Podcasts about techchill

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 PhilosophyThe Future of Fundraising in the RegionBuilding High-Growth Startups in a Competitive LandscapeDefense Tech and Its Investment Potential==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/pursuitofscrappinessFind all episodes on >  https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/===============Support the show

Encouraging New Startups in the BalticsOne of TechChill's main goals is to inspire and support new startup founders in the Baltic region. With over €60 million in new funding available, there's never been a better time for entrepreneurs in Latvia and beyond to launch their ideas. TechChill is positioning itself as a key player in guiding these founders by providing expert-led content on business growth, funding, and scaling strategies.A Shift Toward Practical, Founder-Focused ContentWhile TechChill has always prioritized startups, the event has refined its focus on delivering content that directly benefits founders. From sales and marketing to tech and funding, each aspect of the event is designed to help early-stage companies grow. By packaging these insights into accessible sessions, TechChill ensures that attendees leave with actionable knowledge.Expanding Beyond Events: A Year-Round Startup Support NetworkTechChill is more than just a once-a-year event. Throughout the year, the organization promotes Baltic startups internationally, helping them gain exposure in key markets like San Francisco and Helsinki. By connecting founders with investors and global tech leaders, TechChill plays a crucial role in strengthening the region's startup ecosystem.Lessons from Expanding into ItalyTechChill's attempt to expand into Milan was an eye-opening experience. While the event was well-received, it highlighted the importance of having strong local partners to build a lasting community. Cultural and business differences also played a role, making it clear that successful ecosystem building requires deep local engagement. This experience reinforced TechChill's commitment to focusing on the Baltics while selectively exploring high-impact collaborations.Supporting Ukraine's Startup EcosystemTechChill has also taken an active role in supporting Ukraine's startup community. Recognizing Ukraine's strong talent pool and growing entrepreneurial spirit, TechChill has facilitated connections between Baltic and Ukrainian founders, investors, and community builders. Their efforts, including trips to Kyiv and partnerships with local stakeholders, aim to create meaningful opportunities for Ukrainian startups despite ongoing challenges.TechChill's evolution reflects a broader mission: to make the Baltics a thriving hub for innovation. By fostering new startups, offering hands-on learning, and expanding international connections, it continues to shape the future of the region's tech ecosystem. Find Julija Jegorova on:LinkedIn: Julija Jegorova Find Ben on:LinkedIn: Ben CostantiniTwitter/X: @bencostantini Be sure to follow Sesamers on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for more cool stories from the people we catch during the best Tech events!

HeavyFinance incentivizes farmers to adopt climate-friendly practices by providing financial support for the transition from conventional to regenerative farming.  Founder Laimonas Noreika, with a background in FinTech, was inspired to start the company after learning about the financial challenges faced by farmers, he said in an interview on sidelines of TechChill conference in Riga. HeavyFinance has evolved from a lending business to a climate-focused enterprise, leveraging a business model based on Verra standards to issue carbon credits to farmers who sequester CO2. They are now active in six European markets and are launching an Article 9 fund to further support regenerative farming practices.  The company aims to create a financial ecosystem tailored for farmers, offering products like green loans to facilitate the switch to sustainable farming, with the ultimate goal of scaling up to meet the significant financial needs of small and medium farms across Europe. The company is working on unlocking institutional capital and launching a securitization deal, with plans to expand its support and educational efforts in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raidījumā Pievienotā vērtība runājam par inovācijām militārajās un aizsardzības tehnoloģijās. Pirms gadiem pieciem šādu ideju attīstībai dabūt finansējumu bija teju neiespējamā misija, tagad, saprotamu iemeslu dēļ, situācija ir mainījusies.  Aizvadītajā nedēļā Rīga čumēja un mudžēja no dažādiem investoriem, jaunuzņēmumiem, tehnoloģiju uzņēmumu dibinātājiem, jo galvaspilsētā norisinājās starptautiska jaunuzņēmumu un tehnoloģiju konferences “TechChill 2024”. Šoreiz viens no galvenajiem konferences uzsvariem – aizsardzības joma – inovācijas un investīcijas tajā. Vēl pirms pāris gadiem tabu tēma nozarē, saka par Latvijas jaunuzņēmumu kopienas krusttēvu dēvētais fonda „Change Venture” partneris Andris K. Bērziņš.

TechChill Milano 2023, la seconda edizione dell'evento internazionale community driven del mondo tech-startup, i round di BeDimensional e BeSafe Group, i supercomputer europei per le startup AI e la competition startup della UEFA Champions League

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During the fireside chat, we will explore a variety of topics related to Web3 and how big brands can leverage it. This will include a discussion of the steps brands can take to enter the Web3 space, the changing approach of brands towards consumers in the context of Web3, and the potential for industries such as transportation, government, health, and real estate to benefit from Web3 technology. In addition to these topics, we will also delve into the regulatory landscape in the EU and discuss the potential implications of GDPR and the recently passed MiCA regulation for brands interested in entering the Web3 space. Speakers:

