EUVC

Welcome back to EUVC Live powered by Woven Capital at The Drop, where we bring you raw and unfiltered insights from Europe’s venture ecosystem.In this episode, Hampus Jakobsson - serial founder, angel investor, and one of the driving forces behind The Drop - takes the stage to share two big themes: his hard-earned lessons on corporate venturing, and how AI is set to reshape both energy demand and climate solutions.From scars of failed CVC deals to the epiphany that corporates must be at the table, and from the risks of AI’s off-grid energy needs to its potential as “a thousand free interns” in old industries, Hampus delivers a candid, fast-paced perspective you won’t want to miss.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:00:30 Why Hampus once banned CVCs from The Drop — scars from 150+ angel investments and failed corporate deals.01:30 The epiphany: corporates aren’t optional — they’re core to scaling industries like construction, mobility, and climate.02:30 Why we need a clearer language to explain the full spectrum of corporate venture — from balance sheet strategics to spun-out financial-first funds.03:30 Case study: Motorola’s smart deal structure with Hampus’s first company, aligning incentives without blocking other partnerships.05:00 Enterprise sales realities: 18-month sales cycles and €7M average contracts — why corporates matter most for scaling.06:30 Transition to AI: how Hampus’s background in AI shapes his view of its role in climate.07:00 The challenge: AI’s energy demand could reach 10–50% of global consumption, forcing off-grid solutions.08:00 The opportunity: AI as “a thousand free interns” — driving efficiency in old industries from waste management to construction.09:30 Why AI isn’t magic — it’s about practical applications, compilers for design, and tools that boost margins in unsexy industries.10:30 Closing thoughts: solving off-grid energy production and deploying AI where it can have real impact.

Welcome back to another EUVC Podcast, where we gather Europe’s venture family to share the stories, insights, and lessons that drive our ecosystem forward.Today, we dive into the announcement of Ventech’s Fund VI, which has closed at €175M — the firm’s largest fund yet, with an impressive 95% LP re-up rate. To unpack it all, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Stephan Wirries, General Partner at Ventech. From AI and industrial software to European sovereignty and late-stage capital markets, Stephan shares how Ventech is positioning itself for the next decade — and why Europe still has structural gaps to fix if it wants to scale globally.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:01:00 Announcing Fund VI: €175M close, Ventech’s largest ever, with 95% LP re-up.03:00 What LPs are telling us: trust in the model and appetite for AI.04:00 Ventech’s pan-European footprint: Paris, Munich, Berlin, Helsinki, Stockholm.06:00 Why 50% of capital is aimed at AI, with cross-pollination into health, cyber, and industry.08:00 AI inside VC itself: sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support.09:30 Sovereignty & cybersecurity as Fund VI’s core theme.12:00 Industrial software & robotics: Europe’s edge in automation and “physical AI.”15:00 Lessons from the dot-com crash to today’s AI wave.18:00 Why Ventech avoids foundational LLMs but backs applied AI.20:00 Strategic European bets: Mistral, ASML, and deep tech leadership.22:00 The road ahead: growth capital, IPO markets, and pension reform.

Welcome back to the EUCVC Summit Talks, where we bring you candid conversations with Europe’s leading founders, corporate leaders, and investors shaping the future of venture collaboration.In this session, Linn Clabburn, Head of CVC at Inter IKEA Group, and Destana Herring, Partner at Regeneration.VC, explore how corporates and VCs can partner with founders without overshadowing them.From aligning on objectives to translating “corporate scale” into startup reality, Linn and Destana share how trust, sparring, and clarity in the boardroom can make or break collaboration.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:00:10 Scale with, not over, founders: why trust is the foundation.01:00 The “love triangle” — navigating the CVC, VC, and founder dynamic.02:30 Different ambitions, shared value — why alignment before investing is key.04:00 Case study: IKEA + Regeneration joint investment and aligning KPIs.05:00 Translation role of VCs — turning corporate jargon into tangible founder action.06:00 What scale means at IKEA vs. in a startup — and how to bridge the gap.07:00 Success looks different — iterating market applications until corporate fit arrives.08:00 Boardroom courage — how to challenge each other without pulling founders apart.09:00 Unified front — why investors must spar privately, align publicly.

