EU-Startups Podcast

In this episode we catch up with Andreas Loy, Co-Founder and CEO of KONUX. Before Andreas turned 30 Andreas created more than €500m in shareholder value, more than hundred jobs, and built an outstanding team to create a transformative digital leader for sustainable impact - KONUX. KONUX is a leading German AI scale-up, transforming railway operations for a sustainable future. The company combines Machine Learning and IIoT to deliver Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for operation, monitoring, and maintenance process automation. Since its foundation in 2014, KONUX has raised more than $130 million from world-leading investors, expanded to ten countries in Europe and Asia, and was selected by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of the world’s 30 most innovative start-ups and scale-ups worldwide. Andreas envisions a society that thrives on compassion, interconnectedness, and harmony. People have developed a deep sense of self-awareness, prioritizing their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Healing practices are integrated into everyday life, fostering resilience, empathy, and understanding. Entrepreneurship has become a catalyst for positive change, where innovative ventures address pressing social and environmental issues. Business leaders embrace sustainability as a core value, ensuring that economic growth is balanced with ecological responsibility and social impact. The success of companies is measured not only by financial performance but also by their contributions to a thriving planet and society. Leadership has transformed into a collaborative and inclusive model. Leaders inspire by example, empowering others to reach their full potential. They lead with empathy, valuing diversity and promoting a culture of belonging. Decision-making is guided by ethical principles, fostering trust and integrity. The world is united in its commitment to sustainability, with communities working together to restore and protect the environment. Renewable energy sources power cities, and sustainable transportation systems minimize carbon emissions. People embrace conscious consumption, supporting local businesses and ethical practices. The pursuit of profit is aligned with the well-being of people and the planet. In this inspiring future, individuals are connected by a shared purpose. Communities thrive on cooperation, creativity, and resilience. Personal growth, well-being, and meaningful connections are nurtured, allowing every individual to unlock their full potential. Together, we create a world where compassion, sustainability, and leadership guide us towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all. Takeaways 1.AI has the potential to transform railway operations and create value through data analysis. 2.Finding balance and prioritizing well-being is essential for personal and professional growth. 3.Compassionate and collaborative leadership is key to empowering others and creating a positive work culture. 4.Sustainability should be a core focus for founders and entrepreneurs, with technology playing a crucial role in addressing global challenges. 5.The future of transportation should prioritize eco-friendly solutions. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Sabina Wizander, Partner at Creandum, one of the most successful venture capital funds in Europe, backing some of Europe’s greatest tech companies including Spotify, iZettle, Depop, Klarna, Bolt, KRY, Epidemic Sound and Small Giant Games. Creandum recently rolled out an oversubscribed €500 million fund, the Creandum Fund VII, with the world’s leading investors as LPs, to continue finding and backing Europe’s winners at Seed and Series A stages. Sabina discusses her career journey from McKinsey to venture capital to startup operator. She emphasizes the importance of seizing exciting opportunities and being open to unexpected twists. Sabina shares her experiences as both a VC investor and an operator in a tech startup, highlighting the value of thinking like an owner and having a long-term perspective. She also discusses the European tech ecosystem, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of setting and achieving high goals. Sabina concludes by expressing her passion for climate tech and the need to address the long-term effects of carbon emissions. Takeaways 1.Seize exciting opportunities and be open to unexpected twists in your career journey. 2.Think like an owner and have a long-term perspective as both a VC investor and an operator in a tech startup. 3.The European tech ecosystem is growing and has the potential to deliver fantastic companies and high-value outcomes. 4.Setting and achieving high goals, along with delivering on promises, builds trust and attracts investors. 5.Addressing carbon emissions and the climate crisis is crucial for the long-term well-being of humanity. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://venta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Hugo Amsellem, Co-Founder and General Partner of Intuition. Intuition is a new €15M early-stage fund backing founders focused on Consumer & Culture across the US and Europe with one of the coolest Manifestos and approach to investing in the Venture Capital space. Hugo discusses his journey from helping artists become independent to empowering founders in the consumer space. He talks about his love for people and ideas and backing individuals who are trying to influence millions of people and change culture. Intuition aims to be a friend in the cap table for founders, providing support and understanding. They focus on consumer tech and the intersection of consumer and culture. The loneliness economy is a significant topic for Intuition, and they aim to create a supportive community for founders through events and gatherings. Gen Z is shaping the future of consumer culture, and Intuition is excited to work with them. Scaling consumer startups from 1 to 10 is challenging, but harnessing cultural movements and maintaining a consumer-first DNA can lead to success. Takeaways 1.What's special about consumer founders is that they are trying to influence millions of people and change culture. 2.Intuition aims to preserve and celebrate that and be a friend in the cap table for founders, providing support and understanding. 3.Investors should create a supportive community for founders to combat loneliness in the startup journey. 4.Gen Z is by far the most entrepreneurial generation, and they are shaping the future of consumer culture. 5.Scaling consumer startups from 1 to 10 requires harnessing cultural movements and maintaining a consumer-first DNA. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode we're catching up with Dirk Hoerig, the Co-Founder and CEO of commercetools. commercetools is empowering some of the world's biggest brands like Audi, Sephora, and NBCUniversal to revolutionize their digital commerce experiences. They have raised $140 million in funding at a $1.9 billion valuation at the end of 2021 led by Accel and more than $283 million overall! Join the conversation with Dirk as he discusses the evolution of e-commerce and the importance of headless commerce. He explains the challenges faced by brands and the need for flexibility and scalability in today's digital landscape. Dirk shares valuable lessons he has learned as an entrepreneur and highlights the unsung heroes who have supported him throughout his career. He also provides a sneak peek into upcoming innovations and initiatives at commercetools, including revolutionizing the in-store experience. Takeaways 1.Headless commerce is crucial for businesses in today's digital landscape as it provides flexibility and scalability to adapt to changing consumer behavior and technological advancements. 2.Legacy systems and outdated technology hinder companies from making quick changes and innovations in their e-commerce platforms. 3.Building a successful company requires a incredible perseverance and not giving up, as there will be many ups and downs along the journey. 4.The support of early customers, partners, and mentors is crucial in shaping the path to success. 5.The future of digital commerce will revolutionize the in-store experience and provide a unified and seamless shopping experience for customers. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Renaud Visage, Co-founder and ex-CTO of Eventbrite and Founding Partner at Slate Venture Capital, shares his experiences in scaling the platform and navigating challenges. He discusses the transition to climate tech investing and the promising developments in the field. Renaud also shares lessons learned from angel investing and highlights the importance of storytelling, managing cash, and avoiding greed. He reflects on the evolution of the French startup ecosystem and the role of government initiatives. Renaud envisions a climate tech moonshot that buys more time and reshapes our relationship with the environment. He concludes by discussing his current focus on launching a climate tech growth fund and supporting initiatives related to climate refugees and adaptation. Takeaways 1.A climate tech moonshot that buys more time and focuses on sustainable alternatives is crucial for the future. 2.Scaling ClimateTech startups and adapting to changing circumstances is critical to combat climate change. 3.Effective storytelling, managing cash, and avoiding greed are important lessons for angel investors. 4.The French startup ecosystem has evolved significantly, with government support and a growing number of unicorns. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Shirley Romig, Chief Accelerator Investment Officer at Techstars, discusses the future of accelerator programs and the importance of ecosystem development. She highlights the need to tap into talent globally and create partnerships that fuel growth for Techstars' portfolio companies. Shirley also shares valuable lessons she has learned from scaling companies like Lyft and Equinox, emphasizing the importance of having a compelling vision and executing it with a strategic plan. She draws parallels between running marathons and building startups, highlighting the endurance mindset and the power of community. Shirley's goal is to keep growing Techstars into the first investor for pre-seed startups across the world. Takeaways 1.Techstars is evolving to focus on ecosystem development and closer synergy between investments and ecosystem development. 2.Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Tapping into global talent and creating win-win partnerships is crucial for the growth of the accelerator programs and portfolio companies. 3.Being able to balance the big vision and the detail is critical in the beginning of a startup. 4.Building a startup requires an endurance mindset and the ability to navigate highs and lows. 5.Community and mentorship play a vital role in the startup journey. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Alex Berriche, Sequoia Capital Scout and the Co-founder and CEO of Fleet, a French B2B startup focused on simplifying equipment management for startups and SMBs, shares lessons learned from over 100 angel investments. He also discusses the idea behind Fleet and the challenges of IT equipment management. Alex shares his transition from being an entrepreneur to an angel investor and the lessons he has learned from scaling Fleet. He also provides insights into detecting promising founders and shares some impressive startups he has backed and discusses the current trends in European startups and the potential for growth. The conversation concludes with Alex sharing exciting initiatives happening at Fleet. This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://vanta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Johannes Siebers, Co-Founder and CEO of Holidu, shares the founding story and growth of the travel tech company. He discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of building a strong team and culture. Johannes also highlights the company's focus on sustainability and supporting local communities. He emphasizes the value of learning and adapting in a rapidly changing industry and shares insights on fundraising and sibling partnerships in business. Johannes concludes by discussing future plans and initiatives for Holidu. Takeaways 1.Building a strong team and culture is everything for your company's success. 2.Adaptability and continuous learning are a must especially in a rapidly changing industry. 3.Creating real value for customers is what you should be focusing on long-term. 4.Fundraising is about timing and a clear vision for the company's future. 5.Maintaining a strong partnership in business needs trust, common goals, and regular non-work-related activities.

