EU-Startups Podcast

In this episode, Tim Schumacher, General Partner at World Fund, an impact investor and entrepreneur, discusses his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges of being a founder. He shares the remarkable story of Ecosia, the largest independent European search engine that uses its profits to plant trees. Tim also introduces the World Fund, a venture capital company focused on investing in startups that decarbonize the economy. He highlights the value he brings as an investor and shares his inspirations and advice for entrepreneurs. Tim envisions a future where we overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and live within planetary boundaries. He hopes to make a lasting impact through his work in sustainability and climate change. Takeaways 1.Investors can help with introductions, networks, and expertise, but it's founders who ultimately need to do the work themselves. 2.Investing in startups that decarbonize the economy is essential for addressing climate change. 3.We've got to overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and live within planetary boundaries.

In this episode, Janneke Niessen, a serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of CapitalT, discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and the transition to becoming an investor. She shares crazy moments from her entrepreneurial career and highlights the importance of team evaluation using proprietary technology. Janneke also talks about her involvement in InspiringFifty, an initiative to increase diversity in tech, and her books aimed at inspiring young girls to pursue careers in technology. She discusses the impact of her research on investments in female entrepreneurs and shares her message for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Janneke also reveals her plans for a streaming TV series and her goal of receiving an Emmy nomination. Takeaways 1.Using proprietary technology, such as personality traits and team dynamics evaluation, can help investors make more data-driven decisions when evaluating entrepreneurial teams. 2.Initiatives like InspiringFifty play a crucial role in increasing diversity in the tech industry by providing visibility and role models for women. 3.Books like 'The New Girl Code' and 'Project Prep' aim to inspire young girls to pursue careers in technology and challenge the stereotypes associated with the industry. 4.Research on investments in female entrepreneurs has sparked discussions and led to changes in the venture capital ecosystem, with a focus on creating a level playing field and removing barriers.

In this episode, Helene Huby, co-founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, shares her journey in space exploration and entrepreneurship. She discusses the vision for space exploration, the transition from Airbus to entrepreneurship, nurturing innovation in large corporations vs startups, her involvement in Urania Ventures and the Microbiome Foundation, and the importance of social impact in business. Helene also talks about balancing family life with her career and shares her thrilling vision for the future of space exploration. Takeaways 1.The future of space exploration holds exciting possibilities, including regular trips to Mars and the development of mega constellations for communication. 2. Innovation requires trust, encouragement of new ideas, and acceptance of failure, whether in large corporations or startups. 3. Building a successful business involves creating a culture of trust, prioritizing happiness, and focusing on the positive impact the company can have on the world. 4. Finding a balance between work and family life is crucial, and supporting each other's dreams and passions is key. 5. Trusting oneself and taking risks earlier in one's career can lead to greater fulfillment and impact.

In this episode, Joaquim Lecha, CEO of Typeform, talks about the company's mission to make online interactions more human and shares insights into their innovative approach to collecting zero party data. He also highlights the launch of Formless, an AI-powered form builder, and the future of digital interaction. Kim emphasizes the importance of thoughtful design and balancing technology with human connection. He shares his experiences as a leader and the valuable lessons he has learned. Additionally, Kim provides a glimpse into his personal life and hobbies outside of the business world. Takeaways 1.Typeform's mission is to make online interactions more human by creating a conversational and personalized experience. 2.Zero party data, which is information provided directly by the individual, is crucial for understanding and engaging with customers. 3.Formless, Typeform's AI-powered form builder, creates a more conversational and human-like interaction. 4.Thoughtful design is essential for creating a seamless user experience and building a strong connection with customers. 5.The future of digital interaction will involve more asynchronous, multi-modal, and AI-enabled experiences. 6.Creating true fans of the brand is about being customer-centric, empowering customers, and providing personalized experiences.

On A Mission To Make People Remarkable In this episode, Marcin interviews Guy Kawasaki, the Chief Evangelist of Canva, former Chief Evangelist of Apple, Podcaster at Remarkable People Podcast and Author of the book Think Remarkable. They discuss Guy's upbringing in Hawaii and how it shaped his approach to life and business. They also delve into the evolution of technology and marketing, the qualities that make a product remarkable, and the intersection of creativity and technology in the future of work. Guy shares insights from his podcast, Remarkable People, and talks about his new book, Think Remarkable. He also talks about maintaining happiness and enthusiasm, and offers advice to his younger self. The conversation concludes with a discussion on Guy's legacy and his love for surfing.

