Exclusive: Ozgun Erdogan on Founding Ubicloud, AI Innovation, and Data Security
Ubicloud’s EuroGPT Enterprise: A Game-Changer for AI, Data Security, and EU Compliance
Introduction
At the vibrant Slush Conference in Helsinki, Sasha Komarevych, Editor of Startupreporter.eu, sat down with Ozgun Erdogan, the visionary co-CEO and co-founder of Ubicloud. Building on his success with Citus Data—acquired by Microsoft in 2019—Ozgun is now revolutionizing AI and data security with Ubicloud’s latest innovation: EuroGPT Enterprise. This open-source alternative to ChatGPT Enterprise is designed to address the unique challenges of European businesses, ensuring GDPR compliance, robust data privacy, and unparalleled transparency.
With a rich career spanning roles at Amazon, Microsoft, and Y Combinator, Ozgun’s journey is a testament to his dedication to solving complex technological challenges. His passion for open-source solutions and creating impactful technologies drives Ubicloud’s mission to empower industries with secure, scalable AI solutions tailored for the European market.
Sasha Komarevych: This isn’t your first startup, right?
Ozgun Erdogan: No, it’s not. Before Ubicloud, we founded Citus Data, which feels like a lifetime ago. We participated in Y Combinator back in the summer of 2011. It took us some time to figure things out, but our revenue and market awareness started growing steadily once we did. We built a solid customer base and gained recognition in the data infrastructure community.
In 2019, Microsoft acquired Citus Data, and I stayed there for four years, leading engineering teams within Azure. During that time, I focused on scaling cloud services and learning how large enterprises manage complex systems. Afterwards, I moved from San Francisco to Amsterdam and co-founded Ubicloud with much of the same team, including Umur, my co-founder from Citus Data and currently, co-ceo at Ubicloud.
Sasha Komarevych: Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur in the first place? And why do it again?
Ozgun Erdogan: Before Citus Data, I was at Amazon, and my learning curve started to flatten. I was still learning, but not at the intense pace I had experienced earlier. I wanted to push myself more technically and explore new challenges beyond my corporate role.
Starting Citus Data taught me a lot, though not always what I expected to learn. We encountered countless hurdles, from building scalable infrastructure to navigating business development and sales. This time around, after our exit, we felt personally and professionally ready to aim even higher—to create something impactful and transformative. That’s the driving force behind Ubicloud.
Sasha Komarevych: Can you tell us more about Ubicloud and what you’re launching at Slush?
Ozgun Erdogan: We’re launching EuroGPT Enterprise, an open-source alternative to ChatGPT Enterprise. After moving to Amsterdam, we realized two key challenges with using ChatGPT for businesses. First, using a proprietary application felt limiting after years of working in open-source infrastructure. Second, EU data regulations don’t align well with shipping data to the US, posing compliance and security concerns.
EuroGPT Enterprise addresses these issues. It’s fully hosted in the EU, ensuring compliance with GDPR and other European regulations. The entire stack is open-source, from bare metal to application layers, so businesses can audit our privacy and security claims themselves. It’s also portable, offering flexibility in deployment. Customers retain full control of their data, ensuring maximum privacy and transparency.
Sasha Komarevych: What type of customers do you expect to attract?
Ozgun Erdogan: We anticipate interest from industries with strict data regulations like banking and healthcare. Due to the sensitive nature of their data, these industries care deeply about data security and compliance. Another group includes companies using edge devices in the manufacturing, logistics, and consumer electronics sectors. They want AI-powered applications that keep data within the EU while maintaining scalability.
We’ve already engaged in promising conversations with potential clients. Businesses in regulated sectors often face challenges when adopting AI, so offering a compliant, open-source solution has resonated well.
Sasha Komarevych: How did you validate the product’s market need?
Ozgun Erdogan: We spoke with potential customers across different industries to test our hypotheses. Many expressed strong interest, citing concerns about data privacy, regulatory compliance, and security. Some enterprises even banned ChatGPT internally due to compliance issues, reinforcing the need for a secure, transparent alternative.
We also conducted in-depth surveys and engaged with early adopters during product development. Their feedback helped shape the platform and ensure we addressed real-world business needs.
Sasha Komarevych: You participated in Y Combinator twice. How did it help?
Ozgun Erdogan: Both times were invaluable, though the benefits differed. During Citus Data’s early days, YC provided crucial startup knowledge, network access, and early customers. It also helped with fundraising and building credibility in Silicon Valley.
The second time, my co-founder was a YC partner for two terms, giving us unique insights. YC’s vast network keeps us ahead of industry trends. For example, recent AI-driven startups achieved significant revenue growth within months—a testament to how transformative this space is.
Being part of YC also keeps us connected to like-minded entrepreneurs. The network is incredibly supportive, offering advice, partnerships, and customer introductions.
Sasha Komarevych: What’s your advice on finding the right co-founders?
Ozgun Erdogan: Finding the right co-founder is essential. I was lucky; I’ve known Umur since we were 11. We share a deep mutual trust built over the years. We also worked together at Citus Data and Microsoft, so starting Ubicloud felt natural. Similarly, Daniel and I worked together for years at Citus and Microsoft.
A key value we look for is a growth mindset. We hire for potential, not just current skills. People who are eager to learn and collaborate make the best teammates. And being nice is non-negotiable. Trust and shared values create a strong foundation for a startup’s culture.
Sasha Komarevych: Do you have a favourite startup or founder that inspires you?
Ozgun Erdogan: I read many founder biographies, learning from successes and failures. There’s always a selection bias—successful companies get more attention—but failures offer equally valuable lessons.
I distil insights down to first principles. While I have a slight Amazon bias from my time there, I remain open-minded and constantly learn from the broader startup ecosystem. There’s something to learn from almost every entrepreneurial journey.
Sasha Komarevych: What would it be if you could share one message about startups with a billion people?
Ozgun Erdogan: I watched Star Wars – Episode 5 when I was six years old. There was this scene that amazed me, where Yoda used force to raise Luke’s X-wing from the swap.
The exchange between Luke and Yoda stuck with me. “I don’t believe it.” “That is why you fail.”
Doing a startup involves willing things into existence. I don’t think just believing in something will make it work, but not believing it will certainly make it fail.
Sasha Komarevych: Thank you for sharing your story and insights. Best of luck with EuroGPT Enterprise!
Ozgun Erdogan: Thank you! I appreciate it.
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