In this episode of Campus To Capital, we sit down with Andreas Schwarzenbrunner – General Partner at Speedinvest and one of Europe’s leading voices in early-stage venture capital.

But this conversation goes far beyond term sheets and cap tables.
With a background in politics and a deep focus on industrial and climate tech, Andreas shares what it truly takes to build globally competitive startups in Europe.

We talk about:

• What politics can learn from venture capital – and vice versa

• The role of AI-powered robotics, simulation, and predictive maintenance

• Europe’s urgent need for smarter capital, talent mobility, and visa reforms

• The story behind Speedinvest’s “Build in Europe” initiative

• Where we are in the AI hype cycle

• Where AI can drive real value in industrial sectors

This episode is a deep dive into Europe’s innovation landscape – and what it takes to lead the next frontier of tech.

Many thanks to Andreas for joining the conversation – and for sharing his vision for Europe’s tech future.

Presented by our partner Timeless Investments.

In this episode of Campus To Capital, we sit down with Ruben Benjamin – a German visual artist whose sculptural, three-dimensional works are collected and exhibited from Seoul to Los Angeles.

But this conversation goes far beyond aesthetics.

Recorded on-site at Ruben’s studio in Munich, this episode captures not only his voice but also the atmosphere of his creative environment – from raw materials to finished pieces.

Ruben shares how he built a successful, international artist brand without ever attending art school – drawing instead on his background in mechanical engineering, technology, and business.

We talk about:

• What it means to “become” an artist in 2025

• Why Ruben calls his works sculptures for walls, not paintings

• The business side of art: pricing, scaling, and commercial influence

• How brand collaborations (e.g. Vacheron Constantin) work behind the scenes

• Navigating the fine line between content and creation in the age of Instagram

• His views on AI, NFTs, and new materials reshaping the art world

• And what it takes to stand out – without selling out

This episode is a deep dive into creative autonomy, brand building, and the power of visual storytelling.Many thanks to Ruben for sharing his journey – and for welcoming us into his studio.

Presented by Timeless Investments.

In episode 10 of Campus To Capital, we sit down with Jonas Gjørup Larsen, CFO at Bitpanda, to explore what it takes to build resilient financial structures in a rapidly evolving fintech landscape. As the company transitions from a crypto trading app to a full-stack investment infrastructure provider, Jonas offers a rare inside look into the financial strategy behind Bitpanda’s growth—and what the future of digital assets might hold.

From embedded finance and real-world asset tokenization to navigating regulation and unlocking institutional demand, this episode dives deep into the mindset and mechanics of fintech leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Why the modern CFO in fintech needs to master both financial discipline and innovation
• How Bitpanda balances agility with long-term resilience in the fast-moving digital asset space
• The financial logic behind Bitpanda’s B2B growth engine—and partnerships with brands like N26 and FC Bayern
• Why MiCA is both a challenge and a competitive edge for regulated players in Europe
• What makes a successful sports partnership from a CFO’s perspective
• Why it is smart to hold one Do&Co stock
• How Jonas views the convergence of retail and institutional demand in crypto
• The role Bitpanda wants to play in the tokenization of real-world assets
• What students should focus on if they want to enter fintech today—and what qualities Jonas looks for when hiring
• Which Bitpanda job Jonas like to try for a week

From strategy to culture, from market regulation to innovation, Jonas shares sharp insights and bold perspectives on the next chapter of finance.

A huge thank you to Jonas for joining us and sharing his journey with our audience!

🎁 Special Offer from Our Partner:Get a €10 welcome bonus with Timeless Investments! Sign up here: ⁠timeless-investments.de/financepodcast⁠

About Timeless Investments: Europe’s leading platform for fractional investing in high-value assets like luxury watches, rare sneakers, and fine art—making alternative investments accessible to everyone.

In this episode of Campus To Capital, we sit down with David Höhl, Co-Founder and CEO of Phoenix Alpha Capital – a newly launched hedge fund focused on Europe’s overlooked small and midcaps.

David shares a rare, inside look at what it takes to build a hedge fund from scratch: from legal structure and fundraising to investment philosophy and day-to-day operations. Drawing on his background in venture capital and public markets, David explains how early-stage investing shaped his approach to identifying underappreciated opportunities.

