Mihai Iulian Cuculas – a visionary of clean energy and soulful leadership

Mihai Iulian Cuculas is a Romanian entrepreneur who has combined his passion for innovation with the mission of building a sustainable future. With over two decades of experience in key industries such as IT&C, real estate, banking, and energy, he is now a recognized expert in the development and financing of energy projects. His Olympic spirit, ability to reinvent himself in critical moments, and his gift for turning challenges into opportunities define a unique professional journey. From a young man eager to explore the world to a leader in green energy, Mihai Iulian Cuculas proves that vision, determination, and passion can transform industries and inspire generations.

C&B: Looking at your career as a narrative thread, what were the defining moments?

Iulian Cuculas: My career has followed the major economic trends of the past 25 years. I started in IT&C at an international company, continued as an investment project manager in real estate, then became a director of network development and banking products. Over the past 15 years, I’ve become an expert in energy projects — photovoltaic plants, storage systems, structured financing, EU funds, and investment funds — with a portfolio of over 50 projects.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey, and how did you overcome it?

Iulian Cuculas: The sudden collapse of the real estate market in 2007, where I had worked on investment fund projects, forced me to shift direction. I spent some time in banking, then became an entrepreneur in the energy field around 2012–2013. My “Olympic spirit” pushed me to take courses that changed my perspective, energy, and courage — allowing me to innovate in a fast-evolving field: industrial energy investments.

C&B: Have you always had a dream or ambition that guided you through obstacles?

Iulian Cuculas: My ambition to compete in the National Math Olympiad gave me the courage and creativity to pursue a challenging career in engineering, full of technical and scientific complexity.

C&B: How were you at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed over time?

Iulian Cuculas: I started as a creative, ambitious, and restless young man, eager to explore the world and push boundaries while studying at the Faculty of Automation and Computer Science. Today, 20 years later, I’ve lost 58 kg, I have extraordinary vitality, and I’m seen as an inspirational leader in Romania and globally, recognized for my expertise in investments, EU funds, and energy projects.

C&B: If we asked your team or collaborators about you, what would they say?

Iulian Cuculas: I believe they’d say I’m an eccentric, colorful character who challenges them daily to exceed their limits and inspires them to live with passion and purpose. My presence brings a daily ray of sunshine and hope.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?

Iulian Cuculas: At a low point when the real estate market was declining, I made the bold decision to go to South Korea to study the development and construction of American hospitals and their global impact. When I returned to Romania, I realized that my vision and determination, rooted in my unique cultural heritage, made me a visionary entrepreneur. I went on to develop my first photovoltaic energy park in 2012–2013 for a major regional investment fund.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style? Was it natural or learned?

Iulian Cuculas: Leadership is a fire you carry in your blood — it brings light, inspiration, and clarity wherever people or industries have lost hope. My decisions are based on values like creativity, generosity, courage, and determination. My background in engineering taught me to act decisively, think in systems, and turn challenges into flavorful moments alongside clients and teams. Through a lifetime of learning — project management, business development, entrepreneurship — I’ve developed the ability to anticipate trends in energy and structured finance.

C&B: What sets your business or professional approach apart in the industry?

Iulian Cuculas: PROIECT RO INVEST CAPITAL SRL has over 12 years of experience providing integrated design and consultancy services for photovoltaic and storage systems. We have a proven track record in over 50 projects and are pioneering the “Factory 4.0” development model. We offer structured financing for storage and renewable energy under the Virtual Power Plant concept. We are the expert who stands beside you, offering sunlight, hope, and viable EU-funded solutions.

C&B: What does a regular day look like for you, and which moments bring you the most satisfaction?

Iulian Cuculas: Every day is an Olympic sprint for me — I aim to fulfill a dream and achieve at least four impactful objectives. I start each morning with a journal of challenges I’ve overcome before and focus on how I can multiply their impact twentyfold using the same resources. Achieving the impossible daily is the true satisfaction.

C&B: What values or principles guide your work, and how do you apply them daily?

Iulian Cuculas: Every day is about courage, vision, color, and teamwork. We create daily plans based on value, impact, and uniqueness in industrial energy projects. Weekly plans are dynamic, based on major investment opportunities and EU funding programs like PNRR. Our ingenuity and capacity to structure complex processes differentiate us from other consultants or builders in the energy sector.

C&B: If you were to share one message with those following in your footsteps, what would it be?

Iulian Cuculas: Act systematically, decide quickly, and anticipate trends without fear. In a knowledge-based society, competence and experience are priceless. The multiplier for innovative products is at least 10. Externalize your energy and energy management to ESCO-type companies and create your own internal investment bank. You’ll unlock incredible funding for production, equipment, services, and the R&D you may have neglected until now.
Leave a clean legacy to your children: energy, innovation, and hope.