Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast

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.

Ilkka Paananen, CEO and cofounder of Supercell, the Finnish powerhouse behind hits like Clash of Clans, dives deep into the secrets of successful game development. He reveals how empowering independent teams, or 'cells', fosters creativity and innovation. Paananen emphasizes the importance of learning from failures and urges a balanced approach to merging tradition with new features. He also highlights the transformative role of AI in gaming and shares insights on nurturing European entrepreneurship through investment and community collaboration.

Daphné Leprince-Ringuet, a senior reporter and French tech correspondent at Sifted, dives into the intriguing journey of Mistral, a Paris-based AI startup that raised a whopping €105 million in 2023. She explores Mistral's strategic partnerships, its shift towards data centers, and how it competes against giants like OpenAI. Daphné discusses the pressures of leadership in a rapidly growing environment, evolving communication strategies, and the broader context of challenges within the French tech landscape. Is Mistral's $6bn valuation justified? Listen to find out!