The UrbanTech VC

Today we introduce Norma Jensen a passionate entrepreneur.For over 30 years, she has co-led a traditional family business in Kiel with her husband. Now, she shares her experiences as a mentor for other entrepreneurs. She serves on the board of the Baltic Business Angels SH, mentors at the Käte Ahlmann Foundation and WeStartUp SH, and is a supervisory board member. Additionally, she offers pro bono courses for cancer patients. Just a small disclaimer, this episode will be in german, sorry to all the non german speakers out there.In this episode, you'll learn: The greatest challenges lead to significant personal and professional growth.In successful entrepreneurship, there is no place for ego; communication at eye level with the team is crucial.One of the parallels between parenthood and entrepreneurship is that neither allows for a pause.

Today we are happy to welcome Katharina Wäschenbach, Founder of Dearest, a relationship app that helps millenials achieve healthier relationships, recently acquired by the PIMA Health Group. She also inspires Founders at Femable Ventures and guides entrepreneurial duos at How to be With People.In this episode you'll learn:The importance of entrepreneurial intuition and knowing that if something isn't a clear yes, it's a no.How the greatest growth often occurs during times of uncertainty.The value of consciously using time as a tool, including letting things go quickly and taking time when needed.

In today's episode Mark & KJ jump into the guests' seats, making room for Greg, chairperson of 2bX' Investment Committee to act as host. Listen to the GPs reflecting on the past months at 2bX on the Pod. Sit back and enjoy a fun conversation between the two co-founders and get to know 2bX‘ pure dynamic.In this episode you'll learn:The importance of trust and mutual respect in building successful partnershipsEmbracing change and growth by adding new team membersBalancing different personalities to create a strong and cohesive team

Today we are happy to welcome Christos, DesignDirector at Zaha Hadid Architects. He has worked with the firm since 1998 and has been a lead numerous projects and winning competitions, including most notably the Sterling Prize nominee with the Phaeno Science Center Wolfsburg, nominated by the Guardian Newspaper as one of the 50 best buildings of the 20th century. He has directed more than 250 design projects for the practice, exploring all scales from Large Scale Masterplans to design-innovation led Buildings and transformative Urban Interventions such as the Opus in Dubai and the Eleftheria Square in Cyprus. All his work revolves around the interface between Human and Machine logics and is declared proponent of the Eco-Technological paradigm. His recent work on Sberbank Technopark HQ and Oppo's HQ in Shenzhen feature trendsetting new logics to the organization of office culture and is currently in charge of unique mixed-use and Cultural projects. His motto “Systems make good servants but terrible masters" runs throughout his work ethos.In this episode you'll learn:Taking responsibility for one's surroundings and organizing support systems can enhance resilience and productivity.Every architectural concept is a new venture, requiring the reinvention of the wheel - a process that mirrors the essence of entrepreneurship.Embracing adversity and rising to meet challenges can be a potent recipe for success, emphasizing that the journey, not the destination, is the formative experience.

Today, we are happy to welcome Anna, a successful venture capital investor from Future Energy Ventures. Anna believes addressing climate change and energy transition is the biggest challenge and most exciting investment opportunity over the next decade. She looks forward to the massive impact and great financial returns being generated at FEV.In this episode you'll learn:Lifelong learning and cultivating a supportive network are crucial ingredients for success.A clear vision serves as a guiding light, enabling people to overcome obstacles and challenges.Diversity within a team provides a competitive advantage by bringing a range of perspectives and insights.

Today we are happy to welcome Elena Kirova, a distinguished leader in the sustainability field. With an impressive track record, Elena has played a pivotal role in developing values and community principles that drive business success and cultural growth in Germany. We're excited to hear about her journey, her insights on urban technology, and the wisdom she's gained along the way. Let's dive in!In this episode you'll learn:Conscious acceptance of personal responsibility and emotional control is a profound and empowering moment.While it's natural to avoid difficulties in general, with time, overcoming challenges tends to become easier and quicker.Staying curious and hungry for learning, coupled with actively seeking and leveraging the knowledge and experiences of others, can significantly enrich an entrepreneur's journey.

