EUVC

When Hampus Jakobsson and Romain Diaz took the stage at EUVC Summit 2025, the conversation wasn’t about convincing people that climate matters. That part’s done.This was about the harder bit:→ How do we fund the climate transition without compromising ambition?→ How do we handle LPs who see impact as indulgence, or carbon reporting as box-ticking?→ And how do we build conviction-led portfolios in a world that wants both velocity and virtue?One of the most powerful reframes came from Hampus:“Climate is like mobile or AI—it’s not a virtue, it’s a vertical. The difference is: in AI, we don’t know the problem. In climate, we do—we’re just figuring out the solutions.”That means climate investing is not philanthropy. It’s not reputation management. It’s venture—with a horizon, a thesis, and real outcomes.“If you're just looking to carbon offset with our fund, I’m fairly uncomfortable taking your money.”As Romain and Hampus both pointed out, climate LPs today fall into three broad groups:Impact-maximizers – want carbon reporting, ESG scoring, metrics.Return-seekers – want DPI, not data tables.Narrative-driven LPs – want the signal value of “being in climate.”A good fund has to navigate all three—with alignment being more valuable than agreement.“We had an LP walk away from Fund I because we wouldn’t do their carbon reporting. And we were okay with that.”Instead, Pale Blue Dot found alignment with LPs like IIP, the pension fund for Denmark’s nurses:“I sometimes ask myself—will this startup help deliver a pension to Danish nurses in 10 years? That’s the kind of alignment I want.”From methane-reducing agtech to fintech disruptors, the pair underscored the importance of building for what the world will need—not just what it rewards today.“We’re backing founders who are asking: will this still make sense in 2050?”The subtext: stop treating the climate transition as a hypothetical. It’s already here. And it’s reshaping everything from agriculture to infrastructure to insurance.“We don’t need everyone to believe. We just need to keep showing portfolio wins. The returns—and the reality—will take care of the rest.”The closing message from Romain and Hampus was clear:We don’t need more virtue. We need more velocity.Velocity in:Deploying capitalBacking bold foundersScaling actual solutionsAnd reshaping LP mindsets—one fund, one return, one story at a timeThe climate transition isn’t waiting. Neither should we.Climate Is Not a Virtue Signal—It’s a SectorThe Tension: Impact vs Reporting vs ReturnsOn Methane, Neobanks & the Year 2050Climate Investing Is Growing Up

Europe has just gained its first unapologetically defense-first venture fund. Archangel Ventures, led by Nicholas Nelson and Daniel Carew, is not here to hedge, not here to play dual-use semantics, but to put defense front and center.Nic brings the lived experience of government, strategy, and deployments, with the policy networks to match. Daniel comes from a deep tech/DARPA-inspired investing background, obsessed with the frontier of what technology can achieve. Together, they’re building a fund that rejects the hype cycle and instead anchors itself in Europe’s sovereignty, resilience, and the urgent reality of our geopolitical moment.Why Estonia? Why now? Because the frontier matters. From Tallinn to Vilnius to Warsaw, the tyranny of geography makes defense personal. Partnering with Superangel, Archangel is embedding itself in the heart of the Baltics—a region that already knows what it means to digitize, mobilize, and defend.Archangel Ventures is a platform, a coalition of the willing, a bet that Europe can and must build its own defense ecosystem. As they put it, defense is not a bubble, not a passing Ukraine-driven hype cycle. It’s the crucible where the next generation of European technology—and deterrence—will be forged.We’re proud to have launched this journey with them on the pod. Tune in: 01:00 Origins of Archangel — Nic on why he wouldn’t start with just any partner.04:00 Why they teamed up — Daniel recalls NATO roots and complementary skillsets.08:30 Why defense-first matters — Nic explains why dual-use doesn’t work at seed.11:00 The timing challenge — Daniel on NATO’s long horizon investing.14:00 Portfolio construction — Nic’s three buckets: unmet needs, future needs, unknown unknowns.20:00 Filling the ecosystem gap — Daniel on bridging startups and primes in Europe.27:00 Why Estonia — Nic on geography and teaming with Superangel.33:00 Personal ties — Daniel on his Estonian family and NATO links.41:00 On working with primes — Nic pushes back on the “dinosaurs” narrative.53:00 Risks ahead — Nic on what happens if the war in Ukraine ends tomorrow.

Welcome back to another episode of Upside at the EUVC Podcast, where Dan Bowyer, Mads Jensen of SuperSeed, and this week’s guest Andreas from EUVC unpack what’s happening in European venture capital.This week: Nvidia’s meteoric rise (and first signs of slowdown), Apple’s clash with UK regulators, and why regulators may be fighting yesterday’s battles. Plus: Trump’s Intel equity grab, whether governments should hold stakes in strategic industries, and what Europe can learn from Airbus and Ørsted. Finally, what digital sovereignty really means for Europe in an age of AI, energy bottlenecks, and geopolitical dependency.Here’s what’s covered:00:01 Nvidia’s Reality Check: From 20% of Nasdaq to slowing 5% quarterly growth.00:06 Apple vs UK Regulators: The 30% “Apple tax” and post-Brexit CMA ambitions.00:13 Competition vs Regulation: Why IBM and Microsoft fell by creative destruction, not regulators.00:21 Trump’s Intel Shakedown: Retroactive equity grabs and should states take stakes?00:29 Europe’s State Aid Constraints: Airbus, Ørsted, and why Europe can’t do national champions like the US or China.00:36 The UK Buying AI: £573M in H1 government contracts, Microsoft & Palantir dominance.00:49 Defining Sovereignty: Europe’s dependency on US tech and Chinese production.00:57 Europe’s Luxury Beliefs: Outsourcing energy, defense, and manufacturing — and why pension reform is key.01:02 Closing Takeaways: Sovereignty is more than regulation — it’s about competing, investing, and not being naïve.

At the EUVC Summit 2025, Cherry Ventures’ Christian and Elsa Deseilligny from Cambridge Associates offered a behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to stay true to your mission while building a firm that lasts. At the center of it all? The founder.For Cherry, “Founders First” isn’t just a slogan. It’s a system.“Putting the founder at the center—doing everything to make them thrive—that’s the foundation of how we build.”– ElsaThat principle doesn’t stop at deal selection or portfolio support. It shapes how Cherry builds its own team, firm, and platform. Every strategic decision—from hiring to productizing services—is filtered through one lens: Will this help our founders thrive?And when it comes to fundraising?“Your right to win with LPs ultimately ties back to that clarity of mission.”Christian addressed a tension many top-tier funds face: how big is too big?He acknowledged the importance of honest, iterative conversations with LPs—but also highlighted a view shared by allocators like Cambridge Associates:“There’s a sweet spot—where a strategy is still repeatable, but hasn’t lost its edge.”In VC, scaling up can mean professionalization—but it can also lead to dilution of edge. The best funds find the institutional footing they need without drifting into sameness.“You want to reach a size where you're clearly outperforming with discipline… but then stop there. That’s where true long-term relationships are built.”The insight many LPs quietly share?They’re often betting on managers before they peak.“Ideally, we find the manager early. We scale with them to that sweet spot—and then, no one else can get in.”It’s not just about performance. It’s about conviction. The best LP–GP relationships are forged when the firm still feels like a startup—when the ambition is high, but the capacity is still intimate.Cherry’s message was clear:If you want to build a lasting firm, don’t chase scale for the sake of it. Build around your mission. Build with intentionality. And stay small enough to stay sharp.The founders will notice. And so will the LPs.A Platform Built Around “Founders First”Scaling with Intention (and Limits)The Emerging Manager Advantage

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where Andreas Munk Holm explores the cutting edge of European venture capital. Today’s guest is Louis Dussart, Partner at RTP Global.Louis entered venture at just 20 years old with White Star Capital, built a startup bridging Europe and China, and now helps lead RTP Global’s European strategy. In this conversation, he shares why Europe faces a political wake-up call on tech, what we need to fix in talent, growth capital, and IPO markets, and why founders are not just entrepreneurs—they’re geopolitical assets.From emerging managers to sovereign LPs, from tech transfer to liquidity, Louis lays out the hard truths and actionable priorities for Europe to compete globally.Here's what's covered:02:12 Louis’s Path: From White Star Intern to RTP Partner06:01 What Makes RTP Global Different: A Truly Global, Debate-Driven DNA10:14 The Political Wake-Up Call: Why Tech Must Sit at the Top of Europe’s Agenda12:48 Talent, Visas & Education: The Dual Strategy for Closing the Skills Gap15:32 Sovereign LPs, Emerging Managers & The Role of Fund-of-Funds19:20 Tech Transfer in Europe: Why Our Universities Still Struggle25:40 US Growth Funds in Europe: Selling to America vs. Selling Out of Europe29:12 The Liquidity Problem: Why Capital Markets Union Is an Elephant in the Room34:45 Founders as Geopolitical Assets: Lessons for Europe’s Leaders38:55 The VC Role: Echo Chambers Between Founders, LPs & Policymakers44:20 Why Europe Needs Risk-Taking Politicians as Much as Risk-Taking Founders

Welcome back to the Impact Highlight Series, powered by EUVC, Impact VC, and Impact Supporters.Over the past months, we’ve hosted ten conversations with some of the most thoughtful GPs, LPs, and unicorn founders shaping the impact investing landscape. In this special capstone episode, August Solliv (Impact Supporters) and Dougie Sloan (Impact VC & Better Society Capital) sit down to unpack what we’ve heard and distil the lessons into four big themes.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:01:00 Impact driving returns: from the founder lens to the “lockstep” model where impact and profits reinforce each other.04:00 Shared value in practice: how impact-native companies scale impact and profit — and why this creates resilience and de-risks venture.07:00 Proving performance: what LPs at EIF, Isomer, and BSC are seeing in their data, and why DPI still matters.09:00 Great vs. good funds: LP perspectives on partner skills, GP thesis fit, and “edge” in impact venture.12:00 Specialist vs. generalist: why even generalist impact funds must go deep in certain verticals.14:00 Overlooked opportunities: adaptation, circularity, first-of-a-kind plants, and where impact capital is most needed.17:00 Innovating the VC model: evergreen structures, impact-linked carry, and the tension between GP innovation and LP appetite.20:00 Democratizing LP capital: why both institutional and retail channels are needed to scale impact VC.23:00 It all comes back to people: values, motivation, and the dual lens of commercial and impact acumen that defines the unicorn founders of tomorrow.26:00 Closing reflections: what we’ve learned from 10 conversations, and what’s next for the Impact Highlight Series.

Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we gather Europe’s venture family to share the stories, insights, and lessons that drive our ecosystem forward.Today we welcome David Vlerick, Founding Partner at Bluegrass Ventures, to discuss how LP capital can be mobilised with meaning, why a platform approach makes venture more accessible, and what it takes to shift mindsets in a conservative market like Belgium.Bluegrass Ventures backs top-decile, small-to-mid-sized VC funds globally, while giving investors flexibility and transparency through a platform model. In this conversation, David shares his journey from law and private equity into venture, the philosophy behind Bluegrass, and why he believes primary capital is one of the most powerful forces for shaping a brighter future.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:01:00 David’s Path: From law and private equity to launching Bluegrass Ventures.05:00 Building Bluegrass: Why a platform, why small-to-mid-size funds, and why top-decile track records matter.08:00 Fund Selection: Unfair advantages, avoiding hype cycles, and sector-focused funds.15:00 The Person Behind Bluegrass: Travel, poetry, and how fatherhood shapes perspective.22:00 Risk in VC: Why startups ≠ diversified funds, and what the data says.27:00 Primary Capital: Fueling the future vs. parking money in secondary markets.31:00 Belgium’s Culture: From conservatism and PE comfort to embracing venture.36:00 Platform Model: How Bluegrass balances investor choice with portfolio discipline.42:00 Venture as Community: High-calibre people, collaborative networks, and optimism.43:00 Bluegrass’s Mission: Delivering Belgium’s best financial product and moving more money with meaning.

Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring together Europe’s venture family to share the stories, insights, and lessons that drive our ecosystem forward.This week, we sit down with Will Wells, founder-turned-VC, and now Partner at Speedinvest, where he leads deep tech and supports the firm’s growth strategy.Will’s journey spans building Hummingbird Technologies, an AI-powered agtech company exited to Agreena in 2022, to leading frontier tech at Firstminute Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Now at Speedinvest, he’s focused on backing European founders working on sovereign compute, defense, energy resilience, biosecurity, and the “picks and shovels” of the next decades.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:01:00 From founder to investor: lessons from building Hummingbird Technologies and the empathy it gave Will as a VC.05:00 Learning venture at Firstminute and Lightspeed: what “good” looks like in deep tech investing.07:00 Beyond buckets: why the biggest opportunities lie in combining AI, hardware, defense, and science into multi-sector platforms.10:00 Big bets in deep tech: Europe’s challenge at pre-seed and why bold consortium funding matters early.12:00 Defense tech & geopolitics: reconciling economic opportunity with moral responsibility.15:00 Strategic sovereignty: compute, semiconductors, energy resilience, and why Europe needs its own infrastructure.17:00 Thesis-building: inevitable truths, technical stacks, and where customers will actually buy.20:00 Agtech, climate, and humility: what Will learned from being early in robotics and regen agriculture.24:00 Leveraging Speedinvest’s platform model: why deep vertical teams and operational scale matter in frontier tech.29:00 Looking ahead: biosecurity, autonomy, energy resilience — and why Europe must back multi-generational deep tech companies.

Welcome to the Impact Highlight series, powered by EUVC, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.Today, we sit down with Chloe Dagnell from Isomer Capital, one of Europe’s most active LPs, to unpack what institutional investors are looking for, how impact sits alongside returns, and what makes a GP truly stand out.With more than six years at Isomer Capital and a background that started in international development before moving into venture, Chloe brings a unique perspective on building portfolios that balance financial performance with sustainability, diversity, and long-term alignment.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:01:34 Chloe’s Journey: From international development to venture and why local context matters.06:12 Isomer’s Strategy: Building a diversified portfolio across pre-seed and seed in Europe.11:08 Impact in the Portfolio: Why ~30% of Isomer-backed companies are SDG-aligned — and how impact sits alongside returns.17:55 Returns vs. Impact: Revolut, scale, and why the biggest value drivers aren’t always in impact funds.23:41 Good vs. Great GPs: Evidence over slides, specialist edge, and values alignment.31:26 Diversification & LP Interests: Corporate LPs and the green transition — why Isomer doesn’t get pushed into one theme.37:14 DEI as the Next Frontier: Ownership, accountability, and why female-led teams in Isomer’s portfolio are top performers.44:58 Advice to Emerging Managers: How to prove differentiated access and cut through generic pitch decks.51:02 Closing Takeaways: Evidence, access, values — what LPs really want in Europe’s next generation of funds.

Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we gather Europe’s venture family to share the stories, insights, and lessons that drive our ecosystem forward.Today’s guest is Omri Benayoun, General Partner at Partech, one of Europe’s premier investment platforms. Since 2014, Omri has co-led Partech’s growth equity strategy, raising more than €1B across two funds and backing some of Europe’s most capital-efficient champions. With a career spanning government, corporate strategy, e-commerce, M&A, and growth investing, Omri brings a rare lens on what it takes to build resilient global tech leaders from Europe.From rock climbing as a metaphor for measured risk-taking to the structural advantage of Europe’s “do more with less” DNA, this conversation covers Partech’s contrarian bet on bootstrapped scale-ups, the role of elite LPs, and why Europe’s complexity might be its greatest strength.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:01:34 Rock Climbing & Investing: Risk, fear, and why falling is part of the journey.04:00 Omri’s Background: From government to e-commerce (Cdiscount), retail (Casino), and software (Dassault Systèmes).10:00 Lessons from Dassault: Product roadmaps, customer listening, and why big M&A requires years of courtship.14:00 Government Experience: Why investors and founders can’t afford to ignore policy anymore.20:00 Launching Partech Growth: Filling the gap for European growth capital in 2014.22:00 Fund II Strategy: Betting on bootstrapped, capital-efficient companies during the 2020 frenzy.25:00 Defining Capital Efficiency: Rule of 40, ARPU per employee, and Europe’s structural advantage.29:00 Case Study – EcoVadis: From bootstrapped ESG ratings leader to global scale.33:00 Inside Partech: The “Greek city-states” model of seed, venture, growth, Africa, and impact strategies.39:00 Efficiency vs. Profitability: Why founders must avoid the “dead zone” of low growth + breakeven.41:00 Elite LPs Enter the Game: How Cambridge Associates, StepStone, and sovereigns now back European growth.46:00 Europe on the Map: From founders settling early to chasing world-class scale.50:00 Complexity as a Feature: Why regulatory fragmentation creates stronger survivors.52:00 Partech’s Cohesion: A culture of numbers, engineers, and price sensitivity across geographies.

At the EUVC Summit 2025, Mehmet Atici from Bek Ventures aimed a popular narrative—that Europe is underperforming as a tech region. Not because it’s untrue, but because it’s incomplete.“Yes, there’s catching up to do. But you can’t argue there’s no dynamism in Europe—it’s just not evenly distributed.”And once you look closer, the picture changes fast.Much of the “Europe must act” discourse comes from the continent’s largest economies—France, Germany, and the UK. But productivity data tells a different story:Poland and Bulgaria are growing steadily.Ecosystems in Tallinn, Lisbon, and Barcelona are booming—fueled in part by digital nomad visas.Eastern European founders are making waves well beyond their borders—with names behind global giants like Databricks and Snowflake.“Building a business isn’t a lifestyle choice for them. It’s a global ambition from day one.”These founders bring international exposure, capital efficiency, and hunger—without the insular networks that often define more mature markets.Sure, improving regulation—around stock options, company formation, or funding incentives—helps. But as Mehmet put it:“That’s medicine without a proper diagnosis.”The bigger issue isn’t operational—it’s strategic positioning.The U.S. remains the most attractive market: a single language, deeper capital markets, and cultural cohesion.Europe’s software market is just 23% of global share, compared to 43% in North America.So even if we fix the mechanics, the gravitational pull of the U.S. won’t go away. And in some cases, a European identity may actually slow access to that market—not speed it up.What if fragmentation wasn’t our weakness—but our untapped advantage?“The most thriving tech ecosystems are the most politically cohesive—because they serve founders, not flags.”Europe doesn’t need to copy the U.S. to succeed. It needs to recognize excellence wherever it emerges, connect the dots, and support founders wherever they’re starting from.In Mehmet’s words:“Our opportunity is to transcend borders—not erase them.”“Let’s not forget: the original EU model was ‘United in Diversity.’”It wasn’t a flaw. It was a feature.Europe’s next wave of global founders may not come from the centers you expect—but they’re already building. Our job is to back them, bridge them, and help them win on a global stage.Let’s get to it.Not Just Paris, London, BerlinEurope’s Problem Isn’t Just PolicyFrom Fragmentation to SuperpowerThe Original European Model Still Applies

