EU-Startups Podcast

This week on EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski hosts Nicole Buttner, Founder & CEO Merantix Momentum, Founding Partner at Merantix Capital and WEF Digital Leader for Europe. Nicole is an entrepreneur, economist and tech optimist. She believes artificial intelligence will create deep positive impact on individuals, businesses and society as a whole. In this engaging conversation, Marcin and Nicole talk about the current state and future of AI. They discuss the balance of risks and rewards in AI implementation, the challenges within Europe's AI ecosystem, and the seamless integration of AI into daily life. Nicole shares insights on the importance of focusing on real-world applications, the potential of AI in underrated industries, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI regulation. They also touch on the role of women in tech and how AI could redefine humanity's relationship with work. Takeaways 1.The focus on AI should shift from risks to opportunities. 2.Europe has exceptional talent but struggles with storytelling. 3.AI will become an invisible layer in our daily lives by 2035. 4.Real-world applications of AI should address pressing issues. 5.AI for science and fraud prevention are underrated areas. 6.Regulation should not set technology to a higher standard than humans. 7.Women in tech should embrace their unique value rather than conforming. 8.AI will help us rethink our relationship with work. 9.The future of AI holds the potential for the renaissance of humanity. This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eus

This week on EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski hosts Yoram Wijngaarde, Founder & CEO of Dealroom, to talk about "Startups backed by the EU's Framework Programmes" report. A first-of-its-kind report compiled by Dealroom, with Dealflow.eu and EU-Startups, reveals that a €12 billion investment made up of EU grants and Framework Programmes such as Horizon, has helped generate €520 billion in total company value. According to the findings, European Union Framework Programmes have provided €12 billion in direct funding to startups. These startups secured an additional €70 billion in venture capital funding, with the supported companies now collectively valued at €520 billion. This represents 10% of all venture-backed startups in Europe. Over the past 40 years, EU research and innovation initiatives have allocated significant funding through programmes including the Seventh Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe. Of the total €225 billion deployed through these three programmes, approximately €12 billion (5%) went directly to startups. Notable success stories include BioNTech, which developed a Covid vaccine, and ARM, a leader in mobile chip technology. While ARM benefited from an earlier 1990s Framework Programme and is not included in the €400 billion valuation of current startups, including it brings the total value creation to €520 billion. As much as 74% of EU-backed startups manufacture physical products, mostly in frontier tech areas, compared with 25% in the total European ecosystem. EU support also plays a key role in sectors including SpaceTech, Semiconductors, ClimateTech, and Robotics. These EU-backed startups also have a significantly higher graduation rate between VC rounds, compared with European VC-backed startups that did not receive any EU funding. These findings show the important role that EU programmes play, often at the early stage, in de-risking the growth journeys of European tech champions. Key observations from the report include: 1.Only 5% of EU innovation funding is allocated to startups, despite their critical role in Europe’s future and global innovation. 2.Over the last three EU framework programmes, 13,600 startups have received funding, totaling €12 billion from the EU and €70 billion from private VC, already worth €520 billion. 3.EU-backed startups, particularly in DeepTech sectors like AI, Robotics, and ClimateTech, have higher graduation rates and show promising outcomes, though most remain in early stages requiring further funding to scale. 4.The complexity and number of current EU funding programmes create challenges for startups to access the support available. 5.EU funding has provided a successful launchpad for startup at early stages, and can be considered fruitful hunting ground for private investors to back in further rounds Recommendations to the European Commission include: 1.Expand Startup Investment - Increase the funding allocation to startups in Horizon Europe’s successor programme (FP10) to capitalise on their measurable economic and societal impact. 2.Streamline Support Mechanisms - Consolidate fragmented programmes into a single pathway for grants, equity, and mentorship drawing on the current work of Europe Startups Nation Alliance (ESNA) and the European Innovation Council (EIC). 3.Promote Visibility - Scale up EU startup summits and pitch days to connect EU-backed startups with private investors and corporates. 4.Leverage Digital Platforms - Scaleup existing tools such as Dealfllow.eu and Innovation Radar with real time startup insights and matchmaking to empower stakeholders. Full report here: https://dealroom.co/reports/startups-backed-by-the-eus-framework-programmes This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eus

