Osmos matches you with industry pros for meaningful one-on-one conversations. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Osmos co-founder and CEO Natalia Cebotari to learn more about the company.
Natalia Cebotari’s Background
What is Natalia Cebotari’s background? Cebotari said:
“I started my journey as an English teacher after spending 10 years in some of the world’s largest communications and digital media companies. By 2012, I decided to leverage all that experience to create digital school textbooks, aiming to modernize education. Along the way, I became a publisher of an educational technology media outlet, which was read by 70,000 professionals, and I co-founded Europe’s largest EdTech conference, with 80,000 offline attendees. This role gave me invaluable insights into the power of community-building, as I bridged the gap between a forward-thinking technology community and a very traditional educational sector. Looking back, I realize that for about five years, my main motivation was bringing people together in a meaningful way.”
“Later, I joined a European tech giant, where I helped create digital textbooks now used in 22,000 schools. Throughout all these experiences, I saw how much could be achieved by fostering genuine connections. As the organizer of a massive conference, I realized that it wasn’t just about the event—it was about sparking deeper, 1:1 conversations that lasted well beyond the few days of the event. This philosophy of meaningful connection is at the heart of everything I do today.”
Formation Of Osmos
How did the idea for the company come together? Cebotari shared:
“The idea for Osmos was born from my own experiences over the years. Despite having built successful businesses and working with some of the biggest social networks, I found myself with over 9,000 contacts—yet, when I needed to find the right person, it wasn’t as easy as it should’ve been. It was frustrating. I quickly realized this wasn’t just a personal problem, but something many professionals face. Too often, we rely on surface-level networking, but it’s not enough to help us find meaningful connections that truly align with our goals. Platforms like LinkedIn felt overwhelming and cluttered with spam and irrelevant results. I soon realized I wasn’t alone—many entrepreneurs faced the same challenge. You have a vast network, with all these people in your contacts, but when it really matters, you realize you don’t actually know anyone. You’re left feeling like you’re the only one experiencing this isolation, even though your contact list tells a different story.”
“That’s when I decided to take action. I envisioned Osmos as a platform that would quickly match users based on their specific professional needs. Our goal is to cut through the noise and focus on genuine one-on-one conversations. With Osmos, you can connect with someone who truly fits your criteria once a week—whether you’re looking for a partner, an expert, or just someone to share experiences with. It’s about connecting with people who are on the same journey as you and are open to offering help and support. And honestly, it’s better to have four real connections a month than 100 contacts you don’t really know.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Cebotari reflected:
“One of my favorite memories working at Osmos so far has been seeing the tremendous support we’ve received, not just from our fantastic angel investors, but also from the people I’ve known and those I’ve reached out to for help. I never imagined that the support and inspiration would be this strong. It’s been incredible to witness how many people have stepped up, going above and beyond what I expected, not just offering their help but truly contributing in ways I never anticipated.”
“Another standout moment has been the response to Osmos itself. I’m amazed at how much the idea has resonated with so many people, and how much support we’ve received from different corners—whether it’s from investors, users, or collaborators. Seeing our vision align with so many others has been both humbling and motivating. It’s the kind of validation that reassures me we’re on the right path.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Cebotari explained:
“Osmos is built to connect both entrepreneurs and professionals, as well as large organizations, conferences, and communities. Our AI-powered platform cuts through the noise of traditional networking, focusing on meaningful one-on-one interactions that drive personal growth and business development. For individuals, it’s about finding the right partners, experts, or support aligned with their unique goals.”
“On the B2B side, Osmos helps businesses, communities, and large-scale events facilitate deeper engagement within their networks. By connecting people who might otherwise remain disconnected, we create an environment where collaboration and idea-sharing flourish, enabling sustained growth for both individuals and organizations. Osmos is not just about making connections—it’s about building lasting, valuable relationships that benefit everyone involved.”
“Beyond just matching users, we’ve developed a unique “help feed,” which consists solely of requests, ensuring that users’ time is respected. We aim to solve their challenges quickly, without wasting their time on irrelevant interactions or unnecessary engagements. With our “help feed,” experts can easily share collaboration opportunities, cutting out the endless search for the right connections. We aim to shift networking away from a transactional mindset towards a supportive community where everyone can ask, “How can I help?” This creates an environment for entrepreneurs to connect, share ideas, and truly support one another. By prioritizing authentic interactions, Osmos helps users navigate through the noise and fosters a space for genuine growth.”
