Momentum

Dating apps are weird again — and honestly? We're here for it.

From Netflix's Swiped to AI-powered matchmaking apps for dog lovers, founders are reinventing love with algorithms.

In this episode:

- The real reason Gen Z is done with swiping

- AI that flirts and schedules your date

- Why the dating app market is still worth $10B+

- The loneliness economy (and why startups love it)

Whether you're in love, building a dating app, or ghosting texts — this one’s for you.

Everyone loves the “We just raised $3M!” LinkedIn post.
No one talks about the burnout, breakdowns, and bullshit behind it.

In this episode:
- The emotional tax of chasing your next round
- What actually gets VCs to say yes
- The moment we realized fundraising is often the worst part of the job

From AI-powered pizza ovens in Naples to robotic bartenders and airport arms serving poke bowls — theautomation wave is coming for your food.
In this episode, we talk about how tech is transforming the hospitality game (and if that’s actually what we want).
Robots are fast, efficient, scalable.

But can they replace the romance of a Neapolitan pizza chef?
We debate. We laugh. We fear for our free drinks.
 

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Automation in Food Industry

00:03:09 - The Future of Pizza: Automation and Experience

00:06:20 - Robotics in Hospitality: A New Era

00:09:12 - The Impact of AI on Customer Experience

00:12:09 - Market Trends and Investment Opportunities

00:15:06 - The Role of Automation in Airports

00:17:47 - Evolving Job Roles in the Age of AI

00:20:55 - Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Food and Service

In this short & spicy edition, Erika and Vlada debate one of the biggest shifts in the startup world:

Is profitability finally sexier than growth?

Fundraising is down. Burn multiples are under the microscope.

Founders are rethinking everything — and we’re here for the hot takes. 🔥

Giacomo Bertoldi didn’t follow the Silicon Valley playbook.
Instead, he turned a legacy family business into Walliance — one of Europe’s biggest real estate crowdfunding platforms.

Fast-forward: €10M+ raised, campaigns across Italy, Spain, and the US, and a story full of hustle, pivots, and pressure.

In this episode:
- How he built Walliance from the ground up
- That €6.5M raise that nearly crashed
- Why Spain worked, France didn’t, and NYCsurprised them all
- Real estate lessons, family biz drama, and alot of grit

Real estate has never sounded this fun.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Momentum and Guest Introduction

00:01:02 - The Birth of Wallians: A Vision for Real Estate

00:05:00 - Giacomo's Journey: From New York to Wallians

00:07:24 - Family Influence and Entrepreneurial Spirit

00:10:13 - Navigating Challenges and Seeking Support

00:16:46 - The Importance of Mentorship in Business

00:22:57 - Explaining Wallians: A New Way to Invest

00:24:26 - Starting Small: The Investment Threshold

00:27:28 - Understanding Returns: What to Expect

00:28:21 - Expanding Horizons: Entering New Markets

00:32:13 - Navigating Challenges: Managing International Operations

00:36:23 - The Real Estate Reality: Managing Projects and Delays

00:38:07 - Finding Momentum: What Drives Success

00:38:32 - Rapid Fire Round: Quick Insights

The EU just announced a massive €10 billion fund to stop European startups from fleeing to the US — but is this really the magic fix we’ve all been waiting for?

In this episode:- The real opportunity behind the Scale-Up Europe fund (and who wins)- The risks: slow bureaucracy, tricky terms, regional favoritism- How you should think about public funding if you’re building in Europe- And why this could change (or not change) the game for founders

If you’ve ever wondered why funding in Europe feels harder — or what it’ll take to flip thescript — this one’s for you.

🎧 Hit play and let’s break it down.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to the New Format

00:01:03 - New Chapter

00:01:04 - Overview of the Scale Up Europe Fund

00:02:01 - Impact on European Startups

00:04:01 - The Ecosystem Maturity

00:05:47 - Challenges and Risks

00:08:38 - Strategies for Founders

00:09:20 - Future Vision for European Startups

No Stanford. No pitchdeck army. No working product.
Just an idea, a cold email, and a team of scientists crazy enough to go all in.

In this episode, we sit down with Pavel Hrmo — physicist, founder, and the brain behind ZuriQ — a startup building quantum tech from scratch.

