Marija Rucevska is the founding partner of Outlast Fund, a newly launched venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in the Baltics and Nordics. With over a decade of experience in the startup ecosystem, Marija has played a key role in shaping the regional tech landscape, contributing with brands like TechChill, Practica, Helve, Techhub and others. 

On this episode we talk about:

• The Rise of Early-Stage VC in the Baltics 
• Outlast Fund’s Investment Philosophy
• The Future of Fundraising in the Region
• Building High-Growth Startups in a Competitive Landscape
• Defense Tech and Its Investment Potential

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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This is an insight from our previous conversation on starting a new company as a second-time founder:

• The mindset of a repeat founder differs substantially from first-time founder - more ambition
• Apply a structured approach to figuring out your next business
• Having the right founder is still the main key to success
• Don’t be afraid to start in an unknown industry - there are hidden benefits to that
• Execution beats planning

Martins Lasmanis is the co-founder of Supliful - a platform that allows you to start your vitamin and supplement dropshipping business in minutes. He is a serial entrepreneur having co-founded and exited companies before. Martins also spent almost 10 years as a VC having seen the business also from the investor side.

Listen to the full conversation with Martins here on Episode 138:

• Link to Spotify
• Link to Apple Podcasts
• https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/138-martins-lasmanis

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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Welcome to a new type of episode of the Pursuit of Scrappiness podcast. A monthly discussion format on topics we find relevant to highlight, discuss and share with you to help you become a scrappier and better version of yourself. We will be looking at events and developments in business, politics and technology from a European and particularly Baltic perspective. 

On this episode we talk about:

• A deep dive into whether Europe’s free speech restrictions are justified, how Germany polices online content, and whether the Baltics have more freedom in comparison.
• Examining Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), its actual impact on U.S. spending, and whether such an initiative would work in Europe.
• Why Estonia is introducing a 2% defense tax, how it compares to other European countries, and whether other nations should follow suit.
• A look at the latest investment rounds, including the biggest raises in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and why growth-stage funding is still lagging behind.
• A discussion on the crisis in venture capital, why many 2020–2021 funds are still stuck at 1x valuation, and what this means for future startup investments.
• Are recent tech layoffs driven by AI automation, or is AI just a convenient scapegoat? Analyzing the Klarna and Stripe cases, plus how startups can use AI to stay competitive.

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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Peter Garraghan is the CEO and co-founder of Mindgard, a cybersecurity startup focused on protecting businesses from AI-driven threats. With a background as a professor of computer science and an internationally recognized expert in security, Peter has dedicated his career to understanding and mitigating risks associated with AI systems. Having raised over $8 million in funding, he leads efforts in tackling emerging AI vulnerabilities, ensuring that companies can integrate AI safely into their operations. Featured in Forbes and with over 60 published scientific papers, Peter is at the forefront of AI security research, helping businesses navigate the complex and evolving landscape of artificial intelligence risks.

On this episode we talk about:

• Understanding the vulnerabilities of AI models and why businesses need to take them seriously.
• The rise of AI-powered scams, phishing attacks, and deepfakes, and how they impact businesses and individuals.
• Traditional cybersecurity methods vs. the unique challenges posed by AI-driven threats.
• Best practices for companies integrating AI into their operations without exposing themselves to risks.
• Where AI security is headed and the potential dangers as AI systems become more autonomous.

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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This is an insight from our previous conversation on building a multi billion dollar company and growth strategy:

• Companies cannot rely on just one big bet or hope to stumble upon successive growth loops. A long term structured growth plan is required
• The 70-20-10 Framework for Company Strategy ensures a balance between stability, expansion, and innovation.
• Investors look for a clear and sustainable plan for growth, not just user acquisition or high valuations.

Anastasija Oleinika is the President and Head of Platform of the newly merged Latvian print on demand powerhouse Fyul (Printify + Printful). At the time of recording Anastasija was the CEO of Printify, a platform revolutionizing the print-on-demand market that raised more than 50mUSD in VC funding. Her leadership journey includes her previous CEO role at the Twino investment platform, where similarly to Printify she transitioned from CFO to CEO role.