Challenges Faced
What are the challenges that Cebotari and the team face when building the company? Cebotari acknowledged:
“A good example is how the current market leader, LinkedIn, has shifted its focus toward professional creators and video content to boost user retention. While this approach is valid, it has highlighted a gap for genuine networking services. As entrepreneurship continues to rise, many people seek personal development and meaningful connections, yet LinkedIn primarily offers sales and job-seeking tools. Its networking features often feel outdated and fragmented, leaving many professionals navigating a maze of events and industry-specific solutions.”
“That’s where Osmos comes in. We leverage AI to quickly match users with the right people once a week, without the clutter of social selling or recruitment tools. Our goal is to simplify the process and make authentic connections easier for everyone.”
Evolution Of Osmos’ Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Cebotari noted:
“Since launching Osmos, we’ve focused on refining our algorithms to ensure they’re fair and unbiased and truly support our mission. We’ve also simplified the platform, removing unnecessary functionality and leaving only what our users truly need. The core of our approach is a weekly match and a feed made up of requests. A key principle we uphold is the importance of genuine connections. That’s why we don’t allow social selling on our platform. When networking turns transactional, it can spoil the vibe. It helps us match people based on real needs, steering clear of the clutter that often comes with traditional networking.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Cebotari cited:
“We launched Osmos at the end of 2023, and our first year was focused on testing and learning. Even before the official launch, we had already attracted over 3,000 users. During this time, we gathered valuable feedback from early adopters to better understand what they needed from a networking platform. We also made the important decision that the platform is only available to people who have paid. This fundamentally changes the dynamics of interaction, as people take more seriously what they have paid for. Now, with 71 paying users, we realize how crucial this step was in such a competitive market to ensure Osmos could truly meet people’s needs and help them build meaningful connections.”
“And we’ve done it—only a few months after launch, we’ve already attracted C-level users from renowned companies like Google, CVS, Revolut, and Apple. Through Osmos, we’ve fostered over 20,000 meaningful connections across various industries.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Cebotari about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“One of my favorite stories comes from our partnership with the Innovators Club, a dynamic platform that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and co-founders. Together, we created an exclusive branded community where members can connect on a deeper level. They engage through curated tags and meaningful interactions, which makes all the difference. This community empowers members to find the right partners, share knowledge, and collaborate on projects that lead to real results. It’s a perfect example of what we envisioned for Osmos—an environment where relationships can truly flourish, driving both personal and professional growth.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Cebotari assessed:
“At Osmos, we’re targeting a significant opportunity within the $163.6 billion social networking market. This market is rapidly evolving, especially as more people seek authentic connections amidst the noise of traditional networking platforms. Our focus is on creating a space that fosters meaningful relationships rather than shallow, surface-level connections.”
“By addressing the common pain points experienced by professionals—such as feelings of isolation and the challenges of finding the right connections—we aim to carve out a niche in this expansive market. With the growing awareness of mental health and the importance of community, we believe our approach resonates well with a wide audience, opening up new avenues for growth and engagement.”
“As we continue to develop and refine our platform, we see great potential to expand our reach and impact within this thriving industry.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Cebotari affirmed:
“What sets Osmos apart is our focus on connecting users based on their specific professional needs, whether that’s finding a contractor or partner. Unlike traditional platforms like LinkedIn, which often get bogged down in job-seeking tools and sales pitches, we focus on non-transactional communication. This approach resonates with people tired of spam and shallow interactions. While it may seem like everyone is active on social media, that’s not the reality. Most professionals only maintain a profile and don’t want to become bloggers. The constant flood of spam and the time it consumes can be frustrating.”
“Osmos is designed for those who prioritize meaningful, live communication over accumulating endless contacts. There are millions of professionals who feel like this—people who want real connections rather than endless scrolling and networking just for numbers. If you look around, you’ll see that most people share this sentiment. Osmos focuses on fostering authentic relationships by matching professionals based on their actual needs and allowing for focused, one-on-one conversations that truly matter.”
“We also emphasize that Osmos isn’t just about building a network. Many professionals, particularly entrepreneurs, often feel isolated. Our platform is built to nurture genuine relationships that go beyond superficial interactions, creating a supportive environment where real connections can grow.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? Cebotari concluded:
“Our vision is to transform networking from a numbers game into a meaningful experience. We believe technology can help us achieve this by enhancing the way people connect. We’re excited to roll out new features, including upgraded AI algorithms, to help users find genuine connections that truly matter.”
“Networking shouldn’t feel like a chore or something to dread; it should be unstressful and engaging. That’s why we’re on a mission to shift the perception of networking. Our goal is to reach 10,000 B2C users and 100 B2B users by the end of next year, all while continuously improving our platform. We’re committed to creating an environment where meeting new people feels rewarding and enjoyable, fostering real relationships that support personal and professional growth.”
