EU-Startups Podcast

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski chats with Niklas Terrahe, the CEO & co-founder of Pick’em — the D2C brand reinventing one of the most unsexy products on the market: the toothpick.

It started as a student project. Now it’s chewing gum’s worst nightmare. With millions of views on TikTok, influencer shoutouts from people like Ryan Reynolds, and a toothpick that literally went to space, Pick’em is now one of the fastest-growing Gen Z-led brands, flipping the script on chewing gum and building a social-first movement around flavored toothpicks. Yes — toothpicks. And it's working.

But here’s the kicker:

This isn’t a fluke. It’s brand storytelling, social-first strategy, and insane execution from a team that just gets what moves people.

🎯 In this episode, Niklas breaks down:

– How to turn the unsexiest product imaginable into a viral D2C darling

– How to hijack culture to build brand love

– Why sustainability is table stakes (but not the headline)

– The secret sauce behind authentic influencer marketing

– Why entertainment might just be the best growth hack of all

🔥 Takeaways:

1. Every “boring” market is a canvas for reinvention

2. Build a brand that entertains and connects, not just sells

3. Narrative is the growth lever most founders overlook

4. Sustainability should be real — but not preachy

5. Flexibility & feedback loops win in D2C

6. You don’t need a big budget to build buzz — just story and soul

📍Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Pick'em and Niklas Terrahe

03:03 The Birth of a Lifestyle Brand

05:57 Disrupting the Chewing Gum Market

08:57 Turning Hype into a Sustainable Brand

12:06 Navigating Product Market Fit

14:59 The Challenges of D2C Business

18:10 Building a Brand with Purpose

20:56 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

23:57 Creative Marketing Strategies

26:56 The Future of Pick'em

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#startup #founders #entrepreneurship #content #marketing

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski interviews Antonia Eneh, CEO of Wave Ventures, the trailblazing Gen Z-led VC fund that just launched Wave III — their boldest fund yet to invest in the world’s most ambitious Gen Z founders backed by the people behind Bolt, Slack, Wolt, and Supercell.

We dive deep into what makes this generation of entrepreneurs tick:

🌍 Their hunger for purpose

💥 Their refusal to accept the status quo

🚀 And their vision to build the world they want to live in

Antonia also pulls back the curtain on Wave Ventures’ radically personal investment model, why relationships beat ideas, and how VC must evolve to reflect the diversity and creativity of a new era.

If you're building the next big thing — or just want a window into the minds shaping tomorrow — don’t miss this one.

🧠 Takeaways:

1. Gen Z is actively building a world that reflects their values

2. Gen Z founders are driven by purpose, not perks

3. Wave Ventures backs people, not just traction

4. Grit, ambition, and the "X-factor" matter more than resumes

5. The best VCs build with founders — not just write checks

📍Chapters:

00:00 Intro to Wave Ventures & Gen Z Founders

01:46 Building a Better World

03:42 Spotting Wave Material

05:52 A Fund by Students for Students

07:48 People Over Ideas

09:40 Relationship-Driven VC

11:57 Personalized Investment Process

13:45 The Future of VC

19:10 Rapid Fire Game

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/

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

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This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski interviews Zoltan Vardy, a seasoned B2B sales advisor, author, and speaker with over 30 years of experience in driving revenue growth. Zoltan has generated $2 billion in sales throughout his career, serving as a C-suite executive at major media companies like NBCUniversal International and ProSiebenSat.1 Media. He is the creator of The Launch Code, a comprehensive sales and marketing blueprint that has helped over 200 startups across 26 countries close high-ticket deals and scale their businesses .

In this conversation, Zoltan shares insights from his newly published book, The Launch Code, offering practical strategies for startup founders to simplify their sales processes. Topics include:

– Common pitfalls founders face in sales

– The importance of understanding your ideal customer

– Building a minimum viable sales setup

– Selling with confidence and avoiding time wasters

– Crafting effective value propositions

– The significance of referrals and optimizing sales decks

– The psychology behind pricing strategies

Takeaways

1. Understanding your ideal customer is crucial for sales success.

2. Sales is a learnable skill, not a magical talent.

3. Focus on solving problems rather than pushing products.

4. Sales decks should focus on the customer's problem first.

5. Avoid pitching to unqualified leads to save time.

Whether you're a founder looking to improve your sales approach or someone interested in B2B sales strategies, this episode provides valuable takeaways to help you build a predictable revenue engine.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sales Simplification

03:07 Understanding the Sales Mindset

05:59 Building a Minimum Viable Sales Setup

08:54 Selling with Confidence as a Founder

12:05 Focus and Product-Market Fit

15:07 Avoiding Time Wasters in Sales

18:00 Crafting Effective Value Propositions

21:08 Turning Clients into Advocates

24:00 Optimizing Sales Decks

26:58 Emergency Moves for Dry Pipelines

29:54 Pricing Strategies for Startups

32:08 Cold Outreach vs. Warm Introductions

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#startup #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Ash Arora, the youngest Partner at LocalGlobe — the #1 early-stage VC fund in EMEA and a backer of legendary companies like Wise, Canva, Twitter, Robinhood, and more.

