EU-Startups Podcast Thomas Ohr

In this episode, Alex Berriche, Sequoia Capital Scout and the Co-founder and CEO of Fleet, a French B2B startup focused on simplifying equipment management for startups and SMBs, shares lessons learned from over 100 angel investments. He also discusses the idea behind Fleet and the challenges of IT equipment management.

Alex shares his transition from being an entrepreneur to an angel investor and the lessons he has learned from scaling Fleet. He also provides insights into detecting promising founders and shares some impressive startups he has backed and discusses the current trends in European startups and the potential for growth. The conversation concludes with Alex sharing exciting initiatives happening at Fleet.

In this episode, Johannes Siebers, Co-Founder and CEO of Holidu, shares the founding story and growth of the travel tech company. He discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of building a strong team and culture. Johannes also highlights the company's focus on sustainability and supporting local communities. He emphasizes the value of learning and adapting in a rapidly changing industry and shares insights on fundraising and sibling partnerships in business. Johannes concludes by discussing future plans and initiatives for Holidu.

Takeaways

1.Building a strong team and culture is everything for your company's success.
2.Adaptability and continuous learning are a must especially in a rapidly changing industry.
3.Creating real value for customers is what you should be focusing on long-term.
4.Fundraising is about timing and a clear vision for the company's future.
5.Maintaining a strong partnership in business needs trust, common goals, and regular non-work-related activities.

In this episode, Tim Schumacher, General Partner at World Fund, an impact investor and entrepreneur, discusses his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges of being a founder. He shares the remarkable story of Ecosia, the largest independent European search engine that uses its profits to plant trees. Tim also introduces the World Fund, a venture capital company focused on investing in startups that decarbonize the economy. He highlights the value he brings as an investor and shares his inspirations and advice for entrepreneurs. Tim envisions a future where we overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and live within planetary boundaries. He hopes to make a lasting impact through his work in sustainability and climate change.

Takeaways

1.Investors can help with introductions, networks, and expertise, but it's founders who ultimately need to do the work themselves.
2.Investing in startups that decarbonize the economy is essential for addressing climate change.
3.We've got to overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and live within planetary boundaries.

In this episode, Janneke Niessen, a serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of CapitalT, discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and the transition to becoming an investor. She shares crazy moments from her entrepreneurial career and highlights the importance of team evaluation using proprietary technology. Janneke also talks about her involvement in InspiringFifty, an initiative to increase diversity in tech, and her books aimed at inspiring young girls to pursue careers in technology. She discusses the impact of her research on investments in female entrepreneurs and shares her message for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Janneke also reveals her plans for a streaming TV series and her goal of receiving an Emmy nomination.

Takeaways

1.Using proprietary technology, such as personality traits and team dynamics evaluation, can help investors make more data-driven decisions when evaluating entrepreneurial teams.
2.Initiatives like InspiringFifty play a crucial role in increasing diversity in the tech industry by providing visibility and role models for women.
3.Books like 'The New Girl Code' and 'Project Prep' aim to inspire young girls to pursue careers in technology and challenge the stereotypes associated with the industry.
4.Research on investments in female entrepreneurs has sparked discussions and led to changes in the venture capital ecosystem, with a focus on creating a level playing field and removing barriers.

In this episode, Helene Huby, co-founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, shares her journey in space exploration and entrepreneurship. She discusses the vision for space exploration, the transition from Airbus to entrepreneurship, nurturing innovation in large corporations vs startups, her involvement in Urania Ventures and the Microbiome Foundation, and the importance of social impact in business. Helene also talks about balancing family life with her career and shares her thrilling vision for the future of space exploration.

Takeaways

1.The future of space exploration holds exciting possibilities, including regular trips to Mars and the development of mega constellations for communication.
2. Innovation requires trust, encouragement of new ideas, and acceptance of failure, whether in large corporations or startups.
3. Building a successful business involves creating a culture of trust, prioritizing happiness, and focusing on the positive impact the company can have on the world.
4. Finding a balance between work and family life is crucial, and supporting each other's dreams and passions is key.
5. Trusting oneself and taking risks earlier in one's career can lead to greater fulfillment and impact.

In this episode, Joaquim Lecha, CEO of Typeform, talks about the company's mission to make online interactions more human and shares insights into their innovative approach to collecting zero party data. He also highlights the launch of Formless, an AI-powered form builder, and the future of digital interaction. Kim emphasizes the importance of thoughtful design and balancing technology with human connection. He shares his experiences as a leader and the valuable lessons he has learned. Additionally, Kim provides a glimpse into his personal life and hobbies outside of the business world.

Takeaways

1.Typeform's mission is to make online interactions more human by creating a conversational and personalized experience.
2.Zero party data, which is information provided directly by the individual, is crucial for understanding and engaging with customers.
3.Formless, Typeform's AI-powered form builder, creates a more conversational and human-like interaction.
4.Thoughtful design is essential for creating a seamless user experience and building a strong connection with customers.
5.The future of digital interaction will involve more asynchronous, multi-modal, and AI-enabled experiences.
6.Creating true fans of the brand is about being customer-centric, empowering customers, and providing personalized experiences.