At the EUVC Summit 2025, Kerry Baldwin (IQ Capital) and Chris Elphick led one of the most urgent conversations of the year:Can Europe mobilize its pension capital to fund innovation—or will it stay stuck on the sidelines?With £1 trillion expected to be funneled into innovation, growth, and venture by 2030, the opportunity is massive. But unlocking it will take more than speeches and slogans. It will take structures, translation, and a whole lot of education.Chris opened by setting the context:In July 2023, 10 of the UK’s largest pension funds agreed to invest 5% of assets into unlisted equities—representing £5 billion of fresh capital.That capital is (unsurprisingly) biased toward private equity. But the real win?Getting a meaningful slice of it into venture.We now have the technical tools to do it:The introduction of Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs)—with 27 launched to date—means the legal infrastructure is in place.Regulatory shifts have opened the door. Now it’s time to walk through it.“The pipes are built. Now we need to make the case.”As Kerry pointed out, it’s not just about access—it’s about alignment.“The pension world doesn’t speak venture. It speaks in valuations, risk ratings, board approvals, and actuarial models.”To bridge the gap:Ditch the pitch decks. Instead, build relationships.Use case studies. Show, don’t just tell.Speak their language. Get founders in the room. Educate through stories and real-world examples.And yes, explain your fees—transparently.→ “We charge fees because we hunt. We engage with professors. We run deep knowledge sessions. That’s where the value lives.”Kerry closed with a critical reminder from someone who’s seen the cycles before—2001, 2009, and now:“Just play nicely.”→ That means fair terms.→ Respecting early-stage angels.→ Not forcing founder-unfriendly clauses when capital is tight.Venture doesn’t work when trust is broken at the seed layer.The prize is on the table. The pipes are laid. The policymakers are listening.Now it’s up to us—as GPs, founders, LPs, and ecosystem builders—to:Make venture legibleBuild long-term trustAnd design financial vehicles that serve founders, fuel returns, and unlock national innovation agendas“Let’s stop waiting for the future to finance itself. Let’s build the financial architecture to fund it now.”The Landscape: Shifting Regulations, Real PotentialThe Real Bottleneck? Language & UnderstandingA Word of Warning: Don’t Harm the EcosystemA Trillion-Pound Opportunity—If We Get This Right

At this year’s EUVC Summit Awards, the “Exit of the Year” category drew intense debate—and for good reason.Europe is finally entering its outcome era, and this year brought no shortage of competitive contenders.But one exit stood out.Winner: SV Health Investors, for the exit of EyeBioAs the host reminded us, this award isn’t just about a number on a term sheet:“With exits, we’re celebrating outcomes. Outcomes that validate years of work, conviction, and follow-through.”For SV Health, this exit marked a textbook example of deep science meets disciplined execution.It wasn’t a flash-in-the-pan. It was a story of patient capital, strategic support, and a global-scale outcome born in Europe.A breakthrough healthtech company delivering real-world impactAn outcome that unlocked returns and credibilityA case study in what’s possible when bio meets business in the right wayIn a space where timelines are long and conviction is everything, SV Health and EyeBio proved what Europe is capable of when the pieces align.“Hopefully, we’ll be seeing more and more exits like this in the years ahead.”We agree. Because one great exit isn’t just a win for the team—it’s a signal to the ecosystem.It tells LPs, policymakers, founders, and future fund managers: we can build here, and we can win here.Congratulations to SV Health Investors and the entire EyeBio team.Let’s keep building toward the next one.Celebrating More Than Just ReturnsWhy It MatteredThe Bar Has Been Raised

At EUVC Summit 2025, Joe Schorge of Isomer Capital didn’t come with slides—he came with a metaphor. And it stuck.He asked the room to imagine orchards of fruit. Not just apples or oranges, but a whole harvest cultivated over 12 to 14 years. Venture-backed companies. GPs. Fund positions. GP stakes. A record crop, grown with care across the UK and Europe.“We’ve never had this much high-quality fruit in European venture. The question now is—how do we get it to market?”For years, Europe has been laser-focused on planting:→ Backing great founders→ Building great firms→ Cultivating portfolios patientlyBut as Joe reminded the audience:“People expected the fruit to somehow sell itself. But we’ve learned: exits aren’t automatic. Distribution isn’t easy. And not everyone has the truck to move a watermelon.”Secondaries aren’t just a workaround. They’re a solution. Partial or full sales, done right, serve founders, GPs, and LPs alike.The market is waking up:There’s more to buy than ever before: mature companies, vintage funds, GP stakesThere’s more to sell than ever before: GPs needing liquidity, LPs rebalancingThere’s more need than ever before: LPs want DPI, not just IRR“We’re all running 10-year funds. Buy-and-hold sounds noble, but LPs want cash back. And founders want momentum.”Joe’s message to LPs?→ Loosen your restrictions on secondary transactions→ Back the capital that makes liquidity possible→ Recognize that secondaries are a tool for progress, not shortcutsJoe kept it simple:Educate yourself – There’s a wealth of info online. Learn the mechanics and the nuance.Look at your own portfolio – Where’s the fruit starting to ripen?Talk to players in the space – From Isomer to a new wave of specialized secondary platforms, this market is growing fast.“Let’s harvest, replant, and build the future together.”Secondaries aren’t just about exits. They’re about creating circulation, maturity, and movement in a market that’s ready for it.European venture has planted well. Now it’s time to harvest with discipline—and get ready to sow the next cycle with even more conviction.Planting Was Easy. Harvesting Is Hard.The European Secondary Market: Why Now?Where to Begin?A New Era of Venture Hygiene

At the EUVC Summit 2025, Stephen Lowery of HSBC Innovation Banking laid out a vision that wasn’t just about capital—it was about building the infrastructure to unlock the next wave of innovation.“The future is not going to finance itself.”And the tools we need? Most of them don’t exist yet.We’re entering a new era—one where emerging categories like robotics, deeptech, AI hardware, and compute-intensive models demand new forms of financial support.But most of our current instruments were built for a different generation of tech.Stephen reminded us of the pre-SaaS era, when software businesses lived and died by upfront license fees. It wasn’t until financing models evolved that subscription software (and eventually SaaS) could flourish.“Just like we innovated in software 20 years ago, we need to do the same now—in hardware, robotics, and beyond.”Stephen called for three key building blocks:Blended Capital→ Mix long-term venture equity with creative debt structures→ Pair revenue-based financing with contract support→ Add credit insurance into the mixCategory-Specific Models→ Think robot-as-a-service, compute-as-a-service→ Let hardware businesses monetize more like software onesCollaboration→ VCs, banks, LPs, and operators need to co-build→ “Let’s do more than finance innovation—let’s finance the infrastructure that enables it.”Stephen’s message wasn’t just for investors. It was for architects—those willing to help engineer the future of capital itself.“We need to work together in partnership to build the tools that will finance the industries of tomorrow.”Finance is no longer a back-office utility. It’s a frontline enabler of innovation.And if we want European ventures to lead the next wave—we need to start building the financial rails today.The Problem: Our Financial Stack Is OutdatedWhat We Need: Purpose-Based Financing for a New AgeA Call to Builders (Not Just Founders)

At the EUVC Summit 2025, Nirmesh Patel from Amino Collective took the stage with a message that felt less like a pitch and more like a call to arms. His focus? The intersection of AI, health, and bio—and why Europe is uniquely positioned to lead this next era.We’re still waiting for the first blockbuster drug developed using large AI models. But don’t mistake that for inaction. As Nirmesh put it:“It’s fundamentally changed how everyone does research in this space.”So much so that the Nobel Prize committee had no choice but to take notice.That shift is already reshaping how scientists think, experiment, and build companies—and it’s opening the door for a new generation of outlier founders at the earliest stages.Amino Collective invests pre-seed and seed into health and bio, and Nirmesh was unequivocal:“Europe has all the ingredients required to make the next healthcare giants.”Here’s what he sees:Technical founders now thinking commercially from Day 1.Citizens more willing to contribute data to studies, even if they don’t cancel that January gym membership.Stable grant funding across Europe—especially in contrast to recent volatility at U.S. institutions like the NIH.On-continent innovation in manufacturing mRNA at scale—key to pandemic preparedness.These aren’t future predictions. They’re current capabilities, and they’re maturing fast.Venture is about betting on outliers.In AI x Bio, the next outliers are likely being formed right now.“We’re at the very early stages of the collision between AI, health, and bio. The companies that will define the future are just starting.”If you want to back the next transformative firm in medicine, don’t just look to the coasts.Look to Europe. The science is here. The funding is here. The talent is ready.“I truly believe the future of medicine is European.”So do we.AI Has Already Transformed Research. The Market Impact Comes Next.Why Europe? The Ingredients Are Already Here.From Outliers to Giants

Welcome back to another episode of Upside at the EUVC Podcast, where Dan Bowyer, Mads Jensen of SuperSeed and this week’s special guest Joe Knowles from Smedvig Ventures unpack what’s happening in European venture capital.This week: Are we doomed to lag the US in wealth creation or is Europe finally closing the gap? Why a record $100B of M&A matters for exits and recycling capital, and how founders should think about selling vs going for gold. Plus: Porsche & Deutsche Telekom anchoring a €500M defence fund as Germany drops its taboos, the scramble for cheap energy and battery breakthroughs, and what GPT-5, Perplexity, and Nvidia tariffs tell us about Europe’s place in the AI race.Here’s what’s covered:00:48 US vs Europe in Wealth Creation: Compounders, unicorns, and Europe’s capital efficiency.09:07 Late-Stage Funding Gap: Why pensions and IPO markets hold Europe back.17:36 M&A is Back: Google’s $32B Wiz deal, Windsurf drama, and Europe’s “second tier” opportunity.25:52 Why Exits Matter: Recycling capital and the venture flywheel.27:09 Defence Tech Goes Mainstream: Porsche, DT, EIF and Germany’s cultural shift.36:18 The Ethics Question: Dual use, deterrence, and uncomfortable truths.41:22 Energy Corner: Lithium recycling, sodium-ion batteries, and Europe’s 4x US energy costs.46:44 AI Needs Power: Grid bottlenecks, red tape, and planning reform urgency.51:10 GPT-5 Launch: Unified model, user backlash, and coding benchmarks.54:37 Perplexity vs Chrome: PR stunt or regulatory opening?58:32 Chip Wars: Nvidia tariffs, Huawei delays, and why Europe needs Chips Act 2.0.1:05:59 Shoutout to Italy: Record €655M H1 startup funding.

