EU-Startups Podcast Thomas Ohr

In this episode we catch up with Andreas Loy, Co-Founder and CEO of KONUX. Before Andreas turned 30 Andreas created more than €500m in shareholder value, more than hundred jobs, and built an outstanding team to create a transformative digital leader for sustainable impact - KONUX.

KONUX is a leading German AI scale-up, transforming railway operations for a sustainable future. The company combines Machine Learning and IIoT to deliver Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for operation, monitoring, and maintenance process automation. Since its foundation in 2014, KONUX has raised more than $130 million from world-leading investors, expanded to ten countries in Europe and Asia, and was selected by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of the world’s 30 most innovative start-ups and scale-ups worldwide.

Andreas envisions a society that thrives on compassion, interconnectedness, and harmony. People have developed a deep sense of self-awareness, prioritizing their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Healing practices are integrated into everyday life, fostering resilience, empathy, and understanding.

Entrepreneurship has become a catalyst for positive change, where innovative ventures address pressing social and environmental issues. Business leaders embrace sustainability as a core value, ensuring that economic growth is balanced with ecological responsibility and social impact. The success of companies is measured not only by financial performance but also by their contributions to a thriving planet and society.

Leadership has transformed into a collaborative and inclusive model. Leaders inspire by example, empowering others to reach their full potential. They lead with empathy, valuing diversity and promoting a culture of belonging. Decision-making is guided by ethical principles, fostering trust and integrity.

The world is united in its commitment to sustainability, with communities working together to restore and protect the environment. Renewable energy sources power cities, and sustainable transportation systems minimize carbon emissions. People embrace conscious consumption, supporting local businesses and ethical practices. The pursuit of profit is aligned with the well-being of people and the planet.

In this inspiring future, individuals are connected by a shared purpose. Communities thrive on cooperation, creativity, and resilience. Personal growth, well-being, and meaningful connections are nurtured, allowing every individual to unlock their full potential. Together, we create a world where compassion, sustainability, and leadership guide us towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all.

Takeaways

1.AI has the potential to transform railway operations and create value through data analysis.
2.Finding balance and prioritizing well-being is essential for personal and professional growth.
3.Compassionate and collaborative leadership is key to empowering others and creating a positive work culture.
4.Sustainability should be a core focus for founders and entrepreneurs, with technology playing a crucial role in addressing global challenges.
5.The future of transportation should prioritize eco-friendly solutions.

This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://venta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Sabina Wizander, Partner at Creandum, one of the most successful venture capital funds in Europe, backing some of Europe’s greatest tech companies including Spotify, iZettle, Depop, Klarna, Bolt, KRY, Epidemic Sound and Small Giant Games.

Creandum recently rolled out an oversubscribed €500 million fund, the Creandum Fund VII, with the world’s leading investors as LPs, to continue finding and backing Europe’s winners at Seed and Series A stages.

Sabina discusses her career journey from McKinsey to venture capital to startup operator. She emphasizes the importance of seizing exciting opportunities and being open to unexpected twists. Sabina shares her experiences as both a VC investor and an operator in a tech startup, highlighting the value of thinking like an owner and having a long-term perspective.

She also discusses the European tech ecosystem, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of setting and achieving high goals. Sabina concludes by expressing her passion for climate tech and the need to address the long-term effects of carbon emissions.

Takeaways

1.Seize exciting opportunities and be open to unexpected twists in your career journey.
2.Think like an owner and have a long-term perspective as both a VC investor and an operator in a tech startup.
3.The European tech ecosystem is growing and has the potential to deliver fantastic companies and high-value outcomes.
4.Setting and achieving high goals, along with delivering on promises, builds trust and attracts investors.
5.Addressing carbon emissions and the climate crisis is crucial for the long-term well-being of humanity.

This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://venta.com/eustartups

In this episode, we catch up with Hugo Amsellem, Co-Founder and General Partner of Intuition. Intuition is a new €15M early-stage fund backing founders focused on Consumer & Culture across the US and Europe with one of the coolest Manifestos and approach to investing in the Venture Capital space. Hugo discusses his journey from helping artists become independent to empowering founders in the consumer space. He talks about his love for people and ideas and backing individuals who are trying to influence millions of people and change culture. Intuition aims to be a friend in the cap table for founders, providing support and understanding. They focus on consumer tech and the intersection of consumer and culture. The loneliness economy is a significant topic for Intuition, and they aim to create a supportive community for founders through events and gatherings. Gen Z is shaping the future of consumer culture, and Intuition is excited to work with them. Scaling consumer startups from 1 to 10 is challenging, but harnessing cultural movements and maintaining a consumer-first DNA can lead to success.


