EUVC

Will McQuillan, Partner at Frontline Ventures, challenges the notion that Europe should decouple from the U.S. He emphasizes the power of global collaboration, urging VCs and founders to resist isolationist thinking. McQuillan presents historical examples, such as undersea cables, to highlight the interconnectedness of European and U.S. tech ecosystems. He argues that shared ambition leads to stronger innovation and warns that European startups must seek international expansion to thrive. His insights drive home the idea that success crosses borders.

Join a lively conversation as the hosts tackle pressing topics like the rising threat of cybercrime and its implications for businesses and investors. They explore Europe's energy fragility and the urgent need for a coherent strategy amidst advancing AI technology. Dive into the competitive landscape of autonomous vehicles, highlighted by Tesla's robo-taxi vision. Discover insights on Europe's capital gap and the cultural dynamics driving startup success, alongside groundbreaking funding rounds in quantum computing, which are reshaping the tech landscape.

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Joe Seager-Dupuy and Mike Martin, General Partners at True Global, a £1B investment firm focused on consumer and retail, to explore how AI transforms how consumer businesses are built, scaled, and experienced.They unpack why consumer AI is more than a buzzword - it's unlocking entirely new market categories, reshaping broken UX flows, and expanding the definition of addressable markets. From agentic software and hyper-personalized health stacks to defensibility through data, brand, and workflow, this episode offers a deep dive into how to build and invest at the intersection of frontier tech and human behavior.Here’s what’s covered:07:27 Exploring Consumer AI Innovations14:47 Challenges and Opportunities in Consumer AI20:27 The Path to Agentic Business Models25:27 Building Optionality in AI Products26:23 Case Study: Superhuman's Agentic Email System28:10 The Velocity of AI Announcements31:10 Defensibility in Consumer AI39:15 AI's Impact on Consumer Company Operations43:07 The Disruption of Incumbents by AI Startups

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.