Leading on the Edge of Innovation
Insights from Szilard Szurdok on the Future of Fashion, AI and Transparent Supply Chains
A personal recap by Blazy Flash
I'm always curious about the minds that drive real transformation. And Szilard Szurdok, CEO of WEEV, is one of them. I had the pleasure of hosting an in-depth conversation with this dynamic software visionary, and let me tell you: his energy is electric, his insights razor-sharp, and his pace? Unstoppable.
Szilard brings over 30 years of expertise in FinTech, CRM, and supply chain technology to the table, and he's now shaking up the fashion and footwear industry with WEEV. A company originally designed to connect designers and suppliers more efficiently. But under his leadership, WEEV has rapidly evolved into something much bigger: a force for traceability, ESG compliance, and AI-driven transformation.
How the Game Changed
One of the most striking moments in our conversation was when Szilard described how WEEV’s vision shifted after a major investment from none other than Marc Benioff (yes, the Salesforce legend). Not only did Benioff inject capital, but he rolled up his sleeves and helped WEEV acquire clients. Szilard emphasized how this hands-on support catalyzed a new level of ambition and opened doors they didn’t even know existed.
As someone who loves to dig into the human side of leadership, that kind of humility and collaboration from a tech titan stood out as a rare trait and a great reminder that visionary leadership is not about control, but about enabling growth.
Leadership Takeaways from a High-Speed Visionary
Here are my personal takeaways from this interview:
1. The Future Belongs to the Agile
Szilard didn’t just talk about speed, he embodied it. His approach to AI, ESG, and partnerships isn’t about long-term planning in a static world. It’s about acting quickly, learning fast, and being flexible enough to pivot when opportunities arise. In leadership, this is a critical skill: agility beats rigidity in times of disruption.
2. Partnerships Over Silos
WEEV’s strategic alignment with Salesforce is a textbook example of smart synergy. By complementing Salesforce’s cross-industry CRM power with WEEV’s industry-specific ESG and traceability tools, they’re not competing, they’re amplifying each other. For leaders, this reinforces the importance of knowing your niche and building alliances that expand your impact.
3. Transparency Is Power
Szilard spoke passionately about traceability, even down to knowing which cow had to die for a pair of shoes. Extreme? Maybe. But it reveals a deeper truth: the consumer is taking back control, and the companies that succeed will be the ones offering transparency, not just products. Leaders must lean into this wave and turn transparency into a competitive edge.
4. AI Is a Double-Edged Sword
What struck me most was Szilard’s dual attitude toward AI: admiration mixed with a healthy dose of fear. His honest take “I’m into AI not because I like it, but because I’m frightened” felt refreshingly human in a world where many leaders rush to hype without acknowledging the risks. His warning: there will be winners and losers in the AI revolution. And those who move fast and stay focused on ethical value creation stand the best chance.
5. Purpose as a Guiding Star
Despite the speed, scale, and complexity, Szilard grounded the whole conversation in one clear purpose: empowering the consumer through transparency. That, for me, was the heart of his leadership style: vision-driven, tech-enabled, and unapologetically consumer-centric.
What’s Next?
WEEV is scaling tremendously fast! Onboarding up to five new clients per month, including unexpected industries like coffee. Szilard believes WEEV is on track to become a global standard for supply chain transparency and ESG compliance. And judging by the speed at which they're moving, I believe him.
Watch this space. The future of fashion and AI may just be spelled W-E-E-V.
Szilard Szurdok: A bundle of energy, who brings visions to life at the speed of light!
Stay bold,
– Blazy Flash
Moderator, Business Development Expert, Ambassador of Transformational Leadership
About WEEV
WEEV is a tech-enabled platform that delivers a simplified and holistic solution to the digitization of the product creation chain. Finally, a digital solution for the footwear and fashion creation process. WEEV connects brands and suppliers on a shared platform to make the creation process faster, more transparent, and more sustainable.
Find out more: www.weev.one
About this Episode:
This Episode was filmed in Zurich, on May 27, 2025.
Produced and edited by SE Media.
SEmedia is a film production company specialised in high-quality film productions with state-of-the-art camera technology from Sony and RED. Present your company authentically and professionally with customised image films and create lasting impressions.
Find out more: www.semedia.ch
