EU-Startups Podcast

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Jens Wohltorf, CEO & Co-Founder of Blacklane — the premium global chauffeur service that’s transforming the way business travelers move through the world.

Jens shares the journey from concept to becoming a trusted name in luxury mobility. We discuss how Blacklane scaled across continents while maintaining exceptional service, navigated complex local regulations, and adapted during the pandemic to emerge stronger than ever.

You’ll hear insights on:

– Building trust in the luxury service industry

– The importance of anticipating customer needs before they even ask

– How to scale without sacrificing quality

– Why sustainability must be more than a marketing line

– The skills and mindset entrepreneurs need to thrive in global markets

Takeaways

– Trust is your most valuable currency.

– Global expansion demands local understanding — and patience.

– Scaling too fast can compromise quality beyond repair.

– Anticipation and empathy separate good service from great service.

– Crises (like the pandemic) can be catalysts for reinvention.

Chapters

00:00 The Spark of Blacklane

02:57 Scaling Luxury Mobility

06:09 Building Trust in Service

09:01 Navigating Global Expansion

11:58 Sustainability in Luxury Travel

14:51 Lessons from the Pandemic

18:11 Future of Mobility

21:02 Rapid Fire Insights

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

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https://www.eu-startups.com/

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https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startup #mobility #luxury #travel

What does it take to build one of world's highest-performing sales teams — fully remote?

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Maxime Chareton, Head of Sales at Revolut, to explore what makes the fintech giant’s sales engine run. Revolut's powerhouse of products helps 50+ million customers get more from their money every day. They have 10,000+ people working around the world, from their offices and remotely, to help them achieve their mission.

We cover:

– How Revolut scaled a remote sales team across global markets

– Why autonomy and ownership beat micromanagement

– How to hire sales talent with curiosity and resilience

– The role of AI in augmenting (not replacing) human sales

– How to shift the conversation from price → to value

Takeaways:

– Sales is emotional intelligence in motion.

– Culture is the glue in remote-first teams.

– Great sellers don’t push — they guide.

– Hiring for mindset beats hiring for resume.

– The future of sales is part tech, part trust.

Whether you're building a sales org, hiring your first reps, or selling across borders — this episode is packed with real tactics and fresh thinking.

Chapters:

00:00 Scaling Sales in a Remote World

01:57 Building a Unique Sales Culture

03:29 Maintaining High Performance at Scale

05:23 Hiring for Success

07:02 Localizing Sales Efforts

09:44 Autonomy and Ownership in Sales

10:27 Leveraging Technology for Productivity

12:39 The Role of AI in Sales

14:36 Personalization in Sales Outreach

15:46 Shifting Conversations from Price to Value

17:12 Sales Enablement Strategies

18:22 Creating Urgency Without Pressure

19:45 Rapid Fire Insights

If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast here on YouTube!

Or follow along on your other favourite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startups #sales #finance

Airbnb? Timeshare? Nope. This Is Better.

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Nikolaus Thomale, Founder & Managing Director of MYNE Homes. MYNE Homes is building Europe’s leading co-ownership platform for vacation homes. They make buying, owning and selling your dream vacation home more accessible and hassle-free.

While more than 20 million vacation homes across Europe are sitting empty most of the year, millions of people dream of owning such a second home. MYNE was started to bring together those homes and those people with dreams.

We explore:

– Why traditional vacation home ownership is outdated and inefficient

– How MYNE creates a seamless co-ownership experience across Europe

– What makes MYNE different from Airbnb, rentals, or timeshares

– How luxury, flexibility, and sustainability can go hand-in-hand

– The role of community and emotional value in second-home ownership

Takeaways:

– Ownership is shifting from solo to shared, from status to story.

– The new luxury is flexibility, community, and meaning.

– Technology unlocks emotional value in real estate.

– Co-ownership redefines what it means to “own” a place.

– Vacation homes are no longer just for the 1%.

Chapters

00:00 Rethinking Vacation Home Ownership

04:34 The Rise of Co-Ownership Models

06:12 Differentiating from Traditional Models

08:35 Luxury Meets Accessibility

09:53 Market Expansion Strategies

12:01 Creating a Sense of Ownership

14:58 The Future of Property Ownership

16:17 Personal Dreams and Experiences

17:39 Rapid Fire Questions

If you've ever dreamed of a beachside villa in Mallorca or a mountain retreat in the Alps — this one’s for you.

If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast here on YouTube!

Or follow along on your other favourite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startup #realestate #technology

🎙️ Skills Over Signals: TestGorilla CEO Wouter Durville on the Future of Hiring

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Wouter Durville, Co-Founder and CEO of TestGorilla, to discuss the shift from traditional hiring to skills-based recruitment. With over $80m in funding TestGorilla is placing people in dream jobs with talent assessments that identify the best candidates at the start of the recruitment process.

With companies like Google and EY dropping degree requirements, and AI entering the hiring process, the future of recruitment is getting a massive upgrade.