We also explore how writing publicly through his Substack Simple Alpha has helped him sharpen his thinking, build trust, and stand out in the world of capital allocation.

Key Takeaways:

• How to build and structure a hedge fund in 2025
• Why small and midcaps are one of the biggest inefficiencies in European public markets
• How David raised $1.8 million and put in personal capital to align with LPs
• The mechanics of fund setup: regulation, custody, compliance, daily ops
• Why his early investment in About You shaped how he sees opportunity
• The role of writing (Simple Alpha) in building credibility and discipline
• Advice for future fund managers and thoughtful young investors

If you’ve ever wondered how hedge funds actually get started—this episode is for you.

🎧 Now available on all major platforms

A huge thank you to David for joining us and sharing his story with the Campus To Capital audience.

🎁 Special Offer from Our Partner:
Get a €10 welcome bonus with Timeless Investments! Sign up here: timeless-investments.de/financepodcast

About Timeless Investments:
Europe’s leading platform for fractional investing in high-value assets like luxury watches, rare sneakers, and fine art—making alternative investments accessible to everyone.

In this episode of Campus to Capital, we sit down with Eddie Opara, Partner at Pentagram and one of the most influential figures in contemporary design. From early drawings in church pews to reshaping global brands like the High Line, Eddie’s story is one of boundary-pushing creativity, cross-disciplinary thinking, and cultural impact.

This episode explores the personal journey, design philosophy and future vision of a designer who believes in systems just as much as spontaneity.

Key Takeaways:

• How Eddie’s early exposure to architecture, music, and management shaped his creative mindset
• What makes Pentagram’s partnership model so unique—and how it fuels collaboration
• How to balance creative autonomy with corporate expectations
• Why AI and data are both tools and challenges for tomorrow’s designers
• Core principles Eddie applies when building emotional brand identities
• What excites him about shaping design accessibility through Canva
• How the next generation of designers are different—and what they urgently need to learn

From London to New York, from Yale to Pentagram, Eddie shares powerful insights into what it takes to build lasting design systems and why mindset matters more than medium.

A huge thank you to Eddie for joining us and sharing his journey with our audience!

Special Offer from Our Partner: Get a €10 welcome bonus with Timeless Investments! Sign up here: timeless-investments.de/financepodcast
About Timeless Investments: Europe’s leading platform for fractional investing in high-value assets like luxury watches, rare sneakers, and fine art—making alternative investments accessible to everyone.

In this episode of Campus To Capital, we sit down with Torsten Slok, Chief Economist at Apollo Global Management and one of the most respected macro thinkers on Wall Street. With previous roles at the IMF, OECD, and Deutsche Bank, Torsten brings a uniquely global and data-driven perspective on the economy.

The episode was originally recorded on April 14th, 2025. Please be aware that a lot has transpired in the financial markets since then. The content reflects the context and views as of the recording date.

Key Takeaways:

• ​Why the U.S. economy is “firing on all cylinders” despite high rates and inflation
• ​How Torsten solved the “Sherlock Holmes mystery” of interest rate sensitivity
• ​The impact of tariffs and trade policy on investment strategies
• ​Lessons from studying in Copenhagen vs. Princeton
• ​Why private markets matter for retirement portfolios
• ​What skills young professionals need to break into direct lending and asset-backed finance

Torsten shares deep insights on how macro trends influence capital markets - and what the next generation of economists and investors should pay attention to.

A huge thank you to Torsten for joining us and giving our audience such inclusive insights!

Special Offer from Our Partner: Get a €10 welcome bonus with Timeless Investments! Sign up here: ⁠⁠⁠timeless-investments.de/financepodcast⁠⁠⁠

About Timeless Investments: Timeless Investments is Europe’s leading platform for fractional investing in high-value assets like luxury watches, rare sneakers, and fine art—making alternative investments accessible to everyone.

In this episode of Campus To Capital, we speak with Jonas Deichmann, world record-breaking extreme athlete, motivational speaker, and bestselling author. From cycling 18,000 km across Eurasia to completing the first triathlon around the world, Jonas’ mindset and approach to endurance are on a different level.

