Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast

On this week’s Newsroom episode, where we ask our journalists what they’re hearing as they report on Europe’s tech industry, Amy's joined by senior reporter Anne Sraders.Anne reports on one of the continent’s most hyped sectors: defence tech, a market that is booming as governments put large sums of cash behind plans to rearm in the face of increasing Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Amy has been at Resilience, a conference full of startups, soldiers and spies who are all figuring out which new technologies will be assisting Europe’s militaries in the coming years.They discuss why the VC herd is flocking around drone startups — and where they could be looking instead; the companies trying to future proof European supply chains; and just how likely it is that significant public money will flow into innovative startups, rather than the big primes.

This week Amy is joined by Zoe Hewitt, VP of talent at legendary Silicon Valley VC firm Sequoia, where she helps its portfolio companies find and hire talent based in Europe.That makes her one of the continent's best informed people as to what is going on with tech talent today, in a world where startups and scaleups are ripping up the hiring rulebook, as AI changes the art of company building.Zoe knows where top talent wants to work, how to spot a future founder, what 'the office of the CEO' really means and which roles are most in-demand (and highly remunerated!)In this episode she unpacks why management layers are thinning, how the role of CEO is changing and gives her tips for founders and tech employees wondering how to future-proof themselves in a fast-changing world of work.

Ever fancied hearing Brad Pitt speak flawless Mandarin? That’s the kind of trick Synthesia’s hyper-realistic video avatars can pull off.The London-based unicorn, which uses generative AI to make videos for corporate training and internal comms, has been a big hit among enterprise users — its customer list includes more than 80% of the Fortune 100, and it hit $100m ARR in April this year.It seems to be a pretty solid business model — and investors certainly like it. But where will the company take its technology next, how safe are its avatars from deepfake misuse and when might it brave an IPO?CEO Victor Riparbelli isn’t shy about sharing his views on that front, recently declaring the London Stock Exchange a “complete disaster.”On this week’s episode, host Amy and senior reporter Kai Nicol-Schwarz put Synthesia’s avatars to the test, dig into its move into agentic AI and ask what, if anything, could go wrong for the AI unicorn.Sign up to our deeptech and AI newsletter here: https://sifted.eu/members/login?newsletter=deeptechTake our listener survey here: https://form.typeform.com/to/WbVxsSv7 (T&Cs apply)

Mike Turner, partner at law firm Latham and Watkins, has a bird’s eye view of Europe’s startup ecosystem: which sectors are on the up and which are on the down; which VCs play nice and which don’t; and why more and more founders are getting edged out of their companies.On this week’s episode of the podcast, Mike sits down with host Amy to discuss why climate tech's monetisation model remains unknown, the growth in strategic buyers’ M&A activity and how European governments will react to sovereign wealth funds turning up on startups’ cap tables.————————Want a new pair of headphones? Tell us what you think of the podcast and enter our prize draw, here: https://form.typeform.com/to/WbVxsSv7

It’s pretty fun being the frontman of the world’s fastest-growing company, says Anton Osika. But being swarmed by enthusiastic users, opportunistic investors and beady-eyed journalists can occasionally have its downsides.It’s no surprise everyone wants a piece of Lovable founder and CEO Anton. Last month, just eight months after its launch, Lovable was crowned Europe’s newest unicorn when it raised $200m at a $1.8bn valuation, and hit $100m ARR. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Anton sits down with host Amy to discuss the company's push into enterprise, hiring mistakes he’s made and the challenges of building Europe’s startup du jour in public.————————Want a new pair of headphones? Tell us what you think of the podcast and enter our prize draw, here: https://form.typeform.com/to/WbVxsSv7This episode was brought to you by HSBC Innovation Banking, connecting you with what's next.

Miriam Partington, a senior reporter at Sifted and author of the Startup Life newsletter, dives into the dual nature of AI's impact on startups. She discusses how AI is enabling small teams to scale while simultaneously threatening entry-level jobs. The conversation highlights the shift from specialists to adaptable generalists in hiring practices and the evolution of engineering roles. Miriam also explores the challenges startups face in maintaining brand trust amidst a flood of AI-generated content and the resurgence of hustle culture.

Florian Seibel, CEO of Quantum Systems and a former German helicopter pilot, discusses the evolving landscape of military drones. He shares insights on the company's rapid growth and the impact of the Ukraine conflict on innovation. Seibel emphasizes the importance of long-term planning in defense tech, citing China as a model. He candidly critiques the influx of opportunistic investors and advocates for the need for transparency in political and defense decisions. His views on ethical practices in the industry spark a compelling dialogue on the future of unmanned technology.

Freya Pratty, a senior reporter and investigations lead at Sifted, dives into the world of Tekever, a Lisbon-based defense tech unicorn known for its innovative surveillance drones. She discusses Tekever's impressive global contracts, including key roles in Ukraine and initiatives across Europe. The company’s recent €70 million funding and ambitious £400 million investment plan in the UK are explored, showcasing its commitment to creating jobs and enhancing defense capabilities. The uniqueness of Tekever's growth strategy compared to competitors also makes for a compelling listen.

Jordi Romero, CEO and co-founder of Factorial, takes us through the company's remarkable evolution into a business management platform. He shares insights on scaling their team from 1,000 to 1,300 in tough market conditions, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit over flashy resumes. The conversation dives into innovative investment strategies that allow for growth without equity dilution and the role of AI in enhancing operations. Jordi offers refreshing takes on hiring passion over pedigree and the transformative nature of leadership in a fast-growing company.

Tom Matsuda, a fintech reporter at Sifted, dives into the remarkable journey of Revolut, Europe's leading private tech company. He reveals the driving force behind its rapid expansion—small, agile teams known as the 'new bets team' that launch innovative products at lightning speed. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced in obtaining a UK banking license, and the speculation surrounding an upcoming IPO, sparking interest in the evolving fintech landscape and how Revolut plans to position itself as a financial super app.