Best Startups.com Podcasts (2025)

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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

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1d 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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Episode 133: Marco Trombetti: Co-Founder & CEO of Translated and Pi Campus – AI, Optimism & Naivety 23:56

8d 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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Matt Wilson, Managing Director at Allied Venture Partners. The Angel Investor 20:49

10d ago20:49

20:49

In Between Meetings, Matt Wilson shared his path from founder to investor and the lessons that shape how he leads Allied Venture Partners today. He explained the importance of balancing empathy with objectivity, building a strong investment thesis, and why early traction matters. Matt also reflected on Calgary’s angel ecosystem, his early investmen…

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Will the Payout be Worth the Sacrifice? 44:13

11d 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

16d 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

17d 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

22d 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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Craig D’Cruze, COO at Inverted Ventures. The Chef-Turned Investor 21:43

24d ago21:43

21:43

In Between Meetings, Craig D’Cruze shared his path from professional chef to venture capital, beginning with his teenage stock trading. He discussed the firm’s investment thesis targeting legacy industries, how he evaluates founders, and the strengths of Calgary’s collaborative startup ecosystem. Craig also emphasized the importance of celebrating …

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When is Enough, Enough? 40:37

25d 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

29d 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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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Nima Najand, Sr. Director of Innovation Hubs at Innovate Calgary. The Hub Builder 20:41

2M ago20:41

20:41

In between meetings, Nima Najand, reflected on Calgary’s fast-changing innovation landscape. From starting as a volunteer intern after a PhD in medical genetics to launching the Life Sciences and Aerospace Innovation Hubs, Nima’s journey mirrors the ecosystem’s growth. He highlighted stronger early-stage support, a persistent gap in scaling capital…

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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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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Clark Lai, CEO at Motiv. The Corporate Innovator 23:35

3M ago23:35

23:35

In Between Meetings, Clark Lai, CEO of Motiv, shared how his journey from self-taught programmer to entrepreneur led to founding a venture builder tackling slow corporate innovation. Motive helps companies identify opportunities, build products, and drive results through diverse teams, tailored strategies, and a focus on quick wins. Takeaways: Tech…

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

3M 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

3M 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…

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Episode 119: Zoltan Vardy: Creator of The Launch Code - Startup Sales Made Simple 32:22

3M ago32:22

32:22

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 Pr…

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Are We Preventing Our Startup From Evolving? 29:10

3M ago29:10

29:10

The realities of evolving a startup. Ryan and Will discuss how the first idea is rarely the final solution, sharing insights on how to navigate the pivoting process. Using Uber and their own experiences at startups.com as examples, they explore the dangers of clinging to an initial plan and the importance of staying open to change. They also touch …

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Episode 118: Ash Arora: Partner at LocalGlobe - From Delhi to Top VC 34:45

4M ago34:45

34:45

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 bey…

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Building a Startup That Loves You Back 31:12

4M ago31:12

31:12

Ryan and Will delve into the complexities of maintaining a healthy relationship with your startup. They discuss their personal experiences and challenges in balancing the demands of a startup with personal well-being. Will shares an incredulous story about a friend enjoying a Tuesday afternoon in the pool, leading to a broader discussion on the imp…

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Episode 117: Meiran Galis: Founder & CEO of Scytale - Think Compliance Is Expensive? Try No Compliance 29:33

4M ago29:33

29:33

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 cu…

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When Our Friends Resent Our Success 43:01

4M ago43:01

43:01

Ryan and Will discuss the surprising reactions founders often face when they achieve success. They explore how unexpected resentment from friends and peers can arise, why it happens, and how to navigate these tricky social waters. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, they delve into balancing humility and openness about success while st…

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When Our Startup Outgrows Us 25:59

4M ago25:59

25:59

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast,Ryan and Will delve into the emotional journey of startup founders who feel out of place in the very companies they built from scratch. They discuss the guilt and struggle founders experience when their roles change and they no longer enjoy their jobs. They share personal anecdotes and examine the impa…

