Markus Villig

Markus Villig, Founder and CEO of Bolt, transformed a $5K family loan into an $8 billion global mobility platform. He recounts how he navigated early rejections from major VCs and the unconventional strategies that led to Bolt's rapid expansion. Markus shares insights on finding co-founders, capital efficiency, and the importance of adapting to market demands. He also dives into the challenges of hiring, the thrills of competing with giants like Uber, and the future of micromobility, including self-driving technology and electric scooters.

Markus Villig, the founder and CEO of Bolt, shares his journey from bootstrapping in Estonia to leading a global mobility revolution. He reveals how he pivoted from developing dispatch software to direct ride-hailing, strategically targeting overlooked African cities for growth. Alongside Evgeny Kabanov, they discuss Bolt's data-driven decision-making, navigating regulatory challenges in London, and expanding into micromobility and food delivery. Their pragmatic and experimental approach allowed Bolt to thrive amid disruptions, including the pandemic.

Markus Villig, founder and CEO of Bolt — scaled a €5,000 start into a multi-billion euro mobility and delivery company. He recounts the 85% COVID revenue crash and the lightning pivot to food delivery. Markus discusses expanding through underserved cities, Bolt’s European ethos and frugality, bets on autonomous vehicles, and building defense tech and startup ambition across Eastern Europe.

Join Peter Tuchman, the 'Einstein of Wall Street', as he shares humorous insights from the trading floor. Klarna's CEO, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, reflects on the nerve-wracking IPO day, detailing the company's journey and the evolving fintech landscape. David Sandstrom discusses Klarna's branding evolution and consumer behavior differences across markets. Dive into topics like AI's transformative role in customer service, the impact of digital innovations, and the thrilling atmosphere around tech IPOs, showcasing the dynamic world of finance and entrepreneurship.

Markus Villig, founder and CEO of ride-hailing unicorn Bolt, shares insights from scaling his company across Europe and Africa. He warns that Europe risks a 'disaster' by neglecting self-driving car and physical AI development. Markus highlights the need for a unified capital market to nurture startups and discusses the challenges facing new entrants in ride-hailing. He also delves into his role on Klarna's board, emphasizing the importance of engaging with policymakers and fostering innovation in Estonia's defense tech landscape.