Episodit

  • VC | E516 | Founding with Focus: Why Italy’s VC Moment Is Now

    VC | E516 | Founding with Focus: Why Italy’s VC Moment Is Now

    · EUVC

    Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where we connect and champion the voices shaping European venture. Today, we spotlight Lorenzo Franzi, Founding Partner at the Italian Founders Fund, to explore how a new generation of fund managers is reshaping Italy's startup landscape—and why deep empathy, focused strategy, and intentional market building are the foundation.

    Lorenzo opens up about his journey from angel investor to institutional VC, shares insights on navigating Italy’s regulatory landscape, and explains why now is the time to believe in the Italian opportunity.

    Here's what's covered:02:00 Why Fund Strategy Starts With Empathy: How Lorenzo’s unique experience grounds his founder-first approach05:15 The Thesis of Italian Founders Fund: A triad of Italy, diaspora, and inbound startups08:10 Why There Are No Small Funds in Italy: Structural barriers and the missing middle12:44 Data-Driven Support at Scale: Building productized VC operations16:02 Market Maturation: Applying Foundamental's venture framework to Italy19:00 Building an Edge through Focus: A concentrated portfolio with proximity-driven value22:30 From Angels to Institutions: What the Italian startup scene needs next25:50 Forget Unicorn Chasing: Why the alpha strategy matters more at pre-seed28:40 Is Now the Time to Back Italy? Lorenzo’s bet and what makes it different30:18 Ecosystem Building Through Visibility: Why global VCs must come meet local founders

  • VC | E515 | This Week in European Tech with Dan, Mads & Lomax

    VC | E515 | This Week in European Tech with Dan, Mads & Lomax

    · EUVC

    Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC Podcast, your trusted inside track on the people, deals, and dynamics shaping European venture.

    This week, Dan Bowyer and Mads Jensen of SuperSeed and Lomax from Outsized Ventures, gather to unpack the macro forces and micro signals shaping European tech and venture.

    They sit down to break down the two sides of the IPO market: the soaring optimism behind Figma’s public debut — and the deep freeze that’s hit London listings harder than at any time since before the dot-com crash.

    They also unpack what Figma’s $730M paper loss means, how vertical AI is the next generation of SaaS, and what the UK must fix to stand a chance in the global listings race.

    If you’re investing, building, or just trying to make sense of the markets this summer — this one’s for you.

    Here’s what’s covered02:30 | AI infra’s moment & CoreWeave hype
    Why infra plays like CoreWeave and Circle have the market buzzing — but vertical AI is where the next SaaS returns lie.04:50 | Figma’s $730M paper loss explained
    Mad breaks down the headline figure, the failed Adobe deal, the FTC veto, and why this IPO is about fundamentals — not hype.08:20 | Tender offer drama & employee morale
    How Figma’s $20B exit fizzled — and the May 2024 tender to keep teams motivated ahead of listing.12:00 | Figma as a bellwether for design & vertical AI
    Why product-led SaaS is shifting toward deep vertical AI workflows — and what that means for investors.15:45 | London: the slowest IPO H1 in nearly 30 years
    Counter to the US’s $9B+ haul in 12 deals, London managed just $160M across five listings. A brutal gap.18:10 | Worse than dot-com. Worse than ‘08.
    Dan & Mad put the numbers in perspective: this is the weakest stretch since before many listeners were born.26:15 | Dual-class shares & free float: too little too late?
    Why tweaking share classes & float minimums is more copy-paste than innovation — and not the real fix.35:20 | The ESG paradox & listing tension
    Where does London’s ESG edge help — and where does it push big companies abroad?40:15 | US vs UK capital markets: talent, trust & scale
    Why founders and funds still flock to New York — and the structural advantages London must address.44:30 | Can London fight back?
    What would it actually take to make London relevant again for growth listings? Dan’s realist take.50:00 | Lessons from Figma for founders
    Why strong fundamentals still matter — and how the tender saga shows the cost of employee trust.55:00 | The vertical AI playbook: Europe’s edge?
    Where Europe’s sector expertise might win if it can get capital markets working again.

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  • VC | E514 | Exceptional Ventures’ Matt Cooper & Paolo Pio on Fixing HealthTech’s Hype Problem

    VC | E514 | Exceptional Ventures’ Matt Cooper & Paolo Pio on Fixing HealthTech’s Hype Problem

    · EUVC

    In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm talks with Paolo Pio and Matt Cooper, Founding Partners of Exceptional Ventures, to unpack their mission-driven approach to health and wellness investing. They dive into “Joyspan¼”, their unique investment thesis which centres on a personal balance between health and happiness, and the growing need to separate science from hype in health tech.

