LuxUnplugged Podcast Adrien Loesch and Thierry Schoen

Join Adrien as he dives deep into the world of venture capital with Yannick Oswald, Partner at VC firm Mangrove Capital Partners. Yannick shares his fascinating journey into venture capital, underscoring the importance of passion for startups and the resilience required from founders.

In this conversation, Yannick highlights Mangrove’s strategic focus on early-stage tech investments and disruptive companies poised for long-term success. He sheds light on why Luxembourg is a prime location for their operations, leveraging its diverse network and strategic position in Europe.

Yannick offers expert insights into emerging technologies like AI in healthcare, data management, and the revolutionary potential of enterprise fintech. He also discusses the challenges entrepreneurs face in today’s economic climate and the crucial role of venture capitalists in providing not just funding but strategic guidance.

The episode also covers Yannick’s thoughts on the latest tech market trends through his popular blog (www.yannickoswald.com) and his vision to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit within Luxembourg. Don’t miss Yannick’s profound reflections on navigating the political landscape and instilling entrepreneurial courage in the local population.

Subscribe, listen, and share to join the conversation on shaping a competitive, tech-driven future.

Join us as Thierry welcomes Christophe Timmermans, CEO of Solarcleano and Fallprotec, to our podcast. In this episode, we explore how these innovative companies are reshaping the solar industry while ensuring safety for workers at heights. But Christophe's path to success wasn't without its challenges and adventures, and we delve into those as well.

A native of Luxembourg with a passion for international business, Christophe’s unique journey led him to study and work across various European countries. His experiences in finance and sales at Airbus Helicopters provided invaluable insights into the aerospace industry. However, his true calling awaited in the family business, Fallprotec, which he eventually took over alongside his brother.

In 2017, Christophe embarked on a new venture with Solarcleano. Seeing the rising need for solar panel cleaning, he developed cutting-edge robots for efficient cleaning. Amidst the global push for solar energy, Solarcleano's success story began.

As Solarcleano continued to expand globally, Christophe faced the challenge of recruiting specialized talent crucial for driving innovation. In our conversation, we delve into how Christophe’s company tackled this issue and forged strategic partnerships to attract top talent from across Europe. 

Our discussion extends to Luxembourg's business ecosystem, government backing for sustainable initiatives, and the prospect of establishing a dedicated cluster for renewable energy startups. Concluding with Solarcleano's vision for the future––from expanding its product portfolio and leveraging AI to contributing to Luxembourg's position as a hub for renewable energy innovation.

Are you ready to delve into the world of the solar industry with Christophe? Tune in now!

This episode is kindly supported by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

In this episode, hosts Adrien and Thierry sit down with Gerry Wagner, spokesperson at the House of Automobile and Director of International Institutional Relations at Arval BNP Paribas Group, to discuss the evolving landscape of e-mobility in Luxembourg.

With over a decade of experience in the banking and operational leasing sector, Gerry shares his perspectives on the evolution of the automotive industry towards electric vehicles (EVs) and the impact on various stakeholders.

Gerry sheds light on the Luxembourg car market, including the prominence of company cars and the influence of cross-border workers on registrations. The discussion touches on the House of Automobile’s role in representing automotive federations and advocating for their interests with policymakers.

One key takeaway from the conversation is the need for a balance between pushing for electric vehicle adoption and ensuring a smooth transition for consumers and the economy. Gerry highlights the importance of realistic targets and a gradual approach to avoid overwhelming the market and risking resistance from the public. He stresses the significance of infrastructure development and energy supply considerations.

The episode also explores the political landscape and government roles in supporting e-mobility in Luxembourg. Gerry expresses optimism about the government's pragmatic stance on sustainability, ensuring progress without compromising economic stability.

Curious to delve into the complexities of transitioning to e-mobility and gain practical insights for the journey ahead? Listen to the full episode now.
More information on our website where you can find the links to the House of Automobile and the latest A&T publication on the e-mobility transition in Luxembourg, produced by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.
This episode is kindly supported by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

In this episode, hosts Adrien and Thierry sit down with Mathias Lentz, the dynamic CEO of Brasserie Nationale, Luxembourg's foremost privately-owned brewery.

Mathias opens up about his personal journey, emphasising the pivotal role of external experience before joining the family business. He then delves into the brewery's history, highlighting its remarkable resilience and growth in the face of challenges from global conglomerates. The conversation focuses on a balance between the brewery's tradition and modern market demands.

The episode highlights sustainability initiatives in brewing and their implementation at Brasserie Nationale. It also underscores the significance of preserving the essence of a family-run business in today's fiercely competitive world, all while contemplating the brewery's future prospects.

Diversity and culture come to the forefront as Mathias discusses how Luxembourg's unique cultural blend influences beer production. The episode also explores shifting beer consumption patterns and the industry's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Closing the interview, Mathias shares his visionary perspective on shaping Luxembourg's future, emphasising adaptability and openness as key drivers of progress.

Ready to explore the brewing business with Mathias? Listen to the full episode now.

This episode is kindly supported by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

Adrien welcomes Antoine Welter, co-founder and CEO of Circu Li-ion. A driven impact entrepreneur at heart, Antoine walks Adrien through the whole process that led him to quit his consulting job to found the Luxembourg-based battery upcycling start-up with his co-founder and CTO, Xavier Kohll. During the conversation, Antoine brings up the highly debated myth of urban mining, which consists of re-using raw materials from waste, and argues that this is something humanity can achieve as demonstrated by his own venture.
They then dive into the difference between running a software business which has dominated trends over the past decade versus addressing real economy issues via the hardware route such as Circu Li-ion's. For Antoine, hardware solutions address crucial environmental issues, making them essential in the transition to a sustainable and circular economy.
Adrien enquires about the expectations that his investors have given the nature of the business, and how they get benchmarked in terms of profitability metrics.
Another important aspect of the business model lies in Circu Li-ion's ability to collect data from partners and customers to improve their machine as a service offering. Utilising AI and machine learning is crucial for efficiently recognizing and handling a wide range of battery types, contributing to resource efficiency. Here, the Luxembourg supercomputer, Meluxina, comes into play to enable this.
Finally, they talk about the challenges the Luxembourg economy faces, knowing that it has moved away from the industrial policy templates in favour of the services-based economy.

In this second part of our discussion, Thierry and Adrian host Pierre Reuter and George V. John in an engaging discussion spotlighting Luxembourg's pivotal role in the ever-evolving space industry. Delving into the European Commission's drive for regulatory harmonization, they explore the complexities of crafting EU space law to accommodate diverse activities while emphasizing sustainability imperatives.
Comparing space authorization processes between the US and Europe reveals insights into jurisdictional maturity and regulatory quality. The dialogue extends to the impacts of recent banking sector disruptions on space investments, shedding light on challenges faced by startups amidst shifting financial landscapes.
Looking ahead, the conversation anticipates a dynamic legal landscape over the next five years, underscoring the necessity of stable regulations amidst increasing competition. Emphasizing Luxembourg's significance, the speakers express optimism for ongoing sectoral growth and adaptation.
This detailed conversation delves into the complex realm of space law and regulations, advocating for customized approaches to different aspects of the industry. Covering topics such as the practical effects of regulatory harmonization, the economic incentives driving sustainability efforts, and the critical importance of streamlined authorization processes, the discussion highlights the interconnected nature of financial stability and innovation in space exploration.
Tune in now to gain insights from industry experts and explore the opportunities in the evolving space sector.