In today's episode Martijn Balder, Investment Team Lead 2bX, joins Katharina Lind in hosting UTVC, that welcomes Joni Baboci, founder of Layer, an urban orchestration platform that enables cities to plan, design, manage and govern urban environments. At Layer, Joni empowers leaders in delivering cross-disciplinary change to the urban fabric.In this episode you'll learn:Building a city for children can solve many problems in urban areas.Success should be considered a journey, not just the final destination or outcome.The walking speed in cities is directly related to the size of the city.

Today we are happy to welcome Prof. Dr. Harry Wagner, distinguished mobility researcher and expert in smart, sustainable mobility concepts with a focus on intermodal transportation chains. Prof. Wagner emphasizes the need to prioritize human-centric mobility solutions over product-centric approaches. From innovative teaching methods, such as conducting lectures on spinning bikes, to entrepreneurial ventures like founding the Future Mobility Solutions GmbH, he explores diverse avenues to rethink and develop mobility solutions.In this episode you'll learn:Intermodal mobility is under-promoted, with only 5% of travel in Germany currently being intermodal.There is a critical need to focus on the digital layer and foster collaboration among providers - shifting from the default focus on physical layer and capacity measures.A successful mobility turnaround is impossible without the significant involvement of public transport.

In today's episode Mark Harré & Katharina Lind jump on the guests' seats, making room for Gregory Brenninkmeyer, chairperson of 2bX' Investment Committee to act as host. Listen to the GPs reflecting on the fifth season of the UrbanTech VC Podcast, including learnings about their past five guests. Enjoy being part of a fun conversation between the two co-founders and get to know 2bX‘ pure dynamic.In this episode you'll learn:The importance of aligning your pitch with your vision for authenticityThe value of investing in relational business versus transactional businessThe understanding that changes require repetition and don't occur instantly

Today we are happy to welcome Ole Poppinga, Senior Venture Architect of Berlin-based company builder XPRESS Ventures, affiliated with the global contract logistics company FIEGE. Responsible for the deal flow, Ole has been involved in recent investments in HomeRide, Logistikbude, and Apothera. In addition to logistics-related verticals, sustainability and energy are current focus areas.In this episode you'll learn:The influence of energy volatility is underappreciated, but it plays a crucial role in the future of energy consumption and management.Success in energy transformation requires a focus on incremental changes rather than radical shifts.The enthusiasm for B2C solar energy is maturing, leading to a more sober and pragmatic approach to this sector.

Today we are happy to welcome Celeste, leader of EIT Community programs for startups in EIT Urban Mobility. She manages the Supernovas initiative, empowering women in entrepreneurship and investment, the New European Bauhaus Catalyser, an accelerator to promote companies that champion on sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion, and the Jumpstarter, a competition that propels innovative ideas into validated businesses while fostering innovation in Central-Eastern and Southern-European Regions.In this episode you'll learn:EIT Urban Mobility has achieved significant gender equity, investing 47% of funds in 44% companies led by women, greatly surpassing industry averages of less than 2% investment in women-led companies and 5% in mixed-gender teams.As of 2023, EV battery and EV charging are the two sectors attracting the most funding in mobility.A staggering 95% of investment committees are composed solely of men, highlighting a significant gender disparity.

Today we are happy to welcome Jens Thumm, Co-Founder and CEO of Predium. Together with his Co-founders Mohamed Ali Razouane and Maximilian Korner, he has developed an intelligent operating system for decarbonizing real estate. It enables a simple and fast overview of the ESG performance of buildings, action plans for CO2 reduction, and automated reporting, offering a holistic solution for sustainable and profitable real estate companies.In this episode you'll learn:Regulation has the power to initiate change, while its details determine the will and speed of adaptation.A successful founding team needs complementary skills, personal connection, and enjoyable collaboration - before going to the notary to seal the deal.Decisiveness is key to effectively manage a startup and tackle challenges.

