Best Startups.com Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 146: Zuzanna Stamirowska: Co-Founder & CEO of Pathway – The Post-Transformer Revolution 26:29

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2h ago26:29

26:29

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Zuzanna Stamirowska, CEO & Co-Founder of Pathway — the company building the world’s first post-transformer AI model.Transformers took us far, but they’re showing real limits: they recite instead of reason, freeze instead of adapt, and break under real-time complexity.Zuzanna’s …

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The Founder Hard Reset 25:53

5h ago25:53

25:53

Ever felt like vacations just aren't cutting it when it comes to startup burnout? In this episode, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter dive deep into why burnout is inevitable for founders and how quick fixes like vacations often fail to address the root of the issue. They explore how to truly recover and maintain that all-important spark in your work. Le…

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Episode 145: Matilde Giglio: Co-Founder of Even – Redesigning Healthcare for 1.3 Billion People in India 22:46

2d ago22:46

22:46

Most healthcare only really starts when something goes wrong. Even is trying to flip that.Recorded live during Italian Tech Week in Turin, this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast features Matilde Giglio, Co-Founder of Even, India’s leading healthcare startup redesigning access to affordable, high-quality care for over 1.3 billion people.Backed by K…

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Is there a line between Founder optimism and delusion? 37:40

1d ago37:40

37:40

Can founders turn delusion into success? In this episode, Ryan and Will discuss the essential role of optimism in startups. Drawing parallels between founders and firefighters, the duo explores how belief against all odds drives entrepreneurs forward. They explain how maintaining optimism is not just about having a positive outlook but about creati…

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Episode 144: Andreas Idl: Co-Founder and CEO of Cropster – The Software Behind Your Favorite Coffee 37:57

7h ago37:57

37:57

If your coffee tastes the same delicious every morning, there’s a good chance Cropster is involved.In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Andreas Idl, Co-Founder & CEO of Cropster, the quiet tech force behind the global specialty coffee boom.Founded after Andreas spent time in Colombia and saw how hard it was …

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Prioritize Productivity Over Popularity 31:59

22d ago31:59

31:59

Ever find yourself caught in the trap of confusing visibility with progress? In this episode, we'll delve into why seeking attention can often feel like momentum but doesn't necessarily translate to business traction. Will Schroter shares a cautionary tale from his own experience, revealing how his focus on brand-building and networking kept him fr…

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Episode 143: Rebecka Löthman Rydå: General Partner at Norrsken Evolve – Building Resilient And Sustainable Europe 24:16

18d ago24:16

24:16

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Rebecka Löthman Rydå, General Partner at Norrsken Evolve. Rebecka calls herself a nerd at heart passionate about supporting early stage founders building transformative companies that tackle meaningful problems. She's an investor in over 30 companies like Truecaller, through Ze…

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Episode 142: Julio Martinez: Co-Founder and CEO of Abacum on Modern FP&A – Excel Is Fine… Until It Isn’t 27:23

29d ago27:23

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Abacum is the all-in-one FP&A platform helping CFOs forecast revenue, plan headcount, and model financial scenarios—so finance can drive efficient growth in tough markets. With 100+ employees across Barcelona, New York, and London, Abacum is used by hundreds of mid-market companies in 31 countries—trusted by Strava, Trilogy, Abridge, JG Wentworth, …

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Better is Better than Bigger 35:39

1M ago35:39

35:39

Is getting bigger always better for startups? This episode dives into the hidden costs of scaling up and how growth can sometimes make a company worse, not better. Ryan and Will discuss the trade-offs between size and quality, using examples like Google and PayPal. They explore how rapid growth can diminish company culture, slow down decision-makin…

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Episode 141: Vidya Peters: CEO of DataSnipper – How Traceable AI Is Automating Audit & Finance 29:42

1M ago29:42

29:42

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Vidya Peters, CEO of DataSnipper—the Dutch unicorn automating document-heavy audit and finance with enterprise-grade, traceable AI.Founded in 2017, DataSnipper is used by 600,000+ professionals across 2,000+ customers in 175 countries—including the Big Four (Deloitte, EY, KPMG,…

