In this episode,

sits down with

, founder of

, live from SuperVenture 2025 in Berlin.

Backed is one of Europe’s boldest early-stage funds, known not just for investing in frontier tech but for pioneering a new model of VC community. In this conversation, Andre unpacks the philosophical and practical foundations of their work—from turning a value-add into a moat to why “edge” in venture is mostly a myth—unless you build your own rules.

Who should listen:

• Emerging managers figuring out how to build true differentiation
• LPs trying to evaluate durable edge in a saturated VC market
• Founders deciding what kind of capital partner they want long-term

Here what’s covered:

• 00:00 Who is Andre de Haes & What is Backed VC?
• 00:32 Frontier Tech Focus: Fintech, Bio, and Manufacturing Software
• 01:30 Why Community is a Core Offering—Not a Side Show
• 02:15 Behind the Scenes: The SuperVenture Speaker Dinner & Rooftop Surprise
• 04:00 Playing the Long Game: Trust Built Over 20-Year Cycles
• 05:08 Stage Preview: What it Means to Build VC Edge
• 07:50 Advice for LPs on Identifying Real Differentiation
• 10:50 Biggest Learnings: Humility, Leverage & Contrarian Courage
• 15:00 Investing at the Frontier: Computational Bio, Optics & Non-Invasive Brain Tech
• 16:00 What Munger & Buffett Teach Us About Capital Efficiency in VC