In this episode, Tim Schumacher, General Partner at World Fund, an impact investor and entrepreneur, discusses his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges of being a founder. He shares the remarkable story of Ecosia, the largest independent European search engine that uses its profits to plant trees. Tim also introduces the World Fund, a venture capital company focused on investing in startups that decarbonize the economy. He highlights the value he brings as an investor and shares his inspirations and advice for entrepreneurs. Tim envisions a future where we overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and live within planetary boundaries. He hopes to make a lasting impact through his work in sustainability and climate change. Takeaways 1.Investors can help with introductions, networks, and expertise, but it's founders who ultimately need to do the work themselves. 2.Investing in startups that decarbonize the economy is essential for addressing climate change. 3.We've got to overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and live within planetary boundaries.

In this episode, Janneke Niessen, a serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of CapitalT, discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and the transition to becoming an investor. She shares crazy moments from her entrepreneurial career and highlights the importance of team evaluation using proprietary technology. Janneke also talks about her involvement in InspiringFifty, an initiative to increase diversity in tech, and her books aimed at inspiring young girls to pursue careers in technology. She discusses the impact of her research on investments in female entrepreneurs and shares her message for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Janneke also reveals her plans for a streaming TV series and her goal of receiving an Emmy nomination. Takeaways 1.Using proprietary technology, such as personality traits and team dynamics evaluation, can help investors make more data-driven decisions when evaluating entrepreneurial teams. 2.Initiatives like InspiringFifty play a crucial role in increasing diversity in the tech industry by providing visibility and role models for women. 3.Books like 'The New Girl Code' and 'Project Prep' aim to inspire young girls to pursue careers in technology and challenge the stereotypes associated with the industry. 4.Research on investments in female entrepreneurs has sparked discussions and led to changes in the venture capital ecosystem, with a focus on creating a level playing field and removing barriers.