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski hosts Hannah Leach, Partner at Antler. Antler is known for investing in founders on day zero and is now the most active private early-stage investor in the world. In Europe, Antler has backed more than 500 tech startups in the last five years. In 2024, Antler was more selective than ever before, with only the top 2.5% of founders being accepted to residencies. Hannah is also a Co-Founder of VentureESG, the non-profit organization driving ESG integration in venture capital. In this episode, Hannah talks about her journey in venture capital, the startup ecosystem, and the importance of community. Hannah shares her insights on leading Antler's UK team, the potential of the UK startup scene compared to San Francisco, and what sets exceptional founders apart. She also discusses the growing importance of ESG in venture capital, the need for diversity in the industry, and the significance of building strong relationships in business. Hannah concludes with valuable advice for aspiring founders looking to raise from Antler. Takeaways 1.The UK startup ecosystem is thriving with talent and opportunities. 2.London has unique advantages over San Francisco for startups. 3.Exceptional founders demonstrate curiosity, urgency and extremely strong communication skills. 4.Diversity in venture capital is essential for long-term success. 5.Building relationships is key in the startup ecosystem. This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eustartups/.

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski hosts Filip Kozera, Founder and CEO of Wordware, a startup that enables anyone to build complex AI Agents and applications. Wordware recently raised $30M seed round, which was one of the biggest rounds in the Y Combinator history, before graduating the program. In this episode, Filip talks about his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the challenges of building AI solutions, and the importance of empowering domain experts to create AI agents without technical skills. Filip shares insights on the misconceptions surrounding AI, the unique approach of Wordware, and the future of work in an AI-driven world. He emphasizes the need for trust in AI outputs and the importance of iteration in development. The conversation also touches on personal growth through adventure and the lessons learned from climbing some of the most difficult mountains in the world. Filip summited 3 of the 7 highest peaks on each continent and a few 7-thousanders in the Himalayas. One of the most technical mountains he climbed was Ama Dablam. Takeaways 1.Entrepreneurship is about daring to try and keep iterating. As Filip puts it "I failed more times than you tried". 2.Deep conviction in the problem and mission is crucial for founders to succeed. 3.Adoption of AI is hindered by a lack of understanding. 4.Building AI requires clear communication of tasks and trust in outputs. 5.AI will transform knowledge workers into creatives. This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eustartups/.

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski hosts Bianca Zwart, the Chief Strategy Officer at bunq. bunq has raised a total funding of $373M and is valued at $1.85B and is making mobile banking that makes life easy. They call themselves the bank of THE FREE and are know for their extreme attention to users. Bianca shares her unconventional career journey, starting from answering support tickets to leading strategy at a fintech company that prioritizes user experience. She discusses the importance of a user-centric approach in banking, the unique business model of bunq, and the lessons learned from her experiences in startups. Bianca emphasizes the significance of a growth mindset and the need for constant adaptation to user needs. The conversation concludes with her vision for the future of bunq and valuable advice for those navigating non-linear career paths. Takeaways 1.bunq's culture encourages questioning the status quo and prioritizing user needs. 2.User feedback is essential for improving banking services and products. 3.bunq's business model focuses on profitability before scaling, ensuring a sustainable approach. 4.A growth mindset is crucial for success in fast-paced environments. 5.Leadership is about matching problems with the right people. 6.bunq aims to be a global bank that adapts to local realities. 7.The importance of hiring the right talent cannot be overstated. 8.Bianca believes in challenging conventional wisdom and embracing discomfort for growth. 9.True success lies in the journey and the person you become, not just the end goal. This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eustartups/.