Today we are happy to welcome Ewa Lenart, CEO and Co-founder of Howie Systems, emerging startup located in Vienna that specializes in developing an AI-Copilot for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) sector. The company aims to assist architects and engineers in efficiently navigating their past and present data, enabling them to reuse their past drawings and make more informed decisions for future projects.In this episode you'll learn:Architects heavily prioritise quality, while other stakeholders in the built environment often focus more on cost and time.Retaining in-house knowledge has become increasingly crucial due to the decrease in the average tenure in architecture from 8.7 to 2.5 years.A mere 1.5% of construction revenue is invested in innovation, which is 55% less than in any other sector.

Today we are happy to welcome Sebastian Klingberg, Affordable Housing Professional and Surveyor at Savills UK in London. Sebastian undertakes valuations of housing stock in England and consults a wide range of stakeholders such as housing associations, charities, local councils and banks. He is passionate about all matters concerning the affordability and sustainability of housing and emphasises the need to think across sectors, disciplines, borders and indeed ideologies to solve the ongoing European Housing Crisis.In this episode you'll learn:How to make homes more environmentally friendly and reduce carbon emissions by designing smartly, using sustainable materials, and improving energy efficiency.The importance and hurdles of swapping flats for a more equal distribution towards individuals' needs.Low-income households often do not benefit from cost-cutting measures as they tend to not maximize their energy usage during the comparison period and instead increase their consumption when energy costs are cheaper.

Today, we're happy to welcome you to the hosts themselves as guests! Listen to 2bX‘s two GPs reflecting on the forth season of the Urban Tech Podcast, including learnings about their past guests, urban challenges and possible solutions. Enjoy being part of a very honest, personal and fun conversation between two co-founders and get to know their awesome dynamic.In this episode you'll learn:It's crucial to proactively decide on unique funding paths, rather than defaulting to the traditional venture capital route.Understanding cap table dynamics in the context of team dynamics can provide valuable insights.Both first-time founders and serial entrepreneurs can achieve outstanding results, reinforcing that success isn't limited to a specific type of entrepreneur.

Today we are happy to welcome Andreas Schweinar from Dorsch Groupe, a global engineering firm with 9000 employees. Throughout his career, Andreas has focused on high-volume international infrastructure projects, emphasizing business development, structural creation, unit integration, process standardization, and innovative business modelsIn this episode you'll learn:Applying cost to elements can speed up the transition to a more sustainable infrastructure.More trials are necessary in cities with established infrastructure to drive innovation.Autonomous driving could soon be a reality in European cities, but regulatory processes may cause delays.

Dieter Kondek, a tech enthusiast turned entrepreneur, has left indelible marks in the high-tech industry. Dieter is Founder at Transatlantic Capital Partners, an Atlantic Family Office Investment Alliance, connecting Family Offices & UHNWI on both sides of the Atlantic. Dieter is Co-Founder @ Global Blockchain Ventures, a $50m Venture Fund invested in 43 blockchain companies including Inveniam Capital, Kraken, Coinbase, Google Quantum. He was executive with some of the most well-known tech companies in the industry, including IBM, Dell, Computer 2000 (TechData). Dieter is a serial entrepreneur with 4 exits and has successfully raised capital for over $150m in private equity and venture capital. Dieter has moved to the US 20 years ago and is connecting the D.A.CH. and US technology ecosystems since 20 years.In this episode you'll learn:- It's important to have Product Market Fit and first revenues in home market before considering to enter US market.- Raising from US based Super Angels does not only help raising money in the US, but manoevring cultural differences.- Don't underestimate Corporate VC arms in the US.

Today we are happy to welcome Alice Haugh, Built Environment Programme Manager at the Laudes Foundation in Amsterdam. Alice drives system-wide stakeholder collaboration that coordinates European policy makers, industry, finance, and communities to tackle the immense emission levels of the built environment and the direct social consequences. Additionally, she leads strategic design studios within several Architecture Master's courses throughout the Netherlands, passing on her philosophy that all architects must creatively incorporate ecological designs.In this episode you'll:Learn about the concept of the inclusive ESG construct, namely that when you take care of the G (Governance), the S (Social) and the E (Ecological) emerge as by-products.Explore the discrepancy in media coverage and the resulting shift in attention between the housing crisis and the climate crisis.Learn about the Community Land Trust and the mechanisms that can support this initiative and the majority positive impact this model brings.

