Community Spotlight: Ceylan Özdemir
Ceylan Özdemir
Our next local tech hero is a founder and AI product manager whose journey spans markets and countries. Ceylan Özdemir is one of the leading voices in Gothenburg's AI ecosystem, devoting her time to helping others understand and harness emerging tools. She strongly believes in staying at the forefront of innovation, and it is something she passionately advocates for within our community.
She also contributes her digital expertise to Women in Tech Gothenburg as a volunteer, all while raising two young children. Ceylan is a true force of resilience and her key advice to our community is simple: stay curious and adaptable. Read the full interview where she shares why technical expertise alone does not guarantee long-term success in tech and how anticipating tech shifts before they becomes obvious is a true career superpower.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role in tech.
I’m a tech founder and AI product manager based in Gothenburg. My journey in tech started over 15 years ago in telecom, back when smartphones were just beginning to reshape consumer behaviour and digital experiences.
Over the years, I have moved across digital products, growth, and marketing teams in larger companies before stepping outside my comfort zone and into the startup ecosystem, where I have helped bring several AI-focused initiatives to life.
Today, I work at the intersection of AI adoption, product strategy, and growth. Over time, I have also come to believe that the best work rarely happens alone; it happens in strong teams and communities. That's what keeps me active across Gothenburg's tech and AI ecosystem, and close to initiatives like Women in Tech Gothenburg (WITGBG).
What has stayed consistent throughout my journey is my curiosity about human behaviour and how technology creates meaningful change when it’s built well.
What has helped you stay and grow in tech?
Curiosity, honestly.
Tech changes constantly, and I’ve learnt that staying adaptable matters more than trying to have all the answers. What also helped me is staying close to real users and real problems. That’s where the best product decisions usually come from.
And lately, communities have played a huge role too, being around people who build, experiment, and openly share what they’re learning.
What challenges have you faced, and how have you navigated them?
One challenge has been starting over while still moving forward.
Starting over in a new country, rebuilding a network from scratch, learning to speak a completely new language fluently, and continuing to grow professionally while raising two small children, all in just a few years, changed my definition of resilience.
Knowing that growth happens outside the comfort zone has always given me strength and probably always will.
And honestly, I think it has made me a better builder, too.
What is your connection to WITGBG, and what drew you to this community?
I first joined WITGBG through the community itself and over time, I became involved on the marketing and growth side too.
What drew me in was the mix of openness, ambition, and willingness to actually build things together. I’ve always believed communities become most valuable when they create real collaboration, not just visibility.
Today, I contribute to performance growth from search visibility and conversion optimisation to helping WITGBG show up where it matters, both digitally and through community events.
Please share one short quote that reflects your journey or perspective in tech
“Goûter l’instant de la vie.” Savour life's every moment.
I completed my entire education in French schools: a foundation that shaped, from an early age, not just my language but how I approach life. This motto has stayed with me ever since, a reminder to appreciate the value of every moment, both in life and in career.
What advice would you give to others building a long-term career in tech?
Think in waves.
Every decade or so, a major shift reshapes the industry: mobile, cloud, now AI. The window to position yourself is always shorter than it looks, and in the future, these cycles may compress even faster.
My advice: learn to read the next wave, not just the one you’re currently riding. Understand where momentum is building and move before it becomes obvious. The people who thrive long-term in tech aren’t always the most technical. They’re the ones who stay curious, stay positioned, and know when to paddle.