The Pursuit of Scrappiness

The potential re-election of Trump could significantly influence European startups, highlighting investment opportunities and regulatory challenges. The EU is striving to unify business regulations to promote innovation across borders. Recent discussions focus on the burgeoning fintech landscape in Europe, with notable unicorns emerging. Celebrations of Estonia's startup ecosystem showcase its economic impact. Additionally, advancements in AI are reshaping workforce dynamics, with new platforms aimed at simplifying AI integration in businesses.

Agris Kipurs is the Co-Founder and CEO of Origin Robotics, a pioneering defense tech startup specializing in autonomous drone systems for precision strikes in challenging environments. The company recently raised a 4mEUR pre-seed round led by Change Ventures and featuring support from the EU and the Latvian Ministry of Defense. Agris was also a co-founder of Airdog, the first commercial application drone to fly without remote control which was exited to Alarm.com. On this episode we talk about:The Evolution of Drone TechnologyBuilding a Defense Tech StartupThe Role of Reputation in Defense TechNavigating Funding in DefenseLessons from Ukraine’s Defense Innovations==If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappinessFind all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/===============Support the show

Avery Schrader, the Founder and CEO of Modash, discusses his journey from influencer marketing to starting a successful platform that supports brands like Victoria’s Secret. He highlights why authentic storytelling trumps traditional ads and shares practical tips on selecting the right creators. Avery also dives into the peculiarities of B2B influencer marketing and the importance of tracking key metrics for ROI. Moreover, he emphasizes building a strong company culture that attracts talent and encourages employees to connect deeply with the brand.

Vlad Zhovtenko, Founder and CEO of RedTrack, shares his insights on advertising technology and the impact of AI on ad performance tracking. He discusses the complexities of measuring marketing ROI across various devices and how small businesses often overlook powerful optimization tools. Vlad emphasizes the benefits of B2B companies embracing Black Friday and leveraging strategic pricing. Additionally, he explores how distractions hinder deep thinking in startups, advocating for patience and resilience in achieving meaningful results.

Ragnar Sass is a serial entrepreneur, co-founder of the unicorn Pipedrive, and an active investor in the Baltic and Ukrainian tech scenes. Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Ragnar has emerged as a leading advocate for Ukraine during its time of crisis, founding the Help99 Convoy initiative, which has delivered over €10 million in aid and critical supplies. With deep ties to Ukraine through business and personal connections, Ragnar is leveraging his expertise to support defense tech innovation and foster resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges.On this episode we talk about:The Role of drone technology in modern warfareStories of Ukrainian founders balancing entrepreneurship and national defense efforts amidst war.Opportunities in DefenseTech and how also non-technical founders can contributeInsights into navigating compliance, fundraising, and long sales cycles in the defense sector.Lessons from Israel’s defense model and how Europe must adapt to new security realities.To continue supporting Ukraine financially, go to: https://www.help99.co/==If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappinessFind all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/===============Support the show

Martin Sokk is the Founder and CEO of Lightyear - the greatest investing app for stocks, bonds, ETFs, you name it. The company raised 25mUSD back in 2022 from such big name investors as Lightspeed venture partners, Virgin Group, Taavet+Sten, Metaplanet and others and has been building relentlessly since. Martin was on our show before on episode 81 shortly after their Series A round, so you are welcome to scroll back!On this episode we talk about:- Navigating Regulatory Challenges in Fintech- The Importance of Localization in European Markets- Building a Simple and Intuitive User Experience- Balancing Sustainability and Profitability- Fundraising Strategies and Longevity in Startups==If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappinessFind all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/===============Support the show

This is an insight from our previous conversation on making your visual presentations more powerful:Breaking down complex concepts into essential elements to make them easier to understandAvoiding clutter in visual presentations, highlighting that simplicity and minimalismA method for testing visuals you can apply todayJanis Ozolins is an illustrator known for his compelling visual content on LinkedIn and Twitter. He has built an impressive following on these platforms, showcasing his unique ability to visualize and simplify complex life and business concepts. His work, which often addresses themes like productivity, procrastination, and overcoming perfectionism, resonates with a wide audience. Janis's skills have not only attracted the attention of top LinkedIn influencers like Justin Welsh and Sahil Bloom but have also made him a sought-after figure in the realm of content creation. Through his work, Janis demonstrates how to make business presentations more effective and points more relatable, turning content creation into a thriving business​​.Listen to the full conversation with Janis here on Episode 140:Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/140-janis-ozolins===============Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/===============Support the show

Anna-Liisa Palatu, co-founder and CEO of Woola, leads a startup revolutionizing sustainable packaging using waste wool. She discusses the environmental harm of plastics, emphasizing the need for alternatives. Palatu highlights how demand for eco-friendly solutions is shifting corporate strategies. She shares insights on why founders excel in sales and the unique challenges CEOs face, especially when balancing values with profitability. Her passion for sustainability shines through as she navigates the complexities of her leadership role.

This is an insight from our previous conversation on product-market fit:What is product-market fit and how do you know you have it?Measuring product-market fitMethodology for continuous work with product-market fitRahul Vohra, the CEO and founder of Superhuman, has revolutionized the email experience by creating the world's fastest email service. A seasoned entrepreneur, Vohra previously sold his first startup to LinkedIn and has since grown Superhuman into a notable presence in the email and productivity sphere, backed by 125mUSD in venture capital funding from investors such as Dropbox founders, Jason Calacanis, Ashton Kutcher, Will Smith and Tiger Global. He is also an angel investor and frequently appears in media such as Forbes, Fortune as well as on many podcasts you might also be a listener of such as Acquired, This Week in Startups or My First Million.Listen to the full conversation with Rahul here on Episode 155:Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/155-rahul-vohra===============Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/===============Support the show

Kieran Donovan is the Founder and CEO of k-ID, a company dedicated to protecting children and teens online. Earlier this year the company raised a 45mUSD Series A round led by A16Z and Lightspeed Venture Partners. With a background in privacy law, Kieran combines his expertise with a commitment to creating age-appropriate online experiences.On this episode we talk about:Challenges of trust and safety in digital spaces for kidsHow traditional controls often fall short of creating safe online spaces for children.Why parent involvement is critical in creating positive online experiences for kids.Insights on navigating legal, ethical, and technical challenges in the trust and safety space.How advancements in AI and tech can support safer digital environments.==Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/===============Support the show