Meet Orhan Yousef and Mate Polgari, two young visionaries who turned challenges into stepping stones for innovation. From exploring ways to disrupt the outdated credit scoring system to now building Ionix, an AI-powered marketing automation platform, their journey is fueled by resilience, curiosity, and a shared passion for problem-solving. Their story reflects the spirit of entrepreneurship and the belief that age, setbacks, or obstacles should never stop one from building solutions that empower others. That’s why Humans of Fuzia is honored to feature them — because their journey inspires our 5M+ community of dreamers, creators, and leaders who believe in He-for-She and She-for-She.
Q: What inspired you both to start your entrepreneurial journey?
Orhan: It started back in college. A few of us were frustrated by how difficult it was for young people to build credit. At 18, you’re expected to have a history, but how can you have one if you’ve never been given credit? We thought — why not use everyday spending habits as proof of financial reliability? That led us to experiment with using alternative data, like subscriptions or spending patterns, to build credit scores. Investors loved the idea, but as teenagers in a highly regulated industry, it was nearly impossible to push forward. Even though that chapter ended, it taught us resilience and gave us the drive to try again.
Mate: Exactly. For me, it’s always been about building things — solving problems through systems and technology. That’s what drew me to the idea initially, and later to Ionix. Our motivation has always been to create solutions that disrupt outdated systems and make life easier for people.
Q: What are you working on now, and how is it different from your first venture?
Orhan: After some time apart, I realized that small businesses were struggling with marketing. Owners had to spend so much time creating content, managing socials, and learning platforms that it distracted them from actually growing their business. That’s when the idea for Ionix came up — using AI to automate marketing so entrepreneurs can focus on what they do best. I did the research, Mate brought in his AI expertise, and we decided to build it together. This time, we’re applying lessons from our past — moving carefully, validating each step, and building a strong foundation before scaling.
Mate: Yes, the biggest difference now is maturity and experience. Back then, we had energy but no structure. Today, we balance creativity with discipline. I focus on the development side, Orhan on the marketing — and together we’ve created a rhythm that works.
Q: What are your perspectives on women in leadership and entrepreneurship?
Orhan: In my marketing career, I’ve been led by incredible women who’ve inspired me through their leadership, vision, and communication. I’ve realized women bring perspectives and insights that men often overlook — it’s not just valuable, it’s necessary. Historically, women were excluded from business, but in just the past 100 years, we’ve seen them step into leadership roles with incredible success. It makes me think — if women had equal opportunities throughout history, they may have surpassed men in business leadership by now. For me, having women in any team isn’t optional; it’s essential.
Mate: My industry is still male-dominated, but I strongly believe visibility and role models are key. Men have always had examples to look up to, but women lacked that for a long time. What platforms like Humans of Fuzia are doing is powerful — showing real stories, proving that opportunities exist, and inspiring more women to believe they belong in leadership.
“We’ve learned that failure is not the end — it’s simply a lesson preparing you for what’s next. Whether in business or life, keep building, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to start again.” – Orhan & Mate
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