In the fast-paced world of startups, where the mantra often echoes “fail fast, iterate faster”, some entrepreneurs take a different route—one that values intuition, deep research, and a commitment to making real impact. Enter Marina Petrakova, a powerhouse in deep tech, health innovation, and digital transformation.
CEO of Reach, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and a trailblazer in VR therapy for neurodivergent children, Marina is redefining what it means to be a woman in tech. We sat down with her for an episode of Baltic Boss Babes to talk about startup myths, navigating stereotypes, and why she refuses to build yet another meaningless app.
Ditching Expectations, Embracing Intuition
“I don’t dream, I do,” Marina says. And that’s exactly how she has built her career—by following her curiosity rather than a pre-set plan. While many are pressured to define their goals early on, Marina proves that success often comes from experimenting, adapting, and allowing the process to unfold.
But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. The startup world is obsessed with speed, and the pressure to move fast is relentless. However, as a founder in deep tech and health innovation, Marina quickly learned that some things simply cannot be rushed.
“Tech mentors would tell me, ‘Move faster, sell faster,’ but our cycles of validation and research take time,” she explains. “You can’t rush impact.”
The Reality of Being a Female Founder in Tech
Despite her credentials and experience, Marina has faced her share of startup world stereotypes. From being told she was “too young for startups” to dealing with male mentors who expected her to follow their playbook without question, she’s had to carve her own path.
One particularly frustrating moment? An investor bluntly told her that “no one cares about neurodiversity.”
Instead of letting the comment shake her, Marina used it as fuel. “It’s just one person’s opinion—not a fact,” she says. And that’s exactly the kind of mindset she believes more women need in the startup space.
Her advice?
Lower your expectations of perfection. The world doesn’t need another ‘perfect’ startup—it needs impactful ones.
Find your community. Surround yourself with people who see your vision, not just those who critique it.
Use AI and tech to your advantage. Marina is a big advocate for leveraging AI tools (yes, ChatGPT included) to build smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
Playing the Long Game & Redefining Success
Marina’s work isn’t just about disrupting an industry—it’s about creating meaningful change. She firmly believes that startups aren’t just about hype and revenue; they’re about solving real problems.
And while many founders chase fast exits, she’s in it for the long haul.
“We only have a limited number of years to do something great,” she says. “So why waste time building things that don’t matter?”
This perspective is exactly what makes her a true Baltic Boss Babe—unapologetically ambitious, deeply passionate, and unwilling to settle for anything less than true impact.
Listen to the Full Episode!
If Marina’s journey has inspired you, you won’t want to miss her full episode on Baltic Boss Babes. Tune in to hear about:
How she transitioned from psychology to deep tech
The biggest myths about startups (and why she ignores them)
Why playing, experimenting, and intuition are key to success
The reality of being a woman in the startup world
👉 Listen now on https://www.buzzsprout.com/2163954/episodes/16703912
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