EU-Startups Podcast

In this episode, we catch up with Martin Schilling, Managing Director of Techstars Deep Tech Berlin Accelerator; author of the book "The Builder’s Guide to the Tech Galaxy – 99 Practices to Scale Startups into Unicorn Companies"; former COO of the FinTech N26 where he scaled operations from 100 full-time employees to 900 full-time employees and scaled up an international team for 25 markets; and an organizer of Deep Tech Momentum, the #1 European bootcamp for Deep Tech founders. Martin discusses the importance of building unicorns in Europe and the challenges founders face. He shares his insights on leadership lessons learned from scaling N26, including the importance of a clear North Star, hiring AAA leaders, and focusing on functional excellence. Martin also reflects on his most expensive hiring mistake and the need for founders to prioritize certain practices to accelerate growth. He gives advice for early-stage founders approaching investors and navigating the challenges of scaling startups. Lastly, he emphasizes the importance of building alliances and friendships in the global tech ecosystem. Takeaways 1.Europe needs to build more unicorns and become the leading global Deep Tech ecosystem. 2.Founders should prioritize finding their North Star, hiring and retaining a strong leadership team, and mastering the fundraising game. 3.Investors look for qualities such as speed of execution, traction, domain expertise, product traction, and CEO sales skills when evaluating startups. 4.Early-stage Deep Tech founders should leverage grants, seek specialized Deep Tech investors, and be clear on technical milestones. 5.Building alliances and friendships in the global tech ecosystem is crucial for success and navigating geopolitical challenges. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Pablo Pedrejon, Partner at Seaya. Seaya has closed Seaya Andromeda, the first Article 9 climate-tech fund based in Southern Europe, at €300 million. Seaya’s new fund will invest anywhere between €7-40 million as a first cheque, and will retain capital for follow-ons. It plans to make 25 investments in total between now and the end of 2027, including around five more deals this year. Seaya raised its first funding in 2013 and currently manages over €650 million across five early-stage venture funds. Seaya’s provides startups with a global platform and its extensive network of founders, investors and multinational corporations, as well as all its experience in the global expansion of companies such as Glovo, Cabify, Wallbox (NYSE:WBX), Spotahome, Clarity AI, Clicars, Alma and RatedPower. Pedro discusses the challenges and opportunities in climate tech investing. He explains the different types of climate tech companies and the tough path to market they face. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the market and having a clear go-to-market strategy. Pablo also highlights the key traits of successful founders, such as ambition, humility, and the ability to pivot. He shares examples of how Seaya has supported startups in critical moments and helped them expand. Finally, he discusses emerging trends in climate tech and the importance of resilience and efficiency. Takeaways 1.Develop a deep understanding of your target market and craft a clear go-to-market strategy to ensure your product's success. 2.Cultivate ambition, humility, and the ability to pivot quickly in response to market changes or challenges. 3,Utilize investor guidance during critical decision-making and expansion phases to accelerate growth. 4.Capitalize on emerging trends like home electrification and industrial digitalization to stay ahead in climate tech. 5.Build resilience and efficiency into your solutions to effectively combat climate change and create lasting impact. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Benedikt von Schoeler, General Partner of VSquared Ventures, Europe’s leading early-stage Deep Tech fund, backing some of Europe’s most promising Deep Tech companies, including Isar Aerospace, Zama, IQM Quantum, Inbrain Neuroelectronics and The Exploration Company. Vsquared recently announced the successful closing of their latest fund, Vsquared II, which got oversubscribed at €214 million, above the initial target size of €165 million. It's the largest European early-stage Deep Tech fund to date, cementing the Deep Tech momentum in Europe. Vsquared continues their commitment to fostering a sovereign and resilient European Deep Tech ecosystem, which the fund has promoted since its inception. The closing of Vsquared II brings their assets under management to around €450 million. Benedikt discusses the Deep Tech boom in Europe and how they decide which moonshot ideas to invest in. He emphasizes the importance of market potential, technology diligence, and the right team. He also talks about the challenges of navigating regulations and the need for a more unified European market. Benedikt highlights the importance of staying curious, humble, and supporting founders through the ups and downs of their entrepreneurial journey. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Rob van den Heuvel, Co-founder and CEO of Sendcloud. With access to 100+ carriers, 7000+ shipping methods, and 400,000+ parcel points across Europe, Sendcloud enables online merchants of any size to own their shipping from checkout to returns. With a growing ecosystem of 60+ webshop integrations and 750+ partners, they make it easy for online shops to scale cross-border shipping and expand to new markets. Backed by Softbank and trusted by 25,000 companies and counting Sendcloud raised $200M in funding and is building the #1 platform to solve shipping globally. Rob shares his journey of building Sendcloud, including the challenges of the early days, raising funding, and scaling internationally. He emphasizes the importance of execution, hiring the right people, and maintaining a no bullshit culture. He also reflects on his biggest operational failures and the lessons learned from them. Rob shares his vision for the future of Sendcloud, including acquisitions and innovations in smart shipping. Listen to the full episode to learn more about Rob's startup journey and find out how he's building the number one platform to solve shipping globally! Takeaways 1.Execution and delivering on promises are key to building a successful business. 2.Hiring leaders is harder than hiring people who just do the job, it's important to onboard and guide them effectively. 3.Going international is like starting a new business from scratch, and personal involvement is crucial for success. 4.Maintaining a no bullshit culture requires direct communication, confronting issues, and hiring leaders who align with the culture. 5.Mistakes and failures are inevitable, but you learn the most out of them. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Thomas Rebaud, Co-founder and CEO of Meero. Meero has become a unicorn and the worldwide leader in AI-powered photography in 3 years. Having fundraised 300+ million euros, Thomas discusses his journey in building Meero and his new venture, Blast Angels. With Blast Angels Thomas is on a mission to build the largest pre-series A startup investment vehicle in the world in 4 years! And allow each and every one to have access to the most exclusive startups out there, from as little as 1,000 euros. Not the richest, not those with a network, not those with specific education. Everyone! Thomas wants to build the first self-funded FinTech unicorn in Europe in 4 years! Seed startups investment has been one of the most, if not the most, profitable asset class over the last 20 years. People just didn’t have access to it. It was reserved to the wealthy. To those with good schools, with a good network. To those who know. It's about to change now. Listen to the full episode to learn more! Takeaways 1.Meero experienced rapid growth and fundraising success, reaching unicorn status in three years. 2.Blast Angels aims to democratize startup investments and provide opportunities for everyone to invest in the most promising tech startups. 3.Maintaining a positive mindset as a leader is crucial for managing teams during tough times. 4.Thomas looks for the smartest and brightest founders in the world who have a reasonable burn rate. 5.Investing in a startup is the most risky investment of all kinds, but investing in many and diversifying your portfolio while having a long-term vision and perspective can mitigate the risks. