Follow the Gradient

Follow the Gradient
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Follow the Gradient

Insider knowledge and real stories about how to build a scaleup in Europe while staying sane. Each week founders Melanie Gabriel and Christian Woese pick for you the latest startup news, dive deep into one specific question on a founder's or startup operator's mind and share how to solve the challenge together with an expert. Follow the Gradient and stay tuned.

  1. The VC Trap, Failure Myths & The Power of Bootstrapping with Lea von Bidder

    2 DAYS AGO

    The VC Trap, Failure Myths & The Power of Bootstrapping with Lea von Bidder

    Every founder faces a choice: Raise VC and chase hypergrowth, or bootstrap and stay in control? Lea von Bidder has done both. She scaled Ava with $50M in funding, lost control when the money dried up, and now builds differently. In this episode: The VC treadmill – why once you raise, there’s no getting off Why failure feels personal – and how to detach from your startup Bootstrapping today: why it’s never been a better time to stay independent Tune in for unfiltered startup lessons! Want more insights? We break down the latest startup trends, open roles, and exclusive guest insights twice a week in our free newsletter. Subscribe at followthegradient.io.

    37 min
  2. The Hidden Cost of Success: Burnout, Mental Health & Building a Life That Works – with Adrian Locher

    FEB 13

    The Hidden Cost of Success: Burnout, Mental Health & Building a Life That Works – with Adrian Locher

    Founders chase success at all costs. But what happens when the cost is too high? ForAdrian Locher, that cost was everything. As a serial entrepreneur, he built multiple startups, scaled across continents, and took 120+ flights in a year. At the peak of his career, his personal life collapsed. He missed the birth of his son. His marriage ended. He lost himself in the relentless pursuit of success. This conversation isn’t just about burnout. It’s about what happens next⁠– and how to build a life that works. Key insights Adrian shares: The hidden warning signs of burnout founders ignore ⁠–until it’s too lateHow to spot when your biggest strength is becoming your greatest weaknessWhy every founder should rethink “work-life balance” (and what to do instead)The three-bucket rule that helped him rebuild his life and companyHow to be ruthlessly ambitious⁠–without destroying yourself in the process This episode is for every founder who’s felt the pressure to sacrificeeverything for success. Before you go:We created this podcast to help founders navigate the chaos of startup life. If you found this valuable,subscribe to our free newsletter atfollowthegradient.io⁠–this week, we’re sharing exclusive insights from Adrian that didn’t make it into the episode.

    47 min
  3. Pivoting, Exiting & Starting Over – Hard Truths from Jessica Holzbach

    FEB 5

    Pivoting, Exiting & Starting Over – Hard Truths from Jessica Holzbach

    For many founders, an exit is the ultimate goal. But what happens after the deal is done? Is it the finish line—or just the start of a whole new challenge? Jessica Holzbach knows this firsthand. She’s a serial fintech founder and angel investor who co-founded Penta, scaled it to 35,000 SMEs, and later exited both Penta and her second venture, Pile. In this episode, we dive deep into three critical moments in every founder’s journey: Pivots: When do you know it’s time to change direction? And how do you pivot without losing your team? Exits: What founders often overlook, the emotional rollercoaster, and why selling your company isn’t always the fairy tale it seems. Starting Again: The single most important question to ask before launching your next venture. If you’re a founder, operator, or thinking about what’s next, this conversation is packed with insights you don’t want to miss. 🎧 Plus, get exclusive insights from Jessica in this week’s newsletter—sign up at followthegradient.io

    38 min
  4. Turning Underestimation Into an Advantage: Startup Lessons from 24-Year-Old Founder Nils Feigenwinter

    JAN 29

    Turning Underestimation Into an Advantage: Startup Lessons from 24-Year-Old Founder Nils Feigenwinter

    At 20, Nils Feigenwinter co-founded Bling and turned a pocket money app into a full financial platform for families – covering banking, investing, and mobile plans. In this episode of Follow the Gradient, he breaks down how he scaled fast, raised funding without connections, and turned being underestimated into an advantage. What you'll learn: Flipping skepticism into an asset – Winning as a young founder. Fundraising without connections – How he got VCs to bet on him. Scaling without losing focus – When to expand vs. when to double down. Gen Z leadership – What startups get wrong about hiring & motivating young talent. The Child CEO experiment – Why Bling appointed a 12-year-old Chief Executive. 👉 Get exclusive insights from this episode at followthegradient.io