At this year’s EUVC Summit, the “Newcomer of the Year” award didn’t go to someone just making noise—it went to a team making real moves. A team built for the long game. A team proving that even when entering late, you can lead early.Shapers VC took home the honor. And in the words of Phil himself:“Being new is not easy. But this team makes it look easy.”What makes a great newcomer?At EUVC, we looked for three things:Performance — Are they picking winners or building platforms?Perspective — Are they differentiated, or derivative?Community & Conviction — Are they lifting the ecosystem around them?Shapers VC showed up on all three.Backed by over 60 FinTech founders and operators, they’re building the kind of platform that’s more than capital. It’s signal. It’s support. It’s sweat equity from people who’ve been in the trenches.“Community is core to us. Most of our LPs are strategic—it’s what makes our model work.”– Greg Brown, Shapers VCGreg put it simply:“When everyone else left the party, that’s when we showed up.”Shapers wasn’t chasing a trend. They were responding to a gap—stepping in when others were stepping back. In FinTech, timing is everything. And they timed it with intent.“It probably feels weird to receive an award just as we’re getting started. But shining a light on emerging managers matters—and we’re honored to be in that spotlight.”Phil’s closing message was one we believe in deeply:“There are so many strong emerging managers striking out on their own right now. Some are in this room. Recognizing them isn’t just nice—it’s necessary.”At EUVC, we don’t just celebrate the legends. We champion the next ones.And if this year’s award is any sign—Shapers VC is one to watch.Why It Matters: Community, Conviction & TimingThe Power of Showing Up Late (and Ready)

At the EUVC Summit 2025, Anthony and Sarah took the stage with what turned out to be one of the most intellectually charged exchanges of the day. The topic? Solo GPs, specialization, and the hard choices that define fund performance.Let’s just say—no consensus was reached. But the tension? That’s where the insight lived.Anthony came in strong:“Being a solo GP is the purest form of interest alignment.”To him, solo GPs aren’t a stepping stone or niche play—they’re a category in their own right. The advantage? Focus. Speed. Zero overhead. And most importantly: a differentiated product founders want.He highlighted what he sees as the compounding edge:No IC.No coordination cost.Vertically integrated workflows.A position as a complementary node, not a competitor, in the ecosystem.And yes—there’s scale in solo too.“I just had coffee with two solo GPs managing over a billion in AUM. You don't need to ‘scale up’ to be credible.”Sarah offered a more grounded lens: focus on performance over scale.“You don’t win on good ops alone—but you can lose on bad ops.”Her point: it’s not about copying what works in another market. It's about right-sizing your fund to what your strategy and your market can actually sustain.Especially in Europe, she argued, the path isn’t about chasing a 10x in AUM—it’s about finding the zone where your edge sings.“If I think about the funds I admire, they got really good at finding the fund size that matched their true strategy.”And for emerging managers, the key is still figuring out what the market needs now, not just what worked last cycle.As the session wrapped, one line captured the spirit of it all:“The test of a great intelligence is holding two opposing ideas at the same time.”At EUVC, we didn’t just hear those ideas.We saw them—sitting side by side on stage.And if we’re smart about it, we won’t choose one or the other.We’ll connect the dots.The Case for the Solo GP: Pure Alignment, Compounding AdvantageThe Performance Perspective: Ops, Fund Size & Market FitTwo Views. Both True.

Carlos Moreira da Silva brings a rare blend of insight: a deep B2B operator, a specialist investor at 33N, and a leading force behind Europe’s cybersecurity coordination efforts through ECSO. Together, we explore why cybersecurity is Europe’s opportunity to lead, not follow, in the new geopolitical tech stack.Here’s what’s covered:01:15 What is ECSO and Why It Matters for European Cyber03:30 Mapping the Cybersecurity Investment Gap: US vs Israel vs Europe05:20 The Tech Stack Power Shift: From Cloud to AI, and Why Security Must Catch Up07:30 Europe’s Fragmentation Problem—Or Its Untapped Advantage?09:45 The Role of ECSO in Building a Unified European Cyber Strategy11:45 Why Europe Needs Specialist Cybersecurity VCs15:30 What Other Movements Can Learn from the ECSO Playbook20:00 Cybercrime vs Cyber Spending: The 10 Trillion Dollar Wake-Up Call21:30 Building Global Champions in Cyber (Not Just Regional Winners)25:00 What Startups Should Look for in a Cyber VC (Beyond the Check)26:30 Invest for Cyber @ SuperVenture: Why the LP Community Should Pay Attention28:00 Where Cyber Ends and Defense Begins—Drawing Ethical Boundaries at 33N

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping venture — this time with a lens on Southeast Asia and India.This week, David Cruz e Silva, founder of EUVC, and Ambika Behal from Circle Capital sit down with Tanuja Rajah, Partner at M Venture Partners (MVP) in Singapore — an early-stage fund backing founders from day zero across Southeast Asia and India.Tanuja’s path is not your typical VC story: a PhD in immunology, a startup built on trial and error, and a mission now to fund the region’s next generation of founders tackling healthcare, trust, access, and affordability — without the science risk.🎯 This Episode’s Themes:How a science background shapes a founder-first investment lensSoutheast Asia vs. India: where the next breakout health techs will come fromThe truth about exits in Asia: secondaries, roll-ups, & why IPOs are hardAI hype vs. reality: why MVP waits before jumping on the AI bandwagonGoing from B2C to B2B: the maturity curve in regional digital healthThe realities of being an emerging fund manager in an overheated early-stage ecosystemTanuja’s biggest lesson: great teams are not enough — markets matter more🕒 Here’s what’s covered:01:30 | How a PhD in immunology landed Tanuja in venture03:00 | Starting a company with no playbook: lessons from Malaysia to Singapore05:00 | Why MVP backs healthcare — but avoids the science risk07:00 | 25% of the world’s population: why India & Southeast Asia are consumer goldmines10:00 | Biggest VC lesson: ownership matters (and why it’s so hard for new funds)12:30 | How MVP balanced brand building with early fund modeling15:00 | Why angels and micro-funds make Southeast Asia so competitive17:00 | Healthcare’s future: physical + digital or nothing19:00 | AI: hype, scribe startups, and the real wedge that matters22:00 | Portfolio spotlight: how HD used real-world data to build a regional moat25:00 | Can Southeast Asia’s healthtech scale into Europe?28:00 | Where follow-on capital is (and isn’t) coming from30:00 | Exits done right: why secondaries and &A trump IPO dreams35:00 | Strong beliefs overturned: why the best teams still need the best markets39:00 | Advice for emerging fund managers: pick your people and sharpen your USP42:00 | Book of the Week: how Siddhartha Mukherjee’s “Emperor of All Maladies” shaped Tanuja’s mission

Welcome to a new episode of the Impact Highlight Series, powered by EUVC, Impact VC and Impact Supporters. Today, we’re joined by Tony Jamous, founder and CEO of Oyster. Oyster is on a mission to reverse brain drain and reduce wealth inequality by democratizing access to global job opportunities. Before founding Oyster in 2020, Tony took his previous software API company public on the New York Stock Exchange.Together, we dive into how Tony built Oyster into an impact unicorn, what it means to lead a mission-driven company, and why he believes impact and financial success are collinear. From hiring across 45 countries to creating a billion-dollar company in just two years, Tony shares the lessons, challenges, and values that guide him.This is the playbook for building impact unicorns — straight from the founder’s journey.🎧 Here's what's covered:02:11 Witnessing the Power of Global Hiring in 45 Countries05:02 Why Oyster Started: Democratizing Access to Global Jobs08:27 From Zero to $1B in Two Years — How the Pandemic Accelerated Demand12:04 Impact Entrepreneurs: Using Technology as a Means, Not an End15:43 Aligning Financial Success with Impact — The Virtuous Cycle20:12 The “Inner Rock”: Sticking to Your Values Under Pressure24:05 Playing the Infinite Game: Building for the Next Generation27:44 Recruiting for Mission Alignment & Emotional Stability33:02 Why Impact Businesses Attract the Best Talent and Investors37:19 The Oyster Framework: Wellbeing as a Core OKR41:08 Choosing Impact-Driven Investors with Real Frameworks46:30 Actionable Tip for Generalist VCs: Get Curious and Start Testing

Mike Maples Jr., the legendary co-founder of Floodgate and early backer of Twitter, Lyft, and Twitch, joined EUVC to deliver a masterclass in contrarian venture investing. His message to European GPs and LPs was clear: the biggest winners don’t follow the rules — they break them.He not only challenged European venture capitalists to rethink their playbooks but also distilled years of hard-won wisdom into a framework he calls Inflection Theory, urging GPs and LPs alike to focus on pattern breakers instead of pattern matching.In typical fashion, Mike was sharp, candid, and even a bit irreverent, dropping truth bombs about everything from what makes a founder truly breakout to why fund size is a VC’s destiny. This essay captures those key insights and explores what they mean for European investors who aspire to back the future’s biggest winners.Mike Maples Jr. has never been one for incremental change. As our conversation revealed, he believes venture success comes from “changing the subject” entirely – defying conventional wisdom and waging “asymmetric warfare on the present”. European GPs and LPs tuning in were treated to a masterclass on identifying unreasonable founders who don’t fit the mold, and why the usual check-the-box approach to startups misses the mark. From Inflection Theory and the anatomy of breakout founders to the transatlantic culture clash in tech, let’s dive into Maples’ playbook – and see how it challenges us all to up our game.

Welcome back to another episode of Upside at the EUVC Podcast, where , of and from unpack what’s happening in European tech and venture capital.This week: Why Series A in Europe now often means “multi-seed” and what founders should do about it, Germany’s €100B industrial policy push and whether it can actually deliver, and the Bank of England’s rate cut as a red flare for the economy. Plus: the OECD’s warning on corporate underinvestment, why the EU’s Chips Act 2.0 risks missing the AI boom, and the latest in the global AI race from GPT-5 rumours to billion-dollar raises. Also: Clay’s $100M relationship-intelligence war chest, N8N’s unicorn momentum, and a Spanish autonomous tractor that’s rewriting farm economics.🎧 Here's what's covered:01:12 Series A Reality Check: US vs Europe timelines, bridge rounds, and why naming matters.06:04 The Multi-Seed Era: How European founders should think about funding milestones.10:47 Germany’s €100B Deutschlandfonds: Ambition, execution risk, and industrial policy priorities.17:58 UK Rate Cut at 4.0%: Red flare for growth, modest boost for VC competitiveness.22:31 OECD on Corporate Investment Stagnation: Why regulatory drag is Europe’s silent growth killer.29:44 Europe’s Chips Act 2.0: From missed targets to high-value manufacturing opportunities.38:11 AI Corner – GPT-5 Rumours & Claude 4.1: Funding surges and the open-source shift.45:27 IP & AI Models: Data leakage risks and the Napster-era copyright parallel.52:03 Deals of the Week: Clay, N8N, and Voltrac’s autonomous tractor breakthrough.57:46 Closing Takeaways: Focus, speed, and execution as Europe’s competitive levers.