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Dominik Angerer, Co-Founder and CEO of StoryBlock. Storyblok is a content management system (CMS) that empowers developers and marketers to create better content experiences across any digital channel. Leading brands such as Adidas, Tesla, Oatly and 200,000+ other developers and marketers love Storyblok. Dominik discusses the company's remote-first approach, their recent $80 million Series C funding round, which is one of Austria's biggest tech investments. Dominik reveals the key features of their content management system. He also shares insights on building a successful startup, maintaining a positive remote work culture, and the future of content management. Dominik and his team are currently working on a new feature called the Concept Room, which will enhance content modeling and architecture within the CMS platform. Listen to the podcast to learn why Storyblok was named the #1 CMS. Takeaways 1.StoryBlock adopted a remote-first approach from day one, which allowed them to tap into a global talent pool and access the best sales and finance professionals. 2.The $80 million Series C funding round was a result of months of hard work, preparation, and finding the right partner. There's no such thing as overnight success. 3.The future of content management lies in AI-driven analytics to ensure the quality of content and the ability to ideate and update old content effectively. 4.Exceptional customer service and personalized interactions have been key to StoryBlock's success, going above and beyond to understand and support their customers. 5.StoryBlock's CMS platform stands out due to its visual editor, component approach, and the new ideation room feature that allows for content creation and collaboration. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Kelly Kinnard, Operating Partner and Head of Talent at Khosla Ventures, one of the absolute top venture capital firms in the world. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., Khosla Ventures was founded by Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems and twenty-year veteran of Kleiner Perkins. They have $19B in AUM, 100+ M&A exits, 25 IPOs, and 35+ unicorns over Khosla Ventures' history. Khosla Ventures' portfolio includes OpenAI, Affirm, DoorDash, Instacart, Stripe, Okta, Square, and 400 other companies. They focus on a broad range of areas where technology can drive economic disruption and ​positively impact society, create new markets and serve existing ones better through radical new approaches. They invest in AI, consumer, enterprise, FinTech, healthcare, space, the future of food, manufacturing/robotics, sustainability, and frontier technologies. Kelly shares her insights on talent acquisition and building successful startup teams. She talks about the importance of finding the right fit for each company and shares her personal, practical tips on developing and managing relationships with the best and brightest people. Kelly emphasizes the need for personalization and authenticity in reaching out to candidates and building genuine, strong relationships with founders. She also highlights the significance of managing stress and prioritizing self-care in the fast-paced startup environment. Kelly looks forward to the impact of AI on the talent landscape and shares her interest in longevity and healthcare innovation. Takeaways 1.Finding the right fit for each company is an absolute must for building winning startup teams. 2.Personalization and authenticity are key in building and managing strong relationships with founders. 3.The biggest mistake you can make when reaching out to people is to be generic. Make sure to be very specific and clear on your message 4.How you manage stress and take care of your mental health is the most important factor for leaders to thrive in the fast-paced startup environment. Everyone on your team is looking at you. 5.Working with the best and brightest people who change the world changes the way you think. Skeptics never did the impossible... This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Robert Jackle, Partner at Visionaries Club, a leading European early stage VC fund with offices in London and Berlin backed by Europe's most successful digital founders and family business entrepreneurs. Visionaries Club's founders and operators are behind companies such as UiPath, Miro, Flixbus, Mollie, Spotify, Personio, Adyen, HelloFresh or Pitch, and have only just gone through your journey themselves. Visionaries Club is divided into two funds: a €150m seed stage fund and a €200m early growth fund. Robert became a Partner at Visionaries Club at the age of 26 which makes him one of the youngest partners in VC funds in Europe. He shares his journey from intern to partner and discusses the qualities he looks for in founders. He emphasizes the importance of passion, obsession, and the ability to communicate your vision. He also highlights the potential for European companies to become category leaders and the role of Visionaries Club in supporting this transformation. Robert shares his excitement for innovations in FinTech, HR, and compliance, and the impact they can have on businesses. He concludes by discussing current projects at Visionaries Club and the continuous growth and development of the organization. Takeaways 1.Passion and obsession are key qualities to look for in founders 2.European startups have the potential to become category leaders 3.It's crucial for early-stage founders to have role models to learn from. A chance to tap into a network of over 30 unicorn founders will deliver value like no other This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode we catch up with Andreas Loy, Co-Founder and CEO of KONUX. Before Andreas turned 30 Andreas created more than €500m in shareholder value, more than hundred jobs, and built an outstanding team to create a transformative digital leader for sustainable impact - KONUX. KONUX is a leading German AI scale-up, transforming railway operations for a sustainable future. The company combines Machine Learning and IIoT to deliver Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for operation, monitoring, and maintenance process automation. Since its foundation in 2014, KONUX has raised more than $130 million from world-leading investors, expanded to ten countries in Europe and Asia, and was selected by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of the world’s 30 most innovative start-ups and scale-ups worldwide. Andreas envisions a society that thrives on compassion, interconnectedness, and harmony. People have developed a deep sense of self-awareness, prioritizing their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Healing practices are integrated into everyday life, fostering resilience, empathy, and understanding. Entrepreneurship has become a catalyst for positive change, where innovative ventures address pressing social and environmental issues. Business leaders embrace sustainability as a core value, ensuring that economic growth is balanced with ecological responsibility and social impact. The success of companies is measured not only by financial performance but also by their contributions to a thriving planet and society. Leadership has transformed into a collaborative and inclusive model. Leaders inspire by example, empowering others to reach their full potential. They lead with empathy, valuing diversity and promoting a culture of belonging. Decision-making is guided by ethical principles, fostering trust and integrity. The world is united in its commitment to sustainability, with communities working together to restore and protect the environment. Renewable energy sources power cities, and sustainable transportation systems minimize carbon emissions. People embrace conscious consumption, supporting local businesses and ethical practices. The pursuit of profit is aligned with the well-being of people and the planet. In this inspiring future, individuals are connected by a shared purpose. Communities thrive on cooperation, creativity, and resilience. Personal growth, well-being, and meaningful connections are nurtured, allowing every individual to unlock their full potential. Together, we create a world where compassion, sustainability, and leadership guide us towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all. Takeaways 1.AI has the potential to transform railway operations and create value through data analysis. 2.Finding balance and prioritizing well-being is essential for personal and professional growth. 3.Compassionate and collaborative leadership is key to empowering others and creating a positive work culture. 4.Sustainability should be a core focus for founders and entrepreneurs, with technology playing a crucial role in addressing global challenges. 5.The future of transportation should prioritize eco-friendly solutions. