Today, we welcomed Kushtrim Xhakli as a guest speaker, an entrepreneur and innovation leader whose journey spans building early digital products in Kosovo to operating across international markets.
His talk focused on experimentation, failure, learning, and the mindset required to keep building over time. Kushtrim also shared what it truly means to create and sell products that matter.
From Curiosity to Creating Products
Kushtrim’s story began with hands-on learning, volunteering to configure satellite receivers and troubleshoot systems, discovering early on that real growth comes from doing.
His first major product, trajnimi.com (2007), was created to help young people in Kosovo learn the fundamentals of Microsoft Office through online training aligned with ECDL modules. Distributed to schools via CD-ROM by the Ministry of Education and used by around 25,000 learners, the platform was built with a simple mission: reach people, not monetize. Also show everyone that Kosovo’s youth is as capable and creative as that of people around the world.
One lesson stood out: waiting for perfection can slow progress. Over time, he learned to launch earlier, test ideas, and focus on execution rather than fearing that someone might copy your idea.
Experimentation and Adapting to Change
Kushtrim went on to build Varavingo, a social network for Albanian speakers, created before Facebook reached its global dominance. When Facebook took over, he adapted, repurposing the infrastructure into a mobile payment solution that enabled monetization for online games.
Looking back, he emphasized an important insight: sometimes the smarter move is to align with giants rather than compete directly with them.
Knowing When to Let Go
One of his pieces of advice was learning when to let go, whether that means pivoting, stopping a project, or moving on to something more relevant. He emphasised that in business and especially in sales, timing matters. Build and sell something relevant for the time being,
On another note, Kushtrim shared something very valuable that follows him: a quote from Mika Häkkinen, the Finnish F1 champion: “Don’t forget to have fun.” Which is a simple reminder that, amid pressure and ambition, maintaining curiosity and enjoyment is essential for long-term creativity.
Another thing he shared is some of the books that shaped his thinking:
- Getting to Yes – by Roger Fisher and William Ury
- The Last Unknowns – by John Brockman
- Founders at Work – by Jessica Livingston
Lessons from a Global Journey
Having worked across different countries and markets, and now operating from Finland, Kushtrim highlighted how products succeed for different reasons depending on context. Understanding local needs and timing is critical.
He also shared that no matter where he works, he feels a strong drive to contribute something back to Kosovo and create something that can either help the community or contribute to innovation.
A Conversation That Inspires Action
Kushtrim’s visit was a reminder that meaningful innovation often comes from small steps — curiosity, persistence, and the courage to try.
We’re grateful for the openness with which he shared his journey and lessons, and for inspiring our team to keep building, learning, and pushing forward.