Wouter explains:

– Why résumés don’t work

– How to test for the skills that really matter

– What founders, hiring managers, and HR leaders get wrong

– How to make hiring fairer, faster, and more human

Takeaways:

– Traditional hiring methods are becoming obsolete.

– Résumés are dying — skills are the new currency.

– Degrees are optional. Talent and hard work are not.

– AI + assessment = fairer, faster hiring.

– Human values like critical thinking and being kind are crucial.

– The future of hiring will focus on skills, not signals.

Chapters:

00:00 Rethinking Hiring: The Skills-First Approach

03:02 The Role of AI in Modern Recruitment

06:03 Identifying Key Skills for Success

08:56 The Importance of a Holistic Hiring Process

12:07 Creating a Positive Candidate Experience

14:54 Balancing Technology and Human Touch in Hiring

17:59 The Future of Hiring: A Vision for Skills-Based Recruitment

💡 If you’re hiring, applying, or just curious about how AI and assessments are reshaping work — this is a must-listen.

If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast here on YouTube!

Or follow along on your other favourite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startup #work #hiring #jobs

In this special edition of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski is joined by the editorial team behind EU-Startups: Antonio Escarzaga (Head of Content) and David Cendon Garcia (Head of News).

Together, they unpack the evolving world of startup media — from AI-generated content and traditional journalism to what actually makes a startup story land in today's crowded feed. Whether you're a founder, marketer, or just startup-curious, this episode is your backstage pass to how media works — and what’s changing fast.

Takeaways

1. AI is changing the way content is created and optimized for search engines.

2. Traditional media still plays a crucial role in curating and contextualizing news.

3. Startups should connect their stories to current events for greater relevance.

4. Hyperbole in pitches can turn people off; authenticity is key.

5. Understanding the audience and what content works for them is essential.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to EU Startups Podcast

02:59 The Evolving Landscape of Startup Media

06:06 The Importance of Personal Connection in Media

08:56 Insights from the European Startup Media Landscape Infographic

12:00 What Makes a Compelling Startup Story?

18:00 Building Relationships Beyond Coverage

19:50 Trends in Startup Content and Media

24:00 The Future of Startup Media

25:54 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startup #venturecapital #media

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski is joined by Trevor Neff, Partner at Headline Growth, a global VC firm with offices in San Francisco, Berlin, and Paris. Headline raised $865M for its fourth growth fund, with half of it dedicated to Europe. Headline’s portfolio includes powerhouses like: Sonos, Farfetch, goPuff, Bumble, AppFolio, Creditas, Segment, The RealReal, and Sorare.

Trevor shares insights on the importance of building personal relationships with founders, the transition from Sound Ventures to Headline, and the evolving landscape of European startups. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in the European market, the significance of trust in investor-founder relationships, and offers valuable advice for founders navigating their journey. The conversation concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal Trevor's perspectives on venture capital and entrepreneurship.

Takeaways

1. The best startups today are built global from day one.

2. Build trust early – it’s your most valuable currency.

3. Your investor should know you before your deck.

4. Relationships still matter more than metrics early on.

5. VC is a long game – play it with aligned partners.

Chapters

00:00 Building Relationships in Venture Capital

04:45 Lessons from Sound Ventures

06:52 The Vision for Headline's Growth Fund

09:08 The Rise of European Startups

12:31 Balancing Local Nuances with Global Ambition

15:33 The Importance of Trust in Investment

18:26 Advice for Founders and Investors

22:45 Rapid Fire Questions with Trevor Neff

If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast here on YouTube!

Or follow along on your other favourite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startup #venturecapital

How do you turn travel into a cure for loneliness?

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Erika De Santi, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer at WeRoad. With over 125 destinations worldwide and $36m in funding, WeRoad is one of the fast-growing travel startups that's redefining what it means to explore the world — with strangers who become friends.

They dive into:

– How WeRoad uses group travel to create deep connections

– Why group dynamics and coordinators make or break a trip

– The role of early growth hacks in building community

– Why unexpected moments are the most powerful memories

– How the new WeMeet app is tackling loneliness in local communities

Takeaways:

– WeRoad creates shared experiences that fight loneliness.

– Travel is a tool to build belonging, not just escape.

– People don’t just want destinations — they want connection.

– Real-life friendships need intentional design.

– The best travel products are designed for emotion, not logistics.

🎧 Whether you’re a travel junkie, community builder, or just curious how tech and real-life connection intersect — this one’s worth your ears.

👇 Timestamps

00:00 Fighting Loneliness Through Travel

03:02 Designing Unique Travel Experiences

06:00 The Role of Travel Coordinators

10:13 Building Community and Connection

13:07 Lessons on Human Nature and Loneliness

17:58 Introducing WeMeet: A New Platform

21:50 Social Responsibility and Community Impact

24:05 Rapid Fire Questions and Travel Wisdom

If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast here on YouTube!