At EUVC Summit 2025, () didn’t give a talk—he threw down a gauntlet.Forget polite panel chatter. This was part existential reckoning, part investor roast, and part Radiohead reference. It left the room laughing, nodding, and—if we’re honest—slightly uncomfortable.Which was the point.“Venture is lending money to people believing one future. That’s what I do at least.”2019: The Climate Fundraising GauntletHampus opened with a flashback to 2019, when fundraising for climate still meant fighting disbelief.“One third of LPs didn’t believe in climate change. Another third didn’t understand the business models. The rest were waiting for someone else to go first.”Fast forward to today, and while climate events are louder, many investors still hesitate.“The expected value of climate change is huge. So why are we still asking if there’s upside?”Fossil Fuels vs. Electrons: Which Sounds Dumber?In classic Hampus form, he took aim at the status quo with punchy simplicity:“We burn things that explode to move forward. Or we could use electrons that fall from the sky for free. Which sounds smarter?”He skewered half-hearted circularity narratives and ESG buzzwords, pointing out the absurdity in how valuable materials (like titanium in aerospace) are wasted—literally thrown out next to cigarette butts.Radiohead, Trump & the Venture Job DescriptionAt one point, Hampus invoked a line from Radiohead:“If you're a plastic surgeon, you gotta know—gravity always wins.”Then added:“Sorry, Trump.”It was funny—but also cutting. The message was clear: You can deny physics and climate reality for a while, but eventually, gravity wins.How Venture Can Actually MatterHampus made one thing very clear: he’s not in climate to feel good—he’s in it to win.That means:Bigger roundsBigger companiesBigger exitsAnd fewer excuses“Let’s stop pretending it’s complicated. Let’s raise, build, scale—and let’s be less dumb.”

At the EUVC Summit 2025, of delivered a data-backed reminder: If we’re serious about building global companies from Europe, we need to stop treating the US as a rival—and start treating it like the deeply connected partner it already is.Robin Klein & the Power of Ecosystem BuildersThe session opened with a heartfelt nod to Robin Klein, this year’s Hall of Fame inductee. When Frontline asked leading investors across the continent “Who has been most influential in your journey in European tech?”—four out of five said Robin.“Building an ecosystem isn’t just about investing. It’s about building a fund, a culture, and a movement. Robin has done all three.”His recognition is a signal to us all: the best investors aren’t just backing startups—they’re laying foundations for the entire ecosystem to thrive.Europe vs. US? The Data Tells a Different StoryYou might think Europe and the US operate as separate tech spheres. The media often frames it that way. Politicians like Trump make it seem that way. But the data tells a different story:45% of the world’s internet traffic flows through just 17 transatlantic cables—every single day.In consumer tech, nearly 75% of global spend comes from Europe + the US combined.Signal AI, a Frontline portfolio company, analyzes global news in 150+ languages—yet a major share of its revenue comes from the US.“We’re already collaborating—just not always intentionally.”Think Big. Think Global.William’s message to investors was crystal clear:“We shouldn’t be advising founders to go small or to ignore the US. Europe and America are economically and digitally intertwined—and always have been.”He cited the powerful example of Dr. Katalin Karikó (Europe) and Dr. Drew Weissman (US)—the Nobel-winning team behind mRNA vaccines. Global breakthroughs, enabled by global collaboration.Yes, it’s harder today to build across borders. But that’s where investors need to step up—not retreat.Let’s not let political headlines shape our investment strategies.Let’s help our companies build globally, because that’s how we build lasting, category-defining businesses.And let’s take a page from Robin Klein’s book: invest in the ecosystem, not just the deal.

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.Today, we’re joined by Ties Boukema, Head of Data, Tech & AI at Dawn Capital, one of Europe’s leading B2B SaaS and Fintech investors. With a background spanning law, statistics, Google Health, and five brain surgeries, Ties brings a rare mix of grit, optimism, and technical firepower to Venture and he’s putting it to use by building Rolodex, an internal AI-powered operating system for Dawn.This is not an AI trends episode. This is an inside look at what it takes to build and deploy technology within a venture firm—and why the industry has been lagging behind.🎯 This Episode’s Themes:How a near-death experience shaped Ties’ perspective—and his edgeWhy most software in VC is “surprisingly bad” and what to do about itHow Dawn is building Rolodex: AI-powered prep, network graphs, and event intelligenceThe myth of “no data in early-stage” and why private markets still need softwareWhat Gawande’s checklist manifesto can teach European ventureHere’s what’s covered:02:00 | Meet Ties: From New York brain surgery to Google to Dawn04:00 | Life Before Surgery: Growing up with 200+ hospital stays09:30 | A Second Life: What changed post-op—and how it shaped his drive11:00 | From Sales to AI: Ties' journey at Google and pivot into health12:45 | Why Venture: “These people are smart… but why are they fixing slides at 2 AM?”14:00 | Perspective as Edge: Handling pressure, breaking rules, and ignoring experts17:30 | AI vs Experts: The false trust in tradition—and how AI challenges it20:00 | The Speed Mismatch: We can produce info 100x faster than we can understand it24:00 | Building Tech for Venture: The reality, the resistance, the rewards29:00 | Buy vs Build: Why VC firms should think like operators, not tinkerers32:00 | Rolodex Origins: The deal Dawn lost—and what it taught them36:00 | Entity Resolution Hell: Why syncing your contacts is harder than you think40:00 | Rolodex in Action: Deal prep, relationship mapping, board meeting alerts44:00 | Quantifying Network Power: How Dawn tracks angels & co-investors46:00 | Strong Opinions, Loosely Held: Why Ties changed his mind on VC’s “human core”50:00 | The Checklist Revelation: What brain surgeons taught him about process

This year at the EUVC Summit Awards, Robin Klein was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Backed by HSBC Innovation Banking, the award celebrates a lifetime of impact—and Robin’s legacy stands as a blueprint for what long-term conviction in European tech can look like.As Chris Adelsbach reminded us on stage, we’re no longer an emerging ecosystem. We’ve grown up. And few have helped shape that growth more consistently, more humbly, and more powerfully than Robin.A Legacy That Began Before Venture Had a NameRobin’s story doesn’t begin with startups—it begins with family, migration, and belief.A century ago, his grandfather left Eastern Europe for South Africa. Years later, he handed over his life savings to a young engineer—Robin—to start a business. That first act of belief, Robin said, was venture capital before we had the word for it.From there, the journey spanned decades:→ Two companies built and exited.→ A pivot to angel investing in 1999.→ A front-row seat to the power law—and the human stories behind it.From Fledgling Angels to a $2B PlatformWhat followed was a fundamental reshaping of Europe’s innovation landscape.Across LocalGlobe, Latitude, and Solar, Robin and his team have helped founders build not only unicorns—but also communities, movements, and ecosystems. They’ve backed science and inclusion, food banks and frontier tech, with LPs from both East and West. Today, their platform manages nearly $2 billion.And through it all, one belief has remained constant:Innovation and technology are forces for good—capable of delivering stellar returns to LPs, and positive change to society.A Call to Builders—And the FutureRobin closed by thanking his grandfather—the original backer—and his son and partner, who now help lead the next generation forward.His message to the room was clear:We have the talent, the universities, the engineers. We have the moment.The time is now.Thanks to the foundations we’ve laid— the best is still ahead.

At this year’s EUVC Summit, Oliver Holle from Speedinvest delivered a powerful call to arms. In a room filled with the ecosystem’s builders, he laid out a bold vision for European venture: one that embraces our values, recognizes our untapped capital strength, and demands we shift from fragmentation to scale. His words weren’t just timely—they captured a moment of reckoning for European VC. The message? The opportunity is ours to lose, and the only thing standing in the way is us.Something strange has happened lately—I’ve never felt more proud to be European.Not in a jingoistic way. But in the sense that Europe’s values—modesty, facts over noise, democratic principles, and consensus-building—are becoming a competitive advantage. At a time when reliability and trust are global currencies, Europe’s soft power has quietly gained weight.But soft power alone isn’t enough.

