About Us

The 30-Day Tech Startup Challenge

Dear Visitor,

Welcome to Ideas to Billions (I2B)!

I’m Zsigmond Bodnár, and I’m thrilled to share this journey with you.

I2B is more than just a show—it’s an inside look at the real, gritty process of building a tech startup from scratch in just 30 days. Our challenge?

Take a modest $10K and turn it into a $10M company by the end of the month.

Along the way, you’ll see firsthand the highs and lows

 of entrepreneurship, the innovative thinking required, and the real-world challenges that come with scaling a business.

It’s all about capturing the raw, unfiltered moments of startup life while showing that, with the right mindset and strategy, anything is possible.

I can’t wait to have you along for the ride—let’s build something extraordinary together.

 

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More details

The project leader and creator, Zsigmond Bodnár, uses his entrepreneurial and technological experience to demonstrate how to build a successful business in a short period with minimal resources. Zsigmond is the central figure of the show, not only directing technological development but also managing personal and professional relationships, including negotiations with investors, developers, and partners.

The show aims to develop an AI-based edutech service that helps students learn and represents real market value. Over the course of 30 days, the project goes through the key phases of building a startup, which are presented in different stages:

  • Idea Generation and Market Research: In the early days, the team gathers for brainstorming sessions to generate marketable ideas, followed by detailed market research. This includes competitor analysis, defining the target market, and initiating the company valuation process.
  • Team Assembly and Business Model Creation: Selecting the right experts is crucial. The startup team includes roles such as CEO, CTO, CMO, CFO, UI/UX designers, and developers. After that, the business model is developed, detailing revenue streams, target markets, key activities, and partners.
  • Technical Specifications and Developer Company Selection: The team defines the technological requirements, platforms (iOS, Android, web), and selects the right development companies capable of implementing the required technological solutions.
  • MVP Development: The creation of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is aimed at validating the product in the market. During this phase, Zsigmond and his team closely collaborate with the developer company to fine-tune the technology and user experience.
  • Testing and Market Validation: The application is tested with different user groups, including students, partners, and developers. The goal of testing is to detect bugs, gather user feedback, and further refine the product.
  • Marketing and Business Growth: In the final phase, the team launches marketing campaigns aimed at customer acquisition and market expansion. They also negotiate with investors to raise additional capital for further growth.

In addition to expanding within Eastern Europe, the “Ideas to Billions” show also aims to break into the United States market, marking its global expansion. One of the team’s main objectives is to find local partners in the U.S., thereby demonstrating that a tech company can achieve success not just regionally but also globally. The show emphasizes that with the right timing and strategy, anyone can build a global company worth $10M from $10K, even within 30 days, regardless of where they come from.

 

During the show, the team organizes trips to the United States and other countries, where they meet with local tech experts, potential distributers, investors, and startup incubators. These American connections are crucial for global growth, as the tech startup must be viable in international markets. Engaging U.S. partners provides not only financial backing but also strategic partnerships that help adapt and expand the product internationally.

One of the core messages of the show is that global success does not depend on geography. The team showcases how, with a good idea, hard work, proper timing, and leveraging technological tools, anyone can achieve global success, no matter where they start from. The transition between different locations—Eastern Europe and the United States—illustrates the dynamic that global business success is attainable regardless of the country of origin.

Entering the U.S. and different market is another key step in elevating the startup to a global level, which is accelerated by the help of local partners. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate a business that, within the startup ecosystem, can become an international success story in 30 days, inspiring others to think big.

The show covers multiple locations where the team conducts various activities:

  •  Zsigmond’s Home: Zsigmond’s home serves as a place of inspiration and personal reflection. Here, viewers get a glimpse of Zsigmond’s daily life, personal routines, and moments of deep thought where key decisions are born. It’s also a setting for some informal team meetings and brainstorming sessions.
  • Office Meetings: These locations serve as the central operational hubs for the team, where strategic decisions are made, and development work takes place. The office environment is where the team engages in project management, holds kick-off meetings, and communicates continuously with developers.
  • University Meetings: Throughout the show, Zsigmond establishes partnerships with several Hungarian and foreign universities. He delivers presentations to students, engages them in the project for market validation, and demonstrates the process of building a tech startup. These settings showcase his networking skills and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
  • Developer Meetings: Zsigmond and his team hold meetings with selected development companies, AI experts, and UI/UX designers. These meetings focus on refining specifications, addressing technological challenges, and discussing design details. The locations, often tech company offices or creative spaces, provide a behind-the-scenes look at how technology is developed and integrated into the project.
  • Investor Meetings: Several investors show interest in the project during the show, and Zsigmond engages in negotiations for possible funding. These meetings take place in high-profile offices or cafes, where business valuation discussions demonstrate how the team plans to grow the initial investment of $10K into a $10M business.
  • Event Venues: Throughout the show, the team attends various entrepreneurial and networking events. These venues provide opportunities for Zsigmond and his team to pitch their ideas, expand their network, and gain valuable feedback from industry leaders.
  • Co-working Spaces: To connect with the global startup ecosystem, the team frequently operates from co-working spaces in different cities. These locations provide a dynamic atmosphere that fosters creativity and collaboration with other entrepreneurs, tech experts, and potential partners.
  • Cafes and Informal Settings: Zsigmond’s entrepreneurial journey doesn’t just happen in formal settings. Casual meetings in cafes, parks, or even late-night work sessions in homes allow for candid conversations about business, strategy, and team dynamics.