In this episode, Ash shares her journey from Delhi to leading investments in frontier tech across London and beyond. We dive into her days at Polygon Ventures (managing a $100M fund with LPs like Sequoia, Lightspeed, SoftBank), her time advising the Indian Prime Minister’s Office with a focus on emerging tech startup investments and strategic policy impacting 1.5 billion people, and what she’s learned about power, adversity, and intuition along the way.

We explore:

– Why adversity builds better founders

– How gut instinct is actually pattern recognition

– What VCs get wrong about hardware and DeepTech

– Why most startups don’t actually need venture money

– How to read people like the best investors

– And the worst (and best) advice she’s ever received

Whether you're a founder, investor, or just someone curious about how the next generation of VCs think — this conversation will challenge what you think you know about success, strategy, and venture capital.

🔥 TAKEAWAYS:

1. Perfect is the enemy of launch. Ship it.

2. Trust your gut — even when it goes against the grain.

3. Most startups don’t need venture funding.

4. Reading people is an underrated investor skill.

5. Gut instinct = subconscious pattern recognition.

6. Zombie startups are born from too much capital.

7. Adversity creates clarity, drive, and vision.

8. Pay it forward. Always.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro: Ash Arora (LocalGlobe)

03:02 - From Delhi to VC Partner

06:02 - Big Career “Holy Sh*t” Moments

09:02 - Power, Money & What People Don’t Say

11:55 - Gut Instinct in Investing: Science or Myth?

15:04 - Adversity as Fuel for Success

17:59 - Unpopular Opinions About Venture

18:25 - The Role of Big Vision in Startup Success

20:12 - Why Reading People is a Superpower

23:04 - Pattern Recognition and Gut Feelings

26:20 - Most Startups Shouldn’t Raise VC

30:15 - Building a Contrarian VC Dream Team

32:20 - Best & Worst Advice She’s Heard

35:27 - Ash’s Life in Five Words

#startup #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

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This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski interviews Meiran Galis, Founder & CEO of Scytale, a global leader in security compliance automation, helping companies get compliant and stay compliant with security frameworks like SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR and PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. They serve hundreds of customers around the world and holds a world-class service team that advises & supports customers with their continuous GRC requirements.

This episode is a must listen for startup founders. Marcin and Meiran talk all things compliance, startups, security, automation, AI, trust, regulations, SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR. They discuss the importance of compliance for startups, the challenges founders face, and how to build trust with customers. Meiran shares insights on creating a compliance checklist, the role of AI in compliance, and lessons learned from startup challenges. The conversation emphasizes that compliance is not just a regulatory requirement but a crucial tool for growth and trust in the market.

Takeaways

1. Startups need compliance to grow and build trust.

2. Compliance is often seen as complex and costly by first-time founders.

3. Understanding the relevant regulations is crucial for startups.

4. Building a compliance portfolio model is essential for success.

5. Mapping data flows and creating policies is necessary for compliance.

6. Automation can significantly streamline compliance processes.

7. Trust is foundational for customer relationships in business.

#startup #cybersecurity #compliance

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

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

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This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eus

This week on the EU Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sat down with Christian Noske, Partner at NGP Capital. NGP is a global VC investing in technology companies across Europe and the US. For two decades, NGP has invested in more than 120 companies, of which 19 became unicorns and 11 went on to IPO. Some of the companies NGP has backed include Lime, GetYourGuide, The Exploration Company, and ANYbotics.

In this episode, they discuss the longevity of NGP Capital, the shifts in investment focus from B2C to deep tech, and the importance of founders in the success of startups. Christian shares inspiring founder stories, including resilience during challenging times, and reflects on unsexy deals that turned out to be blockbusters. He also discusses lessons learned from missed opportunities and offers insights into the future of venture capital, particularly in Europe, emphasizing the need for a supportive political ecosystem. The conversation concludes with personal reflections on advice and life.

Takeaways

1. The founder's unique DNA is what makes startups succeed.

2. Grit and resilience are key in overcoming challenges.

3. Unsexy businesses can yield great returns.

4. The future of VC will favor small, specialized firms.

5. Europe has great talent and strong potential for innovation.

6. Bureaucracy hinders entrepreneurial growth in Europe.

7. Best advice you've ever received: Be present and engaged

#startup #entrepreneurship #venturecapital

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/

This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eus

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, Co-Founder and CEO of Alan.

Alan is your one stop health partner giving everyone access to a healthy & productive life, empowering the body and the mind. Alan's services include the most intuitive health insurance offering, Alan Clinic to navigate the healthcare system and Alan Mind, a mental well-being offer, and newly launched Alan Play among other things! They cover more than 730.000 members and are partners of 33.000 companies for the health of their employees. Alan has raised €747 million.