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Sabina Wizander, Partner at Creandum, one of the most successful venture capital funds in Europe, backing some of Europe’s greatest tech companies including Spotify, iZettle, Depop, Klarna, Bolt, KRY, Epidemic Sound and Small Giant Games. Creandum recently rolled out an oversubscribed €500 million fund, the Creandum Fund VII, with the world’s leading investors as LPs, to continue finding and backing Europe’s winners at Seed and Series A stages. Sabina discusses her career journey from McKinsey to venture capital to startup operator. She emphasizes the importance of seizing exciting opportunities and being open to unexpected twists. Sabina shares her experiences as both a VC investor and an operator in a tech startup, highlighting the value of thinking like an owner and having a long-term perspective. She also discusses the European tech ecosystem, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of setting and achieving high goals. Sabina concludes by expressing her passion for climate tech and the need to address the long-term effects of carbon emissions. Takeaways 1.Seize exciting opportunities and be open to unexpected twists in your career journey. 2.Think like an owner and have a long-term perspective as both a VC investor and an operator in a tech startup. 3.The European tech ecosystem is growing and has the potential to deliver fantastic companies and high-value outcomes. 4.Setting and achieving high goals, along with delivering on promises, builds trust and attracts investors. 5.Addressing carbon emissions and the climate crisis is crucial for the long-term well-being of humanity. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://venta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Hugo Amsellem, Co-Founder and General Partner of Intuition. Intuition is a new €15M early-stage fund backing founders focused on Consumer & Culture across the US and Europe with one of the coolest Manifestos and approach to investing in the Venture Capital space. Hugo discusses his journey from helping artists become independent to empowering founders in the consumer space. He talks about his love for people and ideas and backing individuals who are trying to influence millions of people and change culture. Intuition aims to be a friend in the cap table for founders, providing support and understanding. They focus on consumer tech and the intersection of consumer and culture. The loneliness economy is a significant topic for Intuition, and they aim to create a supportive community for founders through events and gatherings. Gen Z is shaping the future of consumer culture, and Intuition is excited to work with them. Scaling consumer startups from 1 to 10 is challenging, but harnessing cultural movements and maintaining a consumer-first DNA can lead to success. Takeaways 1.What's special about consumer founders is that they are trying to influence millions of people and change culture. 2.Intuition aims to preserve and celebrate that and be a friend in the cap table for founders, providing support and understanding. 3.Investors should create a supportive community for founders to combat loneliness in the startup journey. 4.Gen Z is by far the most entrepreneurial generation, and they are shaping the future of consumer culture. 5.Scaling consumer startups from 1 to 10 requires harnessing cultural movements and maintaining a consumer-first DNA. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode we're catching up with Dirk Hoerig, the Co-Founder and CEO of commercetools. commercetools is empowering some of the world's biggest brands like Audi, Sephora, and NBCUniversal to revolutionize their digital commerce experiences. They have raised $140 million in funding at a $1.9 billion valuation at the end of 2021 led by Accel and more than $283 million overall! Join the conversation with Dirk as he discusses the evolution of e-commerce and the importance of headless commerce. He explains the challenges faced by brands and the need for flexibility and scalability in today's digital landscape. Dirk shares valuable lessons he has learned as an entrepreneur and highlights the unsung heroes who have supported him throughout his career. He also provides a sneak peek into upcoming innovations and initiatives at commercetools, including revolutionizing the in-store experience. Takeaways 1.Headless commerce is crucial for businesses in today's digital landscape as it provides flexibility and scalability to adapt to changing consumer behavior and technological advancements. 2.Legacy systems and outdated technology hinder companies from making quick changes and innovations in their e-commerce platforms. 3.Building a successful company requires a incredible perseverance and not giving up, as there will be many ups and downs along the journey. 4.The support of early customers, partners, and mentors is crucial in shaping the path to success. 5.The future of digital commerce will revolutionize the in-store experience and provide a unified and seamless shopping experience for customers. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Renaud Visage, Co-founder and ex-CTO of Eventbrite and Founding Partner at Slate Venture Capital, shares his experiences in scaling the platform and navigating challenges. He discusses the transition to climate tech investing and the promising developments in the field. Renaud also shares lessons learned from angel investing and highlights the importance of storytelling, managing cash, and avoiding greed. He reflects on the evolution of the French startup ecosystem and the role of government initiatives. Renaud envisions a climate tech moonshot that buys more time and reshapes our relationship with the environment. He concludes by discussing his current focus on launching a climate tech growth fund and supporting initiatives related to climate refugees and adaptation. Takeaways 1.A climate tech moonshot that buys more time and focuses on sustainable alternatives is crucial for the future. 2.Scaling ClimateTech startups and adapting to changing circumstances is critical to combat climate change. 3.Effective storytelling, managing cash, and avoiding greed are important lessons for angel investors. 4.The French startup ecosystem has evolved significantly, with government support and a growing number of unicorns. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Shirley Romig, Chief Accelerator Investment Officer at Techstars, discusses the future of accelerator programs and the importance of ecosystem development. She highlights the need to tap into talent globally and create partnerships that fuel growth for Techstars' portfolio companies. Shirley also shares valuable lessons she has learned from scaling companies like Lyft and Equinox, emphasizing the importance of having a compelling vision and executing it with a strategic plan. She draws parallels between running marathons and building startups, highlighting the endurance mindset and the power of community. Shirley's goal is to keep growing Techstars into the first investor for pre-seed startups across the world. Takeaways 1.Techstars is evolving to focus on ecosystem development and closer synergy between investments and ecosystem development. 2.Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Tapping into global talent and creating win-win partnerships is crucial for the growth of the accelerator programs and portfolio companies. 3.Being able to balance the big vision and the detail is critical in the beginning of a startup. 4.Building a startup requires an endurance mindset and the ability to navigate highs and lows. 5.Community and mentorship play a vital role in the startup journey. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Alex Berriche, Sequoia Capital Scout and the Co-founder and CEO of Fleet, a French B2B startup focused on simplifying equipment management for startups and SMBs, shares lessons learned from over 100 angel investments. He also discusses the idea behind Fleet and the challenges of IT equipment management. Alex shares his transition from being an entrepreneur to an angel investor and the lessons he has learned from scaling Fleet. He also provides insights into detecting promising founders and shares some impressive startups he has backed and discusses the current trends in European startups and the potential for growth. The conversation concludes with Alex sharing exciting initiatives happening at Fleet. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Johannes Siebers, Co-Founder and CEO of Holidu, shares the founding story and growth of the travel tech company. He discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of building a strong team and culture. Johannes also highlights the company's focus on sustainability and supporting local communities. He emphasizes the value of learning and adapting in a rapidly changing industry and shares insights on fundraising and sibling partnerships in business. Johannes concludes by discussing future plans and initiatives for Holidu. Takeaways 1.Building a strong team and culture is everything for your company's success. 2.Adaptability and continuous learning are a must especially in a rapidly changing industry. 3.Creating real value for customers is what you should be focusing on long-term. 4.Fundraising is about timing and a clear vision for the company's future. 5.Maintaining a strong partnership in business needs trust, common goals, and regular non-work-related activities.

