EUVC

Björn Tremmerie, Head of Technology Fund Investments at the European Investment Fund, shares insights on the evolving landscape of European venture capital. He discusses the importance of resilience and autonomy amid market challenges, viewing volatility as an opportunity for innovation. Tremmerie highlights the role of the EIF in shaping tech sovereignty and the complexities of funding defense technologies. He presents truths about market performance and reflects on his extensive experience, emphasizing a balanced approach between openness and self-reliance in the ecosystem.

Andre de Haes, co-founder of Backed VC, shares insights live from SuperVenture 2025. He emphasizes community as a core offering, not an afterthought, in venture capital. Discussing frontier tech, he reveals the challenges of achieving true differentiation and questions the concept of ‘VC edge.’ His long-term view on building trust and relationships is enlightening, highlighting humility and contrarian courage as critical traits. Andre also touches on the wisdom of Munger and Buffett regarding capital efficiency in investing.

Jan Miczaika, Partner at HV Capital, shares his extensive experience from one of Europe's leading venture firms. He discusses the impact of macro trends on venture capital, emphasizing the growth of deep tech and defense investing. Jan offers a candid perspective on ESG and DEI in a depoliticized landscape, where governance remains crucial. He also reflects on the challenges for emerging managers and the difficulty of scaling VC funds. With insights drawn from SuperVenture, this conversation is both enlightening and entertaining!

Cathy White, founder of CEW Communications and PR expert, teams up with Dan Taylor, former managing editor at Tech.eu, to dive into the seismic shifts in European tech media following TechCrunch Europe's closure. They discuss how this event reflects broader media transformation and the rise of entrepreneurial journalism. Key insights include the transition from SEO to LEO strategies in media, the crucial role of AI in PR and content creation, and the importance of human touch in the age of technology. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone in the tech space!

Joe Schorge, founder of Isomer Capital, dives into the evolving landscape of European venture capital. He discusses the new proactive approach to secondaries and what true liquidity means today. Joe reflects on the influence of macroeconomic factors on exit timelines and the rising importance of diversification for long-term portfolio health. He emphasizes that while growth persists, predicting market movements is an illusion. Aspiring LPs are offered invaluable insights into navigating this complex ecosystem with wisdom and a sprinkle of humor.

Matthew Spence, Global Head of Venture Capital Banking at Barclays, discusses the revival of defense tech and the surprising strength of the IPO market. With experience at the White House and the Pentagon, he offers insights into how Europe can capitalize on defense innovation. Spence emphasizes the importance of preparing for exits, the dual-use potential of technology, and the need for Europe to leapfrog in innovation rather than lag behind. He also reflects on the return to deep tech, merging hardware and software as venture capital circles back to its roots.

Mads Jensen from SuperSeed and Lomax Ward from Outsized Ventures delve into the shifting landscape of European tech and venture capital. They discuss the resurgence of defense spending due to geopolitical tensions involving Iran and Israel, while exploring the complexities of investing in defense tech. The conversation also highlights Europe's ambitions in space and the urgent need for strategic autonomy. Additionally, they analyze the booming IPO market in the US and its implications for European firms, alongside recent breakthroughs in surgical robotics and AI-driven healthcare.

In this discussion, Christophe Jurczak, Managing Partner at Quantonation, dives deep into the transformative potential of quantum technologies across health, energy, and security. He highlights the real-world applications, such as advanced quantum drug discovery and the creation of resilient quantum internet infrastructures. Jurczak emphasizes the critical talent mix of physicists and computer scientists for startup success and addresses Europe's funding challenges in the quantum race. His insights reveal a promising future, provided that courage and capital converge at the right time.

Tim Bertrand, President of HAProxy and a seasoned three-time GTM leader, shares his journey from scaling startups to market dominance. He dives into the essentials of building effective sales teams, emphasizing adaptability and the importance of hiring practices that match the company's growth stage. Tim also discusses best practices for onboarding, creating urgency in sales, and aligning product strategy with market needs. His insights on value-based pricing and the impact of open source software provide actionable takeaways for founders.

Nicole LeBlanc, a Partner at Woven Capital, shares her insights on corporate venture capital's role in driving innovation. She discusses the strategic relationship with Toyota, emphasizing alignment between corporate goals and startup independence. LeBlanc explains the function of Woven's Portfolio Success team in fostering collaboration and the unique cultural challenges faced in global markets. From investments in hydrogen to lunar rovers, she highlights the importance of nurturing startups to create mutual value and empower sustainable advancements.