    Here’s what’s covered:02:53 Paolo Pio's Journey to Venture Capital05:52 Matt Cooper's Accidental Path to VC14:57 Unique Positioning in the Venture Ecosystem17:46 The Importance of Entrepreneurial Integrity20:55 Navigating the European Venture Landscape24:08 Investment Strategies and Value Creation28:03 Developing Future Leaders in Venture Capital31:01 The Mission of Joyspan¼: Health, Wellbeing, and Happiness36:34 Integrating Health and Joyspan¼ into Venture Capital40:27 Separating Science from Fiction in Health Tech

  • VC | E513 | Rich Ashton on Backing AdTech’s Trillion Dollar Niche with FirstPartyCapital

    VC | E513 | Rich Ashton on Backing AdTech’s Trillion Dollar Niche with FirstPartyCapital

    · EUVC

    In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Rich Ashton to unpack the unique thesis behind FirstPartyCapital, a specialist VC fund backing early-stage founders in the global AdTech and MarTech sector.

    Rich explores why this trillion-dollar industry has remained overlooked by mainstream VC, what it takes to be a successful investor in the complex ad ecosystem, and why FirstPartyCapital's massive LP network and deep expertise are enabling them to lead the charge.

    Here’s what’s covered:
    04:07 Why AdTech is the Trillion Dollar Niche11:51 The Facebook & Google Dominance Myth12:22 Case Studies: Trade Desk, AppLovin, Lumen14:17 Why Most Funds Miss the AdTech Opportunity15:38 DOJ vs Google, and the Breakup Implications17:20 AI & the Future of Attention24:37 Why First Party Capital is Uniquely Positioned26:27 From Fund to Syndicate, Studio, and Lending28:54 Portfolio Highlights: Lumen, Bedrock, Pixels31:22 Fund II: Now Raising, Backed by Strategic LPs

  • VC | E512 | Riding First Tracks: Circularity, Purpose & Leading Beyond Hierarchy

    VC | E512 | Riding First Tracks: Circularity, Purpose & Leading Beyond Hierarchy

    · EUVC

    Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.

    This week, Andreas is joined by Oliver Brunschwiler, purpose-driven entrepreneur, former pro snowboarder, and longtime systems thinker, along with Enrique Molina from Chi Impact Capital, co-hosting this deep dive into what it means to lead with purpose, design for circularity, and build organizations that reinvent themselves from the inside out.

    Oliver’s journey goes from first tracks on fresh powder to first tracks in organizational design—helping companies ditch rigid hierarchies for role-based, purpose-led systems. Enrique brings the investor lens, showing how these principles translate into impact capital and portfolio building today.

    In this episode, they break down how circularity is moving from hype to hard reality, why trust and leadership still matter in the most “self-organizing” teams, and how the best founders navigate the tension between market dips and mission-driven staying power.

    This Episode’s Themes:Holacracy, role-based teams & why leadership still mattersCircularity’s gap phase—and what’s quietly thrivingIndustrial impact: batteries, PET, and supply chains redesignedPolicy tailwinds: how the EU is making circular the new normFirst tracks mindset: from snowboarding to systems changeHere’s what’s covered:00:00 | From pro snowboarding to purpose-driven business02:00 | Sports, freedom & the roots of Oliver’s entrepreneurial DNA04:30 | The value of pushing limits—on boards and in boardrooms08:00 | Holacracy & new work: why “no boss” usually fails12:00 | Purpose is boss: role-based systems done right15:00 | AI, agents & managing the unmanageable—what changes, what doesn’t19:00 | When people don’t want ownership—why clear leadership stays vital20:00 | Circularity: beyond the hype cycle and into tough reality24:00 | Surviving the stock dip: founders reconciling mission and market28:00 | Industrial scale impact: batteries, chemical recycling & what’s next32:00 | Where Oliver sees big opportunities now (food, upcycling, building)36:00 | Corporates, supply chains & Fairphone as a case in point40:00 | The EU Green Deal, Right to Repair & why policy matters44:00 | Final thoughts: trust the purpose, ride the dip, build the system

  • VC | E511 | EUVC Summit: Lessons from Building Index with Bernard Dalle & Thomas Kristensen, LGT Capital Partners

    VC | E511 | EUVC Summit: Lessons from Building Index with Bernard Dalle & Thomas Kristensen, LGT Capital Partners

    · EUVC

    At the EUVC Summit, Bernard Dalle (formerly of Index Ventures) and Thomas Kristensen (LGT Capital Partners) shared candid reflections on how to build a venture firm from the inside out. Instead of fixating on star hires and grand strategies, their talk emphasized the compounding power of cultural alignment, junior talent development, and early operational investment.

