. I quickly learned that even the most innovative products fail if their story doesn’t translate. Later on, I became an independent marketing consultant, working closely with founders and connecting technology with people. My goal is to turn a founder’s vision into a strong, engaging market presence for users and investors.

• Let’s talk about your work with Leapfunder, Europe’s top angel platform, which has funded over 220 rounds. Tell us about your mission.

Working with Leapfunder has been and continues to be an incredible journey. My mission is to build a brand presence that reflects our position as Europe’s top angel investor platform. I’ve focused on humanizing our technology and professionalizing our narrative to ensure that every time an investor or a founder interacts with us, they feel an immediate sense of trust.

As a marketing consultant, I help founders build authority and visibility so they can focus on building their products. My strategy includes services such as website content, community-building emails, thought leadership blogs, and valuable social media storytelling. The goal is to translate someone’s business proposition into a relatable story that solves people’s problems and enhances their lives.

Humanizing complex tech concepts

• With the rapid proliferation of AI-generated content, how do you envision the evolution of inbound marketing? How can brands maintain a competitive edge without losing their authentic voice?

We are currently witnessing a surge of generic, AI-produced text that often lacks depth, leading to a “sea of sameness” where the vital human touch is lost. After all, whatever industry you’re in, how you tell your story is crucial. When companies rely too heavily on AI, they often struggle to clearly articulate their unique value proposition. This can alienate potential users, causing them to miss out on opportunities rather than gain loyal customers.

To truly stand out, it’s more important than ever to humanize complex tech concepts and transform them into narratives that provide real, relatable value. I always tell founders: “If your grandmother can’t understand your business after reading what’s on your website, you’re doing it wrong.” The future belongs to those who make complex tech feel understandable and deeply resonant with the audience’s needs.

• Leapfunder’s blogs have been ranked in the top 10 globally. You’ve interviewed many influential changemakers from the Dutch, German, Swedish, and Swiss ecosystems. What’s the secret to a captivating blog and email presence?

The secret is quite simple: adding value to your readers. When I interview changemakers, people who have made a real impact in their ecosystems, the goal isn’t just to have a big name; it’s to extract insights that actually help others grow. 

Leapfunder’s blog also focuses on solving problems that startups and angel investors encounter on their journey. Year after year, Feedspot ranks our blog among the best angel investor blogs worldwide. Our content focuses on overcoming challenges, on enhancing a direct relationship between the startup and the investor, and sparking new ideas.

When it comes to email marketing, we treat our subscribers like a genuine, active network rather than just another mailing list. Leapfunder’s success in the rankings stems from its commitment to high-quality, consistent storytelling. People have a basic need to belong, so in a world where we’re alienated from each other, a sense of community is essential.

Helping startups earn street recognition

• As a certified growth marketer, you emphasize making data-driven decisions rather than just “guessing” what works. Can you explain how a pre-seed startup with a limited budget can use growth hacks to establish a unique brand position?

Growth hacking isn’t about big budgets; it’s about picking the smartest strategy. How do you achieve that? Trial and error. So my advice to founders is to stop guessing and start playing.

Focus on identifying your single power channel, and then run lean A/B tests on your messaging to see what actually sticks. As opposed to the general tendency of omnipresence, doing one thing well beats doing a bunch of them flakily. You can use heatmaps and behavior tools to track the “why” behind every click. By iterating quickly based on real data, you can carve out an authentic niche.

• Let’s address brand visibility. If a founder feels their brand is currently invisible in a crowded market, what is the first hand-holding step you take to help them earn street recognition?

If a brand feels invisible, it’s usually because it is shouting into the void with the same generic message as everyone else. I help founders stop being “just another startup” and start being a brand that solves real problems, and that people actually care about.

Together, we find an unfair advantage and build an irresistible narrative. Then we refine the digital presence, ensuring that your brand is memorable and easy to love. Visibility is a strategic mix of story and stage. Picking the right audience and translating your story so they feel taken care of is the winning combination. If you’re a startup in need of a quick pivot, I’ve developed an emergency kit, a focused framework to help you get from invisible to authoritative.

Thank you very much for sharing your insights and story, Nika. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

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