We talk:
- How they raised €4.2M pre-product (and what convinced investors)
- The leap from academia to entrepreneurship
- Cold outreach, imposter syndrome, and why betting on yourself is the only way
- Building deep tech with no time, no sleep, and no roadmap

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Quantum Computing and Zuriq

00:01:33 - FromAcademia to Entrepreneurship: The Birth of Zuriq

00:05:34 - Navigating Investor Relations and Pitching Challenges

00:11:37 - Explaining the Technology: Trapped Ions in Quantum Computing

00:18:34 - Target Industries and Future Applications of Zuriq

00:20:36 - The Unique Approach: Combining Electric and Magnetic Fields

00:26:30 - Utilizing Seed Funding for Development and Partnerships

00:32:22 - Building a Skilled Team and Overcoming Hiring Challenges

00:38:19 - Facing Doubts and Challenges in Startup Life

Starting a podcast sounds fun.
Doing it with your best friend? Even better. Until… it isn’t.

In this no-guestepisode, we get real about building Momentum while juggling jobs, babies, bad Wi-Fi, and a hundred Google Docs.
We talk late-night edits, friendship dynamics, near meltdowns — and why we’re doing it.

In this episode:
- The real reason we started Momentum
- How we stalk guests without shame
- Running on zero time (and occasional baby cries)
- What we’ve learned from 20+ episodes — and where it’s going next If you’ve ever launched something with yourbest friend — or thought about it — this one’s for you.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Our Story

00:03:10 - Behind the Scenes of the Podcast

00:06:02 - Guest Selection and Future Plans

00:08:51 - Collaboration Dynamics and Personal Growth

00:12:04 - Common Themes Among Entrepreneurs

00:15:01 - Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

Felice Biancardi runs 4 companies — across sports, real estate, cyber and hospitality — all while living and working fully remote.

And he’s not chasing unicorns. He’s building freedom.

In this episode:

- Why his first startup failed (and why that was the best thing that happened)

- How he scaled in one of Italy’s slowest-moving markets

- How a “side hustle” made €1.5M+ in 18 months

- Why not every business needs to chase unicorn status

One of the most refreshing “build your own game” founder stories we’ve had.

Hit play. This one will stick with you.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introductionto Felice Biancardi and His Ventures

00:02:28 - The Journeyfrom Bocconi to Entrepreneurship

00:06:44 - FoundingGole: The Start of a Sports Tech Revolution

00:10:28 - NavigatingChallenges During the Pandemic

00:13:39 - Digital Transformation in Sports Clubs

00:16:29 - Understanding Decision-Making in Sports Organizations

00:19:50 - Expanding Horizons: Managing Multiple Ventures

00:25:38 - The Personal Cost of Entrepreneurship

00:26:54 - Diverse Ventures and Entrepreneurial Success

00:30:00 - Pitching Ideas and Gaining Investor Confidence

00:32:51 - The Importance of Co-Founders

00:36:57 - Unique Business Methodology and Personal Well-Being

00:42:47 - Future Aspirations and Industry Focus

00:46:00 - Motivation and Problem-Solving Mindset

Two Stanford physicists left the lab to fix a broken system: computer chips that waste too much energy and can’t keep up with AI.

Their startup, Lightium, is using light (yep, actual light) to make chips faster, cooler, and ready for the next tech wave — from AI to quantum.

In this episode, we get into:
- Why traditional chips are hitting a ceiling
- How they explained photonic tech without losing the room
- The inside story of raising €7M as deeptech outsiders
- What it really takes to turn hard science into a real business

If you like big tech bets, underestimated founders, and startups building the invisible stuff that powers the future — hit play.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Lightium and Its Founders

00:02:53 - The Journey into Photonics and Deep Tech

00:05:48 - Transitioning from Academia to Entrepreneurship

00:09:03 - The Birth of Lightium

00:11:46 - Navigating Competition in the Photonics Industry

00:14:52 - Understanding Photonics: Misconceptions and Realities

00:23:57 - The Future of Data and Photonic Solutions

00:24:43 - The Future of Electric Vehicles and Autonomous Driving

00:26:33 - Co-Founders: Balancing Roles and Responsibilities

00:31:02 - Building a Strong Team Culture in Deep Tech

00:37:54 - Navigating Customer and Investor Relationships

00:39:42 - The Future Impact of Lightium on Data Consumption

00:45:56 - Finding Momentum in the Startup Journey