EUROPE BUILDS by BORRN

How much vision and grit does it take to become a global pioneer in influencer marketing and insights? On our fourth episode, we are joined by Jenny Tsai, Founder and CEO of WeArisma, a leading earned influencer analytics company that works with companies like Marc Jacobs, Westfield and Polaroid to help them measure and grow their influencer marketing. Founded in 2015, way before the influencer phenomenon took off, today WeArisma is used by over 40 global brands, including some of the world’s most valuable luxury and Fortune 500 brands. Join us for a discussion on the strategies that help a start-up build strong relationships with leading brands, the evolution of influencer marketing, the importance of adaptation, and the role of AI or cultural nuances in scaling up a global influence analytics company.  Learn more about EUROPE BUILDS: https://byborrn.substack.com/p/does-europe-build-real-innovation Read an interview by Jenny on how We Arisma transforms influencer marketing, social media ranking and building brand affinity with Gen Z: https://www.maddyness.com/uk/2023/08/09/knowing-and-growing-your-influence-with-wearsima/ 

How much motivation and focus does it take to innovate in the circular economy? On our third episode, we are joined by Valentina Cerolini, co-founder and CEO of Deesup.com, a curated marketplace for luxury second-hand furniture which launched in Milan in 2017. Staying true to its goal of making the furniture supply chain more ethical and sustainable, Deesup has expanded well beyond Italy, consolidating its presence in multiple European markets.  We discuss strategies to generate consumer interest for second-hand furniture, the adaptability it takes to transition from Peer-to-Peer to Business to Consumer, and growing investment interest in the circular economy. Join us for a deep-dive into what it takes to build scalable marketplaces in the intersection of luxury and sustainability. Learn more about EUROPE BUILDS: https://byborrn.substack.com/p/does-europe-build-real-innovation Read about how Deesup built a resale-as-a-service platform https://www.doorwayplatform.com/en/network/news/deesup-lancia-il-white-paper-e-pensa-a-piattaforma-di-resale-as-a-service 

How much stubbornness does it take to build a user-base of 150 million users? In our second episode, Co-founder and CEO of Sweatcoin, Anton Derlyatka, walks us through the key ingredients of ultra-high consumer growth. Sweatcoin has inspired more than 150 million people worldwide to move more via behavioral nudges and real-time incentives, and was the most downloaded health and fitness app globally in 2022. We discuss the role of robust referral programs and tapping early into the influencer market, as well as the power of storytelling and the challenges of scaling up across borders and boundaries. This episode is a deep dive into the tools, strategies and persistance that founders need in order to build large and loyal consumer bases. 👓Learn more about EUROPE BUILDS: https://byborrn.substack.com/p/does-europe-build-real-innovation 🏃Read about how Anton Derlyatka built an app converting your steps into currency: https://www.maddyness.com/uk/2022/01/06/meet-sweatcoin-the-app-converting-your-steps-into-currency/ 

How important is tenacity, stamina, and honesty in the fundraising process? On our first episode we are joined by Alex Loizou, a computer scientist turned entrepreneur who founded TROUVA in 2013, a leading platform for discovering and shopping independent boutiques and brands across Europe. Trouva has raised a total funding of $41.1M over 6 rounds. We discuss successful and unsuccessful strategies of securing capital, the nuances of fundraising in the US as a European founder, and key decision-making criteria such as when to raise funds, how much to seek, and from whom. This episode is a deep dive into the strategic and honest approach to building enduring relationships with investors, essential for any startup’s growth. 🔨 Learn more about EUROPE BUILDS: https://byborrn.substack.com/p/does-europe-build-real-innovation🔍 Read about how Alex Loizou Built an International Company and Sold it Twice https://fastforward.com.cy/tech-ecosystem/how-alex-loizou-built-international-company-and-sold-it-twice

Welcome to EUROPE BUILDS, a podcast dedicated to diving deep into the real stories behind Europe’s startups.