In this episode, Jean-Charles discusses his journey from aerospace to healthcare innovation. He emphasizes the importance of making prevention a norm in healthcare, the challenges faced in the industry, and the need for behavioral change. The conversation also covers Alan's global expansion, the future of healthcare, and personal insights on work-life balance and mental health.

Takeaways

1. Behavioral change is crucial for effective healthcare prevention.

2. Innovation in healthcare requires understanding regulations and consumer needs.

3. Gamification can enhance user engagement in health management.

4. The future of healthcare will involve more personal health management tools.

5. Personal health and happiness should be prioritized alongside professional success.

#startup #health #entrepreneurship

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/

This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eus

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with David Nothacker, Co-Founder & CEO of Sennder, the leading digital freight-forwarder platform in Europe. Sennder recently made a game-changing deal and signed an agreement to acquire C.H. Robinson’s European Surface Transportation operations. With this move, their combined business is estimated to hit 1.4bn euros in revenue, unite 1,700 employees and make sennder a top 5 FTL player in Europe by the end of next year. The company has also secured significant support from prominent investors, having raised more than $350 million to date.

In this episode, Marcin and David talk about Sennder's remarkable growth from a small startup to a major player in the logistics industry, including recent acquisitions and the challenges of integrating new businesses. David shares insights on the importance of technology in logistics, the need for trust in traditional industries, and the impact of sustainability on transportation. He also reflects on leadership lessons learned during hyper-growth and offers personal insights into his approach to efficiency and discipline.

Takeaways

1.Sennder's journey to 1.4 billion euros in revenue is a testament to resilience and adaptability.

2.The logistics industry is on the brink of transformation due to technology and changing market dynamics.

3.Technology adoption in logistics is crucial for efficiency and sustainability, despite industry resistance.

4.Building trust with traditional freight carriers is essential for successful digital transformation.

5.Reducing empty kilometers in logistics significantly impacts CO2 emissions and overall efficiency.

#startup #venturecapital #investing #founders #entrepreneurship

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/

This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eus

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski interviews Claudia de la Riva, CEO of Apolo Kids. Claudia is a mother of two and a serial entrepreneur. Apolo for our kids means a new way of learning following their own paths and interests. Apolo for parents means tool to conciliate while better preparing their kids for the future. Apolo is the perfect complement to motivate children through interest-based, autonomous, on-the-go learning thanks to our different solutions focused on the talents of each of them. As Claudia says: "There is nothing more powerful than children's curiosity, let's invest in their Education."

In this episode, Claudia shares her journey as an entrepreneur and mother, discussing the challenges and motivations that drive her. She emphasizes the importance of personal growth, the chaos of parenting, and the need for a reimagined educational system that caters to the diverse needs of children. Claudia's insights on parenting myths, the impact of personal experiences, and her vision for the future of learning provide a rich and engaging conversation.

Takeaways

1.Apolo Kids aims to provide personalized education for children.

2.Letting go of perfection is key in parenting.

3.Chaos in life can be beneficial and is often unavoidable.

4.A good song can change the energy of a household.

5.Children learn best when they are allowed to explore and make mistakes.

6.Education should focus on understanding rather than memorization.

7.The legacy Claudia hopes to leave is one of love and encouragement for children to dream big.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Claudia de la Riva and Apolo Kids

03:06 The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Motherhood

05:52 Parenting Insights and Myths

08:57 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Parenting

12:02 Reimagining Education for Children

14:56 The Future of Learning and Legacy

18:00 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion

#startup #education #entrepreneurship

Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:

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Visit our Website:

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

Subscribe to our Newsletter:

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

This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eus

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Yaron Valler, Founder & Partner at Target Global. Yaron is responsible for Target Global's growth stage investment practice where he led the investments in well-known companies including Wefox, DocPlanner, Delivery Hero, Bird, and numerous others. In this episode, Marcin and Yaron discuss the current state and future of European defense technology. They explore the challenges Europe faces in building a competitive defense ecosystem, drawing lessons from Israel's approach to defense and technology. The conversation also touches on the importance of education, the role of immigration in revitalizing Europe, and the potential of AI and DeepTech startups. Yaron emphasizes the need for a fundamental shift in mindset and policy to harness Europe's strengths and address its challenges in the defense sector.

1.A fundamental shift in mindset is needed for success in Europe.

2.Success should be redefined beyond just work-life balance.

3.Education systems must adapt to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

4.Investors should focus on strategic industries like semiconductors and AI.

5.Immigration can drive economic growth and innovation in Europe.

6.Europe must leverage its manufacturing strengths to remain competitive.

#startup #venturecapital #investing #founders #entrepreneurship

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/

This podcast episode is brought to you by Scytale - making compliance super easy for startups, helping them get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Learn more at https://scytale.ai/eus