The technological foundation of the I2B project is an AI-based edutech solution. The team’s goal is to create a product that enables automated learning and education processes for students. The challenge of AI development lies in making the product intelligent, interactive, user-friendly, and at the same time marketable and scalable.

The technological aspects of AI development include ensuring ethical and secure algorithm development, data protection, and integrating the AI engine into the finished application. Moreover, dedicated time is allotted for AI system testing during the war room days, where the team works around the clock to refine the integration and ensure AI efficiency.

The starting capital of the I2B project is $10K, which aligns with the concept of building a business with minimal resources. The primary goal is to scale this amount into a $10M business within 30 days. To achieve this, Zsigmond and his team negotiate with investors to raise additional funds during later stages of the project if necessary. The business plan includes detailed financial projections and growth strategies, which are presented to potential investors.

The cast of the show, led by Zsigmond, forms an interdisciplinary team representing various areas of expertise:

  • Zsigmond Bodnár: The central figure of the show, creator, and leader of the project. He directs the technological developments and business processes, driving the vision of building a multimillion-dollar tech company.
  • Vivien Bodnár: Zsigmond’s wife, who provides emotional support throughout the journey. Vivien is involved in some key decisions and offers a perspective on balancing family life with the pressures of the startup world.
  • Gábor: Zsigmond’s right-hand man, a technological expert who supports development. He is primarily responsible for AI and software integration, ensuring that the app’s technology remains cutting-edge.
  • Tamás: The business development manager, responsible for identifying new opportunities, building partnerships, and expanding the market reach of the startup. Tamás plays a crucial role in scaling the project and ensuring its long-term success.
  • Imre: A close friend of Zsigmond and one of the most well-known investors in Eastern Europe. Imre provides strategic advice and acts as a mentor to the team. His reputation brings significant attention from other investors and stakeholders interested in the project.
  • UX/UI Designers and Developers: This team is responsible for the application’s user experience and technical operation. They work closely with Gábor to ensure the product is functional, user-friendly, and visually appealing.
  • Influencers and Celebrities: Throughout the show, influencers and celebrities from various industries (technology, business, entertainment) join forces to promote the startup and its products. They use their platforms to create buzz, drive app downloads, and boost the brand’s visibility. These personalities include tech-savvy influencers who can appeal to younger, digitally-focused audiences, and well-known celebrities who bring star power to the project.
  • Investors: A rotating cast of investors appears at various points in the show. They engage in negotiations with Zsigmond and his team, making decisions on potential funding and evaluating the project’s business viability.
  • Students and University Partners: Involved during the product’s testing phase, students from Hungarian and international universities validate the product and provide feedback, helping to refine and improve it. This collaboration also demonstrates Zsigmond’s ability to engage the academic community in the entrepreneurial process.

The filming crew for Ideas2Billion consists of 12 dedicated members who spend almost every hour of every day with Zsigmond throughout the entire 30-day journey. Their mission is to capture as much of the process as possible, providing a comprehensive and authentic look at the startup experience.

  • 12 Crew Members: The team includes camera operators, sound engineers, directors, and production assistants, all working closely to ensure that every important moment is documented. Whether Zsigmond is attending business meetings, having late-night strategy sessions, or spending time with his family, the crew is always there to capture it all.
  • 30 Days of Near-Continuous Filming: The crew operates around the clock, shadowing Zsigmond during nearly every moment of the 30-day startup challenge. They follow him to office meetings, university presentations, development sessions, investor negotiations, and even personal moments at home. This 30-day immersive filming process ensures that viewers get an unfiltered look at both the business development and Zsigmond’s personal journey. The intensity of the 30-day period is reflected in the show’s fast-paced, unscripted format.
  • Editing Team: Each day’s footage is handed over to a skilled team of editors who sift through hours of material to pull out the most engaging and impactful moments. Their task is to blend the technical aspects of building a startup with the personal dynamics of the team, producing episodes that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Every interesting part of the day is cut, assembled, and crafted into compelling scenes for the show.
  • Daily Interviews with Zsigmond: At the end of every day, Zsigmond sits down for an interview to reflect on the events of the day. These interviews are essential for providing the narrative backbone of the series. Zsigmond shares his insights on the progress made, challenges encountered, key business decisions, and personal thoughts on the highs and lows of the day. These interviews offer viewers a deeper understanding of the pressures and rewards of entrepreneurship.

This approach allows the series to offer a raw, in-depth look at the entrepreneurial grind, showing both the business-building process and the personal toll it can take. By filming nearly every hour of the 30 days, the show provides an unprecedented level of transparency and realism, giving the audience a genuine docu-reality experience.

In terms of languages, Ideas2Billion will be presented in six different languages to reach a global audience. The primary language of the show is Hungarian, but the entire series is translated into English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

What sets this series apart is that all translations use the voices of the original cast members, maintaining the authenticity of the show even in different languages.

Zsigmond and the team have integrated advanced AI technologies not only to translate the series but also to recreate the voices of each cast member in their respective translations. This approach allows the viewers in different countries to hear the show as if the original cast were speaking in their own language.

Additionally, some parts of the translation include cutting-edge lip-sync technology, ensuring that the characters’ lip movements match the dubbed languages. This creates a seamless viewing experience, especially for key dialogues and emotional moments. For other segments, the translations may be simpler, focusing on accuracy rather than lip synchronization, depending on the context and importance of the scene.

By combining AI-driven voice cloning and lip-sync technology with traditional translation methods, the team ensures that the series resonates with audiences worldwide while preserving the original performance and tone of the cast. This innovative approach enhances the global reach of Ideas2Billion while showcasing the potential of AI in modern media production.

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