    Drawing on first-hand experience, they unpack what it takes to build enduring institutions—where team, trust, and time matter more than titles.

    Whether you're raising your first fund or scaling your platform team, this conversation offers timeless lessons from one of Europe’s most respected firms.

    Here’s what’s covered:00:45 Betting on People: Why hiring for cultural fit beats chasing CVs02:20 Long-Term Talent Playbooks: Junior hires, long runway, big impact03:50 Under-hiring on Purpose: Why Index rarely hired GPs straight out05:10 The Operations Edge: Building support teams early pays dividends07:00 The Index Blueprint: Early days with David, Pascal, and a deep ops bench08:30 Institutional Memory: Capturing partner insights across the portfolio

  • VC | E510 | Emma Steele & Emily Trant on building ventures where profit and purpose scale together

    VC | E510 | Emma Steele & Emily Trant on building ventures where profit and purpose scale together

    · EUVC

    Welcome to the Impact Highlight series, powered by EUVC, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.

    This week, August is joined by Emma Steele (Partner at Ascension) and Emily Trant (Head of Impact at Wagestream), two of the most vocal champions for mission-aligned tech in Europe.

    In this episode, we explore the nuances of building and backing commercial businesses that generate genuine social value. Emma and Emily reflect on where the commercial model does work for impact, where it doesn’t, and why intent matters as much as outcomes.

    From designing products that serve vulnerable users to structuring impact advisory boards that challenge you, this is a real look into how impact venture plays out at the fund and founder level.

    🎯 This Episode’s Themes:What “tech for good” actually looks like in ventureBuilding scalable impact and sustainable returnsHow to think about charity vs commercial modelsWhy intent and design matter more than labelsHow impact boards can go wrong—and how to make them workHere’s what’s covered:00:00 | Meet Emma & Emily: Impact VC meets operating at scale02:30 | What Is “Impact” Anyway? And why Ascension never used the label06:15 | Wagestream’s Model: Serving those who can’t pay—at scale10:00 | Market Failures & Margin Models: Why commercial still wins13:00 | Data That Matters: From savings behavior to sleep quality17:00 | Charity vs Commercial: The tension no one likes to talk about20:15 | Impact Boards: How to make them useful (hint: be honest)24:30 | The Venture Fit: Why scale and impact aren’t opposites28:00 | Calling Future Founders: Be intentional from day one

  • VC | E509 | This Week in European Tech with Dan, Mads & Lomax

    VC | E509 | This Week in European Tech with Dan, Mads & Lomax

    · EUVC

    Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where Dan Bowyer and Mads Jensen of SuperSeed and Lomax from Outsized Ventures, gather to unpack the macro forces and micro signals shaping European tech and venture.

    This week, the trio tackles one of the most geopolitically charged, capital-heavy, and morally complex episodes yet:

    🎯 This Week’s Themes:The global reshuffling of power: Israel, Iran, Russia, UkraineWhy defense is back—and what it means for VCsEurope’s space ambitions and what the ESA’s new satellite project signalsChina’s trade plays and Europe’s rare earths vulnerabilityAI, IPOs, and why founders might want to stay private longerSurgical robots, ambient AI, and who’s building the future of healthcarePlus: Daniel Ek gets flak, SPACs sneak back, and why VCs are speed-running $15B deals in one weekHere’s what’s covered:02:00 | War & Markets: Iran, Israel, oil prices & the Bank of England holds steady06:00 | Defense Budgets: Why Europe is (finally) spending10:00 | VC Taboo: Why investing in weapons gets complicated fast15:00 | EIF Restrictions: Sex, gambling, and no defense20:00 | The Rise of Helsing: Europe’s $12B defense unicorn24:00 | Strategic Autonomy: Europe’s new military satellite constellation30:00 | ESA vs Starlink: Earth observation gets serious34:00 | China, Trade Wars & Rare Earths: Why Europe’s exposed40:00 | EU-US Tariffs & Trump’s Pharma Threat42:00 | IPO Boom: Chime, Circle, and the SPAC comeback47:00 | CMR Surgical: UK’s $4B robot exit—is that enough?53:00 | Lessons from Intuitive Surgical & deeptech M&A56:00 | Deal of the Week: Nabla’s AI for clinicians, Helsing’s big swing, and Scale AI’s lightning-fast cash1:02:00 | Founders in Government: Alex DePledge & Matt Clifford’s impact1:05:00 | Meta’s AI Transfers: Zuck goes full football transfer window

