Serhat Pala's Linkedin Analytics

As a Co-Founder and General Partner at Cross Ocean Ventures, I invest in and support high-growth seed-level technology companies that start in Europe and Israel and expand to the US market. With over 25 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur, I have built, grown, and sold companies in the health and technology sectors, both with and without institutional investor funding. I have also served as a CEO, Board Member, Advisor, and Mentor for various startups and organizations. As an entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience, my management and leadership style is deeply influenced by the principles of innovation, strategic thinking, and a strong focus on leveraging strengths. My approach is shaped by stoicism, a philosophy that has guided my decision-making and helped me maintain resilience and a positive outlook in the face of business challenges. In my leadership journey, I have learned to prioritize creating value and developing people over mere profit generation. This belief was so central to my last company's ethos that we trademarked the tagline "People Over Profit." It encapsulates my conviction that the true essence of business lies in its human element. I firmly believe that businesses are fundamentally about four things: vision, people, assets, and processes. Of these, people are unequivocally the most crucial, as they alone have the capacity to change, influence, and improve the other elements. My management style is not about focusing on weaknesses but about harnessing and enhancing strengths. This approach has proven effective in driving business success and fostering a positive and productive workplace culture. By focusing on people, I aim to create an environment where innovation thrives and every team member feels empowered to contribute their best. In essence, my philosophy as a leader and entrepreneur revolves around the idea that by investing in people and nurturing their growth, we can achieve more than just financial success – we can build organizations that are adaptable, innovative, and truly transformative. My passion is to help talented entrepreneurs change the world for the better by providing them with capital, strategic guidance, market access, and network connections. I have a proven track record of commercializing innovative solutions, negotiating deals with retail partners, building lead generation engines, and fostering positive impact and team-oriented cultures. I have written books and columns on entrepreneurship and regularly mentor startups in various accelerator programs.