Robert Gaal, founder of Vesper, aims to democratize video game creation by turning stories into playable experiences. He shares his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of product-market fit and personal growth. The discussion dives into the significance of ethical AI in gaming, stressing creator-driven narratives over automated content. Gaal highlights common pitfalls for startups and the essential role of networking. He envisions a future where storytelling through interactive games is accessible to everyone, transforming how we engage with narratives.

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski catches up with Michael Hurnaus, CEO of Tractive, a leading GPS tracker for pets that recently achieved $100 million ARR. They discuss the journey of building Tractive, the challenges of bootstrapping, the importance of company culture, and the innovative health monitoring features of their products. Michael shares insights on market expansion, particularly in the U.S., and highlights the impact of their technology on pet owners' lives. The conversation concludes with a look at the future of PetTech and Tractive's commitment to enhancing pet health and safety. Takeaways 1.Achieving $100 million ARR is a big deal - few subscription companies even get there. 2.Bootstrapping has allowed Tractive to maintain financial independence. 3.The success with the US market was possible because of a strong foundation from Europe. 4.Tractive's culture is build with a focus on cost-efficiency and hiring is based on cultural fit and raising the team's average quality. 5.The PetTech market is still in its infancy and is way less digitized compared to human HealthTech and fitness space, which means there's a big room for growth. This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eustartups/.

In this episode of the EU Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski interviews Paulina Jansch, one of the youngest Founding Partners in Europe at Leanox Impact Capital. Paulina is a mentor at various startup organizations, NGOs, and universities. She is a voice for female empowerment and is known for her inclusive and empathic leadership style. She has been named among the TOP100 most influential women in the VC and startup scene in Europe and TOP10 investors in Germany. Marcin and Paulina talk about her journey in setting up the fund, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of ongoing networking. Paulina shares her insights on impact investing, gender equality in the industry, and the exciting collaboration between Europe and Korea in the investment landscape. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of venture capital and the need for inclusivity and innovation in the sector. Takeaways 1.Fundraising can be an emotional roller coaster. 2.Successful fundraising requires a well-thought-out strategy. 3.Networking is crucial for opening doors in venture capital. 4.Impact investing can yield competitive returns. 5.Youthful perspectives drive innovation in investing. 6.Gender equality is essential for a balanced investment portfolio. 7.Trusting your intuition can lead to valuable opportunities. 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 of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski hosts Bennet Barth, Co-Founder and Managing Director of RESPOND, a leading European accelerator for climate tech entrepreneurs, focused on responsible leadership and transitioning towards a net-zero economy. They discuss the startup pitches that have inspired Bennet, the recurring blind spots in climate tech, and the importance of focusing on the human aspects of entrepreneurship. Bennet emphasizes the need for building relationships in sustainability, understanding planetary boundaries, and the role of entrepreneurs in climate action. They also touch on the myths surrounding impact investing, Europe's potential leadership in climate tech, and the lessons learned from nature through surfing and mountain climbing. The conversation concludes with a call to action for climate entrepreneurs to persevere in their efforts. Takeaways 1.Building relationships is key to aligning corporates, policymakers, and entrepreneurs on sustainability. 2.The planetary boundaries framework helps identify critical areas for action to maintain a healthy economy. 3.There is a growing mindset shift among entrepreneurs towards using business as a lever for positive impact. 4.Education and awareness are essential for scaling climate action and integrating it into everyday discussions. 5.Impact investing is often misunderstood, with a belief that it detracts from financial returns. 6.Europe is well-positioned to lead in clean tech and climate tech innovation. 7.Lessons from nature, such as humility and patience, are vital for navigating challenges in building a sustainable economy. 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

This special edition highlights the best moments from 100 inspiring conversations. Topics include the crucial hiring of purpose-driven talent and the urgent need for climate action. Guests share insights on innovative communication through AI and the challenges of entrepreneurship, including fundraising strategies. Personal stories illustrate the balance between profit and social impact, alongside effective product development approaches. Finally, a powerful visualization exercise emphasizes mindset for founders, concluding with excitement for future conversations.