  • VC | E508 | Betting on Better Humans: Inside Exceptional Ventures’ Health & Longevity Playbook

    VC | E508 | Betting on Better Humans: Inside Exceptional Ventures’ Health & Longevity Playbook

    · EUVC

    Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.

    This week, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Paolo Pio, co-founder and Managing Partner at Exceptional Ventures — a mission-driven early-stage fund investing in the future of human health, fitness, nutrition, and longevity.

    Paolo shares how a personal obsession with sleep, metabolism, and fitness evolved into a structured thesis for investing in businesses and technologies that help us live better, longer — and how Exceptional Ventures plans to back over 200 founders across three funds to deliver returns that match the mission.

    🎯 This Episode’s Themes:Why health, fitness, and prevention are ripe for VC investmentHow personalized, continuous monitoring unlocks true wellnessThe 4-pillared thesis: prevention, early detection, smarter care & deliveryLessons from Fund I: 3,600 companies reviewed → 37 investmentsThe case for “high-volume VC” in Europe: why more bets matterFrom sleep hygiene to nanobots: the future of health innovationCommunity, LPs, and morning workouts at SuperVentureHere’s what’s covered:01:00 | The Mission: Improving the human joy path through health & longevity03:00 | Why Now: Obesity, metabolic health & the need for smarter prevention05:00 | The Four Pillars: Sleep, exercise, early detection & delivery innovation08:00 | Exceptional’s Model: Fund I learnings, Fund II targets, Fund III ambitions10:00 | The Volume Bet: Why Europe needs funds backing 50+ startups per cycle12:00 | Sourcing & Screening: From 3,600 companies to 37 portfolio bets15:00 | Backing Founders on the Edge: From glucose monitoring to rural US clinics18:00 | The Big Vision: 200+ founders backed, 30,000+ community members21:00 | Big LP Names & Co-Investors: How the wider venture stack leans in24:00 | Why Community Matters: The morning workouts, the events, the energy27:00 | Longevity & Fund IV: Why the best is still ahead

  • SV | E507 | Björn Tremmerie, European Investment Fund — Tech Sovereignty, DPI Realities & Europe’s Venture Evolution

    SV | E507 | Björn Tremmerie, European Investment Fund — Tech Sovereignty, DPI Realities & Europe’s Venture Evolution

    · EUVC

    In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Björn Tremmerie, Head of Technology Fund Investments at the European Investment Fund (EIF), live from the EUVC studio at SuperVenture 2025.

    They delve deeply into the true state of European venture capital, examining long-term performance trends, the role of EIF as Europe's policy-aligned capital allocator, and how sovereignty, resilience, and maturity are reshaping the ecosystem.

    Here’s what’s covered:00:00 SuperVenture Loyalty & Ecosystem Energy01:02 The Mood in Market: Storms, Maturity & Resilience03:04 What Makes This Moment in Venture a Real Opportunity03:31 Recap of Björn’s Panel with Joe from Isomer05:15 DPI Truths: The Top 50 Funds & A Look Back to 201706:04 Defense Tech & Dual-Use: What EIF Will (and Won’t) Fund09:34 Sovereignty ≠ Isolation: The Real Role of the EIF11:00 Later-Stage Funding Gaps & Europe’s Infrastructure Problem12:36 Satellites, SpaceX & European Strategic Dependencies14:14 Learnings From 25+ Years in the Game15:01 Philosophical, But Practical: What VC Responsibility Means16:17 A Clear Statement on Openness, Not Isolation

  • SV | E506 | Andre de Haes, Backed VC — Building the Davos for Founders, Redefining VC Edge & Embracing Authenticity

    SV | E506 | Andre de Haes, Backed VC — Building the Davos for Founders, Redefining VC Edge & Embracing Authenticity

    · EUVC

    In this episode, David Cruz e Silva sits down with Andre de Haes, founder of Backed VC, live from SuperVenture 2025 in Berlin.

