C&C Pod - Breakfast Martinis with Moritz Zimmermann - hybris Founder & Venture Capitalist

With us on the pod this week: Moritz Zimmermann

This week Bill and I are joined by our long time friend Moritz Zimmermann to mix up some Breakfast Martinis, and talk about a Venture Capitalist’s perspective on the commerce technology market. We also dive into Moritz’ lessons learned from the long road hybris took from start-up looking for product-market fit to becoming the leading commerce platform of its day. We also gain Moritz’s perspective on the remaining gaps and trends in the commerce tech market, the state of venture capital in Europe, and more.

Today, Moritz is General Partner of Munich-based Venture Capital firm 42CAP - with many investments in commerce and martech as well as other domains. Mortiz was co-founder and CTO of hybris, then after SAP’s acquisition of hybris Mortiz went on to serve as CTO of SAP CX.

We’ve looked forward to having Mortiz on the show, and I know you will enjoy this conversation.

Enjoy! Cheers!

Episode Timeline:

0:00 - Introductions and Breakfast Martinis!

05:09 - Supporting Entrepreneurs and Building Successful Companies

08:27 -Lessons Learned from Hybris and the Importance of Being Product-Obsessed

16:40 - 42 Cap's Investment Thesis and Approach

21:33 - The Evolving Commerce Technology Market and Opportunities

26:12 - The Power of AI and Verticalization Opportunity in Commerce

28:31 - Building Defensibility - Business Processes and Expertise

30:17 - VC investing in Europe - The Talent and Education Advantage in Europe

36:37 - The Need for More Cost-Effective Commerce Solutions

41:16 - The Role of AI in Transforming the Commerce Experience

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This week’s cocktail - the Breakfast Martini

The Breakfast Martini was created in 1996 at London’s Lanesborough Hotel by well-regarded bartender Salvatore Calabrese and quickly climbed the ranks to join the pantheon of modern cocktail classics. With its use of marmalade the drink quickly found its way onto brunch menus the world over, and deservedly so. Light, refreshing, well balanced - and quite the pick-me-up! - Calabrese reportedly created the cocktail  in response to his wife who complained that Salvatore was not eating breakfast - as she ate her orange marmalade on toast. (Ha!)

The drink is a close cousin of the Marmalade Cocktail which first appeared in Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book, but is more modern, quick and light. Serve to your aunt at the next family brunch and neither she (or the rest of the family listening to her laugh) will be disappointed! 

Cheers!

Breakfast Martini Cocktail Spec, Serves One

2 oz  (~ 60 ml) - London Dry Gin 

3/4 oz  (~ 22.5 ml) - Fresh lemon juice

3/4 oz  (~ 22.5 ml) - Dry Curaçao (Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao Liqueur recommended)

1 teaspoon  (~ 5 ml) - Orange marmalade (substitute fruit preserve if needed)

Garnish - Lemon peel twist

The process:

Put all ingredients in a shaker or jar and use a spoon to break up the marmalade. Add ice and then shake for a good long while (shake, shake, shake - shake your booty!). Strain into a martini glass or coupe. Add lemon twist to garnish! (Preparation time: 3 minutes)

There is plenty of room for others at the cocktail party! Please share this with your network or workplace today. It comes with a drink! Thank you!

If you are interested in being a guest, or have a guest suggestion, please reach out. 

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Be well, be safe, and here is to good business! Cheers! - Brian & Bill

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