Momentum

Momentum Makers
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This is… MOMENTUM! A podcast for momentum makers. Where entrepreneurs, builders, and investors take the stage to share how they’re making waves in their respective fields - creating the momentum for change and innovation. Your hosts, Erika Cola and Vlada Kiporenko, along with their guests, will dive deep into topics around entrepreneurship and emerging industries.

  1. 10/02/2025

    Bumble, butter & bots: WTF is dating in 2025?

    Dating apps are weird again — and honestly? We're here for it. From Netflix's Swiped to AI-powered matchmaking apps for dog lovers, founders are reinventing love with algorithms. In this episode: - The real reason Gen Z is done with swiping - AI that flirts and schedules your date - Why the dating app market is still worth $10B+ - The loneliness economy (and why startups love it) Whether you're in love, building a dating app, or ghosting texts — this one’s for you.

    11 min

  2. 09/14/2025

    Raising millions feels nothing like success

    Everyone loves the “We just raised $3M!” LinkedIn post.No one talks about the burnout, breakdowns, and b******t behind it. In this episode:- The emotional tax of chasing your next round- What actually gets VCs to say yes- The moment we realized fundraising is often the worst part of the job

    19 min

  3. 08/31/2025

    Robots are coming for your aperitivo.

    From AI-powered pizza ovens in Naples to robotic bartenders and airport arms serving poke bowls — theautomation wave is coming for your food. In this episode, we talk about how tech is transforming the hospitality game (and if that’s actually what we want). Robots are fast, efficient, scalable. But can they replace the romance of a Neapolitan pizza chef? We debate. We laugh. We fear for our free drinks.   Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Automation in Food Industry 00:03:09 - The Future of Pizza: Automation and Experience 00:06:20 - Robotics in Hospitality: A New Era 00:09:12 - The Impact of AI on Customer Experience 00:12:09 - Market Trends and Investment Opportunities 00:15:06 - The Role of Automation in Airports 00:17:47 - Evolving Job Roles in the Age of AI 00:20:55 - Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Food and Service

    26 min

  4. 08/17/2025

    Screw growth, build wealth

    In this short & spicy edition, Erika and Vlada debate one of the biggest shifts in the startup world: Is profitability finally sexier than growth? Fundraising is down. Burn multiples are under the microscope. Founders are rethinking everything — and we’re here for the hot takes. 🔥

    15 min

  5. 07/10/2025

    Walliance raised €10 Million + — without breaking the startup playbook

    Giacomo Bertoldi didn’t follow the Silicon Valley playbook.Instead, he turned a legacy family business into Walliance — one of Europe’s biggest real estate crowdfunding platforms. Fast-forward: €10M+ raised, campaigns across Italy, Spain, and the US, and a story full of hustle, pivots, and pressure. In this episode:- How he built Walliance from the ground up- That €6.5M raise that nearly crashed- Why Spain worked, France didn’t, and NYCsurprised them all- Real estate lessons, family biz drama, and alot of grit Real estate has never sounded this fun.   Chapters:   00:00:00 - Introduction to Momentum and Guest Introduction 00:01:02 - The Birth of Wallians: A Vision for Real Estate 00:05:00 - Giacomo's Journey: From New York to Wallians 00:07:24 - Family Influence and Entrepreneurial Spirit 00:10:13 - Navigating Challenges and Seeking Support 00:16:46 - The Importance of Mentorship in Business 00:22:57 - Explaining Wallians: A New Way to Invest 00:24:26 - Starting Small: The Investment Threshold 00:27:28 - Understanding Returns: What to Expect 00:28:21 - Expanding Horizons: Entering New Markets 00:32:13 - Navigating Challenges: Managing International Operations 00:36:23 - The Real Estate Reality: Managing Projects and Delays 00:38:07 - Finding Momentum: What Drives Success 00:38:32 - Rapid Fire Round: Quick Insights

    36 min

  6. 06/29/2025

    The EU just dropped €10 Billion for startups — should you take it?

    The EU just announced a massive €10 billion fund to stop European startups from fleeing to the US — but is this really the magic fix we’ve all been waiting for? In this episode:- The real opportunity behind the Scale-Up Europe fund (and who wins)- The risks: slow bureaucracy, tricky terms, regional favoritism- How you should think about public funding if you’re building in Europe- And why this could change (or not change) the game for founders If you’ve ever wondered why funding in Europe feels harder — or what it’ll take to flip thescript — this one’s for you. 🎧 Hit play and let’s break it down.   Chapters:   00:00:00 - Introduction to the New Format 00:01:03 - New Chapter 00:01:04 - Overview of the Scale Up Europe Fund 00:02:01 - Impact on European Startups 00:04:01 - The Ecosystem Maturity 00:05:47 - Challenges and Risks 00:08:38 - Strategies for Founders 00:09:20 - Future Vision for European Startups

    11 min

  7. 06/19/2025

    From cold emails to €4.2 million: building a quantum startup without a network

    No Stanford. No pitchdeck army. No working product. Just an idea, a cold email, and a team of scientists crazy enough to go all in. In this episode, we sit down with Pavel Hrmo — physicist, founder, and the brain behind ZuriQ — a startup building quantum tech from scratch. We talk: - How they raised €4.2M pre-product (and what convinced investors) - The leap from academia to entrepreneurship - Cold outreach, imposter syndrome, and why betting on yourself is the only way - Building deep tech with no time, no sleep, and no roadmap   Chapters:   00:00:00 - Introduction to Quantum Computing and Zuriq 00:01:33 - FromAcademia to Entrepreneurship: The Birth of Zuriq 00:05:34 - Navigating Investor Relations and Pitching Challenges 00:11:37 - Explaining the Technology: Trapped Ions in Quantum Computing 00:18:34 - Target Industries and Future Applications of Zuriq 00:20:36 - The Unique Approach: Combining Electric and Magnetic Fields 00:26:30 - Utilizing Seed Funding for Development and Partnerships 00:32:22 - Building a Skilled Team and Overcoming Hiring Challenges 00:38:19 - Facing Doubts and Challenges in Startup Life

    42 min

  8. 06/13/2025

    Should you start a podcast with your best friend? Let’s talk

    Starting a podcast sounds fun.Doing it with your best friend? Even better. Until… it isn’t. In this no-guestepisode, we get real about building Momentum while juggling jobs, babies, bad Wi-Fi, and a hundred Google Docs.We talk late-night edits, friendship dynamics, near meltdowns — and why we’re doing it.   In this episode:- The real reason we started Momentum- How we stalk guests without shame- Running on zero time (and occasional baby cries)- What we’ve learned from 20+ episodes — and where it’s going next If you’ve ever launched something with yourbest friend — or thought about it — this one’s for you.   Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Our Story 00:03:10 - Behind the Scenes of the Podcast 00:06:02 - Guest Selection and Future Plans 00:08:51 - Collaboration Dynamics and Personal Growth 00:12:04 - Common Themes Among Entrepreneurs 00:15:01 - Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

    15 min
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About

This is… MOMENTUM! A podcast for momentum makers. Where entrepreneurs, builders, and investors take the stage to share how they’re making waves in their respective fields - creating the momentum for change and innovation. Your hosts, Erika Cola and Vlada Kiporenko, along with their guests, will dive deep into topics around entrepreneurship and emerging industries.

Information

  • Creator
    Momentum Makers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Momentum Makers
  • Show Website
    Momentum