    Backed is one of Europe’s boldest early-stage funds, known not just for investing in frontier tech but for pioneering a new model of VC community. In this conversation, Andre unpacks the philosophical and practical foundations of their work—from turning a value-add into a moat to why “edge” in venture is mostly a myth—unless you build your own rules.

    Who should listen:
    Emerging managers figuring out how to build true differentiationLPs trying to evaluate durable edge in a saturated VC marketFounders deciding what kind of capital partner they want long-termHere what’s covered:
    00:00 Who is Andre de Haes & What is Backed VC?00:32 Frontier Tech Focus: Fintech, Bio, and Manufacturing Software01:30 Why Community is a Core Offering—Not a Side Show02:15 Behind the Scenes: The SuperVenture Speaker Dinner & Rooftop Surprise04:00 Playing the Long Game: Trust Built Over 20-Year Cycles05:08 Stage Preview: What it Means to Build VC Edge07:50 Advice for LPs on Identifying Real Differentiation10:50 Biggest Learnings: Humility, Leverage & Contrarian Courage15:00 Investing at the Frontier: Computational Bio, Optics & Non-Invasive Brain Tech16:00 What Munger & Buffett Teach Us About Capital Efficiency in VC

  • SV | E504 | Jan Miczaika, Partner at HV Capital — ESG, Defense, and Deep Tech from a Pan-European Heavyweight

    SV | E504 | Jan Miczaika, Partner at HV Capital — ESG, Defense, and Deep Tech from a Pan-European Heavyweight

    · EUVC

    Live from SuperVenture 2025 in Berlin, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Jan Miczaika, Partner at HV Capital, one of Europe’s largest and longest-standing venture capital firms.

    Together, they talk about macro trends shaping the future of VC, HV Capital’s unique positioning across funding stages, and offer a refreshingly honest take on ESG, DEI, defense, hype, LP dynamics, and the challenges of building a VC fund.

    This episode is a must-listen for:
    LPs trying to understand how established firms see the worldEmerging managers finding their product-market fitFounders building across deep tech, defense, and climate💡 What you'll learn:
    Why SuperVenture is a cultural paradox in Berlin—and why Jan loves itHow HV Capital operates with flexibility across €500K to €50M investmentsThe future of ESG & DEI in a depoliticized, impact-first worldDefense investing: HV’s bets on Quantum Systems & Rocket StartupsWhat the G in ESG means—and why it's more relevant than everAdvice for emerging managers: Fund I is hard, Fund II and III are harderA reflection on being humbled by VC, even after successful exitsHere what’s covered:
    00:00 SuperVenture, Berlin, and Capitalism in the Radical Left’s Hometown01:00 The HV Capital Model: From €500K to €50M in One Platform02:00 ESG, DEI & Fiduciary Duty: Past the Pendulum, Toward Balance04:05 Why Impact Companies Still Win: A Case Study from Copenhagen05:05 Defense Tech & ESG: Not Contradictory, But Complementary06:54 Advice for Emerging Managers: Fund Fit, Hustle & Dual Product-Market Fit10:02 Words for LPs: Don’t Dismiss Venture as “Too Risky”11:45 Lessons in Humility: From Founding Two Companies to Becoming a VC13:00 Betting Big: Why NeuroRobotics Said No to Focus & Yes to Full Stack

  • VC | E503 | The Fall of TechCrunch Europe & The Future of European Tech Media

    VC | E503 | The Fall of TechCrunch Europe & The Future of European Tech Media

    · EUVC

    Welcome to a special emergency episode of the EUVC podcast, where Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Cathy White founder of CEW Communications and her star colleague and former tech.eu managing editor Dan Taylor —two of the most plugged-in voices in European tech media —to dissect the shocking news of TechCrunch Europe’s closure and what’s ahead.

    In this raw and real conversation, they unpack:
    Why TechCrunch’s downfall signals something bigger in mediaWhat the rise of AI means for journalists, PR pros, and founders alikeAnd how Europe’s startup ecosystem can—and must—take charge of its narrativeFrom the role of creators and newsletters to the shift from SEO to “LEO,” this one’s for anyone building in, writing about, or pitching European tech.