Welcome back to the EUCVC Summit Talks, where we bring you candid conversations with Europe’s leading founders, corporate leaders, and investors shaping the future of venture collaboration.In this episode, Thijs Povel, CEO of dealflow.eu, and Ekke Van Vliet, Investment Coordinator at the European Innovation Council (EIC), sit down to discuss one of the biggest challenges in Europe’s venture ecosystem: bridging the gap between corporates and startups.From EIC’s €10B budget for deep tech to the lessons learned from more than 70 “corporate days,” this session explores what works — and what doesn’t — when building collaboration between Europe’s most innovative startups and its largest corporates.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:00:10 Why startups want scale and corporates want innovation — and why it’s still hard to align.01:00 Inside dealflow.eu: making EU-funded startups visible and accessible to corporates and investors.02:00 The EIC’s €10B fund — grants and equity for deep tech across Europe.03:00 From grants to growth: how EIC supports startups after initial funding.04:00 Lessons from 70+ corporate days — what works, what fails, and the magic ratio of corporates to startups.05:00 Why in-person, 1:1 meetings matter — but too many can backfire.06:00 Tomorrow’s corporate day at TechBBQ — a live case study in matchmaking.07:00 Why deep tech startups in energy, climate, and healthcare are prime for corporate collaboration.08:00 What corporates actually get: curated startups, ready-to-scale solutions, and no cost to participate.09:00 Tomorrow’s 14 featured startups — from solar blinds to healthy air and construction tech.

Welcome back to the EUCVC Summit Talks, where we bring you behind-the-scenes conversations with the founders, corporates, and investors shaping Europe’s venture collaboration landscape.In this episode, Jeppe Høier sits down with Jesper Bang Olsen, Partner at BEAM, and Kerk Wichmann, VP of Corporate Strategy at Jungheinrich and Managing Partner at Uplift Ventures. Together, they unpack the realities of corporate venture building: why corporates need to separate venture initiatives from the mothership, how to anchor strategically, and what it takes to balance startup agility with industrial scale.From governance and champions to customer infiltration and fast decision-making, this is a candid look at how leading corporates are building real ventures—not just innovation playgrounds.🎧 Here’s what’s covered00:19 Why Uplift Ventures was born—responding to Chinese competition and software-driven disruption.01:00 Why ventures fail inside the mothership—rules, governance, and slow cycles.03:00 Jesper’s story: from DVDs wiped out by Spotify to creating BEAM as a venture builder.04:00 Value triggers at BEAM—finding good niche problems, anchored near but not inside the core.05:00 Anchoring strategy: why top management commitment is non-negotiable.06:00 Balancing two worlds—leveraging 6,000 service engineers and 2,000 sales reps while learning startup speed.07:00 Secret sauce at BEAM—separation from the corporate, but with champions inside who love the speed.08:00 Customer infiltration—winning over corporate clients directly to create positive friction.09:00 Venture governance—independent venture board, external members, and strict stage-gate decisions.

Welcome back to another episode of Upside at the EUVC Podcast, where Dan Bowyer, Mads Jensen of SuperSeed and Lomax from Outsized Ventures unpack what’s happening in European tech and venture capital.This week: The UK lands $150B of US pledges and 120,000 Nvidia GPUs—can London turn its AI hype into substance? NATO on edge after Russian incursions across Poland and Denmark. Are we witnessing an AI bubble, or just the infrastructure wave of the century? Plus: cyber risk after JLR’s ransomware hit, Trump’s $100K H-1B visa fee, and the week’s billion-dollar deals.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:01:59 The UK Economy: stalled housing, digital ID hopes, and why Gatwick beats Heathrow.08:02 Macro Context: UK at 1% growth vs US 3.8%, but Revolut and AI unicorns offer upside.11:23 Trump’s UK State Visit: $150B in pledges, Nvidia’s mega GPU cluster, and hidden strings.17:34 Pageantry vs Reality: Andrew on IMF forecasts and why the UK still outpaces France & Germany.20:41 Pensions & Equity Gap: Why Europe lags the US in growth capital.25:17 Are We in an AI Bubble? Big tech’s circular bets, Nvidia’s chokehold, and history repeating.35:12 Cybersecurity & AI: JLR hack fallout, ransomware surge, and a $500B market by 2030.43:21 NATO on Edge: Russian drones in allied airspace, Trump’s hawkish rhetoric, and Europe’s defense unicorns.53:28 The H-1B Shock: Trump’s $100K fee and whether Europe can seize the talent opportunity.59:44 Deal of the Week: N-Scale’s $1.1B data center raise and Oura Ring’s $875M round.

Welcome back to the EUCVC Summit Talks, where we bring you candid conversations with Europe’s leading founders, corporate leaders, and investors shaping the future of venture collaboration.In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm speaks with Gina Domanig, Managing Partner at Emerald Technology Ventures, and Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, on what it really takes to design, launch, and evolve corporate venture capital programs that endure.They explore how corporates can balance financial credibility with strategic impact, why governance and structure matter, and how to bridge the cultural gap between startups and corporates. From KPIs and deal flow to long-term commitment, this is a masterclass in building CVCs that deliver more than returns.Here's whats covered:00:30 Building a CVC program is more than financial—it’s a cultural shift.01:00 Exploitation vs. exploration — balancing today’s business with tomorrow’s bets.02:00 The role of funds, reserves, and acting like financial VCs to gain credibility.04:00 Gina’s “CVC as a service” model — how Emerald engages with multiple corporates.05:00 Why corporates must commit resources to both financial and strategic value creation.06:00 Engagement processes — KPIs, partnerships, and designing for tangible outcomes.07:00 Mining deal flow — helping corporates benefit even from startups not invested in.08:00 Deliverables matter — deal flow, pilots, KPIs, and leadership pressure for follow-through.09:00 Investor + consultant? Or financial + strategic VC? — the real identity of CVCs.💡 One-liner takeaway: Corporate venture programs succeed when they combine financial discipline with strategic alignment—backed by clear KPIs, strong governance, and leadership commitment.