In this episode, Jeppe Høier and Andreas Munk Holm sit down with Julien Fredonie, Head of Europe & Africa at Honda Xcelerator Ventures, for a deep dive into how one of the world’s most iconic manufacturing giants is strategically navigating venture capital across Europe.They explore Honda’s global investment strategy, Julien’s views on Europe’s deeptech strengths, the nuanced role of corporate VC, and why Honda is bullish on European innovation—from climate tech to AI and advanced manufacturing.This one’s a rare look into how a global player allocates capital, thinks about strategic alignment, and partners with both startups and emerging funds.Here’s what’s covered:01:10 Who is Julien Fredonie and what is Honda Xcelerator Ventures?02:40 The 4 Strategic Pillars: Sustainability, Manufacturing, Mobility, AI04:15 What "Deep Tech That Sells" Means to Honda05:30 Strategic Projects Explained: POCs, JVs, and R&D Partnerships07:45 Fund-of-Fund Activity: Why Honda Also Backs VCs09:00 Structuring the CVC: The Role of Julien’s Team vs. Internal Honda R&D11:30 What Startups Get from Honda (Beyond Capital)13:45 Deep Tech DD: How Honda Approaches Validation from Inside & Outside23:30 Where Europe Stands Out: Climate, Advanced Industry, AI25:30 Gen 2 Climate Tech: From Environmental to Industrial Impact26:15 The State of French VC and Deep Tech Momentum

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: Why Meta and Microsoft are minting cash from AI, what Figma’s IPO signals for SaaS, whether the EU got rolled in its new trade deal with the US, and how Europe’s AI scene is finally delivering billion‑dollar exits. Plus: OpenAI’s new “Study Mode” and Harry Stebbings’ Project Europe—an “anti‑YC” deep‑tech accelerator for founders under 25.🎧 Here's what's covered:01:07 Meta & Microsoft Blowout Earnings: How AI is driving real revenue and margins.04:43 Meta’s Efficiency Playbook: Ads, engagement, and headcount cuts fueling growth.06:39 Zuckerberg’s Billion-Dollar AI Talent Grab: Why Meta is betting the farm on AI.11:23 CapEx Shockwaves: Meta at $70B and Amazon at $100B—bigger than all of European VC.14:02 Sticky Inflation & AI Boom: Why markets stay bullish despite high rates.21:33 Figma’s Blockbuster IPO: SaaS revival or a one‑off outlier?25:37 Index Ventures’ €7B Payday: Power law dynamics in European venture.33:51 EU–US Trade Deal Breakdown: Tariffs, defense procurement, and $600B in investment.46:43 Anthropic’s $5B Raise: Can US AI dominance withstand cheap, open‑source rivals from China?49:32 Germany’s $1B AI Exit: Cognigy and the rise of European enterprise AI.01:07:59 Accelerators & the “Best Founders Don’t Need Them” Debate

In this episode, sits down with and , the founding partners of , a brand-new fund laser-focused on what they call Human Interaction Tech.They explore why online communication, remote work, and AI are disrupting how we relate at work and in life, and why that opens a massive opportunity for a new kind of VC firm. With a track record of backing unicorns like Flo, Revolut, and Patreon, and institutional knowledge from Bain and SDV, the duo is now raising their first fund to scale this vision.We dive into how they define their category, the growing $150B+ market opportunity, their standout portfolio performance, and how their unfair advantages—from GTM playbooks to Tier 1 VC intros—create gravity with both founders and LPs.🎧 Here’s what’s covered:00:05 Introduction to AdHoc Ventures01:30 The Concept of Human Interaction Tech05:28 Market Opportunities in Human Interaction Tech09:23 Investment Strategy and Track Record12:27 Unfair Advantages of Ad Hoc Ventures16:03 Building a Global Fund20:03 The Role of AI in Human Interaction24:25 Value Addition as Specialized Investors25:40 Management Fee Structure Explained

Welcome back to another episode of At the Cap Table, your trusted inside track on the people, ideas, and power dynamics shaping the future of European venture.This week, Savs sits down with , Partner at and Co-Founder of , for a candid conversation about doing VC differently—from day-one investing and values-led portfolios to walking away from a fund that could have been.They dive into the rise of “residency models” over accelerators, why ESG is often misunderstood (even by the pros), and how real co-founder chemistry can’t be faked. Hannah also opens up about why Fund II didn’t happen at Houghton Street Ventures, what she’s learned about partnership dynamics, and what kind of founders actually thrive under pressure.Whether you're building from zero, navigating the future of VC, or just wrestling with what it means to do this job with intention—this one's for you.Here’s what’s covered:01:50 | How an NGO office in Mumbai sparked a decade-long obsession with founders04:20 | VentureESG: the accidental nonprofit now guiding 700+ VCs and LPs11:30 | Houghton Street Ventures: the thesis, the traction, and the hard call not to raise Fund II18:00 | Why working with the right people trumps firm strategy20:00 | Antler’s “day one” model and what a residency really offers founders23:00 | Week 3 in the Antler cohort: when teams form, and sometimes fall apart25:30 | What actually matters in early-stage teams (hint: not the idea)28:00 | Standard terms, 10-week pressure, and founder selection inside Antler30:00 | Project Europe, collaboration culture, and why VC needs more team sports33:00 | Europe’s strength in AI, climate, and thoughtful founders34:30 | Luck, wonky careers, and why no door is ever really closed

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where Andreas Munk Holm and Jeppe Høier explore the cutting edge of European venture capital. Today’s guest is Nacho Tovar, who is the Group Innovation Director at IAG. IAG—the airline group behind British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling.Together, they unpack how one of the world’s most complex legacy industries is retooling itself through deep tech, startup collaboration, and CVC-backed transformation—from synthetic fuels to quantum AI.This is the CVC playbook for aviation, straight from the cockpit.🎧 Here's what's covered:02:02 How Childhood Dreams of Flight Became a CVC Career05:12 IAG’s Six Investment Themes: AI, Automation, SAF, CX, Connectivity & Quantum10:01 No Fund Yet—But €200M in Committed Capital Through the Balance Sheet14:30 Why IAG Doesn’t Invest at Concept Stage (And Doesn’t Take Equity in Accelerator)18:32 Nacho’s Career Path: Why Engineering + Accenture + VC = Ideal CVC Operator24:34 Inside Iberia’s Turnaround: From €1M/day Losses to €1B Profit28:47 Co-Investing over Leading: IAG’s Approach to Rounds30:29 What Nacho Brings to the Cap Table: Commercial Scale, Access & Global Brand32:54 The Secret Sauce: Airline Autonomy + Strategic Collaboration34:08 How IAG Unlocks Strategic Value Post-Investment39:23 Why Punctuality, Cost & CX Are All Linked in Aviation44:59 The Airline-Customer Relationship: From Booking to Destination

Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC Podcast, your trusted inside track on the people, deals, and dynamics shaping European venture. This week marks a major milestone — Episode 50! To celebrate, Dan Bowyer, Mads Jensen of SuperSeed and Lomax from Outsized Ventures, and Andrew J. Scott return to unpack the headlines and trends shaping the European tech landscape.From the UK government’s OpenAI partnership and what it means, to the missed boat on stablecoins, and to AI outperforming the brightest minds in math—this episode cuts deep into the future of tech, sovereignty, and competitiveness in Europe.Whether you're a founder navigating policy shifts, an investor eyeing infrastructure plays, or just an AI-curious policy wonk—this one’s for you.Here's what’s covered00:00 | Celebrating Episode 50The gang reflects on hitting a podcasting milestone and shares quick updates from Denmark, Paris, and a beachside founder retreat.03:30 | OpenAI x UK Government: A Real Deal?The UK’s MOU with OpenAI is meant to boost public sector productivity—but is it too flimsy to matter? The hosts debate if this partnership is toothless signaling or meaningful progress.06:00 | Can AI Actually Transform Public Services?From “Humpfree the Chatbot” to NHS waitlists, the panel weighs in on the real-world use cases, and how opt-in AI diagnostics could solve the NHS backlog.09:30 | The Bigger Picture: AI Sovereignty and StrategyWith the UK relying on US players (OpenAI, Anthropic, Nvidia), are we compromising our digital sovereignty? Andrew drops the big question: Is this the modern equivalent of exporting raw strategic resources?14:00 | US vs UK AI Plans: Build, Baby, Build vs. Think, Baby, ThinkThe team compares the UK's thoughtful “consultancy-style” AI strategy with the US’s aggressive, deregulatory action plan—complete with eagles and executive orders.19:00 | Policy Recommendations from the PodFrom national compute backbones and Buy-UK mandates to AI visa fast-tracks and sovereign LLMs — the panel proposes big ideas Europe should act on today.25:00 | Stablecoins: UK’s Missed OpportunityWhile Japan, Singapore, and the US regulate stablecoins, the UK is just starting consultations. Why? And what’s at stake?30:00 | Dollar Dominance ReinventedMads explains how stablecoins are reinforcing US economic control — and how UK hesitation risks long-term relevance in fintech.34:00 | Ideas for UK Leadership in StablecoinsCould interest-bearing stablecoins become London’s new edge? Could we reclaim fintech innovation by embracing DeFi rails?38:00 | AI Wins Gold at the Maths OlympiadGoogle’s DeepMind and OpenAI hit gold-level scores at the IMO. The gang discusses the leap in AI’s creative reasoning and what it means for R&D, drug discovery, and Europe’s scientific leadership.43:00 | Should Europe Build Its Own Sovereign Research Hub?From CERN-for-AI to training sovereign models, the crew asks whether public sector moonshots are the right way to compete.48:00 | Deal of the Week: Eurazeo’s €650M Fund for AI ScaleupsIn a capital-constrained landscape, Eurazeo closes a rare growth fund to back Europe’s AI champions.50:00 | Wildcard: AI vs. RaccoonsAndrew shares a niche but hilarious use case for computer vision AI: keeping raccoons out of houses. No joke.

