EUVC

Zack Weisfeld, a key player behind Ignite Deep Tech, discusses the transformative journey of Intel's accelerator program. He shares insights on the innovative 'co-founder as a service' model, which fosters a vital relationship between corporates and startups. Weisfeld emphasizes the importance of mentorship, emotional support, and addressing mental health for founders. He also explores the essential elements of trust and empathy in building successful corporate partnerships. Overall, it's a deep dive into reinventing the dynamics of entrepreneurship and enterprise.

Patric Hellermann, an early-stage VC and the founder of Foundamental, shares his expertise in how to create a distinctive edge in venture capital. He breaks down the four critical steps for value creation and discusses why liquidity should take precedence over hype. Patric emphasizes the importance of empathy and unique experiences in appealing to founders, as well as the role of discipline in investment strategies. He also delves into the dynamics of European funds, highlighting the pitfalls of routine investing and the need for specialization.

Jon Coker, founding partner at Eka Ventures, discusses his journey from analyst to impact-focused venture capitalist. He highlights the importance of systemic change in consumer health and sustainable consumption. Coker explains why founder learning velocity is his key metric for success. He shares insights on backing innovative startups, the challenges of evaluating teams, and the balance between economic value and societal impact. The conversation emphasizes aligning venture strategies with long-term societal shifts and the critical role of visionary entrepreneurs.

Philippe Petit-Pont, CEO of Moments Lab, dives into how AI is transforming video production and enhancing storytelling. Gertje Selan, Principal at Ox, discusses identifying product-market fit in B2B SaaS. They explore why Barcelona is becoming a magnet for founders, the strategic moves behind Masia's model, and the nuances of co-investing in the European startup landscape. The dialogue reveals how AI is changing media dynamics, and the critical importance of customer feedback and relationships in scaling tech businesses.

The hosts explore Europe's fiscal strength as a potential advantage in the face of macroeconomic pressures. They discuss the exodus of IPOs from the UK to the US and the challenges startups face in accessing capital. The conversation shifts to innovative defense investments, AI's legal dilemmas, and advances in healthcare, including non-invasive cancer testing. The episode wraps up with a look at psychedelics' role in mental health treatment and highlights significant funding milestones, including Grammarly's impressive billion-dollar round.

Gia Scinto, a Partner at The Cole Group and expert in go-to-market executive hires, shares her wealth of knowledge from working with startups like Stripe and Airbnb. She discusses the importance of hiring successfully, revealing how to find the right sales leader and avoid costly pitfalls. Gia also emphasizes structured onboarding and cultural alignment as keys to team success. Listeners will learn about effective pitching techniques for senior candidates and critical interview questions that reveal a candidate’s values and skills.

Fred Destin, a Partner at Stride, dives deep into the moral maelstrom of the tech landscape, blending insights with vulnerability. He challenges listeners to recognize the power they wield in shaping narratives but warns of the nihilistic terrain we now navigate. From the decline of shared truths to the ethical dilemmas posed by technology, Destin outlines how our perception is warped by algorithms and misinformation. He emphasizes the need for intentionality in investments to foster genuine impact amid chaos.

In this conversation, Kamel Zeroual, GP of Varsity and seasoned venture capitalist, discusses building a pan-European seed fund from Paris with bold ambitions. He highlights Varsity's unique approach, blending operator expertise with an agnostic investment strategy across sectors like SaaS, fintech, and healthtech. Kamel elaborates on the challenges European entrepreneurs face in securing funding and why a €150M seed fund is crucial. His insights underscore the importance of mentorship and collaboration in nurturing startups to success.

Gloria Baeuerlein, founding partner of Puzzle Ventures, dives into the solo GP model in the competitive European venture capital scene. She explores how AI is transforming SaaS pricing and delivery, emphasizing the shift towards outcome-based sales in construction tech. Gloria discusses the benefits of building a fund centered on personal strengths rather than conventional models. The conversation also touches on the fierce competition among seed and multi-stage funds, highlighting how solo GPs can uniquely outperform larger counterparts.

Rina Onur, co-founder of Peak and Spyke Games and formerly of 500 Istanbul, shares her unique journey between operating and investing in Turkey’s vibrant gaming ecosystem. Enis Hulli, a partner at E2VC, sheds light on the global rise of Turkish startups. They dive into the emotional complexities of offboarding as a VC partner and the urgent need for proactive engagement with founders. Their candid discussion highlights the tension between risk aversion and entrepreneurship, as well as the importance of trust in partnerships.