VC | E455 | This Week In European Tech With Dan Bowyer, Mads Jensen, And Andrew J. Scott EUVC podcast

1:07:09

In this episode, August Solliv and Douglas Sloan speak with Cyril Gouiffès , Head of Social Impact Investments at the European Investment Fund (EIF) , to explore what distinguishes authentic impact fund managers from the growing crowd. From team composition and investment discipline to LP expectations and impact integrity, Cyril shares a candid perspective shaped by years of experience at the intersection of public capital and private markets. Together, they unpack what EIF looks for when backing emerging impact managers, why team dynamics matter more than ever, and how the market can defend against “impact washing” as the sector matures. Here’s what’s covered: 01:00 – Why Cyril’s early influences shaped his mission-driven investing lens 04:15 – From altruism to efficacy: lessons from failed NGO models 06:20 – The rise of genuine dual-performance funds post-2014 08:45 – Why team quality is the #1 differentiator in impact VC 17:30 – EIF’s role in supporting first-time, emerging managers 20:10 – Why impact metrics must tie to the business model 23:15 – The dangers of forgetting your impact thesis post-fundraise 26:00 – Impact failures vs. financial failures: lessons learned 28:00 – Why LPs must stay engaged beyond the fundraising stage 33:15 – State of fundraising: too many funds, not enough capital 35:20 – The call for impact pioneers: back to the original thesis…

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VC | E478 | When Venture Data Fails Us — And the Debate Begins 13:29

1 day ago13:29

13:29

If you tuned in hoping for crisp conclusions on fund performance, you may have left empty-handed. But if what you came for was a razor-sharp, high-stakes debate on the mechanics of venture economics—then this was your moment. Fourteen minutes of fierce dialogue at the EUVC Summit, and not a second wasted. Here’s how it went: “If you're drawing any conclusions from those data sets... be my friend. But we won't do that. ”Why? Because the data is still messy. Still underpowered. And when you're modeling venture returns—especially for emerging managers—it’s more art than science. But oh, did we try. This fast-paced exchange brought clarity (and fire) to a few of venture’s most misunderstood dynamics: Why the $20B outcome is the new benchmark for greatness How fund size maps to percentile outcomes The hard math behind Seed-to-Series A attrition Why early-stage investing remains low-probability but high-upside And the eternal debate: do emerging managers truly outperform, or just dominate a distorted sample? "If you're really needing data to prove that model—it does not exist.” We’ll get back to that.…

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VC | 477 | Jeremy Uzan on Chasing Pure Performance, Generalist VCs & Why Europe is Ready for Science-Driven Founders 47:47

2 days ago47:47

47:47

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Jeremy Uzan , co-founder and GP at Singular , for a look at how a “plain vanilla” approach to venture—driven by deep founder focus and relentless performance orientation — can be a powerful advantage. Together, they unpack the mechanics behind Singular’s model, how the team stays agile without a rigid thesis, and what it means to create an empowering internal culture. Singular is an early-stage venture capital firm born in Europe, committed to empowering European founders with global ambitions across all sectors, from Seed to Series B, with a strong focus on Series A companies.Jeremy also shares his evolving views on European talent, the rise of Paris as a startup epicenter, and why he believes we’re only just beginning to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of Europe’s scientific minds.Here’s what’s covered:02:00 – Should Generalist VCs Still Exist in Europe? 07:10 – Fundraising Like a Founder: How LPs Backed Fund I and II 14:00 – Why Generalist Isn’t a Weakness—It’s Strategic 16:25 – Diversification vs. Focus: Squaring LP Needs with Performance 21:15 – Temporary Specialists: Sprinting Deep Into Sectors 24:20 – From Zero to One on Markets: Learning via Founders 27:15 – European Talent Post-COVID: What’s Changed 30:00 – Paris Joins the Core of the European Ecosystem 35:15 – The Rise of Science Entrepreneurs in Europe 39:00 – Why Bio is the Next Big Tech Frontier…

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VC | E476 | Finn Murphy on Nebular, Going Solo, and Why the Next Great VC Firm Starts with You 48:46