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Eoghan O’Neill, Senior Policy Officer at the European Commission’s AI Office, to break down the EU AI Act, Europe’s strategy to lead the global AI wave with trust, safety, and world-class infrastructure.They dive into why the EU’s approach to AI is not just regulatory red tape but a proactive framework to ensure innovation and adoption flourish across sectors—from startups to supercomputers. Eoghan unpacks how startups can navigate the Act, why Europe’s regulatory clarity is an advantage, and how investors should be thinking about this new paradigm.Here’s what’s covered:02:41 Eoghan’s Unorthodox Journey: From Gravy Systems to AI Policy04:32 The Mission & Structure of the AI Office05:52 Understanding the AI Act: A Product Safety Framework09:40 How the AI Act Was Created: An Open, 1,000+ Stakeholder Process17:42 What Counts as High-Risk AI (And What Doesn’t)21:23 Learning from GDPR & Ensuring Innovation Isn’t Crushed26:10 Transparency, Trust & The Limits of Regulation30:15 What VCs Need to Know: Obligations, Timelines & Opportunities34:42 Europe's Global AI Position: Infra, Engineers, Strategy43:33 Global Dynamics: Commoditization, Gulf States & the Future of AGI48:46 What’s Coming: Apply AI Strategy in September

In this episode, Jon from the European VC pod is joined by co-host Ambika from Circle Capital for a special look at the Southeast Asian VC landscape. Their guest, Bhavik Vashi—Managing Director at Carta for APAC and MENA—brings both operator and investor lenses to the table. From the myth of “Southeast Asia as a region” to emerging manager struggles, this conversation pulls no punches. If you’re thinking global, this is your field guide.Here’s what’s covered:01:20 Bhavik’s Journey from Anaplan to Carta03:45 Why “Southeast Asia” Is a Convenience, Not a Region08:00 The Operator’s Reality: Fragmentation, Regulation, and Talent Arbitrage11:45 Power Law Doesn’t Work Here: Rethinking Portfolio Construction16:10 Fund IRRs Are Down, and It’s Worse in Southeast Asia19:00 The First Wave of Emerging GPs: What Went Wrong22:30 The Bright Side: Carta’s $1B Bet and Market-by-Market Nuance27:15 Australia, MENA, Singapore, and What Global LPs Should Understand32:00 The Case for Emerging Managers (And Why LPs Need to Get Over Their Fears)36:10 Belief Shift: The East Isn’t Copying the West Anymore41:00 Hub-and-Spoke Is Dead: Local Ops for Global Scale44:00 Middle East ≠ Europe: Why Singapore and Dubai Are Mirror Plays

This week on the EUVC podcast, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Jörg Binnenbrücker, General Partner at Capnamic, to unpack the story behind one of Europe’s standout software exits—LeanIX, winner of Exit of the Year at the European VC Awards.Jörg walks us through how a €500K initial check turned into a billion-dollar outcome—and why the deal was perfectly sized for the realities of European venture. We go deep on Capnamic’s founder-first philosophy, their obsession with DPI, and how they’ve built a venture firm that consistently turns real returns across funds—not just paper markups.From investing early in B2B SaaS to building a culture that mirrors the best of startups, Jörg shares the blueprint behind Capnamic’s flywheel—one rooted in trust, ownership, and team alignment.🎯 In This Episode, We Cover:The inside story of the LeanIX deal—and why it was a fund-makerHow Capnamic builds DPI-first into every decisionWhy real founder empathy starts with how your team worksLessons from Michael Jordan and Yoda (really)Europe’s underrated software founders—and why they’re winningWhy generalist firms still play a key role in climate, deep tech & beyondHere’s what’s covered:00:00 | Jörg joins: From Capnamic to Exit of the Year02:15 | Why LeanIX is a “Google Maps for Enterprise Software”04:30 | The €500K check that turned into a billion-dollar outcome07:45 | What makes a “perfect” exit for European fund sizing10:30 | DPI > Paper: How Capnamic structures for real returns13:00 | Building founder empathy through operational design16:30 | Every team member gets carry—even platform19:00 | No consensus, no problem: Why Capnamic values conviction22:00 | B2B SaaS, German depth, and the Capnamic thesis25:45 | York on founder-centric processes and fast reps28:00 | Why they track “10x front returners” at investment stage31:00 | The art of timing exits—and when secondaries don’t work34:00 | LeanIX team, bootstrap mentality, and long-term value creation36:30 | Jörg’s parting advice: Start businesses wisely. Play like Jordan.

This week, August Solliv is joined by Fabian Heilemann, founding partner at AENU, a climate-focused Article 9 fund reshaping what institutional-grade impact investing looks like in Europe.A former serial entrepreneur turned VC heavyweight, Fabian spent nearly a decade at Earlybird before launching AENU alongside his brother. Today, he leads a €170M early-stage climate tech fund with one clear mission: backing ventures that can decarbonize at gigaton scale.In this episode, we dive into Fabian’s journey from angel investor missteps to system-level innovation, and what it takes to truly build an impact-native VC platform—beyond surface-level ESG.We talk about why the old fund structures don’t cut it for deep tech and climate moonshots, what real accountability looks like for impact metrics, and why mission-aligned founders are starting to demand more than just capital.🎯 This Episode’s ThemesWhy Fabian walked away from generalist VC to go all-in on climateThe hard truths of raising an evergreen fund in a bear marketWhat it takes to measure impact—beyond the marketing slideHow AENU’s founders “walk the talk” in company operationsWhy biodiversity collapse may hit harder than climateHere’s what’s covered:00:45 | Meet Fabian: From founder to Earlybird GP to climate VC03:30 | When the science became too loud to ignore06:00 | Early mistakes in angel investing—and how it shaped AENU08:45 | Building AENU: Clean slate, pure play, Article 912:00 | Impact metrics that matter: CO₂e saved or removed15:30 | Walking the talk: Travel policy, green ops & founder integrity18:45 | Challenging the 10-year VC fund model22:30 | Why climate tech exits need more patient capital26:00 | The failed evergreen experiment—and what it taught them30:00 | Climate vs. biodiversity: The next systemic wave33:30 | Why Sequoia won’t fix this—but emerging managers might36:15 | Founder redemptions: Building for impact after fast commerce40:00 | The reality of fundraising as an impact-first VC43:00 | AENU’s three pillars: Energy, decarb & climate adaptation

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm and Jeppe Høier sit down with Florian Noell, PwC’s Global Venturing & EMEA Startups & Scale-ups Leader. Florian draws on his rare blend of experience as a founder, ecosystem advocate, and now corporate innovator to unpack the evolution—and missed opportunities—of corporate venture capital across Europe.They delve deeply into what distinguishes enduring CVCs from the 3.7-year average lifespan, how to avoid wasting money as a corporate angel, and the structural shifts needed to transition from optics to outcomes. With both realism and optimism, this is a masterclass on corporate-startup collaboration done right—and wrong.This one’s for ecosystem builders, corporate strategists, and VCs looking to make CVC work in the long term.Here’s what’s covered:02:10 | Two Hats, One Mission: How Florian Took His Founder Lens to PwC05:50 | What Great Corporate-Startup Collaboration Looks Like08:30 | Why CVCs Die After 3.7 Years—and How to Beat the Odds11:20 | Structuring for Success: The 10 Building Blocks to a Lasting CVC14:00 | Venture Clienting vs. Venture Investing17:40 | The Case for Later-Stage Investing—If You Can Afford It21:15 | LP Investing as a Smart Starting Point25:50 | Policy’s Role: Useful, But Not the Magic Fix30:00 | Changing the Corporate Mindset34:00 | Why Corporates Don’t Reinvent Themselves—And What to Do About It

Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC Podcast, your trusted inside track on the people, deals, and dynamics shaping European venture.This week, and of and from , gather to unpack the macro forces and micro signals shaping European tech and venture.They dive into the EU’s latest corporate structure reforms, the battle with resistant notaries, and the implications for startup formation and cross-border investing. Then it’s onto LLM innovation in China, valuation exuberance in AI, and the strategic shifts in capital allocation. The group finishes by zooming out on macro policy, sovereignty debates, and a cautious optimism for European tech.Whether you’re an investor, founder, or policymaker trying to navigate Europe’s choppy regulatory waters — this one’s for you.Here’s what’s covered02:00 | Startup law, friction, and EU Inc.06:30 | The SAFE envy09:30 | Founders as fund managers — and vice versa12:00 | From Pink Floyd to trillion-parameter models17:30 | Capital efficiency and compute arbitrage21:00 | UK startup ecosystem: a shadow of its former self?25:00 | Fundraising cycles and trapped capital28:00 | D2C health — a comeback?31:00 | Crypto week in Europe?35:00 | Macro clouds and haven-hunting

In the latest episode of “Path to Market,” Natasha and Micah are joined by Fanny Talagrand, Head of EMEA sales for startups and SMBs at Stripe to discuss key sales strategies from startups to enterprises. Drawing from her extensive experience in global tech companies like Google Cloud and Stripe, Fanny emphasizes the importance of understanding user needs and journeys, leveraging user feedback, and the different dynamics between selling to startups versus enterprises.She also provides advice for hiring the first sales reps, highlighting the need for candidates to be smart, driven, and coachable. She stresses the significance of onboarding processes and embedding new hires with users early on. Additionally, she explores how to balance product-led growth with enterprise sales and shares metrics to optimize sales performance.Tune in to learn about:how to align sales strategies with the needs and journeys of different types of users;how PLG and enterprise motions can coexist with careful planning and differentiation in user journeys;why as companies grow, including a sales team becomes vital to extend market reach and support users who require more comprehensive solutions;and more practical strategies for founders looking to enhance their sales operations and build successful teams.Here’s what’s covered:00:00 Introduction to Fannie Talegrand00:46 Fannie’s Career Journey03:11 Comparing Sales Strategies at Google Cloud and Stripe09:02 Product-Led vs. Enterprise Motion12:13 Sales Metrics and Funnel Optimization15:14 Differences in Selling to Startups vs. Enterprises22:50 Hiring the Right Sales Leader33:11 Onboarding New Sales Hires38:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this week's podcast, is joined by at and at to explore one of the most consequential deep tech opportunities Europe faces: RNA. With roots in foundational biology and applications from cancer therapy to precision agriculture, RNA is both a symbol and a stress test of Europe’s capacity to scale science into sovereignty.The conversation is based on their on the State of RNA in Europe, a data-rich, in-depth analysis of patents, funding flows, regulatory bottlenecks, and startup activity across the continent.Here’s what’s covered:03:05 The State of RNA in Europe05:59 Challenges in Commercialization and Investment09:09 The Landscape of RNA Companies in Europe15:02 Regulatory Challenges in RNA Development17:58 The Future of RNA in Europe26:54 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in Biocontrol Products30:46 The Impact of European Policies on Innovation32:41 Learning from Global Regulatory Practices40:34 The Exodus of Talent and Innovation from Europe45:59 Funding Challenges for RNA Companies in Europe

