Meet Pavel Tashev from Camplight

Pavel Tashev is an entrepreneur, scientist, and IT professional who is integral part of Camplight, a venture-building platform cooperative. He holds degrees in "Quantum electronics and laser technologies" and "Engineering physics". In 2008, after participating in a project at CERN, he shifted his focus to programming. Pavel has developed SaaS platforms, including the web app Schoodle, which is designed to connect teachers with parents. He has also contributed to innovative product development in various startups like Mailjet, QRL, Peoplegogo, GuardNet, and StartupStage.

How did you decide to focus more seriously on IT?

Before university, I had some initial experience with programming, writing code in Assembler for microcontrollers and learning C++. But physics was my main interest at the time, so I chose to study that instead. Toward the end of my degree, I specialized in nuclear physics, which led to an opportunity to join a student program at CERN in Switzerland. My project involved simulating how an electron beam would spread out, which I did through Lua programming. This project reignited my interest in IT, and I decided to dive back in, starting with PHP.

How did you gain knowledge and experience from that point on?

Online courses were helpful, but I was lacking a clear direction. To get more hands-on experience, I decided to build a website that would allow people to send handwritten paper letters. The concept was simple: a user would type their message on the site, we would write it out by hand, and then send it to the given address. Although it remained a concept, this project opened my eyes to the creative possibilities of programming and demonstrated how code could be a tool for developing business ideas.

Can you share more about your experience working at CERN for three months?

It was both exciting and unforgettable. I had the chance to connect with students and scientists from all over the world, each bringing unique perspectives. My main role was in a research project, and I even got to visit the famous particle collider, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. By the end of my stay, I presented my simulation results, which turned out to be successful and supported the need for new equipment purchases—an outcome that really validated the work I had done.

What did you learn from your time there?

My time at CERN taught me that even in the exact sciences, the human factor plays a significant role. While physics is a precise discipline, success often depends not only on technical knowledge and experiments but also on interpersonal connections and personal charisma. I realized that valuable ideas can sometimes go unnoticed if the right networks and platforms for sharing them are missing.

How do entrepreneurship and science interact in your work?

The scientist in me values precision and detail, which is essential for structured programming and managing complex tasks thoughtfully. On the other hand, the entrepreneur has a more practical focus, prioritizing solutions to customer problems. Balancing both mindsets is crucial. When developing a product, the scientist’s focus on thoroughness helps to create a solid foundation, while the entrepreneur’s pragmatism guides the project toward market relevance and user satisfaction.

What is the mission and activity of Camplight?

Camplight’s mission revolves around responsibility, creativity, and action. The company operates with a flat structure, where all co-owners are equally involved in decision-making. Together, we define our development direction through a system of proposals, discussions, and voting. Camplight combines client software development with its own projects, like team-gpt.com, a tool that enables teams to collaborate with AI powered by ChatGPT. This project exemplifies how we merge innovation with practical solutions, empowering teams to work more effectively with advanced technology.

Can you tell us about your involvement in green energy projects?

Green energy projects make up around 20% of the company's workload. We are working on software for monitoring solar power plants, aiming to collect and visualize data from various sources, such as solar panels, weather conditions, and the position of the sun. For example, if a panel is not functioning properly, the system alerts the need for cleaning. This information helps operators maintain the efficiency of the plants. Additionally, at Camplight, we have launched a mechanism to quickly provide skilled workers to our clients, which will help us expand our network and enter new markets.

You are a co-founder of ReKosh, a smart recycling system. What innovation lies at the core of such a system, and what was its application?

ReKosh is an innovative smart recycling system launched in 2020 by a team aiming to address the low level of waste sorting in Bulgaria. The initial idea was to create smart containers that visualize the value of collected waste and incorporate gamification elements to engage users. The project underwent validation in schools before receiving funding for further development. The system uses artificial intelligence to classify waste. I joined the project later in my role as a programmer, and now the team is in the final phase of developing the second version of the product, which will be tested in September 2024.

What you are describing is very innovative. But what happens to startups during periods of stagnation, like the current one?

During stagnation periods, the investment climate for startups becomes more complex. When markets are growing and conditions are stable, investors are often willing to fund even startups with basic concepts. However, with rising interest rates, unstable geopolitical situations, and global economic changes, investments tend to flow towards lower-risk opportunities. For startups, it is crucial to reach a stage where they are generating revenue and building a client base before seeking investment. This allows investors to better assess the potential return on their investments.

Which startups can thrive in the current situation?

Startups with growth potential in the current economic climate will be those that offer solutions to pressing issues. Startups that can optimize logistics, provide new solutions in the energy sector, or focus on resource extraction, as well as innovations in chip production and renewable energy, have significant potential for future growth despite the uncertainty of the future. These areas are key to long-term development, and companies addressing these needs effectively are positioned for success.

What does the rise and development of AI mean for ordinary people, industries, and civilization, in your opinion?

The rise of AI could lead to two main scenarios. The first one suggests that AI will replace humans in many work processes, leading to mass unemployment and an economic crisis. This would conflict with the capitalist economy, where labor is essential for consumption and the generation of value. The second, more optimistic scenario, sees AI automating certain jobs, but simultaneously creating new opportunities and markets. However, the development of AI technologies will require significant resources such as metals and energy, and will necessitate the retraining of the workforce.

Can you share something interesting from your experiences at CERN?

One experience that immediately comes to mind is my involvement in the first experiment to create an artificial black hole. The process involves accelerating two particle beams and making them collide with just enough energy to form a black hole. Despite the media fears that such a black hole could consume the Earth, experts were confident that it would evaporate due to Hawking radiation, which emits virtual particles created from the energy of the black hole. This is one of the fascinating phenomena studied in particle physics, and it highlights how theoretical physics can sometimes challenge our everyday understanding of the universe.