    30 min
  5. Navigating uncertainty: Lessons from solo founder Leoni Runge

    JAN 22

    Navigating uncertainty: Lessons from solo founder Leoni Runge

    In this episode, Leoni, founder of Zaya Care, shares her journey of building a business while navigating uncertainty and growing strategically. Discover how she managed early pivots, built a strong network in new markets, and stayed aligned with her team despite challenges. Leoni’s story offers valuable insights for solo entrepreneurs and those looking to scale. Key Takeaways: How to navigate uncertainty with a step-by-step MVP approach Why building a strong network in a new market is important How to pivot a business while maintaining team alignment How to build confidence and resilience as a solo entrepreneur 🎧 Tune in for practical advice on scaling your business, growing your team, and navigating the complexities of international expansion! Sign up for exclusive content from this episode and more at followthegradient.io. Connect with Us: 📬 Newsletter: ⁠⁠followthegradient.io⁠⁠ 🐦 X: ⁠⁠@followgradient⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠ 🎵 TikTok: ⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠

    40 min
  6. Go-to-Market Strategies and Scaling Lessons from Brite Payments Founder Lena Hackelöer

    JAN 16

    Go-to-Market Strategies and Scaling Lessons from Brite Payments Founder Lena Hackelöer

    In this episode, Lena Hackelöer, founder and CEO of Sweden-based Brite Payments, shares her journey scaling a fintech company across 27 markets and multiple verticals. From entering new markets without local teams to hiring senior talent and balancing frugality with growth, Lena offers valuable lessons on building a sustainable and efficient business. Key Takeaways: How to enter new markets without local teams Why personal outreach and customer recommendations matter in B2B Balancing vertical vs. regional sales strategies Lessons on hiring senior leaders at the right time The importance of maintaining a lean and cost-conscious approach 🎧 Tune in for practical advice on scaling your business, growing your team, and navigating the complexities of international expansion! Sign up for exclusive content from this episode and more at followthegradient.io. Connect with Us: 📬 Newsletter: ⁠followthegradient.io⁠ 🐦 X: ⁠@followgradient⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠@followthegradient⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠@followthegradient⁠ 🎵 TikTok: ⁠@followthegradient⁠

    37 min
  7. Stop Dreaming, Start Doing: Bootstrapping a D2C brand - Insights from AMELI Co-Founder Christina Stahl

    JAN 8

    Stop Dreaming, Start Doing: Bootstrapping a D2C brand - Insights from AMELI Co-Founder Christina Stahl

    In our first episode of Season 2, Christina Stahl, Co-Founder of AMELI Zurich, shares how she and her husband turned an idea into a thriving handbag brand - starting with community feedback, DIY prototypes, and an authentic social media presence. From bootstrapping with personal savings to learning tough lessons in paid marketing and scaling internationally, Christina reveals the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Key Takeaways: How to build a community before launching your product The importance of testing fast and saving costs early on Lessons learned from managing everything in-house vs. hiring experts Why “done” is better than “perfect” when starting a business Strategies for staying energized while growing a startup 🎧 Tune in for actionable insights on starting small, embracing imperfection, and learning as you go! Sign up for exclusive content from this episode and more at followthegradient.io.

    41 min
  8. Mastering Startup Communication: Storytelling and Crisis Strategies with Ruth Barnett [REPLAY]

    JAN 2

    Mastering Startup Communication: Storytelling and Crisis Strategies with Ruth Barnett [REPLAY]

    As part of our most-listened replays this holiday season, we’re revisiting one of the standout episodes of the Follow the Gradient podcast. Mark your calendars—Season 2 returns on January 9th, 2025! In this episode, Ruth Barnett, a seasoned expert in startup communication, shares practical strategies every founder needs: Crafting Your Story: How to engage investors, customers, and team members with a compelling narrative. Building Reputation: Why perception matters and how to protect it. Crisis Management Tips: Lessons from real-world examples to help founders prepare and respond effectively. Storytelling for Technical Founders: Moving from the "how" to the "why" and "who" of your solution. Working with PR Agencies: Mistakes to avoid and how to get the most value. Whether you’re new to communications or looking to level up, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your startup’s presence. Read More: Curious about the two crisis communications examples referenced by Melanie in the introduction? Check them out here: Intuit asked us to delete part of this Decoder episode - We declined CrowdStrike Crisis Comms Case Study Connect with Ruth Barnett: 💼 LinkedIn 🌐 Website Connect with Us: 📬 Newsletter: followthegradient.io 🐦 X: @followgradient 📸 Instagram: @followthegradient 💼 LinkedIn: @followthegradient 🎵 TikTok: @followthegradient Support Us: 💚 Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcast 💛 Got feedback or ideas? Reach us at team [at] followthegradient [dot] io.

    41 min
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About

Insider knowledge and real stories about how to build a scaleup in Europe while staying sane. Each week founders Melanie Gabriel and Christian Woese pick for you the latest startup news, dive deep into one specific question on a founder's or startup operator's mind and share how to solve the challenge together with an expert. Follow the Gradient and stay tuned.

Information

  • Creator
    Follow the Gradient
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Follow the Gradient
  • Show Website
    Follow the Gradient

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