In this episode, Tim Schumacher, General Partner at World Fund, an impact investor and entrepreneur, discusses his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges of being a founder. He shares the remarkable story of Ecosia, the largest independent European search engine that uses its profits to plant trees. Tim also introduces the World Fund, a venture capital company focused on investing in startups that decarbonize the economy. He highlights the value he brings as an investor and shares his inspirations and advice for entrepreneurs. Tim envisions a future where we overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and live within planetary boundaries. He hopes to make a lasting impact through his work in sustainability and climate change. Takeaways 1.Investors can help with introductions, networks, and expertise, but it's founders who ultimately need to do the work themselves. 2.Investing in startups that decarbonize the economy is essential for addressing climate change. 3.We've got to overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and live within planetary boundaries.

In this episode, Janneke Niessen, a serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of CapitalT, discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and the transition to becoming an investor. She shares crazy moments from her entrepreneurial career and highlights the importance of team evaluation using proprietary technology. Janneke also talks about her involvement in InspiringFifty, an initiative to increase diversity in tech, and her books aimed at inspiring young girls to pursue careers in technology. She discusses the impact of her research on investments in female entrepreneurs and shares her message for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Janneke also reveals her plans for a streaming TV series and her goal of receiving an Emmy nomination. Takeaways 1.Using proprietary technology, such as personality traits and team dynamics evaluation, can help investors make more data-driven decisions when evaluating entrepreneurial teams. 2.Initiatives like InspiringFifty play a crucial role in increasing diversity in the tech industry by providing visibility and role models for women. 3.Books like 'The New Girl Code' and 'Project Prep' aim to inspire young girls to pursue careers in technology and challenge the stereotypes associated with the industry. 4.Research on investments in female entrepreneurs has sparked discussions and led to changes in the venture capital ecosystem, with a focus on creating a level playing field and removing barriers.

In this episode, Helene Huby, co-founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, shares her journey in space exploration and entrepreneurship. She discusses the vision for space exploration, the transition from Airbus to entrepreneurship, nurturing innovation in large corporations vs startups, her involvement in Urania Ventures and the Microbiome Foundation, and the importance of social impact in business. Helene also talks about balancing family life with her career and shares her thrilling vision for the future of space exploration. Takeaways 1.The future of space exploration holds exciting possibilities, including regular trips to Mars and the development of mega constellations for communication. 2. Innovation requires trust, encouragement of new ideas, and acceptance of failure, whether in large corporations or startups. 3. Building a successful business involves creating a culture of trust, prioritizing happiness, and focusing on the positive impact the company can have on the world. 4. Finding a balance between work and family life is crucial, and supporting each other's dreams and passions is key. 5. Trusting oneself and taking risks earlier in one's career can lead to greater fulfillment and impact.

In this episode, Joaquim Lecha, CEO of Typeform, talks about the company's mission to make online interactions more human and shares insights into their innovative approach to collecting zero party data. He also highlights the launch of Formless, an AI-powered form builder, and the future of digital interaction. Kim emphasizes the importance of thoughtful design and balancing technology with human connection. He shares his experiences as a leader and the valuable lessons he has learned. Additionally, Kim provides a glimpse into his personal life and hobbies outside of the business world. Takeaways 1.Typeform's mission is to make online interactions more human by creating a conversational and personalized experience. 2.Zero party data, which is information provided directly by the individual, is crucial for understanding and engaging with customers. 3.Formless, Typeform's AI-powered form builder, creates a more conversational and human-like interaction. 4.Thoughtful design is essential for creating a seamless user experience and building a strong connection with customers. 5.The future of digital interaction will involve more asynchronous, multi-modal, and AI-enabled experiences. 6.Creating true fans of the brand is about being customer-centric, empowering customers, and providing personalized experiences.

On A Mission To Make People Remarkable In this episode, Marcin interviews Guy Kawasaki, the Chief Evangelist of Canva, former Chief Evangelist of Apple, Podcaster at Remarkable People Podcast and Author of the book Think Remarkable. They discuss Guy's upbringing in Hawaii and how it shaped his approach to life and business. They also delve into the evolution of technology and marketing, the qualities that make a product remarkable, and the intersection of creativity and technology in the future of work. Guy shares insights from his podcast, Remarkable People, and talks about his new book, Think Remarkable. He also talks about maintaining happiness and enthusiasm, and offers advice to his younger self. The conversation concludes with a discussion on Guy's legacy and his love for surfing.

