EU-Startups Podcast Thomas Ohr

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2.Legacy systems and outdated technology hinder companies from making quick changes and innovations in their e-commerce platforms.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

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.

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, 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.