Or follow along on your other favourite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startup #travel

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Charlie MacGregor, Founder & CEO of The Social Hub – a bold reimagination of what hospitality, connection, and community can look like in the 21st century.

Starting from a personal desire to improve student housing, Charlie went on to build a hospitality powerhouse that blends hotels, coworking, student residences, coliving, events, and social impact – all under one brand.

We dive deep into:

– The origin story behind The Social Hub

– Why belonging is the most underrated business model

– How diverse communities can thrive in shared spaces

– The role of design in shaping behavior and connection

– How to build spaces where people actually want to connect

– The future of hospitality

This conversation isn’t just about hotels. It’s about how we live, work, learn – and what happens when you design spaces to bring people together on purpose.

Takeaways

– Hospitality is evolving from service to connection.

– Design is not just aesthetic — it’s behavioral architecture.

– Purpose and profit can scale together – if culture leads the way.

– The best growth stories are rooted in human transformation.

– The future of hospitality is human and hyper-local.

Chapters

00:00 The Vision Behind The Social Hub

02:50 Creating Spaces for Connection

05:39 Engineering a Sense of Belonging

08:09 Designing for Local and Global

10:57 Navigating Growth and Sustainability

13:35 Community Impact Stories

16:11 Future Aspirations and Innovations

18:41 Reflections on Hospitality and Leadership

If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast here on YouTube!

Or follow along on your other favourite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

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https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startup #hospitality #travel

Most AI startups don’t fail because of the tech.

They fail because they don't know how to go to market.

Enter Carles Reina, the first investor and GTM strategist at ElevenLabs — the voice AI juggernaut redefining what product-market fit sounds like.

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin and Carles talk about the real playbook for scaling AI startups. No fluff. Just unfiltered truths from a builder who's done it at breakneck speed.

We cover:

✅ Why AI GTM ≠ SaaS GTM

✅ How to confirm PMF with enterprise contracts

✅ When to hire GTM leaders — and who not to hire

✅ The underrated power of cultural intelligence

✅ Why brand is your best-performing growth channel

✅ And how AI founders can avoid the #1 GTM trap: shipping without strategy

This is the go-to-market MBA every founder and early-stage investor needs — especially if you're building at the intersection of AI, speed, and global ambition.

🔥 Takeaways:

– The first GTM move should focus on sustainable growth

– Execution speed is more important than ever

– PMF in AI is often validated via enterprise contracts

– Global scaling demands deep cultural empathy

– Hiring for energy and adaptability beats experience alone

– GTM isn’t sales. It’s narrative, community & trust

– Brand is not fluff — it’s a growth engine

– Community drives traction before PR ever hits

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI GTM Strategies

02:14 The Unique Nature of AI GTM

05:28 Achieving Product-Market Fit in AI

07:42 Scaling AI Globally: Cultural Considerations

09:57 Common Pitfalls in AI GTM for Founders

12:05 The Importance of Product-Led Growth

14:07 Hiring for GTM Success

16:17 Balancing Brand and Distribution

18:27 Investing in AI Startups: Key Patterns

20:14 Misconceptions About GTM Talent

21:55 Building a GTM Playbook for AI

22:54 Rapid Fire Insights on GTM

If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast on YouTube!

Or follow along on your other favorite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

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#startup #ai #artificialintelligence

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski speaks with Miki Yokoyama, Managing Director and Partner at Aurum Impact – an investment firm working at the intersection of family offices and climate innovation.

Miki breaks down the unique role family offices can play in funding a livable future and why we need to rethink how we define impact.

From choosing the right fund managers to measuring what actually matters, this conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of channeling wealth into meaningful climate action.

🔍 Topics Covered:

– Why the ‘what’ matters more than the ‘how’ in impact

– The difference between investing in startups vs. funds

– The need for standardized impact metrics

– Why founders need to understand corporate structures

– How family offices can shift the climate capital landscape

– What empathy has to do with successful investing

– The future of pricing natural resources

💬 Whether you're an investor, founder, or just climate-curious — this episode offers a rare window into how capital can drive planetary change.

Takeaways:

– Family offices can play a significant role in impact investing

– Impact should focus on what is being done, not just how

– Interconnected environmental issues require systemic thinking

– Standardized impact metrics are urgently needed

– Empathy is a vital skill in both investing and leadership

– Long-term climate funding needs to reflect the real cost of nature

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Aurum Impact and Climate Innovation

02:54 Family Offices vs. Venture Capitalists

06:10 Assessing Fund Managers and Their Stories

09:02 Impact vs. Sustainability in Investments

12:02 Navigating Corporate Life and Startups

14:53 The Need for Standardization in Impact Metrics

17:51 Future of Climate Tech Funding

20:57 The Interconnectedness of Environmental Issues

23:59 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast here on YouTube!

Or follow along on your other favourite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/

Visit our Website:

https://www.eu-startups.com/

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/

#startup #venturecapital #climatechange