"At a time when project margins are getting thinner, and sustainability pressures are growing, having a live, data-driven foundation like FieldTwin is no longer optional. It is part of the strategic infrastructure needed in energy projects of the future."

With a background in engineering, strategy and innovation, our VP Corporate Development, Filip Valica, is helping drive the next phase of FutureOn's mission: enabling faster, smarter and more connected energy project execution across the global offshore and renewables sectors. We sat down with Filip to discuss what fuels his passion for building ecosystems and why the future of energy transformation depends on open collaboration...

Tell us about your background and what led you to join FutureOn. 

I started my career as a mechanical engineer, working hands-on in subsea product development. I designed and deployed subsea ROV tools, hydraulic skids and intervention equipment for operators and EPCI contractors around the world and got to spend time working for a vessel operator on projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Over time, I moved from pure engineering into roles in product management, innovation strategy and corporate development. 

FutureOn stood out because the company is not just making energy projects more efficient; it is redefined how data and collaboration flow across industries. With FieldTwin, there was an opportunity to fundamentally change how projects are designed, executed and operated globally.

At FutureOn, collaboration is not just a value, it is a growth strategy. Joining FutureOn was about helping accelerate workflows through transparency, speed and smarter collaboration in an industry that has been traditionally risk-averse when it comes to adopting new technology. I am proud to lead the expansion of FutureOn's partnership ecosystem and scale the network effects around FieldTwin, the first truly open digital twin platform for field development. 

Outside of work, what hobbies or passions inspire you?

Building has always been a part of who I am. On weekends, I try to find time to spend in my workshop, tinkering with my CNC router, 3D printer, or tackling a DIY project. I enjoy taking on practical challenges that turn ideas into real solutions. Recently, I also started taking mixed martial arts classes with my oldest daughter; it has been rewarding to learn that together.

I'm a constant reader, especially of business strategy and technology. I believe the best ideas often come from blending insights across different fields. Staying hands-on, curious and connected with my hobbies outside of work helps me stay creative and energised. 

What excited you most about building partnerships around FieldTwin, and how does the platform's openness and focus on industry standards play a role?

FieldTwin is truly an open platform. It invites integration and innovation, instead of controlling it. Having spent years working on subsea projects where multiple vendors had to align quickly, I know firsthand that rigid systems slow down collaboration and add risk. FieldTwin's open API and integrations mean that partners can build, connect and scale their solutions without friction. The reward is to see how fast our partners create value. From faster field planning to dynamic asset visualization, FieldTwin is not just software, it's the digital common ground for collaboration. 

Network effects can be powerful in digital ecosystems. How is FieldTwin creating those effects, and what are the opportunities for growth through new types of partnerships?

Every new project modelled on FieldTwin strengthens the entire network, adding users and data into the ecosystem. Just like a subsea ROV spread becomes more valuable when it is equipped with more versatile tooling, FieldTwin grows more useful as more participants connect their systems and data. 

We are expanding into sectors like offshore wind, carbon capture and hydrogen. These markets demand faster decision-making and flexible development tools. Our partnerships are evolving too. We are collaborating with companies specializing in point solutions like remote inspection, AI-powered analytics and geospatial intelligence to continuously expand what is possible on the platform. 

What is one thing you wish more people understood about FieldTwin's role in transforming the energy industry?

FieldTwin is not just about visualizing assets. It created a live, collaborative digital twin where every team, from geotech to installation, can align faster, reduce errors, and make better decisions earlier. 

In one project, integrating FieldTwin helped cut early-phase development timelines by over 30% while improving financial key performance indicators (KPIs) like net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). That is not just digital transformation, it is measurable business impact, today. At a time when project margins are getting thinner, and sustainability pressures are growing, having a live, data-driven foundation like FieldTwin is no longer optional. It is part of the strategic infrastructure needed in energy projects of the future. 

How do you personally define success when it comes to partnerships and network expansion at FutureOn?

Success is not just about onboarding new partners. It is about seeing those partners thrive inside the FieldTwin ecosystem, launching new services, reaching new markets and improving the experience for our shared customers. Operationally, I look at KPIs such as growth in joint solutions and integrations, increase in co-selling opportunities, ecosystem activity and user engagement, and functional contributions from partners that expand FieldTwin's capabilities. 

Real success happens when FieldTwin becomes not just a platform, but the natural foundation for an interconnected energy future. That is the future we are bilding every day.