Startup of the week: Marqea

Marqea is building the most powerful AI CMO — a mega marketing brain designed to give every company access to top-tier marketing leadership.

Our vision is simple but powerful: make world-class marketing accessible to everyone. Traditionally, only large companies could afford an experienced CMO and sophisticated data-driven marketing strategies. We’re changing that.

Marqea combines data, intelligence, and strategic thinking into one seamless system, making marketing easier, smarter, and significantly more efficient. We help companies make better decisions, faster, without needing a full in-house executive team.

We spoke to Sandra Kobel, CEO & Co-Founder of the company, to find out more.

What made you become an entrepreneur?

Sandra: I’ve always been driven by the desire to work on my own ideas, in my own way. Entrepreneurship gives me the freedom to build something meaningful and to truly make an impact.

There’s something incredibly powerful about turning a vision into reality and shaping it from the ground up.

What is the most challenging part of running your own startup?

Sandra: One of the hardest parts is working on the right thing at the right moment. Prioritization is everything.

It’s also easy to get stuck in your own bubble — so constantly challenging assumptions, talking to users, and staying close to the market is essential. Execution speed matters, but direction matters even more.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced when looking for funding?

Sandra: The classic chicken-and-egg problem.

Investors want to see strong traction and a proven product. But to build and scale a truly sellable product, you often need capital first. Navigating that gap — proving value with limited resources — is one of the toughest phases of building a startup.

What is the most rewarding aspect of entrepreneurship?

Sandra: Being your own boss and working on something that drives you 100%.

Waking up every day knowing you’re building something you deeply believe in, that’s incredibly fulfilling. The ownership, the responsibility, and the potential impact make the journey worth it.

Learn more about Marqea on their website: https://marqea.com/