3 days ago48:46

48:46

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Nebular GP Finn Murphy . From launching Nebular after FTX’s collapse to backing AI, data centers in space, and fossil startups, Finn shares the unpredictable and highly personal journey of building a fund from scratch. A manifesto for curiosity-led investing emerges, as does a bold vision for reshaping European venture and policy.Here’s what’s covered: 01:25 Leaving Frontline, Launching Nebular, and Solo GP Life 03:45 Fund One in the Nuclear Winter of VC Fundraising 06:30 A Thesis of Curiosity: No Theme, Just Timing, Talent & Tails 09:50 From Healthcare Ops to AI Teddy Bears to Fossil Markets 16:10 Strategy Drift, Authenticity, and Embracing the Unknown 18:30 Being a Solo GP Without Being Alone 21:00 How Long Can You Be Great? A Venture Career as Athletic Peak 27:30 Europe vs. US: Talent, Incentives, and Risk Appetite 35:40 Project Europe, EU Inc & Why Attitude Is the Real Bottleneck 44:00 Yes, Tech Should Get Political…

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VC | E475 | Kasper Hulthin on Breaking the “Better” Myth & Building Food for the Many 52:04

7 days ago52:04

52:04

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm talks with Kasper Hulthin , co-founder of Kost Capital and Future Five , to unpack what it takes to build food startups that change the system. Kasper argues that creating better food is not about crafting the perfect health product for the elite, but about designing for impact, scale, and real-world distribution.They explore why traditional VC models often fail food startups, how founders can balance purpose with platform thinking, and what it means to move beyond “more alternatives” into a world of more and better. Here’s what’s covered: 00:45 – Why “more” food options doesn’t always mean “better” 03:30 – Why optimizing for Whole Foods isn’t a scalable strategy 06:20 – The ketchup analogy: exclusive vs. inclusive innovation 10:15 – Scaling challenges: distribution, regulation, perception 14:05 – What founders miss about consumer routines 17:50 – Building platforms, not just products 21:10 – The role of storytelling in transforming food narratives 25:00 – What “better” really means: nutrition, access, equity…

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VC | E474 | Guenther & Enrique on Redesigning Capital for Circular Futures & Europe’s Systemic Sustainability Shift 35:13

8 days ago35:13

35:13

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Guenther Dobrauz-Saldapenna and Enrique Molina from Qi Impact Capital to explore how capital can be deployed with purpose to accelerate the circular economy. From personal stories to portfolio-level insight, this conversation shows how values-based investing can be compatible with venture returns. Guenther and Enrique unpack the urgency of systems change, how storytelling shapes capital flows, and why they believe Europe’s sustainability movement is at a critical inflection point, despite the headwinds.Here’s what’s covered: 02:18 Qi Impact Capital’s Holistic Investment Thesis 03:27 Guenther’s Journey: From PwC to Circularity Champion 05:34 Why Capital is the Catalyst for Circular Innovation 06:37 Narratives, Regulation & the Sustainability Backlash 08:50 Storytelling, Identity & Investment Decision-Making 13:30 What ‘Conscious Capital’ Really Means 17:17 Case Studies: OceanSafe, Vital & ID Genève 22:53 Designing Products for Reusability & Impact 25:41 The Financial Returns Behind Circular Success 29:45 Tensions in Consumer Behavior: Circular vs. Fast Fashion…

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VC | E473 | Marcus Behrendt of BMW iVentures: Hedging the Future of Mobility, One Strategic Bet at a Time 49:24

9 days ago49:24

49:24

Marcus Behrendt , Managing Partner at BMW iVentures , joins Andreas and Jeppe to explore how corporate venture capital can drive transformation in Europe’s most iconic industries. From autonomy to AI and natural-fiber composites, the episode dives deep into how BMW’s venture arm scans, invests, and hedges across global markets while staying rooted in strategy and sustainability.🎧 Here’s what’s covered: 04:11 Investment Focus: From Smart Supply Chains to Sustainability 09:56 The Auto Industry in Flux: Disruption, Legacy & Tesla’s Vertical Model 14:31 Integration vs. Modularity: What Will Define the Next Automotive Leaders 17:01 Avoiding the Kodak Trap: Why Culture Eats Strategy in Corporate Innovation 25:56 Leveraging the Core: Staying Close to BMW’s Strategic Heartbeat 28:04 Natural Fibers & Rare Earths: Investing for CO2 Impact and Supply Chain Resilience 34:42 Scaling Autonomy in the Real World: From Car Plants to Ports 37:33 Europe's Structural Weakness: Legal Complexity and Inconsistent ESOPs 44:11 Pensions, Politics & the Case for Venture Policy Engagement 47:04 Why BMW iVentures Remains a Single-LP Fund—and Proud of It…

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VC | E472 | Oliver Holle on Europe's VC Momentum, Political Engagement & Global Alliances 1:00:02