Welcome back to another EUVC Podcast, where we gather Europe’s venture family to share the stories, insights, and lessons that drive our ecosystem forward.Today we dive into the mainstreaming of stablecoin yield with David Sutter, CEO & Co-founder of OpenTrade, and Itxaso del Palacio, GP at Notion Capital. With $11M raised in just six months, transaction volumes already topping $200M, and growth at 20% month-on-month, OpenTrade is one of the fastest-scaling fintech infrastructure plays in Europe. But this is about much more than another fintech: it’s about embedding yield into the financial internet, bridging stablecoins with real-world assets, and building institutional-grade trust for millions of users across Latin America and Europe.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:00:00 Introduction: Andreas sets the stage on stablecoin yield; welcomes David (OpenTrade) & Itxaso (Notion).05:00 OpenTrade Origins: David on early stablecoin work, the “yield gap,” and why embedded yield is the next frontier.10:00 Why Notion Invested: Itxaso explains the fintech infra angle, regulatory tailwinds, and parallels to prior bets.15:00 Stablecoins & AI: How AI agents will need financial rails, and why stablecoins are the only money fit for machines.20:00 The B2B2C Model: Why OpenTrade scales via fintech partners, lessons from Circle & Stripe.25:00 Real-World Asset Yield: Treasuries, commercial paper, trade finance, private credit, and DeFi strategies.30:00 Traction & Growth: $200M processed, $65M balances, 20% MoM growth — early but fast-scaling.35:00 Investor Diligence: Itxaso on team quality, regulatory strategy, asset transparency, and Notion’s conviction.40:00 Scaling Priorities: David on building the right team, institutional safeguards, and systems for growth.50:00 Closing Reflections: Investor opportunity in crypto infra, regulation as an enabler, and why “now is the time.”

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.This week, Andreas sits down with Andy Budd, Venture Partner at Seedcamp, founder-turned-investor, and one of the earliest pioneers of UX design in Europe.Andy’s journey spans two decades of building and scaling—from creating one of the UK’s first CSS-based websites to founding Clearleft, Europe’s first UX agency, to now advising founders at Seedcamp. He’s used that knowledge to write a new book all about startup growth. Something we’re sure your portfolio companies will find super useful.In this episode, Andy unpacks why design is central (not cosmetic)to early-stage success, how product-market fit often hides behind poor UX, and what AI might (and might not) automate in a founder’s journey.Here’s what’s covered:02:00 | UX Before It Was Cool: Launching Europe’s first UX agency04:00 | Mentor to Partner: The Seedcamp connection and how it evolved07:30 | Design in Venture: Why UX is essential to product-market fit11:00 | AI & UX: Johnny Ive, ChatGPT, and designing for mass adoption15:00 | Super Users vs. Everyone Else: Where AI tools fail the average user18:00 | Operator Value: What Andy brings to the Seedcamp portfolio22:00 | The Growth Equation: Seven factors every founder needs to master30:00 | Fundraising Is Also UX: Using growth principles to pitch better33:00 | Small Is Smart: The rise of leaner, faster, better startups39:00 | Can Seed-Strapping Work? Why not all winners need to be unicorns43:30 | Product-Led Growth: When it works—and when it doesn’t

From governance models to internal alignment, they share the blueprint for how corporate venture arms can thrive beyond the 3.7-year industry average lifespan. The discussion ranges from financial vs. strategic returns, to the “King of the Hill” philosophy, to why equal-win partnerships are essential if corporates want to play the long game.This is essential listening for corporate leaders, founders, and investors who want to understand how to build CVCs that stand the test of time.🎧 Here’s what’s covered00:35 Balancing short-term pressures with long-term horizons in corporate venture.01:00 Measuring strategic impact: why financial returns aren’t enough, and how to keep communication continuous.02:00 Governance models: how Fidelity and TDK designed their investment committees.03:12 Strategy vs. finance: why it’s a false choice and the case for picking future market leaders.05:00 The “King of the Hill” concept: investing in potential category leaders even before markets exist.06:00 Why the financial bar must come first—and how corporates can offer startups more than just capital.07:00 Avoiding the “strategic-only” trap: why CVCs fail and how to last beyond the 3.7-year average.08:00 Working with champions inside the mothership and building early success stories.09:00 Equal-win partnerships: why both corporates and startups must feel the value for relationships to endure.