Follow the Gradient

What do layoffs, leadership, and letting go have in common? In this episode, Tuomas Toivonen, co-founder and CEO of Holvi, shares what it really took to rebuild his company after a major acquisition and painful downsizing.We get into why charging for your product might be the healthiest move you can make, how growth can mask broken fundamentals, and what true leadership looks like when everything falls apart.Tuomas opens up about the hard decisions that followed Holvi’s buyout by BBVA, the lessons he learned from cutting his team by more than half, and why startups are never just about solving one problem.🟢 And before you go, subscribe to our free newsletter at ⁠⁠followthegradient.io⁠⁠. Twice a week, we break down startup and tech news, share exclusive insights from our podcast guests, highlight top job openings from European startups, and provide food for thought you won’t find anywhere else. 🟡

What do robots, risk, and resilience have in common? In this episode, Roman Hölzl, founder and CEO of RobCo, shares how he went from elite freestyle skier to building one of Europe’s most capital-efficient robotics startups.We get into what it takes to sell robots to people who don't want to buy robots, how to say no to average and build a Champions League culture, and move hardware at software speed – all while staying sane under extreme pressure.And yes, we unpack that one night in 2012 that still shapes how Roman leads today.🟢 And before you go, subscribe to our free newsletter at ⁠followthegradient.io⁠. Twice a week, we break down startup and tech news, share exclusive insights from our podcast guests, highlight top job openings from European startups, and provide food for thought you won’t find anywhere else. 🟡

In this week's episode we dive deep into hardware entrepreneurship: Vincent Martinez shares what it actually takes to build and scale a physical product company in a software-first world. From his early PhD research to the successful acquisition of Nanoleq, this episode is packed with raw insights founders need to hear.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why building hardware is 10x harder – and how to survive itThe real cost of scaling: team, machines, funding, and founder sanityHow to go from technology to product to full-stack businessHiring for innovation: balancing scrappy early teams with experienced specialistsWhat most founders get wrong when prepping for an acquisitionAdvice for PhDs and deep tech researchers considering a startup pathAnd before you go, subscribe to our free newsletter at ⁠⁠followthegradient.io⁠⁠. Twice a week, we break down startup and tech news, share exclusive insights from our podcast guests, highlight top job openings from European startups, and provide food for thought you won’t find anywhere else.

Roger Dudler, Founder and CEO of Frontify, shares his experiences in building a brand management platform. He discusses how brand awareness can significantly lower marketing costs and why involving employees in VC selection fosters a stronger company culture. Dudler warns against the risks of hasty hiring and offers a mindset shift for tackling tough decisions confidently. He emphasizes the importance of personal passions in hiring and the deep connection between brand identity and company culture in driving success.

In this episode, Alex Emeshev, co-founder of Vivid Money, reveals the growth strategies, product insights, and key lessons behind their success.What you’ll learn:How Vivid’s cashback model fueled viral growthThe marketing experiments that actually workedWhen to scale (and when to hold back)Why owning your tech stack is a game-changerThe biggest fintech founder mistakes to avoidAnd before you go, subscribe to our free newsletter at followthegradient.io. Twice a week, we break down startup and tech news, share exclusive insights from our podcast guests, highlight top job openings from European startups, and provide food for thought you won’t find anywhere else.

Nicole Herzog, co-founder of b2venture and Umantis, shares her extensive board experience, including her role at Sherpany. She discusses the common misconceptions founders have about their boards, emphasizing that they can be strategic assets rather than mere formalities. Herzog highlights the importance of choosing the right investors, the dynamics of effective board meetings, and how to restructure boards as startups grow. She also stresses collaboration between founders and board members to unlock insights and drive success.

Scaling a startup is hard. Scaling it in healthcare, where regulation slows everything down, is even harder.Kai Eberhardt, CEO & Co-founder of Oviva, knows this first-hand. Since 2014, he has built one of Europe’s leading virtual clinics for obesity and diabetes, treating over 800,000 patients and raising $120 million. But behind those numbers are the real challenges of growth—navigating reimbursement, expanding across markets, hiring the right people, and staying ahead as a leader.In this episode, Kai shares:Why healthtech founders must build for reimbursement, not just productThe toughest lessons from scaling across multiple European marketsHow to keep speed, decision-making, and culture intact beyond 1,000 employeesWhat breaks first when a startup scales—and how to fix itHow to evolve as a CEO so the company doesn’t outgrow youBalancing a high-growth startup with your own health, family, young kids and long-term sustainabilityTune in now to learn from one of Europe’s most successful healthtech founders.Before you go, subscribe to our free newsletter at followthegradient.io. Twice a week, we break down startup and tech news, share exclusive insights from our podcast guests, highlight top job openings from European startups, and provide food for thought you won’t find anywhere else.Now, let’s dive in.

What does it take to turn research into a thriving business? To build high-impact engineering teams?In this episode, we speak with Christof Roduner, co-founder of Scandit, about the journey from academia to entrepreneurship and the pivotal moments that shaped their success.Transitioning from research to business and the impact of the iPhone on software commercialization.The importance of speed, execution, and early customer feedback.Building a strong team and aligning engineering with business goals using OKRs.Insights on hiring top talent and avoiding common mistakes.Promoting transparency in career growth and testing ideas quickly.Want more insights? We break down the latest startup trends and have exclusive guests with hands-on advice on how to build a business - twice a week in our free newsletter. Sign up under followthegradient.io

Embark on a journey through the turbulent world of startups! Discover the VC treadmill and its impact on control and autonomy. Lea von Bidder shares her candid experiences with funding—and how bootstrapping can be a game changer. Delve into the emotional rollercoaster of startup failures and the stark reality behind glamorous success stories. Learn about the cultural nuances of entrepreneurship in Europe and why failure shouldn't define personal identity. This insightful discussion offers valuable lessons on resilience and finding balance in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Adrian Locher, a seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience across continents, shares his profound journey through burnout and personal crisis. He discusses the hidden signs founders often ignore and emphasizes the need for genuine work-life balance. Adrian reveals his three-bucket rule for a healthier life and revisits the importance of mental health in the startup ecosystem. This conversation invites founders to rethink success beyond mere financial gain, advocating for happiness and well-being alongside ambition.