    Here’s what’s covered:
    00:10 The Impact of TechCrunch's Closure on European Media06:33 The Future of Media in Europe10:30 The Rise of Entrepreneurial Journalism15:46 Navigating the New Media Landscape for Startups18:06 The Shift from SEO to LEO in Media Strategy23:13 Making Complex Ideas Accessible27:18 The Role of PR in the Age of AI29:31 The Importance of Human Touch in AI33:12 AI's Impact on Content Creation and Journalism39:37 The Future of Journalism and New Publications

  • SV | E502 | Joe Schorge, Isomer Capital — Unlocking European Liquidity, Secondaries as a Catalyst & Why Predictive Power is a Myth

    SV | E502 | Joe Schorge, Isomer Capital — Unlocking European Liquidity, Secondaries as a Catalyst & Why Predictive Power is a Myth

    · EUVC

    In this episode, David Cruz e Silva sits down with Joe Schorge, founder of Isomer Capital, one of Europe’s most thoughtful and active LPs—backing funds, co-investing with top GPs, and increasingly leaning into secondaries.

    From deep dives into the maturing European tech ecosystem, to the reality of what “liquidity” means today, Joe shares what it takes to build long-term portfolios and navigate cycles with wisdom (and a little humor).

    Who should listen:
    LPs thinking through secondary exposure and portfolio liquidityGPs raising new funds with legacy tailwinds (or baggage)Founders and angels curious about how liquidity really works behind the scenesHere’s what’s covered:
    00:00 Meet Joe Schorge & Isomer Capital’s model00:31 Why SuperVenture is ground zero for LP/GP dealflow01:30 A New Era of Secondaries: From passive to proactive02:55 "It's not a return until you can buy a beer with it." đŸ»03:30 DPI, exits & reflections from the stage with Björn Tremmerie05:00 What macro uncertainty (and Trump tariffs) are doing to exit timelines06:00 Under the hood: Growth is happening — but the windows haven’t reopened yet07:30 Who’s actually buying today? Founders, growth funds, and LP-focused secondaries09:28 Joe’s key learnings: time, uncertainty & the illusion of predictive power12:23 Advice to aspiring LPs & emerging allocators15:00 Diversification in venture is not optional — it’s existential

  • SV | E501 | Matthew Spence, Barclays — Why Defense Tech Is Back, IPOs Are “Sneaky Good” & The Return to Deep Tech

    SV | E501 | Matthew Spence, Barclays — Why Defense Tech Is Back, IPOs Are “Sneaky Good” & The Return to Deep Tech

    · EUVC

    In this episode, David Cruz e Silva sits down with Matthew Spence, Barclays’ Global Head of Venture Capital Banking, to talk about the state of exits, dual-use tech, and how Europe can seize the next defense innovation wave. With a background spanning the White House, Pentagon, and a16z, Matt shares a unique view from the intersection of global power, technology, and venture.

    Who should listen:
    GPs working with later-stage companies or exit-readinessLPs and allocators curious about dual-use and defense opportunitiesPolicymakers and ecosystem builders across EuropeAnyone wondering how venture intersects with geopoliticsHere’s what’s covered:
    00:00 Meet Matt Spence & why Barclays is doubling down on venture01:00 SuperVenture 2025: Why Berlin matters to a Silicon Valley banker01:39 “Sneaky good”: The IPO market is back—but not how you expect03:00 How GPs can prep for exits—before they’re even on the table04:00 Barclays as an LP: What their private bank is looking for05:10 Defense tech: From bombs to AI & cloud for the battlefield07:00 “The government is a terrible customer”—but that’s changing08:30 Dual-use: Why it’s not code for defense and shouldn’t be10:00 The real opportunity for Europe: leapfrog, don’t lag12:30 A wake-up call for Brussels and national leaders15:00 The return to deep tech: hardware + software, redux16:45 Why this isn't just a new trend—it's a venture returning to its roots

  • VC | E500 | This Week in European Tech with Dan, Mads & Lomax

    VC | E500 | This Week in European Tech with Dan, Mads & Lomax

    · EUVC

    Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where Dan Bowyer and Mads Jensen of SuperSeed and Lomax from Outsized Ventures gather to unpack the macro forces and micro signals shaping European tech and venture.

