E595 | EUCVC Summit 2025: Kasper Hulthin & Heini Zachariassen: Getting Acquired by a Corporate

Welcome back to the EUCVC Summit Talks, where we bring you candid conversations with Europe’s leading founders, corporate leaders, and investors shaping the future of venture collaboration.

In this episode, Kasper Hulthin, serial founder now at Future Five (and co-founder of Peakon, Podio, and others) and Heini Zachariassen, founder of Vivino, the world’s largest wine app and marketplace. Both have experienced firsthand what it means to be acquired by a corporate—and they don’t hold back on the reality behind the headlines.

From culture shock and governance friction to the trade-offs of autonomy versus scale, Kasper and Heini share the inside story of what happens post-acquisition. They also reflect on when collaboration works, how to preserve founder spirit, and what corporates must do to retain the trust and agility of entrepreneurial teams.

This is essential listening for any corporate venturer, founder, or investor navigating M&A.