In this episode, Carmen Alfonso Rico, Founder and Angel Investor at Cocoa, talks about her background and cultural influences, the story behind Cocoa and the chocolate making process, and the concept of in-house VC. Carmen also explains investment terms that she coined at Cocoa and shares her insights on fundraising. The episode concludes with a discussion on Carmen's upcoming projects and initiatives. Takeaways 1.When approaching investors, warm introductions and clear, concise pitches are key. 2.Founders should consider the value add and personal fit of investors, as well as the dilution and complexity of fundraising. 3.Fundraising is a B2B sales and dating process that requires building momentum and maintaining transparency. 4.The round equation framework helps founders make strategic decisions aligned with their long-term vision. 5.Honesty, personal fit, and the ability to grow into a valuation are crucial in securing funding. 6.Optimizing for top-line valuation should be balanced with minimizing dilution and considering the complexity of the round. 7.Founders should approach fundraising with common sense, apply hassle, and think of it as a long-term relationship.

In this episode, Jessica Holzbach, CEO of Pile Capital, shares her journey as a serial FinTech entrepreneur and the challenges and successes she has experienced. She discusses her early signs of entrepreneurship, her transition to the FinTech industry, and her previous ventures. Jessica also talks about building Penta, a successful Neo bank, and the transition to Pile Capital, a treasury solution for startups and VCs. She emphasizes the importance of balancing growth and customer satisfaction and shares insights on building product-driven companies. Jessica also discusses her experience as an angel investor and offers advice for FinTech entrepreneurs. Outside of work, she enjoys being outdoors and staying active. She envisions a future of banking that is more international and customer-centric. Takeaways 1.Building a successful company requires a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and investing in customer relationship management. 2.Creating a product that resonates with users involves staying close to the customer, gathering feedback, and iterating quickly. 3.The future of banking involves leveraging emerging technologies and shifting customer expectations to create a more international and customer-centric financial landscape.

In this episode, Kurt Farrugia, the CEO of Malta Enterprise, talks about the role of Malta Enterprise in driving economic development and supporting startups. He discusses the unique advantages and opportunities that Malta offers for entrepreneurs, as well as the efforts of Malta Enterprise to foster a culture of innovation. Kurt shares his vision for Malta's economic landscape in the next decade, emphasizing the transition to a more sustainable and knowledge-based economy. He also highlights some of Malta's hidden gems and offers insider tips for making the most of a visit to the country. Takeaways 1.Malta offers unique advantages for entrepreneurs, including its strategic location, Mediterranean lifestyle, and expertise in sciences and engineering. 2.Malta Enterprise is fostering a culture of innovation by focusing on sectors such as math tech, biotech, clean technologies, and the blue economy. 3.Malta is positioning itself as a startup destination by creating legislation that makes it easier for startups to start their business, obtain funding, and reach investors.

In this episode, Holger Seim, Co-founder and CEO of Blinkist, discusses the origin story of Blinkist and the fulfillment he finds in meeting customers who have benefited from the app. He explains the power of short-form content in a world of information overload and how it caters to the needs of modern readers and listeners. Holger shares a transformative lesson from the book 'Mindset' and discusses how his own reading habits have evolved over time. He also talks about the turning point in Blinkist's journey and the impact of Blinkist on creators and the audience. Holger teases exciting projects and features in the pipeline and shares his ideal Blinkist and chill scenario. He concludes by discussing his next big goals and personal challenges. Takeaways 1.Meeting customers and hearing their stories is one of the most fulfilling parts of being a founder. 2.Short-form content is a powerful tool in a world of information overload and can deliver great learning experience and results. 3.Entrepreneurs should have a bias for action, seek mentors and peers for guidance, and focus on simplifying and delivering core value to customers.

In this episode, Nicolas Benady, co-founder and CEO of Swan, shares the origin story of the company and its mission. He discusses the lessons he learned from his previous ventures and how Swan is reshaping the traditional boundaries of banking by enabling businesses to embed banking features into their products. Nicolas also talks about the challenges of expanding across Europe and navigating diverse financial landscapes and regulations. He emphasizes the importance of building a different company culture and shares insights on fundraising. Additionally, he discusses Swan's commitment to sustainability and his personal passion for cycling. Nicolas concludes by sharing his vision for Swan as a generational company that inspires others to tackle difficult challenges. Takeaways 1.Building a company culture focused on long-term goals, excellence, simplicity, and being human is crucial for your company's success. 2.Fundraising should not be the number one priority for startups; instead, the focus should be on building a great product and building a strong team. 3.Commit to sustainability and aim to reduce your carbon footprint. Because if you're not doing anything about climate change, then what are you doing?

In this episode, Gesa Miczaika, co-founder and general partner at Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, discusses the challenges and initiatives for achieving gender equality in the venture capital industry. She shares the story of creating the fund and the gradual realization of the need for change. Gesa emphasizes the importance of addressing the similarity bias and increasing diversity in investment teams and decision-makers. She also highlights the initiatives for fostering inclusivity in the startup ecosystem in Germany, such as promoting diverse cap tables and hiring practices. Gesa discusses the impact of the Evangelistas network and shares her personal strategies for finding equilibrium and avoiding burnout. She envisions a future where gender doesn't play a role in entrepreneurship and investment, and collaboration and abundance mindset are key. Takeaways 1.Addressing the similarity bias is crucial for achieving gender equality in the VC industry. 2.Increasing diversity in investment teams and decision-makers is essential. 3.Fostering inclusivity in the startup ecosystem includes promoting diverse cap tables and changing hiring practices.

In this episode, Thomas Ohr, the founder and CEO of EU-Startups, talks about the upcoming 10th anniversary of the EU-Startups Summit. He discusses the early days of the summit, its evolution and challenges, memorable moments, and the unique selling points that set it apart from other startup events. Thomas shares his vision for the future of EU-Startups and the impact he hopes to make on the European startup ecosystem. He also talks about his passion for supporting startups and how it's connected with his family life. Thomas brings exciting news about this year's event edition in Malta and picks his dream speaker lineup for the summit. Takeaways 1.EU-Startups Summit started as a passion project in 2010 with a hundred attendees and has grown over the years to become one of Europe's coolest startup events. 2.The event focuses on bringing together tech and startup enthusiasts, young entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to connect, learn, and create opportunities. 3.EU-Startups aims to showcase European success stories and highlight the potential of startups in Europe.