    This week, the trio tackles one of the most geopolitically charged, capital-heavy, and morally complex episodes yet:
    The global reshuffling of power: Israel, Iran, Russia, and UkraineWhy defense is back—and what it means for VCsEurope's space ambitions and what the ESA's new satellite project signalsChina's trade plays and Europe's vulnerability in rare earthsAI, IPOs, and why founders might want to stay private longerSurgical robots, ambient AI, and who’s building the future of healthcarePlus: Daniel Ek gets flak, SPACs sneak back, and why VCs are now speed-running $15B deals in one week.

    Here’s what’s covered:
    02:00 War & Markets: Iran, Israel, oil prices & Bank of England holds06:00 Defense Budgets: Why Europe is (finally) spending10:00 VC Taboo: Why investing in weapons gets complicated fast15:00 EIF Restrictions: Sex, gambling, and no defense20:00 The Rise of Helsing: Europe’s $12B defense unicorn24:00 Strategic Autonomy: Europe’s new military satellite constellation30:00 ESA vs. Starlink: Earth observation gets serious34:00 China, Trade Wars & Rare Earths: Why Europe’s exposed40:00 EU-US Tariffs & Trump’s Pharma Threat42:00 IPO Boom: Chime, Circle, and the SPAC comeback47:00 CMR Surgical: UK’s $4B robot exit—is that enough?53:00 Lessons from Intuitive Surgical & deeptech M&A56:00 Deal of the Week: Nabla’s AI for clinicians, Helsing, and Scale AI’s lightning-fast cash01:02:00 Founders in Government: Alex DePledge & Matt Clifford’s impact01:05:00 Meta’s AI Transfers: Zuck goes full football transfer window

  • VC | E499 | Quantum Is Here: Europe’s Deeptech Moment

    VC | E499 | Quantum Is Here: Europe’s Deeptech Moment

    · EUVC

    Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture. This week, Andreas is joined by Christophe Jurczak, Managing Partner at Quantonation, the world’s first dedicated quantum technologies VC fund.

    Together, they unpack the tangible, applied promise of quantum technologies—far beyond the hype—and discuss why Europe may still win in this deep tech arena if capital (and courage) show up at the right time.

    This week’s themes:
    Real-world quantum use cases in health, energy, climate, and securityThe rise of quantum internet and the race to secure communicationsHow interdisciplinary talent makes or breaks applied quantum venturesWhy late-stage capital remains quantum Europe’s biggest bottleneckHere’s what’s covered:
    01:30 Quantum Is Real: Health, energy, climate & security02:45 Quantum Drug Discovery: Pascal & Qubit Pharmaceuticals05:00 Simulation Power: Designing less toxic, more effective molecules06:45 Quantum Internet: Unhackable infrastructure deployments in NYC & Berlin08:30 Why Encryption Is Under Threat—And What Quantum Does About It10:00 No Cryo, No Labs: Room-temp quantum machines are here11:45 Talent Mix: Why computer scientists + physicists = startup advantage13:30 ML on Quantum Hardware: Graph ML and novel quantum algorithms15:00 Europe’s Competitive Edge: IQM, Pascal, and more16:30 The Real Risk: Growth-stage capital and the transatlantic gap18:00 Quantonation’s Vision: A future late-stage fund for European quantum19:00 Final Thoughts: Sci-fi vibes, real-world traction, and a rallying cry

  • VC | E498 | Path to Market: From Zero to Market Leader, A CRO’s GTM Playbook [Seedcamp Series]

    VC | E498 | Path to Market: From Zero to Market Leader, A CRO’s GTM Playbook [Seedcamp Series]

    · EUVC

    In this new episode of Path to Market, our Director Natasha Lytton and co-host Micah Smurthwaite, Partner at Pipeline Ventures, sit down with Tim Bertrand — a three-time GTM leader who’s scaled companies from just a few million to hundreds of millions in revenue. Currently serving as President of HAProxy, Tim previously held sales leadership roles at Acquia and Project44, and brings deep insights into category creation, founder-led sales, sales hiring, and international expansion.

    Tim walks us through his career of building sales engines from the ground up — including Acquia’s leap from $2M to $200M+ ARR — and explains why he keeps coming back to the early-stage trenches.

    He also shares actionable advice for founders: when to hire (and who to hire) in your first sales roles, how to think about pricing in new markets, how to align product and GTM, and what great onboarding and sales coaching look like.

