EUVC

Colin McQuade, an executive coach with a decade of experience in the startup space, and Mike Reiner, co-founder of 432 Legacy, explore the emotional dynamics that influence venture success. They dive into the importance of relationships, effective communication, and the challenges of ego within venture teams. The duo discusses transitioning roles, the myth of pleasing, and the value of inner peace amidst chaos. They emphasize finding joy in the entrepreneurial journey while managing energy for long-term success.

Andrew Hill, an Investor at Bessemer Venture Partners, joins the discussion on Europe's booming defense sector and its implications for tech startups. The hosts debate the ethics of investing in defense, especially as Germany leads in funding. They also explore OpenAI's new browser and its potential to disrupt Google, and whether we’ve hit peak large language model technology. Additionally, they dive into the impact of remote work on startup culture and examine how geopolitical factors are reshaping the venture landscape.

Nicholas Nelson, Founding GP of Archangel, is a defense expert with a background in advising governments and serving in Afghanistan. He discusses the urgent need for Europe to invest unapologetically in defense. Nicholas emphasizes that dual-use tech isn't sufficient for real security. He highlights the rapid evolution in military tech, the 'hourly sprints' in Ukraine, and the risks of muddying the waters with dual-use brands. The conversation also tackles the challenges posed by the military industrial complex and the unique hurdles in scaling defense innovations across Europe.

Join Jeppe Høier, an experienced venture investor and podcast host, as he speaks with Francesco Di Lorenzo, an expert in entrepreneurial strategy. They explore Jeppe's transition from auditor to venture capitalist and dive into the nuances of corporate venturing. A fascinating organ transplant analogy highlights the challenges CVCs face within corporate structures. They discuss building a collaborative ecosystem across Europe and the importance of visionary leadership and long-term commitment in fostering innovation.

This podcast features Julia Binder, co-author of 'The Circular Business Revolution' at IMD, Manuel Braun from Impact Hub, and Enrique Molina from G Impact Capital. They discuss circularity as a critical investment strategy across industries like textiles and logistics. The conversation reveals how startups can drive systemic change, the importance of digital product passports, and the need for a collaborative ecosystem to scale circular practices. They urge stakeholders, from founders to investors, to embrace circularity as essential for future growth.

Jacqueline van den Ende, Co-founder and CEO of Carbon Equity, and Dougie Sloan, Managing Director at Better Society Capital, discuss innovative ways to transform capital for climate impact. They highlight the challenge of accessing venture money, noting that only 2% goes to climate tech. The duo explores rethinking ‘retail’ investors, emphasizing their sophistication and potential. They stress the role of technology and transparency in democratizing impact investing, aiming to involve more people in climate solutions and bridge the gap between profit and purpose.

Lorenzo Franzi, Founding Partner at the Italian Founders Fund, is reshaping Italy's startup scene through a founder-first approach. He discusses the importance of empathy in investment strategies and emphasizes the unique triad of Italian, diaspora, and inbound startups. Lorenzo shares insights on navigating regulatory hurdles and why Italy's moment as a venture capital powerhouse is now. He advocates for a concentrated portfolio strategy and stresses that the focus should shift from unicorn chasing to building an impactful ecosystem that supports local founders.

Lomax Ward from Outsized Ventures and Mads Jensen from SuperSeed join Dan Bowyer to dissect the European tech scene. They dive into the dynamics of Figma's recent IPO, its surprising $730M paper loss, and its implications for the market. The trio also discusses the sluggish London IPO climate and necessary reforms to enhance competitiveness. Vertical AI is revealed as a promising new frontier, potentially shaping the next wave of SaaS. This episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the evolving venture capital landscape.

Matt Cooper and Paolo Pio, Founding Partners of Exceptional Ventures, share their passion for health and wellness investing. They delve into their unique 'Joyspan®' approach, emphasizing the balance between health and happiness. The duo discusses the importance of integrity in entrepreneurship and the need to separate genuine health innovations from exaggerated claims. With insights into the ethical landscape of health tech, they advocate for informed choices and purposeful innovations that truly benefit individuals and society.

Rich Ashton, Founder of FirstPartyCapital and expert in AdTech and MarTech investments, discusses the overlooked trillion-dollar potential of the ad tech sector. He debunks the myth of Facebook and Google's dominance, sharing insights on why most funds miss these opportunities. Rich highlights successful case studies like The Trade Desk and AppLovin, and emphasizes the importance of a strong LP network. The conversation also touches on AI's role in the future of advertising and the need for specialized knowledge to navigate this complex landscape.