In this episode, Cris Grossmann, the co-founder and CEO of Beekeeper, talks about the challenges faced by frontline workers and how Beekeeper aims to empower them. Cris shares his story from chemical engineering and experience in the pharmaceutical industry to starting Beekeeper. He also talks about the lessons he learned and the challenges he faced while building Beekeeper. Cris emphasizes the importance of technology in enhancing frontline work experiences while maintaining a human-centric approach. Outside of work, Cris is passionate about sports and spending time with his baby daughter. Takeaways 1.Entrepreneurs should be prepared to pivot and let go of ideas that are not working, while staying focused on solving the problem. 2.Artificial Intelligence will transform the workplace experiences of frontline employees by providing data and insights to improve communication. 3.Maintaining a human-centric approach is crucial in integrating technology solutions for frontline workers.

Lena Hackeloer, founder and CEO of Brite Payments, discusses the journey of building a fintech startup and raising $60 million in funding. She shares insights on the importance of strong investor-founder relationships and building a great team. Lena also highlights the need for adaptability and resilience in the startup world. She discusses the future of fintech, emphasizing the shift towards instant processing and the impact of emerging technologies. Lena's advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs includes gathering relevant experience and surrounding oneself with the right people. She also shares what helps her unplug, her guilty pleasures and the ritual of starting her day early. Takeaways 1.Building strong relationships with investors is crucial for startup success. 2.Adaptability and resilience are key traits for entrepreneurs. 3.Surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial for both life & business. 4.The future of fintech lies in instant processing and the ability to cater to diverse market needs.

In this episode, Jacqueline van den Ende, co-founder & CEO of Carbon Equity, shares her journey as an entrepreneur and investor in the climate tech space. She emphasizes the importance of finding inspiration and taking action, driven by a deep concern for climate change. Jacqueline envisions a world where democratizing climate investments helps solve global challenges, and she uses storytelling as a superpower to inspire others. She discusses the intersection of investing and entrepreneurship, highlighting the need for attracting top talent. Jacqueline also emphasizes the challenge and opportunity of climate change, and the importance of persistence in entrepreneurship. Takeaways 1.Find inspiration and take action to make a positive impact now. 2.Storytelling is a superpower that can inspire people to drive change. 3.Diverse and contrarian investments bring the best results. 4.Identifying and attracting top talent is the X factor for your company's success. 5.Persistence is key in entrepreneurship, keep moving forward.

Dionna Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of the Creative Ladder, shares her journey and mission to make creative careers more accessible to marginalized communities. She discusses her childhood influences on creativity and how her love for design led to entrepreneurship. Dionna explains the inspiration behind the Creative Ladder and its programs to address the opportunity deficit. She emphasizes the importance of meaningful networking opportunities and shares memorable experiences from Creative Ladder events. Dionna also talks about the impact of mentorship and about having Ryan Reynolds as co-founder. She offers advice for navigating the creative landscape and defines success in terms of the lives touched and opportunities created. Lastly, Dionna shares her personal interests outside of the business world. Takeaways 1.Meaningful networking opportunities are crucial for young creatives to foster connections and support. 2.Mentorship and role models are pivotal in shaping young people's journey. 3.Successful future is a future where underrepresented communities are fully represented and there's no longer a need for the Creative Ladder.

In this episode, Vasco Pedro, co-founder and CEO of Unbabel, discusses the transformative power of combining technology and language to bridge communication gaps. He shares his passion for AI and language processing and how Unbabel is eliminating language barriers. The challenges of building a product that brands love and the delicate balance between machine translation and human touch are explored. Vasco also introduces Project Halo, a game-changing technology that allows communication without speaking or typing. He envisions a future where technology fosters global communication and breaks down language barriers, leading to more diverse voices and access to information. Takeaways 1.Combining technology and language can bridge communication gaps and eliminate language barriers. 2.Building a product that brands love requires reducing friction and providing a seamless experience. 3.Balancing machine translation and human touch is essential for providing culturally rich language experiences. 4.Project Halo is a transformative technology that enables communication without speaking or typing. 5.The future of communication lies in the widespread deployment of AI to enable worldwide access to multilingual information.

In this episode, Heikki Haldre, founder of Miros, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the inspiration behind creating a Deep Tech company. Miros aims to revolutionize human-computer interaction by focusing on wordless search and improving product findability in e-commerce. The company differentiates itself by using AI to predict images that users are thinking of, enabling a more intuitive search experience. Miros also contributes to sustainability in the fashion industry by promoting conscious consumerism. Heikki discusses the future of the retail industry and highlights Estonia as a thriving startup hub. He concludes by sharing recent achievements and goals for Miros.

In this episode with Cristina Fonseca, a tech entrepreneur, investor, and general partner at Indico Capital Partners, we discuss her journey into entrepreneurship, including co-founding TalkDesk and Cleverly AI. Cristina shares her experiences in building companies, balancing different roles, and the challenges she faced. She also talks about her transition to venture capital and her focus on ocean-related investments. Finally, Cristina discusses the evolution of the Portuguese startup ecosystem and her personal impact and interests. **Takeaways** 1.Entrepreneurship is often inspired by the stories of great founders. But if your motivation is to be the next Steve Jobs, the best you're ever gonna be is 2nd place, because Steve Jobs will always be a better Steve Jobs than you. Focus on solving a real problem and on being the cause as opposed to jumping to the effect. 2.When building a company from the scratch you've got to be wearing different hats and constantly adapting to changes and new challenges. 3.As a board member and investor, you've got to provide guidance and support to founders while respecting their autonomy.

From Kolkata, the City of Joy to Driving Force for Diversity & Inclusion in European VC Ecosystyem

We are thrilled to air another 25 startup pitches today. Thank you again to everyone who sent piches this summer, and sorry for the delay!