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Episode 116: Christian Noske: Partner at NGP Capital - Europe's Wake Up Moment 27:17

4M ago27:17

27:17

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 L…

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Episode 115: Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve: Co-Founder & CEO of Alan - Live A Longer, Better Life 37:21

4M ago37:21

37:21

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 t…

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When Being in the 1% Feels like Failure 34:27

4M ago34:27

34:27

Ryan and Will discuss the psychological challenges founders face by constantly looking ahead and rarely celebrating their achievements. They explore how important it is for founders to practice gratitude and recognize their progress, even if their ultimate goals haven't been reached. The conversation delves into personal experiences, including Ryan…

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We Need Outside Interests that Consume Us 50:24

5M ago50:24

50:24

Dive into the common struggle founders face with burnout and the inability to truly relax. Ryan and Will share their personal experiences and discuss how traditional relaxation methods often fail for them. Instead, they highlight the importance of finding other meaningful and challenging obsessions outside of work to channel their energy. From wood…

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Episode 114: David Nothacker: Co-Founder & CEO of Sennder - What's the Future of Logistics? 23:12

5M ago23:12

23:12

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 busin…

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Kimberly Rothenberg, President at Lagree YYC. The Personal Trainer 21:53

5M ago21:53

21:53

In a recent Between Meetings episode, Kimberly Rothenberg, president of Lagree YYC, shared her transition from financial services to personal training after the birth of her first daughter. She opened Lagree YYC after discovering the Lagree workout in New York, seeing it as a perfect fit for Calgary. Kimberly discussed balancing business growth wit…

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You probably should be TERRIFIED. At least a bit.. 31:19

5M ago31:19

31:19

Ryan and Will discuss the prevalent fear in the market due to economic uncertainty in April 2025. They delve into how fear is a constant companion for founders and argue that it's not a weakness but a strength. Drawing on personal experiences, including public speaking and risky business moves, they illustrate how leaning into fear can drive massiv…

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Episode 113: Claudia de la Riva: CEO of Apolo Kids - Empowering Every Child's Way Of Learning 19:25

5M ago19:25

19:25

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…

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Make Money First - Then Make a Product 41:00

5M ago41:00

41:00

In this episode, Ryan and Will discuss the common misconception that startups need funding before generating revenue. They emphasize that the actual business isn't just the product but the revenue it generates. The discussion covers various strategies to bootstrap and generate cash flow, including building a minimal viable product, offering related…

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Episode 112: Yaron Valler: Founder & Partner at Target Global - How Immigration Can Save Europe 39:00

5M ago39:00

39:00

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 Ya…

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It's really HARD to REPEAT A WIN 31:25

5M ago31:25

31:25

Will and Ryan discuss the dangerous mindset founders can fall into after hitting it big with their startups. They reflect on the story of Peter Chesky, co-founder of Wish, who became a billionaire during the tech IPO boom of early 2021 but saw his net worth plummet as the company's stock tanked. The episode emphasizes the importance of treating any…

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Episode 111: Tim Draper on Startups, Bitcoin, Governance & Space Exploration 42:17

5M ago42:17

42:17

This week on the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Tim Draper, a legendary billionaire venture capitalist. Tim founded Draper Associates, DFJ and the Draper Venture Network, a global network of venture capital funds. He funded Baidu, Tesla, Skype, SpaceX, Twitch, Hotmail, Focus Media, Robinhood, Athenahealth, Box, Cruise Automa…

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Stephanie Horner, AVP, Banking at RBCx. The Capital Growth Specialist 24:36

5M ago24:36

24:36

In a recent episode of Between Meetings, I interviewed Stephanie Horner from RBCx in Calgary about her work supporting startups within the growing tech community. She explains RBCx's unique approach to assisting high-growth tech companies, the key factors that determine whether startups thrive or struggle, and the advantages of the Canadian startup…