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Founder Authenticity: Use with Caution 31:17

1M ago31:17

31:17

Ever wonder if being your authentic self at work might sometimes do more harm than good? The delicate balance of authenticity and diplomacy in leadership. From discussing the rare contexts where pure honesty works, to sharing personal anecdotes about navigating the consequences of unfiltered truth, this episode unpacks how transparency can impact y…

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Episode 140: Start Building Now: OpenAI’s Laura Modiano on Apps in ChatGPT, AgentKit, Sora 2 & GPT-5-pro 40:04

1M ago40:04

40:04

This is the best time to build a startup ever. To young people thinking whether to build something: Start Now.This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Laura Modiano (Startups EMEA at OpenAI) to turn her “love letter to European founders” into a build-now playbook.We break down OpenAI’s latest platform updates—Apps in …

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Founders, Embrace Your Flaws 41:29

2M ago41:29

41:29

Are you convinced that you need to fix all your flaws as a founder? In this episode, we explore why that's not necessarily true. Ryan and Will dive deep into the idea that both startups and their founders are loaded with problems, some of which aren't really 'problems' at all but hidden superpowers. From obsessive tendencies to ADHD, they discuss h…

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Episode 139: Scott Van den Berg: Founder & General Partner at HotStart VC – The New Era Of Celebrity & Creator Brands 23:02

2M ago23:02

23:02

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Scott van den Berg, founder of HotStart VC, to unpack how celebrity and creator-led brands actually win.HotStart VC's team has been involved in 55+ celebrity-founded brands, including investments in companies founded by Selena Gomez, DJ Khaled, Jake Paul, and more. They a…

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Is Remote Culture, Actually Culture? 38:39

2M ago38:39

38:39

By Startups.com

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Episode 138: Rocio Alcocer: MD at Norrsken Barcelona – Building Infrastructure for Hope 30:46

2M ago30:46

30:46

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Rocío Alcocer Magirena, Managing Director of Norrsken Barcelona — Europe’s largest hub for tech & impact startups — during Impact/Week (Oct 1–2).We dig into Norrsken’s “infrastructure for hope”, the Impact/100 2025 list (where AI tops tomorrow’s impact unicorns), and why Spain’…

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Can I Hand Off My Startup? 42:26

2M ago42:26

42:26

Ever dreamt of handing off your startup to a killer operator and sipping margaritas while the money keeps rolling in? It sounds perfect, but reality often has other plans. In this episode, we break down why passing on the reins isn't as smooth as it seems—from the slow degradation of everyday tasks to the irreplaceable instinct and urgency a founde…

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Episode 137: Sergio González: CEO & Co-Founder of Remuner – Fixing Broken Incentives with AI Sales Compensation 25:44

2M ago25:44

25:44

Most growth teams run on incentives. Most incentives run on… spreadsheets, guesswork, and disputes.In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Sergio González, CEO & Co-Founder of Remuner—the AI-powered sales compensation platform that turns commissions from confusion into a growth system. Fresh off a €5.5M Seed (l…

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Did I Just Get Promoted or Fired? 42:29

2M ago42:29

42:29

Ever wonder what happens when a founder gets 'promoted' out of the CEO role? Ryan and Will dive into the tricky terrain of founder transitions, exploring how it feels to be nudged into roles like Chief Vision Officer or Chairman—positions that often come when a new CEO is brought in. They discuss the emotions involved, the motivations of investors,…

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Episode 136: How to Pitch to Investors – Beth Susanne on Coaching Startups that Raised $10B 36:05

2M ago36:05

36:05

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Beth Susanne, global pitch coach trusted by over 3,950 startups and clients across 60 countries. She has helped entrepreneurs raise over $10 billion to date!Her work spans industries from medtech and biotech to fintech, AI, and cleantech, and she has collaborated with organisat…

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Burnout is a Treatable Injury 39:42

2M ago39:42

39:42

Ever felt like burnout is inevitable in your startup journey? You're not alone. Burnout can feel like a silent co-founder, but it doesn't have to signal the end of your entrepreneurial story. In this episode, we discuss why burnout happens, how to diagnose it, and most importantly, how to treat it. Discover the importance of pacing yourself, the hi…