In this episode, Carmen Alfonso Rico, Founder and Angel Investor at Cocoa, talks about her background and cultural influences, the story behind Cocoa and the chocolate making process, and the concept of in-house VC. Carmen also explains investment terms that she coined at Cocoa and shares her insights on fundraising. The episode concludes with a discussion on Carmen's upcoming projects and initiatives. Takeaways 1.When approaching investors, warm introductions and clear, concise pitches are key. 2.Founders should consider the value add and personal fit of investors, as well as the dilution and complexity of fundraising. 3.Fundraising is a B2B sales and dating process that requires building momentum and maintaining transparency. 4.The round equation framework helps founders make strategic decisions aligned with their long-term vision. 5.Honesty, personal fit, and the ability to grow into a valuation are crucial in securing funding. 6.Optimizing for top-line valuation should be balanced with minimizing dilution and considering the complexity of the round. 7.Founders should approach fundraising with common sense, apply hassle, and think of it as a long-term relationship.

In this episode, Jessica Holzbach, CEO of Pile Capital, shares her journey as a serial FinTech entrepreneur and the challenges and successes she has experienced. She discusses her early signs of entrepreneurship, her transition to the FinTech industry, and her previous ventures. Jessica also talks about building Penta, a successful Neo bank, and the transition to Pile Capital, a treasury solution for startups and VCs. She emphasizes the importance of balancing growth and customer satisfaction and shares insights on building product-driven companies. Jessica also discusses her experience as an angel investor and offers advice for FinTech entrepreneurs. Outside of work, she enjoys being outdoors and staying active. She envisions a future of banking that is more international and customer-centric. Takeaways 1.Building a successful company requires a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and investing in customer relationship management. 2.Creating a product that resonates with users involves staying close to the customer, gathering feedback, and iterating quickly. 3.The future of banking involves leveraging emerging technologies and shifting customer expectations to create a more international and customer-centric financial landscape.

In this episode, Kurt Farrugia, the CEO of Malta Enterprise, talks about the role of Malta Enterprise in driving economic development and supporting startups. He discusses the unique advantages and opportunities that Malta offers for entrepreneurs, as well as the efforts of Malta Enterprise to foster a culture of innovation. Kurt shares his vision for Malta's economic landscape in the next decade, emphasizing the transition to a more sustainable and knowledge-based economy. He also highlights some of Malta's hidden gems and offers insider tips for making the most of a visit to the country. Takeaways 1.Malta offers unique advantages for entrepreneurs, including its strategic location, Mediterranean lifestyle, and expertise in sciences and engineering. 2.Malta Enterprise is fostering a culture of innovation by focusing on sectors such as math tech, biotech, clean technologies, and the blue economy. 3.Malta is positioning itself as a startup destination by creating legislation that makes it easier for startups to start their business, obtain funding, and reach investors.

In this episode, Holger Seim, Co-founder and CEO of Blinkist, discusses the origin story of Blinkist and the fulfillment he finds in meeting customers who have benefited from the app. He explains the power of short-form content in a world of information overload and how it caters to the needs of modern readers and listeners. Holger shares a transformative lesson from the book 'Mindset' and discusses how his own reading habits have evolved over time. He also talks about the turning point in Blinkist's journey and the impact of Blinkist on creators and the audience. Holger teases exciting projects and features in the pipeline and shares his ideal Blinkist and chill scenario. He concludes by discussing his next big goals and personal challenges. Takeaways 1.Meeting customers and hearing their stories is one of the most fulfilling parts of being a founder. 2.Short-form content is a powerful tool in a world of information overload and can deliver great learning experience and results. 3.Entrepreneurs should have a bias for action, seek mentors and peers for guidance, and focus on simplifying and delivering core value to customers.

In this episode, Nicolas Benady, co-founder and CEO of Swan, shares the origin story of the company and its mission. He discusses the lessons he learned from his previous ventures and how Swan is reshaping the traditional boundaries of banking by enabling businesses to embed banking features into their products. Nicolas also talks about the challenges of expanding across Europe and navigating diverse financial landscapes and regulations. He emphasizes the importance of building a different company culture and shares insights on fundraising. Additionally, he discusses Swan's commitment to sustainability and his personal passion for cycling. Nicolas concludes by sharing his vision for Swan as a generational company that inspires others to tackle difficult challenges. Takeaways 1.Building a company culture focused on long-term goals, excellence, simplicity, and being human is crucial for your company's success. 2.Fundraising should not be the number one priority for startups; instead, the focus should be on building a great product and building a strong team. 3.Commit to sustainability and aim to reduce your carbon footprint. Because if you're not doing anything about climate change, then what are you doing?