In this episode, Nicole Büttner - investor, entrepreneur, and political leader - shares why Europe has all the ingredients for AI leadership, but still struggles to scale its breakthroughs into global companies.

From navigating corporate partnerships without falling into “POC limbo” to reframing courage as a core leadership trait, Nicole breaks down the mindset shifts and structural changes founders need to succeed. She also shares candid reflections on the weight of responsibility leaders carry and how to sustain energy in the long run.

You’ll learn:

How to build collaborations that actually move the needle with corporates
Why speed and courage matter more than perfection in scaling startups
How to create defensibility in AI by going deep into real-world workflows
Why European founders must shed local ambition and aim global from day one

Nicole’s insights are a playbook for founders who want to build enduring, globally relevant companies out of Europe.
Get bonus insights from Nicole that didn’t make it into the episode at ⁠followthegradient.io⁠.

Why Europe Needs Courage, Ecosystems, and Global Ambition in AI - with Nicole Büttner