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Stop Pretending You Don't Have Enough Time! 40:11

3M ago40:11

40:11

Ever feel like you need more hours in the day? Turns out, you don't. In this episode, we dive deep into time management for founders, starting with a viral Reddit post that stirred some controversy. We'll explore how compressing your timelines can lead to greater efficiency and free up your schedule for the things that truly matter. Forget the chro…

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Episode 135: Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer: CEO of EGYM – Why 80% of Gyms Don’t Work 33:59

2M ago33:59

33:59

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, Founder & CEO of EGYM, the German fitness tech unicorn transforming how the world approaches health.EGYM’s mission is simple yet bold: make fitness accessible to everyone. By rethinking the traditional gym experience and integrating fitness int…

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Episode 134: Des Traynor: Co-Founder of Intercom, creators of Fin.AI – Transforming a Unicorn into an AI-First Company 28:21

3M ago28:21

28:21

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Des Traynor, Co-founder of Intercom, creators of Fin.AI, to unpack what it takes to transform a unicorn into an AI-first company.Des shares the story of how Intercom embraced AI at its core, building Fin.AI, a customer service agent now handling millions of conversations.…

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Are Founders Aligned with Those Around Them? 40:33

3M ago40:33

40:33

The complexities of alignment among founders, employees, and even spouses. They debunk the notion that perfect alignment exists, emphasizing that often, perceived alignment is more fiction than reality. The conversation covers the inevitable differences in expectations, contributions, and risk tolerances that arise between co-founders and employees…

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Episode 133: Marco Trombetti: Co-Founder & CEO of Translated and Pi Campus – AI, Optimism & Naivety 23:56

3M ago23:56

23:56

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Marco Trombetti, seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and Co-Founder & CEO of Translated and Pi Campus. Translated provides translation services in more than 200 languages with over 500.000 professional translators working in symbiosis with the best translation AI ever create…

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Will the Payout be Worth the Sacrifice? 44:13

3M ago44:13

44:13

The challenging question of whether the sacrifices made in pursuit of entrepreneurial success are ultimately worth the payoff. Will retells his personal story of almost buying an expensive house in Bel Air only to realize, thanks to his wife's intervention, that it wasn't what he truly wanted. The duo explores themes of sacrifice, payoff, and how a…

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Episode 132: Joe Seager-Dupuy: Director, Investment at TRUE – From Firefighter to TRUE $1bn VC 39:35

3M ago39:35

39:35

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Joe Seager-Dupuy, Partner at TRUE, the $1bn consumer-specialist VC and innovation advisory firm that’s reshaping the retail, leisure, and consumer tech sectors.Joe shares his unique journey from a family of firefighters to venture capital, explains why brands today need a…

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How Founders Blow Their Fortunes 47:21

3M ago47:21

47:21

The critical do's and don’ts after a big financial win as a startup founder. They emphasize the importance of not oversharing about your wealth, shifting from an offensive to a defensive mindset, preserving your gains, and being cautious about new investments. They also explore how to handle the psychological and social challenges that come with ne…

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Episode 131: Jens Wohltorf: CEO & Co-Founder of Blacklane – Scaling Luxury Mobility 26:59

3M ago26:59

26:59

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 ac…

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When is Enough, Enough? 40:37

4M ago40:37

40:37

Ryan and will talks about a critical issue many founders face: knowing when to say 'enough is enough.' They explore the constant pursuit of growth both personally and professionally and how it can turn into a liability if not checked. They dive into the psychological roots of why founders struggle with the concept of 'having enough,' the impact of …

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Episode 130: Maxime Chareton: Head of Sales at Revolut – Inside Revolut’s Sales Machine 24:09

3M ago24:09

24:09

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 …

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Can Entrepreneurship Alleviate Poverty? 47:57

4M ago47:57

47:57

How entrepreneurship can transform lives and communities? Will shares his personal journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur. They explore whether entrepreneurship can be a means to alleviate poverty, emphasizing the importance of hope, a safety net, and access to education and mentorship. The conversation dives dee…

