Benjamin Kolenović

Benjamin Kolenović is not just a founder, he’s a builder of ecosystems. At 26, he has already redefined what it means to lead in the digital age by creating a culture where creativity, learning, and courage thrive side by side.

Born and raised in Pristina, Benjamin started his journey in marketing at a time when few believed Kosovo could compete in the international digital scene. Instead of following trends, he built them founding Growzillas as a small team with big ambition. That ambition quickly turned into impact. Today, Growzillas partners with global brands and empowers hundreds of local talents through Growzillas Academy, a platform dedicated to hands-on education in performance marketing, design, and creative storytelling.

Benjamin’s approach to leadership is deeply human. He believes that growth doesn’t come from perfection, but from mistakes made with courage. 

As the driving force behind Growth Tank, Benjamin has transformed a simple idea into one of the region’s most powerful movements for innovation and community. Each year, he curates experiences that go beyond conferences , they are emotional, raw, and inspiring reflections of the human side of technology.

He often says that AI can optimize processes, but it can’t replicate the spark of intuition, the courage to experiment, or the empathy to connect. These are the traits Benjamin sees as the true drivers of progress , the human pulse behind every breakthrough.

When he’s not building teams or shaping strategies, Benjamin invests his time in mentoring emerging founders, supporting creative education, and advocating for Kosovo’s place on the global innovation map. His energy, resilience, and ability to connect people around a shared mission make him one of the most authentic and inspiring voices in the new generation of European founders.