Q. What inspired you, Don Mal and Bogdan Baliuc to start Una Software, and how did the founding team initially come together?
We’ve been fortunate to be at the forefront of every major wave of planning technology—from early custom systems to out-of-the-box platforms like Prophix and Clarity, to the shift to cloud with Vena, and into the age of AI through our product leader’s experience building an AI-first company called Mindbridge. As the market began transforming again toward real-time, adaptive, AI-powered planning, it felt like a rare moment to reimagine the category from the ground up. Una was born from that shared belief—and from the conviction that planning should finally move at the speed of modern business.
Q. What are some of the most important values that unite your team and drive your culture?
Customer outcomes are at the centre of everything we do. We hire people who take responsibility, ask hard questions, and care deeply about the mission—not just their role. We also really value operating with urgency, staying positive, and having a sense of adventure.
Q. How do you foster creativity and innovation across your team, especially in such a competitive space?
We stay incredibly close to our customers and our partners—that’s where most real innovation comes from. Internally, we give teams space to experiment, ship fast, and learn fast. We’d rather test five ideas quickly than debate one for months.
Q. What do you believe truly sets Una apart?
We’re building planning for how modern companies actually operate—dynamic, connected, and fast. Most tools still assume static plans and manual processes. We connect operational, revenue, and financial data into one real-time planning loop so leaders can actually act, not just report.
Q. What are some technologies or tools unique to Una that you’re especially proud of?
Our dynamic modeling engine is a big one—it lets customers change scenarios instantly without rebuilding models. We’ve also invested heavily in automation and AI to remove manual work from planning, which is where finance teams lose the most time today.
Q. How are you attracting and retaining talent?
We lead with mission and trust. People join for the learning and the chance to build something meaningful from the ground up. We retain by giving real ownership, real problems to solve, and a culture where people feel seen and supported.
Q. What’s on the horizon for Una?
We’re focused on scaling our customer base, deepening our partner ecosystem, and continuing to push the product into true real-time, adaptive planning. The next year is all about moving from early traction to repeatable growth.
Q. What’s one lesson that you would share with first-time founders?
Speed beats perfection—especially early on. Get something into the hands of customers fast, listen obsessively, and don’t fall in love with your first idea. The market will always teach you faster than your assumptions.