    Here’s what’s covered:
    05:00 Early-Stage Sales: Why Tim Keeps Coming Back07:12 Structuring Your First Sales Hires09:44 Traits of Great Early-Stage Sellers13:00 Does Domain Expertise Matter?15:28 Best Practices for Sales Onboarding17:48 Sales Methodologies: MEDDICC & BANT22:14 Creating Real Urgency in the Sales Cycle30:23 Value-Based Pricing & Market Signals38:09 Building a Business Around Open Source42:16 Sales Methodologies for Founders43:40 Hiring a CRO: When & What to Look For

  • CVC | E497 | Nicole LeBlanc on Corporate VC, Strategic Alignment & Value Creation at Scale

    CVC | E497 | Nicole LeBlanc on Corporate VC, Strategic Alignment & Value Creation at Scale

    · EUVC

    In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm and Jeppe Hþier sit down with Nicole LeBlanc, Partner at Woven Capital, the $800M growth-stage CVC fund backed by Toyota. They unpack what it takes to drive real strategic and financial outcomes in corporate venture — and what founders and GPs often get wrong when working with CVCs.

    Nicole shares how Woven structures its global operations, works hand-in-hand with Toyota’s business units, and leverages a portfolio success team to shepherd startups through complex corporate dynamics. She also breaks down Woven’s investment logic, from hydrogen to lunar rovers — and why corporate alignment shouldn’t come at the cost of independence.

    Here’s what’s covered:00:40 – The structure of Woven Capital & its relationship with Toyota03:00 – How Toyota Ventures (early-stage) and Woven (growth-stage) complement each other09:45 – Building internal bridges: the Portfolio Success team model13:15 – Toyota’s internal incentives (and the carrot vs. stick approach)15:10 – The CVC cultural challenge: Japan, US, and Europe21:40 – How to spot a “red flag” CVC as a founder31:30 – Toyota Open Labs: a new playbook for startup-corporate collaboration34:00 – Woven’s LP strategy: investing in funds for access, insight & geography39:00 – Learnings from fund investing: what CVC LPs need from GPs42:00 – Final advice for startups and corporates alike

  • VC | E496 | Cracking the LP Code: Dario de Wet on Building a Global FoF from Europe

    VC | E496 | Cracking the LP Code: Dario de Wet on Building a Global FoF from Europe

    · EUVC

    In this conversation, David Cruz e Silva sits down with Dario de Wet, Founding Partner of LTV Capital, a next-generation fund-of-funds reshaping the LP-GP landscape through intentional, hands-on support for emerging managers, especially in underserved and global markets.

    Together, they unpack what it takes to stand out as an emerging VC manager today, how LP sentiment is shifting across continents, and why democratizing access to venture capital remains fraught with friction.

    📣 Want to go beyond the podcast? Join us as a EUVC member and dive deeper with Dario de Wet in a Live LP AMA

    Following his powerful podcast episode, Dario de Wet—Founding Partner at LTV Capital—is joining us live to continue the conversation with the EUVC community.

    We’re bringing together top LPs actively investing in VC funds to unpack the realities of allocation strategy, fund selection, and how the global LP playbook is evolving, particularly for emerging managers in Europe and underserved markets.

    đŸŽ€ Don’t Miss This AMA: LP Strategy with Dario de Wet

    From sitting on the Ubuntu Foundation’s LP committee to running a hands-on, next-gen fund-of-funds, Dario brings rare insight into how LPs think, how narrative shapes outcomes, and what’s working (and not) across geographies.

    Whether you’re raising your first fund or leading a fund-of-funds, this is your chance to:

    ✅ Ask your questions directly
    ✅ Learn how LPs assess GPs beyond the pitch
    ✅ Explore trends in co-investments, secondaries & cross-border allocations

    This is the room to be in if you care about the future of venture capital investing—and the LPs who shape it.

    📅 RSVP here for MEMBERS ONLY→ https://lu.ma/n9ugmx1c

    Here’s what’s covered in the podcast:
    03:10 Becoming the Best Emerging Manager: Intentional Positioning06:05 What LPs Actually Want: Archetypes, Risk & Regional Nuance09:30 The Ubuntu Foundation: Building Africa’s Emerging Managers12:45 US vs Europe: Why Dario Still Bets on Europe15:20 Strategic Value in Venture: More Than Just Capital18:35 The Power of Narrative: How Emerging Managers Stand Out26:30 The “1000 Funds” View: Pattern Recognition from UVC28:45 Strategic Sessions, GP Coaching & Market Signal Loops31:20 Should LPs Just Invest in the U.S.? Dario’s Response39:15 If You Made It This Far
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