Today we have Angelos Chronis as our guest. Angelos is the CEO and Co-Founder of Infrared City GmbH as well as Senior Research Engineer at the Austrian Institute of Technology in Vienna and Senior Faculty at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. His work focuses on performative design, simulation, AI and data-driven design and optimization as well as interactive interfaces and AR/VR. He has developed various design and integrated simulation systems, such as InFraReD, a ground-breaking AI-driven climate simulation framework.In this episode you'll learn:The way we assess the value of buildings is crucial for promoting climate-resilient urban design.Maximizing the use of natural resources, such as daylight, should not be overlooked when focusing on emission-free buildings.AI plays a vital role in urban design, connecting natural resources with human interventions to determine the location, type, and approach to construction in cities.

Lieke is the founder of Telling - the design studio for mobility. As experts in usability, Telling helps teams build products that last. Telling understands user motivations and category rules. Services include UX research, design, design operations and strategy development - for digital and physical products and infrastructure. Telling starts with people. Always. Because human motivation endures while technology evolves. In addition to running Telling, Lieke teaches design and urban development at various universities, including the HTW Berlin. She is also involved in women's mobility and the Berlin initiative on school zones.In this episode you'll learn:Gain an understanding of the various tasks and needs people associate with urban mobility, encompassing not only functional but also emotional aspectsRecognise the necessity for urban mobility stakeholders to shift their perspective towards understanding how people utilize urban spacesExplore the significance of technology and data in achieving the objective of enhancing urban mobility and space utilization

Today, we're happy to welcome you to the hosts themselves as guests! Listen to 2bX's two GPs reflecting on the third season of the UrbanTech VC Podcast, including learnings about their past five guests. In this episode on air for the first time: Martijn Balder, another 2bX and UrbanTech enthusiast - he is guiding through this episode today. Enjoy being part of a fun conversation between the two co-founders and Martijn and get to know 2bX's pure dynamic.In this episode you will learn:About the idea for a new superhero movie in which a deteriorating city is savedWhat the weather, chiquita bananas and your posture have in commonWhat to expect of the future of the UrbanTech VC

Today we are happy to welcome Jonathan Müller, architect and managing director of Helix Plant Systems. He is passionate about green architecture and thinks vegetation on buildings will be an essential component of sustainable construction projects to cool urban centers and make them more resilient to the effects of climate change.At HELIX, Jonathan supports the conception, planning, implementation and maintenance of greening facades in order to allow plants to grow in a holistic concept.In this episode you'll learn:- Why it needs an official value of oxygen- Why it is so important that investors experience a Green Wall for real- Why greened facades need tech enabled gardening

Today we are happy to welcome Elisabeth Oswald, partner at StadtLABOR, an innovation laboratory for sustainable and cooperative urban development. StadtLABOR looks for ways in which climate protection, resource conservation and innovation can be given greater consideration in construction projects and in the development of neighborhoods and districts.As an architect, Elisabeth knows the scene in Graz, Vienna and belongs to the rare breed of rebels who achieve a lot while keeping her sympathetic and humorous nature.In this episode you'll learn:- Why projects need a variety of different systems and technologies to gather the data needed- How the collection of ideas of the residents can already be used to induce sustainable mindset- Why moving is such an important timing also in regards to more sustainable travel