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Episode 129: Nikolaus Thomale: Founder & Managing Director of MYNE Homes – Co-Own Your Dream Home 23:26

4M ago23:26

23:26

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-…

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Should Startups Be a Family? 37:22

4M ago37:22

37:22

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the challenges and dynamics of blending friendship and professionalism in startups. They delve into the potential pitfalls of treating your startup team like a family, the consequences on both founders and employees, and the importance of setting clear boundaries. They highlight …

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Episode 128: Wouter Durville: Why Resumes Are Dying – TestGorilla CEO on the Future of Hiring 22:36

4M ago22:36

22:36

🎙️ Skills Over Signals: TestGorilla CEO Wouter Durville on the Future of HiringIn 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 jo…

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Episode 127: Inside the Media Engine: What Startups Get Wrong (and Right) About Press 27:39

4M ago27:39

27:39

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…

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Can Founders be Replaced by AI? 38:05

4M ago38:05

38:05

Ryan and Will talk about the growing role of AI in startups. They explore how AI is automating traditional founder tasks like writing, coding, and analyzing data. The conversation delves into the existential threat AI poses to the founder's role and how founders can adapt to this new landscape. They argue that founders should embrace AI to focus on…

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Episode 126: Trevor Neff: Partner at Headline Growth – Helping Founders Win Bigger 27:33

4M ago27:33

27:33

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…

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Episode 125: Erika De Santi: Chief Experience Officer at WeRoad – 32:09

5M ago32:09

32:09

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 …

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Episode 124: Charlie MacGregor: CEO of The Social Hub - How The Social Hub Is Redefining Hospitality 32:51

5M ago32:51

32:51

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 bl…

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What if we run out of goals? 40:59

5M ago40:59

40:59

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will talk about what happens when you hit all your big goals and realize there might not be any more mountains left to climb. They discuss the complex feelings and identity crises that can emerge when success is achieved, and reflect on how to find new meaning and satisfaction beyond traditio…

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Episode 123: Mastering AI GTM: Lessons from ElevenLabs’ Carles Reina 30:29

5M ago30:29

30:29

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 …

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Founders, Reinvention IS your Constant! 41:06

5M ago41:06

41:06

Will and Ryan talk about the fascinating and often overlooked journey of reinventing oneself. Will shares his diverse background, from being an ad guy to becoming a multi-time startup founder, and stresses the importance of embracing various roles to build a comprehensive skill set. The duo emphasizes that becoming a founder isn't a job you get hir…

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Episode 122: Miki Yokoyama: MD & Partner at Aurum Impact - Family Money. Global Impact. 30:12

5M ago30:12

30:12

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 defin…

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Founder Isolation is Getting Worse 40:22

6M ago40:22

40:22

Ryan and Will talk about the growing isolation that founders are feeling despite having more ways to connect. They delve into how the shift to remote work, the impact of social media, and the rise of AI have contributed to stripping away the humanity from our daily interactions. They share personal experiences and offer insights into why this sense…

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Episode 121: Niklas Terrahe: Co-Founder & CEO of Pick'em - How Pick'em Turned Toothpicks Into a D2C Phenomenon 34:21

6M ago34:21

34:21

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 …

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Forging Founder Confidence 39:22

6M ago39:22

39:22

Ryan and Will discuss the journey of becoming a confident founder. Celebrating their 300th episode, they reflect on how learning to lead and building confidence starts with curiosity. They emphasize asking questions, even seemingly silly ones, to gain knowledge and confidence. Will and Ryan also dive into the importance of challenging oneself incre…

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Episode 120: Antonia Eneh: CEO of Wave Ventures - Gen Z Is Taking Over 26:38

6M ago26:38

26:38

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 generati…

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Is College a Waste of Time for Founders? 41:25

6M ago41:25

41:25

In this episode of The Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the true value of a college education for aspiring entrepreneurs. They explore whether the traditional path through higher education is the best route for those determined to start their own businesses. With personal anecdotes and economic insights, they argue that college may no…