We are thrilled to once again air some great startup pitches today. During summer we received about 140 pitches and 50 of those we'll now publish, devided into two episodes with 25 pitches each. Thank you again to everyone who sent piches this summer, and sorry for the delay!

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought-after standards. To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust. But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for startups. Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months. With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started.

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought-after standards. To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust. But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for startups. Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months. With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started.

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought-after standards. To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust. But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for startups. Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months. With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started.

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought-after standards. To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust. But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for startups. Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months. With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started.

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought-after standards. To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust. But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for startups. Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months. With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started.

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought-after standards. To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust. But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for startups. Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months. With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started.

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, we catch up with Alisée de Tonnac founder and CEO of Seedstars.

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought after standards.

To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust.

But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for start ups.

Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months.

With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started. That’s vanta.com forward slash, eustartups.

Interview with Sellix founder and CEO Daniele Servadei

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought after standards.

To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust.

But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for start ups.

Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months.

With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started. That’s vanta.com forward slash, eustartups.

Interview with Sennder Co-founder and CEO David Nothacker

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought after standards.

To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust.

But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for start ups.

Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months.

With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started. That’s vanta.com forward slash, eustartups.

Interview with IriusRisk Co-founder and COO Cristina Bentué

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought after standards.

To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust.

But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for start ups.

Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months.

With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started. That’s vanta.com forward slash, eustartups.

Interview with Juro founder and CEO Richard Mabey

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought after standards.

To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust.

But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for start ups.

Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months.

With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started. That’s vanta.com forward slash, eustartups.

Interview with Beta-I Co-founder Ricardo Marvão

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought after standards.

To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust.

But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for start ups.

Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months.

With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started. That’s vanta.com forward slash, eustartups.

Interview with Goodiebox Founder & CEO Rasmus Schmiegelow

This episode is brought to you by Vanta, helping you scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought after standards.

To close and grow major customers, you have to demonstrate trust.

But proving your security and compliance can be time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. Especially for start ups.

Unless you use Vanta.

Vanta automates up to 90% of the work for the most sought-after compliance standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 and gets you audit-ready in weeks instead of months.

With Vanta, you get up to 400 hours of your time back and reach up to 85% in cost savings.

And for a limited time, EU-Startups listeners get $1,000 off Vanta. Just go to vanta.com/eustartups to get started. That’s vanta.com forward slash, eustartups.

EU-Startups Podcast Interview with Helloprint CEOHans Scheffer In Episode 31 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed the Dutch entrepreneur Hans Scheffer, who is currently the CEO at Helloprint

Ondrej Kovarik - Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the Working Group about Access to Finance for SMEs You are listening to episode 30 of the EU-Startups Podcast, today with Ondrej Kovarik, who is a Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the Working Group about Access to Finance for SMEs

On a mission to grow the French tech & startup ecosystem You are listening to episode 29 of the EU-Startups Podcast, today’s guest is La French Tech Director Clara Chappaz, who is on a mission to grow the French tech & startup ecosystem.

Interview with Dr. Fiona Pathiraja Today we interviewed Dr. Fiona Pathiraja, founder and Managing Partner of the VC firm Crista Galli Ventures.

Interview with Taster Founder and CEO Anton Soulier Today we interviewed Taster Founder and CEO Anton Soulier who’s building the world's largest restaurant group based on a digital platform.

For episode 25 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed serial entrepreneur and Glovo Co-founder Sacha Michaud For episode 25 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed serial entrepreneur and Glovo Co-founder Sacha Michaud. Glovo is an on-demand delivery unicorn and one of Spain's biggest startup success stories.

For episode 24 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed serial entrepreneur and investor Michael Brehm For episode 24 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed the German serial entrepreneur and investor Michael Brehm, who currently focused on his company i2x.

For episode 23 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Grover founder & CEO Michael Cassau For episode 23 of the EU-Startups podcast we had the chance to interview Michael Cassau, CEO and Founder of Grover. Michael is somewhat of a visionary entrepreneur, he has a background as an Investment Professional at Goldman Sachs and was Managing Director at Rocket Internet between 2014 and 2015 before launching Grover. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Berlin, Grover brings the freedom of renting to consumer electronics – making technology accessible to everyone, by enabling people to subscribe to tech products monthly instead of buying them. Grover is paving the way for a new era of tech ownership - one that is based on financial equity for consumers, that is less harmful to the planet, and takes on the growing e-waste problem. In July 2021, Grover took home it's most recent mega funding round of €847 million. Needless to mention that Grover has already reached unicorn status.

For episode 22 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Marie-Helene Ametsreiter (Speedinvest) For episode 22 of the EU-Startups podcast we had the chance to interview Marie-Helene Ametsreiter, General Partner of Speedinvest. Marie-Helene is a renowned business personality and has been a trailblazing woman in the Venture Capitalist space. Now General Partner at Speedinvest, she is the lead partner of the Speedinvest Industrial tech team as well as a mum of two.

For episode 21 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Tully Co-founder and CEO Marius Rus. For episode 22 of the EU-Startups podcast we had the chance to interview Marie-Helene Ametsreiter, General Partner of Speedinvest. Marie-Helene is a renowned business personality and has been a trailblazing woman in the Venture Capitalist space. Now General Partner at Speedinvest, she is the lead partner of the Speedinvest Industrial tech team as well as a mum of two.

For episode 20 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Refurbed Co-founder Peter Windischhofer. Headquartered in Vienna and founded in 2017, Refurbed is one of the world’s fastest growing online marketplaces for refurbished products. For episode 20 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Refurbed Co-founder Peter Windischhofer.  Headquartered in Vienna and founded in 2017, Refurbed is one of the world’s fastest growing online marketplaces for refurbished products. Refurbed tests and renews electronics (laptops, mobile phones, etc.) in up to 40 steps, to make them effectively functioning like their new counterparts. Being up to 40% cheaper with a minimum 12-month warranty included, Refurbed makes purchasing sustainable devices easy, affordable and risk-free. In August of this year, the fast-growing startup raised €45.4 million in Series B funding, which brought their total funding to €63 million.