10 days ago1:00:02

1:00:02

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Oliver Holle, Founding Partner at Speedinvest, to unpack Europe’s current position in the global venture landscape. Fresh off the EUVC Summit and gearing up for GITEX, Oliver brings the heat — calling out flawed narratives, making the case for political engagement by founders and VCs, and breaking down the strategic implications of geopolitical capital shifts.Oliver shares how Europe is better positioned than its reputation suggests, why AI represents a public narrative opportunity for tech, and how learning from private equity could help European VCs build durable winners. From silent fund shutdowns to the rise of solo GPs, this episode is a crash course in navigating the new European venture normal.Here’s what’s covered: 03:46 Key Relationships in the Founder-VC Dynamic 09:56 Navigating Power Dynamics in Founder-VC Relationships 22:03 The Importance of Team Dynamics in Startups 26:05 Building Effective Communication and Culture in Growing Teams 28:44 The Challenge of Team Dynamics in VC Firms 32:36 Addressing Ego Issues in Leadership 38:32 The Evolving Role of Founders 47:12 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth 55:12 The Importance of Energy Management…

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VC | E471 | Sales and Scaling Strategies from Ryan Lieber, Snowflake’s First SDR and EMEA’s Go-To-Market Leader [Path to Market] 45:21

13 days ago45:21

45:21

In a new episode of “Path to Market” , our Director Natasha Lytton and her co-host Micah Smurthwaite , Partner at Pipeline Ventures are joined by Ryan Lieber , an experienced Go-to-Market Leader and one of Snowflake’s earliest employees and its first SDR. Together they discuss Snowflake’s impressive growth trajectory, the challenges and strategies of category creation, key sales methodologies like MEDDPICC, the best approaches for scaling internationally, and cross-functional sales efforts. Ryan shares his experiences from joining Snowflake when it was an unknown startup in 2014 to its current status as a data giant with over 7,000 employees and a market capitalization of over $50 billion. He also delves into when and how founders should hire their first SDRs and sales leaders, the metrics for measuring their success, and the role of marketing alignment in scaling sales. Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of understanding regional cultural and communication nuances, and how to leverage partnerships in new markets. Lastly, Ryan discusses his current role leading Snowflake’s startup program in Europe, aiming to help next-generation data-intensive startups succeed using Snowflake’s data cloud.…

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VC | E470 | Joe Seager-Dupuy & Mike Martin on Building a Specialist VC Platform Around Consumer and Retail Tech | Deep Dive Episode v1 29:46

14 days ago29:46

29:46

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Joe Seager-Dupuy and Mike Martin , General Partners at True , a £ 600 M+ consumer and retail-focused investment and innovation firm, to explore what it means to be a sector specialist in venture—and why that matters more than ever in today’s market.They unpack how True brings together deep operational experience, a robust corporate network, and full life-cycle investment—from pre-seed to public markets. This episode offers a masterclass in building durable advantage in venture through network effects, strategic LP engagement, and sector expertise.Here’s what’s covered: 03:14 Founders' Backgrounds and Experiences 05:50 Overview of True's Investment Strategy 09:02 Sector Specialization in Consumer and Retail 12:00 Leveraging Network and Expertise 15:09 Investment Decision-Making Process 17:59 Ecosystem and Corporate Partnerships 21:10 Consumer Market Opportunities 24:07 Investment Strategy and Focus Areas 27:00 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions…

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VC | E469 | Christian Hernandez on the Real ROI of Adaptation (ImpactVC spotlight series) 47:04

15 days ago47:04

47:04

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Christian Hernandez , co-founder and Partner at 2150 , to challenge a common VC misconception—adaptation isn’t plan B, it’s a billion-dollar frontier. From heat-proofing megacities in the Global South to tackling the carbon cost of concrete, Christian breaks down why the climate crisis needs more than mitigation—and why adaptation is just as investable.Christian shares how 2150 is building its strategy around deployment readiness—bridging the chasm between early tech and infrastructure-scale solutions. This conversation lays out the economics, urgency, and capital flows reshaping climate tech today—and why adaptation is core to building a livable 2150. Here’s what’s covered: 01:35 Scaling for the Switch: When Venture Hands Off to Infra 03:01 Cooling the Planet: Human Limits, Economic Drivers & Air Conditioning 05:06 De-risking for Deployment: The Role of IFC, World Bank & Public Finance 07:42 Software for Adaptation Risk: Interdependencies & Insurability 11:42 Concrete, Meat & Flying: Where Real Emissions Come From 16:50 Why 2150? Long-Termism and Climate Deployment Urgency 18:15 Lessons for Climate VCs: Investing with Impact and ROI in Mind 24:38 Case Study: Vammo's Electric Scooters & Battery Swapping in Brazil 26:15 Open Source Thinking: Sharing Climate Research Across the Ecosystem…