Today we are happy to welcome Daniel Hanemann, CEO and Founder at wundertax, the tech startup he co-founded in 2016 and returned to as CEO in 2022. Daniel is a growth-oriented entrepreneur who has founded and built high-growth companies in six countries. He has ten years of international experience scaling businesses with a focus on technology, marketing, finance and venture capital. Daniel is passionate about sustainability, fitness and problem solving, be it relocation or access to government services. Outside of work, Daniel is a comedian best known for his stand-up and improv performances. He believes comedy is the best sideline to a CEO's more serious job of helping taxpayers maximize their tax returns while minimizing tax return time.In this episode you'll learn:- Why taxes are to be considered in an urban context- Mobility as a core lever where tax schemes (could) make a difference- Entrepreneurs see tax breaks as business driver

Today we are happy to welcome Nathalie des Isnards, founder of madamePee, the first mobile urinal designed by women. Nathalie's entrepreneurial project on societal innovation aims at bringing alternative and efficient sanitary solutions for women. Today she joins us to talk about inclusivity on European cities. In this episode you'll learn:What ultramarathons and entrepreneurship have in commonRatio of toilets in public spaces compared to the inhabitants of different EU countriesHow to break the ice when talking to men about women peeing

Today we are happy to welcome Richard, a business angel that have been investing in young companies and entrepreneurs in real estate-specific, commercial, organizational, and corporate law issues. Richard is focused in both classic real estate companies that build up existing portfolios, as well as innovative approaches and proptechs.In this episode you'll learn:- Business Angel see upside of this current market investment → even more investing- Majority of investment opportunities get declined due to missing professionalism of presentation (pitch deck & website)- Founders underestimate the existing market players in the Real Estate Industry - there are a lot of smart market participants with the clear goal to digitise processes

Today, we're happy to welcome you to the hosts themselves as guests! Listen to 2bX‘s two GPs reflecting on the second season of the Urban Tech Podcast, including learnings about their past five guests, urban challenges and possible solutions. Enjoy being part of a very honest, personal and fun conversation between two co-founders and get to know their pure dynamic.In this episode you'll learn:- that focus on gender is important & worth the effort- why we should interrupt more - or not- why is hard to balance ‘enough time' and ‘enough insights'

Today we are happy to welcome Lea Strohm, Co-Founder of Posmo Cooperative and Senior Analyst of Data and AI Ethics at Thomson Reuters. Lea is a data ethicist who's passionate about Digital Ethics & Sustainable Mobility. In this episode you'll learn:- What this not-very-mainstream business model “data cooperative” really is- What data ethic means and what is the role of an ethic counsel- How to build a business around the key value of transparency- How to manage the task of maintaining a high quality data pool while still giving data producers control about what to share and in which context

Today we are happy to welcome Natalia Rincón, Co-Founder & CEO at CHAOS, a location intelligence platform that provides urban forecasts and insights. Unlike existing visualizing tools and data platforms, CHAOS applies innovative technologies, like GIS, AI & Machine Learning. Natalia describes herself as a bold, tenacious, passionate professional focused in Smart Cities. In this episode you'll learn:- that public & private sides are needed to develop sustainable cities- that many of the hotly debated urban planning concepts have been around for decades- why it's relevant if rich people to ride public transport (or not)- why a business stops growing when it stops innovating

Mobility New Designs and Society for Urban Mobility. She is a political entrepreneur, sustainable mobility expert, singer and speaker! Martha is part of the founding team of Young Leaders Academy (in partnership with URBAN FUTURE), a value-driven education and consulting collective by and for the next generation of sustainable urban development. In this episode you'll learn:– what are different concepts & role models mobility wise in Europe (e.g. Pontevedra - but also Aachen)– the role of moderators is essential in projects with citizen participation– without winning citizen's heart it will be hard to get them on board– what characterises political entrepreneurship

Today we are happy to welcome Bernd Oswald, Co-Founder of GROPYUS, a tech-company with a Building Operating System that is the central hub for a fully connected smart home system for both residents and asset holders. Bernd is responsible for Business Development and M&A, and he is shaking up the construction industry.In this episode you'll learn:- number one reason to move out is noise- product touching whole value chain needs a lot of expertise in the team- the role of research and degree of customization- why MVP should not always fulfil the pure minimum requirements