Listen to the full conversation with Anastasija here on Episode 157:

• Link to Spotify
• Link to Apple Podcasts
• https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/157-anastasija-oleinika

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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Artur Schaback is the co-founder of Paxful, a peer-to-peer Bitcoin marketplace and one of the most well-known brands in the crypto industry. Having built Paxful into a major force in the crypto industry, Artur has witnessed the ups and downs of the Bitcoin ecosystem firsthand. He recently left his full-time role at Paxful and is now working on Clip Finance, a DeFi yield optimization protocol, where he is a core contributor.

On this episode we talk about:

• The rise of Paxful and the early days of Bitcoin 
• Growth hacking strategies that scaled Paxful 
• Managing compliance and getting charged by DOJ
• Lessons from crypto’s boom and bust cycles
• The role of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Clip Finance
• Trump’s return and the future of crypto regulations

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

===============

Support the show

Welcome to a new type of episode of the Pursuit of Scrappiness podcast. A monthly discussion format on topics we find relevant to highlight, discuss and share with you to help you become a scrappier and better version of yourself. We will be looking at events and developments in business, politics and technology from a European and particularly Baltic perspective. 

On this episode we talk about:

• The impact of Trump’s return on Europe and startups.
• The EU’s plan to unify business regulations to boost cross-border innovation and investment.
• A breakdown of Sifted’s list of top 20 European unicorns, highlighting successes from the Baltic region.
• The Estonian Startup awards, a.k.a the Pursuit of Scrappiness Homecoming.
• Examining recent advancements in AI, including OpenAI’s new agent capabilities , Nexos.ai and Europe’s role in the AI landscape.

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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Agris Kipurs is the Co-Founder and CEO of Origin Robotics, a pioneering defense tech startup specializing in autonomous drone systems for precision strikes in challenging environments. The company recently raised a 4mEUR pre-seed round led by Change Ventures and featuring support from the EU and the Latvian Ministry of Defense. Agris was also a co-founder of Airdog, the first commercial application drone to fly without remote control which was exited to Alarm.com. 

On this episode we talk about:

• The Evolution of Drone Technology
• Building a Defense Tech Startup
• The Role of Reputation in Defense Tech
• Navigating Funding in Defense
• Lessons from Ukraine’s Defense Innovations

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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Avery Schrader is the founder and CEO of Modash, a leading influencer marketing platform that helps brands scale partnerships with content creators. With a background in building relationships and driving results for companies like Bolt and Verif, Avery’s journey to creating Modash stems from firsthand experience in the creator economy. Modash now serves over 1,500 customers globally, including brands like Victoria’s Secret and Birkenstock, enabling them to discover and manage influencer campaigns effectively. The company recently raised an impressive 11mEUR Series A round.

On this episode we talk about:

• Why influencer partnerships outperform traditional ads and how brands can leverage authentic storytelling.
• Avery’s entrepreneurial journey, including product validation and pivoting to focus on search functionality.
• Practical advice on selecting creators, setting expectations, and adopting a portfolio-based approach.
• How startups can use influencers creatively for brand awareness and niche audience engagement.
• Key metrics to track, attribution challenges, and strategies for ensuring ROI.
• The importance of hiring top talent, structuring company values, and fostering a high-performance culture.

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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Vlad Zhovtenko is the founder and CEO of RedTrack, a leading ad tracking platform used by over 800 businesses to measure and optimize ad performance across 60,000 ad accounts worldwide. With deep experience in marketing technology, Vlad has built a solution that simplifies complex ad attribution, helping companies better understand their campaign ROI and maximize advertising budgets. The company recently raised 2.9mEUR to fulfill their mission.

On this episode we talk about:

• How AI improves ad performance tracking and automates decision-making processes for marketers.
• Why accurate tracking remains difficult across multiple touchpoints and devices.
• Why B2B companies should embrace Black Friday.
• Why smaller companies often overlook valuable tools and strategies for optimizing ad spend.
• How tracking and observing data daily helps founders identify key patterns and make better decisions.

Resources referenced in the episode:

• Book Scientific Advertising for ageless marketing wisdom - https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Advertising-Claude-C-Hopkins/dp/1453821082

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If you liked this episode or simply want to support the work we do, buy us a coffee or two, or a hundred, with just a few clicks at: https://buymeacoffee.com/pursuitofscrappiness

Find all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/

Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA

Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/

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Support the show