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VC | E468 | Sebastian Pollok on Building Visionaries Tomorrow & Europe’s Deep Tech Renaissance 53:26

16 days ago53:26

53:26

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm talks with Sebastian Pollok to unpack the thesis behind Visionaries Tomorrow , a fund purpose-built to back industrial deep tech founders emerging from Europe’s labs and institutes.Sebastian explores why Europe's frontier innovation requires new LP-GP dynamics, portfolio construction models, and national ambition—and how family offices and sovereign industrial strategy can unlock a generational leap in European deep tech leadership.Here’s what’s covered: 02:30 Why Industrial Deep Tech Needs Purpose-Built Capital 06:45 Founders from Labs, Not MBAs: Rethinking Team Archetypes 10:10 Case Study: Proxima Fusion & Max Planck’s World-Leading Design 13:55 Balancing Moonshots and Pick-and-Shovel Businesses 18:20 Family Offices & Mittelstand: Europe’s Strategic LP Base 22:40 What It Means to Truly Love Your LPs 26:30 The New Portfolio Construction for Deep Tech VC 36:10 Why Capital Efficiency Still Matters in Deep Tech 40:25 Strategic Sovereignty & the Role of the West in Frontier Tech…

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VC | E467 | Dave Haynes on How AR Glasses, Multimodal AI, and Teleoperated Robots Will Reshape How We Work 48:27

17 days ago48:27

48:27

In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm talks with Dave Haynes at FOV Ventures to unpack how the evolution of multimodal AI, audio intelligence, and teleoperation are driving a new wave of human-computer interaction. From audio-enhancing models like AI Acoustics to video synthesis via 3D engines, and from VR-powered robot control to wearable AI glasses—you'll get a front-row seat to the technologies that are redefining the frontier of ambient computing.Dave shares how AR glasses are already unlocking new workflows, why multimodal models are changing the way we use AI daily, and what this means for investors eyeing the next trillion-dollar opportunity. If you’ve ever wondered what comes after mobile and SaaS, this is it.Here’s what’s covered: 02:30 From Text to Multimodal: How AI Has Leveled Up 06:00 Voice is the Interface: Audio Models Like 11 Labs and AI Acoustics 08:45 The Rise of Ambient AI: Talking to Your Computer Like a Human 12:10 The Future Is Synthetic: Training Video Models in 3D Engines 15:55 Robotics in the Wild: Why Teleoperation Still Matters 19:40 The Role of VR in Human-Robot Collaboration 23:20 AR Glasses and Continuous Context Capture 26:50 Using AI to Wrap Your Day: Follow-Up Summaries from Lifelogging 30:10 Beyond SaaS: Why Frontier Tech Is Where Alpha Lives 33:00 Convincing LPs to Bet on the Future 36:25 Venture in the Age of Disruption: The 10-Year Thesis…

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VC | E466 | This Week in European Tech with Dan Bowyer, Mads Jensen, Lomax & Andrew J. Scott 1:02:34

18 days ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where our good friends Dan Bowyer and Mads Jensen from SuperSeed , in discussion with Lomax Ward from Outsized Ventures and Andrew J. Scott , Founding Partner at 7percent Ventures , cover recent news and movements in the European tech landscape.Behind the headlines—wind implosions, deep tech dead ends, exit deserts, secondaries, and AI drama—lie seismic shifts that will define the trajectory of European startups and the capital that fuels them.Here’s what’s covered: 01:30 Europe’s Wind Sector in Crisis 05:12 Hornsea 4 Fallout & Government Accountability 10:24 The Collapse of Deep Tech Momentum in the UK 15:36 Public Sector Catastrophes: Fujitsu’s £12B Flop 20:48 UK-EU Youth Mobility Deal & Trade Strategy 26:00 Trump, IP Tariffs & Global Trade Disruption 31:12 RIA Funds & the Evolving VC Model 41:36 Secondary Markets in Venture 46:48 The AI Arms Race: OpenAI vs. Google 52:00 European Drone Unicorns & GovTech…

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VC | E465 | 🏆 Impact Leader of The Year Finalist: Jon Coker on Why Concentration, Conviction & Impact Are the Future of VC 46:31

19 days ago46:31