Today we are happy to welcome Juergen Fenk, CEO of Primonial Reim, a key player in the European real estate asset management sector. They are fully aware of the impact of real estate on the planet and society. Primonial integrates Environmental, Social and Governance issues in the company's operations and in the investment solutions that they manage.In this episode you'll learn:- What the general impact of the high inflation environment means for urbantech stakeholders and the real estate industry in particular with Juergen Fenk being an advocate or ESG- We will also discuss the opportunities that the current market environment poses for ESG focused market participants

Today's episode is a special one, as we welcome you to the hosts themselves as guests. Listen to 2bX‘s two GPs reflect on the launch of their podcast, including learnings about being a podcast host but more importantly including an essence of learnings about the first five episodes, urban challenges and possible solutions. Enjoy being part of a very honest conversation between two co-founders and get to know their pure dynamic.In this episode you'll learn:- There is a shared understanding of urban challenges of various stakeholder- Collaboration and interaction between stakeholder is needed to solve all problems- But there's no best practice yet how to tackle that to make it work- Recording and producing a podcast is so very valuable for hosts themselves- Having no guest creates a quite intimate environment leading to very open conversations (or how self-absorbed, sarcastic and brutally honest the hosts talk without having a guest)

Today, we're happy to welcome Caspar Schmitz-Morkramer, Founder and CEO of the internationally active, multiple award-winning architecture studio from Germany that is named after himself. In this episode you'll learn:- about major paradigm shifts in what and how to build in urban environments- what a "no-aliens policy" means in the urban context- why the "classic European city" serves as a model for modern developments- the importance of balancing all three sides of the sustainability triangle

Today, we're happy to welcome Luisa Haxel, co-founder and COO of Evernest, a Tech-Broker that is changing the german real state scenario, combining start-up culture with many years of industry expertise. Luisa is the head of business operations, finance and personnel in Hamburg. In this episode you'll learn:– that buying a pizza via app you usually get more notifications than buying an apartment– how important the image of stakeholders is to create trust and foster collaboration– what is key in stakeholder management

Today we are happy to welcome Fabio Haebel, Founder and CXO of CIRCUS, a ghost kitchen operator. We will be talking about public spaces in urban areas, not the obvious topic for a Michelin star chef and entrepreneur, right? Tune in for more insightful ideas from this amazing guest.In this episode you'll learn:– Why everyone should have an experience officer– Why the use of public spaces is major issue all over the world and what are the implications of moving big companies to the outskirt of cities– How sustainability can play a key role in new projects of public funding– How it is possible to bring classic restaurant food without opening an actual classic restaurant, using ghost kitchens

Today, we're happy to welcome you to Tanja Potezica, an urban planner and researcher with a focus on long-term strategic planning, spatial-economic development and questions around the social vitality of cities. The last few years she has worked for the Municipality of Amsterdam in the R&D department with the most important work being the Metropolitan Plan Amsterdam 2050.In this episode you will learn:- The strategy for innovation districts and why developing research is vital for neighbourhoods- The current urban challenges and why stakeholders involvement can help solve them- The role a CTO (Chief Technology Officer) has within a Municipality

Today, we're happy to welcome you to Thibault Chavanat, Senior Project Manager at the SIGNA Group. He is in charge of the development project ‘Karstadt am Hermannplatz' in Berlin and shared some super interesting insights about the project, Circular Construction and sustainable buildings.In this episode you'll learn:– Why “waste” in old buildings is of surprising high value– How challenging it is to find architects who don't see the re-use of materials from the building itself as limitation, but as opportunity– How discussions about future regulations like the outlook of the CO2 tax coming can lead to creating something new beyond known paths– How the availability of historical, detailed plans of a building can come with both advantages and disadvantages for developers

Hi and welcome to The UrbanTech VC, the go-to podcast for urban leaders shaping the cities of tomorrow. Presented by Katharina Junglass and Mark Harré from 2bX.Every two weeks we will be inviting UrbanTech experts, such as architects, urban planners, urban researchers, NGOs & civil movements, district administration, among others who can provide an expert view on the field. Stay tuned for episodes coming soon!