Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast Bolt founder and Klarna board member Markus Villig on why Europe is sleepwalking into a 'disaster' on self-driving cars and physical AI
Dec 11, 2025
Markus Villig, founder and CEO of ride-hailing unicorn Bolt, shares insights from scaling his company across Europe and Africa. He warns that Europe risks a 'disaster' by neglecting self-driving car and physical AI development. Markus highlights the need for a unified capital market to nurture startups and discusses the challenges facing new entrants in ride-hailing. He also delves into his role on Klarna's board, emphasizing the importance of engaging with policymakers and fostering innovation in Estonia's defense tech landscape.
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Profitability Driven By Core Ride-Hailing
- Bolt's core ride-hailing has been profitable for years while losses stem from new products and geographic expansion.
- Markus stresses frugality and selective investments where returns are highest.
Founders Should Lobby Policymakers
- Markus encourages entrepreneurs to engage with politicians and regulators proactively.
- He says founders influence EU rules by being active citizens and sharing honest views.
Europe Risks Missing Physical AI Wave
- Markus Villig warns Europe is ignoring physical AI and self-driving cars at its peril.
- Missing this wave risks sidelining a trillion-euro auto industry and repeating the battery-era mistake.