For episode 19 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Evernote and mmhmm founder Phil Libin For episode 19 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed serial entrepreneur and investor Phil Libin. Among other companies, Phil founded Evernote, and more recently mmhmm (All Turtels).   Born in the Soviet Union, Phil grew up in the US, and today is one of the world's most prominent tech entpreneurs. His latest venture mmhmm is a new app created during the pandemic that makes video communication more clear and fun. For mmhmm Phil was already able to raise about $140 million. The list of prominent investors also includes Softbank's vision fund.

For episode 18 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed seriel entrepreneur and investor Lukasz Gadowski For episode 18 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed serial entrepreneur and investor Lukasz Gadowski.  Lukasz is kind of a living legend of the German and European startup ecosystem and co-founded big success stories like Delivery Hero and helped building many other European tech companies. Delivery Hero, today is a publicly traded company and has a market cap of around €30 billion. As angel investor and through holding companies like Team Global (formerly Team Europe), Lukasz also invested in many of Europe's most exciting startups of today, like Volocopter, Choco and Enpal.  By the way: Lukasz also co-founded the German startup magazine Gruenderszene many years ago, which inspired me to eventually create EU-Startups back in 2010.

For episode 17 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Ecosia founder Christian Kroll For episode 17 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Christian Kroll, the founder and CEO of Ecosia. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Berlin, Ecosia is a truly social enterprise - a  'search engine for good' which uses big parts of its ad revenues to plant trees all over the world. Already more than 130 million trees have been planted with Ecosia's help. Christian Kroll and his team bootstrapped Ecosia to become the leading search engine with its headquarters in Europe. A truly inspiring story!

For episode 16 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed TOA founder Niko Woischnik Founded in 2012, Tech Open Air (TOA) is one of the coolest tech events in Europe. Their 2019 edition gathered around 20K attendees. When the pandemic started in 2020, TOA had to re-imagine itself and to do a major pivot in order to survive and thrive. Niko Woischnik and his team eventually decided to pivot the business away from technology conferences to an edtech product called TOA Klub. In today's podcast episode we talked about TOA, the company's recent pivot, the impact and future events, and several other topics.

For episode 15 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed the co-founders and CEOs of Emjoy and Beducated Today we talked to two top EU-based founders in the sextech space to find out how they have been managing during the pandemic, and where they think the industry will lead in the future. Andrea Oliver Garcia is the co-founder and CEO of Emjoy (founded in 2019), a Barcelona-based startup that offers an audio guide for intimate well being. Phil Steinveber is co-founder and CEO of Beducated (founded in 2015) a Munich-based startup which can be described as the ‘Netflix’ of sexual education.

For episode 14 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Josef Vollmayr, the co-founder and co-CEO of Limehome. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Munich, the hospitality startup LimeHome turns commercial spaces into stylish apart-hotels and lists them on the Limehome tech platform. Limehome already secured about €36 million in funding and was recently featured by us as one of 10 exceptionally promising German startups to watch in 2021. In this podcast episode we talked with Josef about his entrepreneurial journey with Limehome and about the future of the hospitality sector.

For episode 13 of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed an inspiring female founder and CEO -  Tugce Bulut of Streetbees. Founded in 2015, Streetbees lets real people record the real-time emotion and context behind their purchasing decisions, to bring rich insights for companies. There is already a community of over 4 million 'bees' recording insights via video, photo and chat, with companies like PepsiCo, Unilever, and Procter and Gamble relying on Streetbees to provide intelligence they cannot find elsewhere. Streetbees landed a funding round of  €34 million Series B funding in October 2020, and €5.5 million of investment in December 2020, setting them on a course of even faster growth in 2021.

15 of Europe's leading startup accelerators joined us to pitch on air

New episodes of the EU-Startups Podcast are getting published in a 14-days rhythm on our website, on Spotify, Deezer, Youtube, iTunes and Google Podcasts. This weeks episode featured participants from Next Media Accelerator, StartLife, Immediate, Techvelocity, Accelerace, Startup Wise Guys, HighTechXL, RootCamp, TechStars Berlin, Next Commerce Accelerator, Maze X, TechStars Global, SpinLab, Techcelerator, and Tehnopol Startup Incubator.

Milda Mitkute is the Co-founder of Europe's leading second-hand online marketplace Vinted For the 12th episode of the EU-Startups Podcast we invited European startup accelerators to come on air and to pitch their firm and its beneftis to startups. For further information, the links to those accelerators can be found in the show notes.

To learn more about the status quo and future of coworking we had a conversation with two leaders and pioneers of the coworking scene/business in Europe

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

Anthony Rose ithe founder and CEO of SeedLegals - the one-stop platform for the legals you need to get funded and grow your business.

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

For the 8th episode of the EU-Startups Podcast we interviewed Ida Tin, the founder and CEO of the Berlin-based femtech company Clue

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

European VCs are pitching their investment firm and focus on air

New episodes of the EU-Startups Podcast are getting published in a 14-days rhythm on our website, on Spotify, Deezer, Youtube, iTunes and Google Podcasts. This weeks episode featured participants from Unorthodox Ventures, Love Ventures, Impulse VC, Essity Ventures, Eight Roads Ventures, Earlybird Venture Capital, Amplifier, Entrepreneur First, Peak Capital, Capnamic Ventures, Sparking Capital, Icos Capital.

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

Interview with Picnic CTO Daniel Gebler

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

With Charlotte Tucker (EU-Startups) and Clara Armand-Delille (ThirdEyeMedia)

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

Interview with BlaBlaCar founder Frédéric Mazzella

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

Interview with Runtastic founder Florian Gschwandtner

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

Interview with King.com founder Riccardo Zacconi

The EU-Startups Podcast is powered by Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Combining cutting-edge technology with outstanding client service, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provides solutions designed for the unique needs of startups. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley simplifies the complexities of equity plan management, helps you engage with your employees and provides your business with the tools it needs to comply with local tax and regulatory requirements. Request a free demo today.

In the first episode of the EU-Startups Podcast we put the spotlight on 30 of Europe's most promising startups that deserve the spotlight after the depressing lockdown period of the current pandemic. For this very first episode, we received applications in the form of 1-minute audio pitches from over 150 promising startups. Today we're presenting you the 30 best pitches.