Key Takeaways:

• How to build extreme mental resilience – and stay calm in total chaos

• What solo world records teach you about discipline, fear, and freedom

• Why "quitting is not an option" – and how to build that mindset in business and life

• Lessons for founders, investors, and young professionals from endurance sports

• How to manage risk, uncertainty, and fatigue over long horizons

• Insights on goal-setting, inner motivation, and dealing with failure

• Thoughts on performance and the connection between body and mind

• What the corporate world can learn from ultra-endurance

Jonas shares raw and powerful stories from his most intense expeditions—and explains how anyone can train their mind for extreme performance.

A huge thank you to Jonas for joining us and inspiring our audience with his mindset!

Special Offer from Our Partner: Get a €10 welcome bonus with Timeless Investments! Sign up here: ⁠⁠timeless-investments.de/financepodcast⁠⁠

About Timeless Investments: Timeless Investments is Europe’s leading platform for fractional investing in high-value assets like luxury watches, rare sneakers, and fine art—making alternative investments accessible to everyone.

In this episode of Campus To Capital, we speak with Simon Schmincke, General Partner at Creandum — one of Europe’s leading early-stage venture capital firms. Simon’s career path is marked by a rare blend of operating and investing: from launching HelloFresh in the U.S. to backing high-growth startups like Lemon Markets, Tide, and Topi.

Key Takeaways:

- Scaling HelloFresh in the U.S. market: operational complexity, logistics, and hyper-growth- Transitioning from founder to investor: lessons learned and mindset shifts- What Creandum looks for in fintech, SaaS, and consumer startups- The state of the European VC ecosystem and what needs to change- AI’s real impact on venture investing and startup performance- Thoughts on Klarna’s IPO and the broader exit environment in Europe- Advice for early-stage founders and aspiring venture capitalists

Simon shares unfiltered insights from both sides of the table—building and backing startups—and outlines what it really takes to succeed in today’s venture landscape.

Special Offer from Our Partner: Get a €10 welcome bonus with Timeless Investments! Sign up here: ⁠timeless-investments.de/financepodcast⁠

About Timeless Investments: Timeless Investments is Europe’s leading platform for fractional investing in high-value assets like luxury watches, rare sneakers, and fine art—making alternative investments accessible to everyone.

In this episode of Campus To Capital, we sit down with Joakim Bruchmann, CEO and Co-Founder of Pluto.market. Joakim's journey spans from trading at Goldman Sachs and Danske Bank to becoming a serial entrepreneur in the FinTech space.

Key Takeaways:

• Transition from Corporate to Startup: Joakim's decision to leave high-paying corporate roles to pursue entrepreneurship, including the challenges and sacrifices involved.

• Innovating in FinTech: Insights into building Pluto.markets, a platform aimed at simplifying investing and fostering a supportive community for young investors. ​

• Lessons from Trading: How experiences at Goldman Sachs and Danske Bank shaped his approach to risk, market analysis, and financial innovation.​

• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Joakim shares valuable lessons on resilience, character development, and the importance of embracing failure on the entrepreneurial journey. ​

Special Offer from Our Partner: Get a €10 welcome bonus with Timeless Investments! Sign up here: timeless-investments.de/financepodcast

About Timeless Investments: Timeless Investments is Europe’s leading platform for fractional investing in high-value assets like luxury watches, rare sneakers, and fine art—making alternative investments accessible to everyone.

Disclaimer! This episode is a special episode – it's in German - all of our future episodes will be in English.

In this episode, we sit down with Noah Leidinger, Managing Director of OMR X, bestselling author, and host of OHNE AKTIEN WIRD SCHWER, one of Germany’s most successful finance podcasts. We explore the world of finance, what it takes to make financial education engaging, and how young investors can navigate the markets effectively.

Noah shares insights from his experience producing over 1,000 finance episodes, along with his take on investment trends, VC investments, and the future of finance content.

Key Takeaways

• From podcasting to running OMR X – Noah’s career journey
• The biggest lessons from analyzing financial markets daily
• Why financial education needs a new approach
• Investment trends that will shape the next decade
• How to build and scale finance content successfully
• Noah’s perspective on startups, investing, and media innovation

Special Offer from our Partner: Get a €10 welcome bonus with Timeless Investments! Sign up here: ⁠timeless-investments.de/financepodcast⁠

About Timeless Investments: Timeless Investments is Europe’s leading platform for fractional investing in high-value assets like luxury watches, rare sneakers, and fine art – making alternative investments accessible to everyone.