In this episode, talks with — early-stage investor — about the new wave of entrepreneurs in Spain: those who’ve exited, raised again, and are now backing the next wave. They dive into the rise of Spain’s emerging managers, the structural limitations new fund managers face when fundraising, and how institutional platforms can solve them.Carlos shares insights on how his team is designing a new type of investment structure — one that serves both fund-of-fund limited partners (LPs) and those deeply committed to ecosystem development. From syndicate-style collaboration to collective capital and US micro-fund inspiration, Carlos unpacks the anatomy of the new European seed scene.Whether you’re building a micro fund, exploring Spain’s founder-led evolution, or curious about how fund design is adapting to new LP profiles — this one’s for you.Here’s what’s covered:00:00 The Rise of Repeat Founders: From Glovo to Preval and beyond03:15 Why Founders Become Emerging Managers05:42 The Fundraising Gap for New Managers08:10 Co-investing and Scouting for Ecosystem Development11:35 Challenges of Hybrid Investment Models14:00 Case Study: Transcend — A $1.5M EdTech Concept Fund17:20 Collective Capital: When LPs Roll Up Their Sleeves19:45 Closing Thoughts & Invitation to Meet in Barcelona

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.This week, is joined by , Founding Partner at , and , Founder at , for a deep dive into the rise of solo GPs and micro funds in Europe. Together, they unpack the forces driving this new wave of intentional, nimble VC—why it’s working, how it's evolving, and what it takes to win.It’s a conversation that builds on their stage debate at the EUVC Summit—this time going deeper into headless rounds, syndication dynamics, the next generation of angel investors, and the very real personal decisions behind going solo.🎯 This Episode’s Themes:Why the solo GP model fits today’s best foundersThe rise of “headless rounds” and what makes them workThe art (and risk) of conviction without consensusThe future of angels, from weekend warriors to fund managersWhat’s next for micro funds in Europe—and why some won’t make itHere’s what’s covered:00:22 | Solo Love: The magic of being founder-picked and founder-aligned01:30 | Angel Roots: Why Sarah and Anthony bet small before going big04:00 | Market Dynamics: The squeeze between seed giants and multistage platforms06:30 | Why Small Wins: Flexibility, focus, and belief in outlier founders09:00 | Micro Syndication: Why solo GPs are finally co-leading in Europe13:00 | The Reserve Question: What happens when founders need more capital?16:00 | Conviction Building: The difference between borrowing belief and earning it20:00 | Headless Rounds: The founder-led raise and its pros and cons24:30 | Next Round Realities: Why leads don’t always do the heavy lifting27:00 | Angel Competition: How to win without bidding wars31:00 | Angel Education: Power law, concentration risk & the need for fresh blood38:00 | Going Solo: The case for building your own lemonade stand44:00 | The Big Firm Tradeoff: Coordination, politics, and the limits of scale47:00 | Looking Ahead: What’s next for Europe’s micro fund wave

In this episode, is joined by Colin Knight, a leading coach in the startup ecosystem, and , co-founder of , to dive deep into the emotional and relational dynamics that power — and often derail — the venture journey.This conversation is part of the Venture Beyond initiative: a space to reflect on the human side of venture, supporting founders and investors in building intentional teams, resilient cultures, and sustainable energy for the long game.Here’s what’s covered:02:15 – What is Venture Beyond? (feat. 432 Legacy & Stride VC)05:00 – “Peeling the Onion”: Relationships → Team → Role → Self10:30 – Power dynamics and pitching: resetting the foundation22:00 – The myth of pleasing and the power of check-ins29:00 – Why VC firms struggle as teams38:00 – Role transitions: letting go of identity and control44:00 – The “Colin Column”: Why am I doing this?47:00 – The Self: Paying the price of transformation49:00 – Outcome addiction vs. joy in the journey55:00 – Energy is everything: what drains you, what fuels you57:30 – Finding your inner peace in a mad world

Welcome back to another episode of the EUVC Podcast, your trusted inside track on the people, deals, and dynamics shaping European venture.This week, and of and from , gather to unpack the macro forces and micro signals shaping European tech and venture.They unpack the defense boom powering Europe’s deep tech surge — and ask whether startups should rush in or sit this wave out. They break down OpenAI’s next big product moves, the battle for browser dominance, and whether we’re already at peak LLM. They ask if working from home quietly kills startup culture (and what actually keeps it alive). And they check in on Trump’s tariffs, Europe’s big tech fines, and the resilience playbook that’s pulling startups deeper into geopolitics.If you’re investing, building, or just trying to make sense of where Europe’s venture scene goes next — this one’s for you.Here’s what’s covered02:00 | The defense boom: Europe’s rearmament momentHow Germany has overtaken the UK in startup funding for the first time — and why defense, dual-use, and resilience are fueling the deep tech wave.04:50 | Moral lines: should you build in defense?Mads, Lomax and Andrew debate whether there’s an ethical red line — and if Europe’s founders should follow the money or sit this one out.08:40 | Peak LLM? OpenAI launches a browserIs OpenAI eating Google’s lunch? Mads explains why a new browser isn’t just a gimmick — it’s a data moat and a massive ad market play.12:00 | The new search wars & what founders should doLomax breaks down how SEO is dead — GEO (generative engine optimization) is in. Why this shift is reshaping startup distribution playbooks.15:30 | Grok 4, Elon & the next frontierMads explains how Musk’s Grok leapfrogged benchmarks — and why the next LLM battle is all about compute, data quality, and Nvidia’s $4T edge.18:50 | Does working from home kill culture?Are great companies built on Slack or in person? The crew unpacks why strong culture is more than values on a wall — and why the best teams come together.25:00 | Trump’s tariffs: a real threat or priced in?Why markets barely shrug at Trump’s latest trade threats — and what selective escalation could mean for European startups this autumn.29:00 | UK startup stats: steady but smallEight billion raised, a handful of unicorns minted — but the US is still 20x bigger. Why the same structural issues keep the UK from scaling like Silicon Valley.33:15 | Big Tech vs Europe: do the fines matter?From DMA penalties to encrypted chat backdoors, the team debates whether Brussels’ big fines work — and who really pays the price.38:10 | Deal of the Week: Eutelsat’s €1.35B resilience playWhy Europe’s sovereign satellite champion matters — and why Lomax wants them to rebrand fast.

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.This week, sits down with , founding GP of , the new defense-first fund going all in on the blunt reality of European strategic autonomy.Nicholas is no newcomer to this. From advising governments to serving in Afghanistan, launching syndicates, or building dual-use bridges when few wanted to touch defense, he’s stayed on the same mission while the market shifted all around him.In this episode, Nicholas breaks down why Europe needs unapologetic defense-first investing, why dual-use alone won’t cut it, and what founders, LPs, and co-investors must face up to if they’re serious about Europe’s sovereignty.Here’s what’s covered:00:00 | Nicholas Nelson’s journey: from service to syndicates to Archangel02:00 | Two decades of doing defense before it was cool04:00 | Why now? Why real defense? Why not just dual-use?07:00 | The war tech shift: tanks out, rapid iteration in10:00 | Ukraine’s ‘hourly sprints’—why on-the-ground matters13:00 | Deterrence, lethality & Europe’s strategic gap16:00 | When dual-use brands muddy the water (and why that’s risky)19:00 | The bullets & bombs dilemma: investing when LPs say no22:00 | Primes, vendor lock & the truth about the military industrial complex26:00 | ESG tensions: Europe’s extra layer of complexity30:00 | The pan-European Anduril myth—why it doesn’t map34:00 | Local vs. pan-European scaling: what’s realistic37:00 | Exit routes & why the big growth rounds go abroad40:00 | The flywheel we didn’t get to—coming in part two

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.This time, we flip the mic: , normally the host, steps into the hot seat in a conversation with , Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at and an expert on entrepreneurial and innovation strategy.In this episode, you’ll get the full backstory on Jeppe—from PwC to CFO at a pan-European fund, , to building s CVC arm, and now shaping Europe’s corporate VC landscape through the EU CVC podcast, newsletter, and summit.They dive deep into how corporate venture works (and fails), why the immune system metaphor holds true, and what’s needed to build an ecosystem across Europe that actually delivers.🎯 This Podcast’s Themes:From finance to strategy: Jeppe’s journey into ventureWhy CVC is more organ transplant than M&AHow to survive 3 CEOs—and why you mustFund of funds vs. direct investing: what’s trending in corporate ventureBuilding Europe’s corporate VC community: podcast, masterclasses, summitsHere’s what’s covered:00:00 | From Interviews to the Interviewee: Jeppe in the spotlight02:00 | Auditor Turned VC: From PwC to CFO of a pan-European fund04:30 | The Maersk Years: Strategy, innovation, and the “immune system”07:00 | Organ Transplant Theory: Why CVCs often get rejected10:00 | Newsletter to Podcast: Building the EU CVC platform12:00 | The European Vision: A fragmented but collaborative ecosystem14:00 | Strategic vs Financial Tension: Why most corporates are confused16:00 | Global Case Studies: TDK Ventures, Woven Capital, Maersk Growth21:00 | The Pivot Playbook: Survive, evolve, stay relevant23:30 | How to Do CVC Right: From metrics to mindset25:00 | Fund of Funds 101: What corporates need to know27:00 | Advice to MBAs: Learn the craft, love the long game

In this episode, sits down with (IMD), (Impact Hub), and Enrique Molina (CircularCo) to unpack the evolving world of circular venture. They dive into why circularity should be viewed as a horizontal investment lens — not a niche — and how startups across materials, manufacturing, and infrastructure are already proving out scalable models.From textile dyeing to resale logistics and digital product passports, the group highlights how circularity intersects with every vertical and why now is the time for more GPs and LPs to get involved.Here’s what’s covered:00:50 – “We don’t invest in dumb things”: The Pale Blue Dot mindset02:30 – Why current supply chains reward harm — and how venture can reverse it04:30 – Startups vs. corporates: Who’s best positioned to drive change?07:40 – 5 monetizable circular business model archetypes12:10 – What infra is needed to scale circularity?15:00 – Real-world startups & back-end enablers in resale, reuse & track-and-trace18:00 – Circularity: Horizontal lens or vertical category?23:00 – Where capital is flowing: Startups, funds & LPs getting serious26:00 – Hype cycles: AI ascendant, circularity under the radar28:00 – Building ecosystems: Infrastructure, co-opetition, and collective voice31:00 – Final call: Why everyone — from founders to family offices — must engage