Takeaways


1.What's special about consumer founders is that they are trying to influence millions of people and change culture.
2.Intuition aims to preserve and celebrate that and be a friend in the cap table for founders, providing support and understanding.
3.Investors should create a supportive community for founders to combat loneliness in the startup journey.
4.Gen Z is by far the most entrepreneurial generation, and they are shaping the future of consumer culture.
5.Scaling consumer startups from 1 to 10 requires harnessing cultural movements and maintaining a consumer-first DNA.


This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://venta.com/eustartups

In this episode we're catching up with Dirk Hoerig, the Co-Founder and CEO of commercetools. commercetools is empowering some of the world's biggest brands like Audi, Sephora, and NBCUniversal to revolutionize their digital commerce experiences. They have raised $140 million in funding at a $1.9 billion valuation at the end of 2021 led by Accel and more than $283 million overall! Join the conversation with Dirk as he discusses the evolution of e-commerce and the importance of headless commerce. He explains the challenges faced by brands and the need for flexibility and scalability in today's digital landscape. Dirk shares valuable lessons he has learned as an entrepreneur and highlights the unsung heroes who have supported him throughout his career. He also provides a sneak peek into upcoming innovations and initiatives at commercetools, including revolutionizing the in-store experience.


Takeaways


1.Headless commerce is crucial for businesses in today's digital landscape as it provides flexibility and scalability to adapt to changing consumer behavior and technological advancements.
2.Legacy systems and outdated technology hinder companies from making quick changes and innovations in their e-commerce platforms.
3.Building a successful company requires a incredible perseverance and not giving up, as there will be many ups and downs along the journey.
4.The support of early customers, partners, and mentors is crucial in shaping the path to success.
5.The future of digital commerce will revolutionize the in-store experience and provide a unified and seamless shopping experience for customers.


This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://venta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Renaud Visage, Co-founder and ex-CTO of Eventbrite and Founding Partner at Slate Venture Capital, shares his experiences in scaling the platform and navigating challenges. He discusses the transition to climate tech investing and the promising developments in the field. Renaud also shares lessons learned from angel investing and highlights the importance of storytelling, managing cash, and avoiding greed. He reflects on the evolution of the French startup ecosystem and the role of government initiatives.

Renaud envisions a climate tech moonshot that buys more time and reshapes our relationship with the environment. He concludes by discussing his current focus on launching a climate tech growth fund and supporting initiatives related to climate refugees and adaptation.

Takeaways

1.A climate tech moonshot that buys more time and focuses on sustainable alternatives is crucial for the future.
2.Scaling ClimateTech startups and adapting to changing circumstances is critical to combat climate change.
3.Effective storytelling, managing cash, and avoiding greed are important lessons for angel investors.
4.The French startup ecosystem has evolved significantly, with government support and a growing number of unicorns.

This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://venta.com/eustartups

In this episode, Shirley Romig, Chief Accelerator Investment Officer at Techstars, discusses the future of accelerator programs and the importance of ecosystem development. She highlights the need to tap into talent globally and create partnerships that fuel growth for Techstars' portfolio companies. Shirley also shares valuable lessons she has learned from scaling companies like Lyft and Equinox, emphasizing the importance of having a compelling vision and executing it with a strategic plan. She draws parallels between running marathons and building startups, highlighting the endurance mindset and the power of community. Shirley's goal is to keep growing Techstars into the first investor for pre-seed startups across the world.

Takeaways

1.Techstars is evolving to focus on ecosystem development and closer synergy between investments and ecosystem development.
2.Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. Tapping into global talent and creating win-win partnerships is crucial for the growth of the accelerator programs and portfolio companies.
3.Being able to balance the big vision and the detail is critical in the beginning of a startup.
4.Building a startup requires an endurance mindset and the ability to navigate highs and lows.
5.Community and mentorship play a vital role in the startup journey.

This episode of EU-Startups Podcast is brought to you by Vanta. Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with Vanta it can be super simple. Trusted by over 7,000 companies, Vanta automates the pricey, time-consuming process of prepping for ISO 27001,SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and more. Learn more here: http://venta.com/eustartups