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Media are a valuable partner in your startup's growth, but navigating the ins and outs of media relations is far from obvious. In this panel, we'll discuss the best practices to work with media to get your story out there, so that you can skip the learning curve. Speakers:

Startups live in ongoing turbulence and uncertainty. Surviving crisis after crisis is part of the entrepreneur's journey. But the war in Ukraine also created a human crisis well beyond what any of us expected. Suddenly at Startup Wise Guys we found ourselves calling our 46 Ukrainian portfolio companies and asking them if they were alive. Bogdan was right before living the startup dream. Having raised a pre-seed round, growing their MRR nicely and 5 Leading Ukrainian retailers as customers. Suddenly he found himself and his company NeoCurrent with nothing. It took courage and drive, to move to the UK and started rebuilding the startup. How do you deal with that? You need to think, this is not the end, it is a new beginning. Speaker:

What I learned after delivering 161 NAFO trucks to Ukraine soldiers. Speaker:

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The session will dive into the impact of MiCA regulation on market events and participants as well as what we can learn from FTX fall and how to be prepared for new game rules. Marine & Karolis will discuss if and in what way will we see the symbiosis of traditional and crypto finance, CyberSec risks in crypto business and customer protection and its impact on financial stability and the banking system. Speaker:

Exploring recent development of large language models. What it means for knowledge workers and are there risks for wider society? Speaker:

In his speech, Martin Gauss will address airBaltic's journey towards tokenization, which has led to successful implementation of NFTs into their customer loyalty program. This achievement has positioned airBaltic as the world's first airline to utilize web3-based solutions in attracting new passengers. This is not a story of a suddenly born miracle, but a continuous and purposeful development of the company's customer experience and loyalty offers, keeping up with the latest digital trends and refreshing the travel industry. A case study and plans for the future. Speaker:

Compelling, authentic and emotionally resonant stories are the basis of pretty much everything we believe in. Buying is based on emotions and stories evoke emotions. We remember great stories. They are an incredible tool of persuasion, a real superpower! Stories help others see your point and join in with you to reach your goals both as individuals and teams, in business and personal life. Speaker:

In the race to create global technology leaders, Europe needs to spawn solutions to address the funding gap and better connect different start-up ecosystems. This is why in the recent years Europe has boosted investments allowing its start-ups to expand their opportunities by acting as key job creators and talent enablers, providing an answer to the equity-funding gap. Speaker:

While some claim there are challenges to the widespread adoption of blockchain technology, such as energy consumption and scalability issues, there is no doubt that it has the potential to change the world in various ways. Decentralization, transparency, security, trust and efficiency are all among the promises that blockchain technology offers to deliver. How to navigate the hype vs value? How to invest in blockchain startups? Is blockchain changing the philosophy of internet users? Find out what investors and startups among other ecosystem participants think about these questions and beyond. Don't miss out! Speakers:

When it comes to building startup ecosystems, many factors come into play. In this session, we will explore several factors that are important to consider when building ecosystems such as cultural elements, building trust, governmental involvement, key metrics to effectively measure progress and the impact of success stories. Speakers:

In this keynote, we'll explore the challenges and opportunities that AI presents for startups, as well as the role that providers could play in enabling AI innovation. We'll discuss the cost of running AI at scale, the need for new hardware, and the pressure on startups to prove their capabilities. This is an exciting time to be a part of the AI revolution, and startups are playing a vital role in shaping its future. Join us for this keynote to learn more. Speaker:

The future is generative and AI will dramatically change creative production as we know it. While automation and generative design technology will save a lot of time for branding teams, who will be able to spend less time on tedious tasks such as creating repetitive logo spacings, patterns, do's and don'ts examples and instead, teams can focus their efforts on landing a bigger impact. Are AI technologies replacing part of the startup team or will it serve as a copilot? Speaker:

Building your first MVP, sales strategy, pitch or even talking to first customers - every founder is experiencing all these things & most of them make decisions based on ‘rational' data, which leads to cognitive biases & failing. Let's talk about hidden cognitive biases which affects founder's wellbeing, company revenue, customer behaviour & even fundraising Speaker:

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, it is playing an increasingly important role in cybersecurity. This panel discussion will delve into the synergies between AI and cybersecurity, the risks associated with their integration, and the opportunities for businesses and organizations. Speakers:

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Military technology has long been taboo among startup investors. However, as security and defence have risen to the forefront, the past year has driven more interest in new technology in the field and signalled more openness from investors to look into companies in the sector, especially dual-use hardware such as drones and cybersecurity. This panel discussion will explore the reasons behind this trend, its potential implications, and the challenges and opportunities for startups and VCs in this sector. Speakers:

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation between a first-time founder and an exited founder as they share their experiences and insights on the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Learn from the challenges and successes of the first-time founder in launching their startup, and gain valuable lessons from the exited founder on what it takes to build and sell a successful company. This engaging panel discussion will provide you with a unique perspective on the different stages of entrepreneurship and offer actionable advice for your own startup journey. Speakers:

What's the impact on your business of understanding yourself better? How do your past experiences shape the leader you are now? When money is tight, why would you spend it on coaching or therapy? Founders talk about their transformative experiences with therapy and coaching and how this impacted their business success. Speakers:

In this talk, Pavel will cover three aspects of unit economics: 1) forecasting profits, 2) optimizing your product, 3) assessing market sustainability.In short, understanding unit economics can help project your business's profitability. It is also helpful in determining the overall soundness of a product, providing evidence to suggest whether it's overpriced or undervalued. Finally, it is particularly adept at analyzing a product's future potential. For this reason, many startup founders and co-founders rely heavily on unit economics in the early stages of business development to measure their overall market sustainability. Speaker:

Is SexTech still taboo? Join Ana Wolsztajn and Farah Kabir, Co-Founder of sexual and intimate wellness challenger brand HANX, for a no-holds-barred discussion about the challenges and triumphs of innovating outside the norm. From challenging outdated attitudes in VC, to using community to bust stigma, get Farah's candid insights into growing the business - and where she finds motivation and resilience to take on the condom corporates. Speaker:

Pretty much every company these days has adopted a value that suggests something along the lines of 'put the customer first' or 'we're a customer-led organization'. But how do you make sure that the well-intentioned words on your walls and intranets are actually meaningful? How do you REALLY be a company that lives for your customers? With more than two decades of experience leading teams that have lived this mantra at Amazon and now Printify, Scott Richardson is here to give you real, practical tips and war stories that can help you put your desire for a customer-obsessed culture into practice. Speaker:

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Get your investment hats on and join us at TechChill's "Race to Invest in CEE" panel, where we'll be diving into the wild world of investing in Central and Eastern Europe! We've got a lively group of investors ready to spill the beans on their strategies for success, and share their most exciting investment stories. It's going to be a fun and informative ride - buckle up! Speakers:

2023 poses challenges to everyone. Having pursued growth (often) at unsustainable costs, the market is now resetting and requiring a shift towards efficient growth and the ability to generate profits. What does it mean for fast-growing companies? How do they adapt to changing market preferences and what can we learn from them? Our panelists, Petr, a founder of Lokalise, and Andrius, a Partner and Deputy CEO at Revolut will share what has enabled their companies to be in a strong position today, despite the market turbulence. They will discuss the organizational challenges they faced, their evolving hiring practices, and what success looks like for them in 2023. Speakers:

Healthcare, being in need of innovations, is one of the most conservative industries out there. Together with technical and regulatory challenges, this brings us to the point where collaborations happen in slow cycles. Health data is perceived as oxygen for cultivating innovations in the industry. Utilizing and opening data can benefit not only the startups and industrial/academic innovators, but also empower patients and healthcare professionals. During the panel discussion, we will share the state-of-art on data use, best practices from Nordic countries, and will dive into the topic of how opening up data and creating cross-border collaboratives can help us erase the borders to be at the forefront of innovations in the healthcare space. Speakers:

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Psychedelics are emerging as a promising treatment option for complex mental health conditions, and startups in the field are leading the charge in disrupting traditional approaches to mental health care. But despite early success, regulatory restrictions challenge the ability to scale beyond the test environment. Find out the latest trends for psychedelics, the learnings from existing trials, and what's on the horizon. Speakers:

Join us for a fireside chat with Kiwie, where we will explore the artist's journey and how technology has enabled their projects and growth. In this session, we will dive into the exciting world of Web3 and how it is revolutionizing the creator economy. From blockchain-based marketplaces to NFTs, we will discuss how these emerging technologies are empowering artists to monetize their work and build sustainable careers. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain insights and inspiration from Kiwie's experience and expertise. Speaker:

We have the technologies to leap toward solving the climate crisis. But the key to resolving the challenges we face is scaling them. In this discussion, we'll hear insights from climate tech founders on their approach, lessons learned, and challenges they've faced along the way. Speakers:

Gain insights into the unique lifestyle, sacrifices, and dynamics of being the partner of a startup founder. From late nights to emotional rollercoasters, this conversation offers an authentic look at what it feels like to be behind the scenes of startup creation. Whether you're a founder's partner yourself or simply curious, this panel promises to provide a thought-provoking discussion on the realities of supporting a startup founder, including how high-ambition working couples navigate their relationships. Speakers:

Companies of the future will naturally focus on the environment and impact to be able to make a business for hundreds of years, said Alex Felman from Felman Family Office.Learn more about family offices and what makes the investment firms of family wealth different from venture capitalist investors from the episode recorded on the sidelines of the TechChill conference in Riga.**A few key takeaways from Alex Felman:**I believe that most companies moving forward will have to be very impact- or environmentally-oriented with how they do business. **For example, we tend to invest to exit. And, I mean, that could be five years, it can be 15 years, it could be 20 years.Generally speaking, you probably want to have an investor who, once they're on the ride, is there until the ride runs out. It's probably an investor you want. **Looking at more environmental sustainability issues, we are actually looking at problems of these longer timeframes that may not fit into a more standard kind of VC timeframe. **If you're only trying to optimize for financial gain, it puts a very narrow perspective on your investment space. But suppose you're maximizing for other things or multiple things. In that case, it gives you much more flexibility to consider investment opportunities that you wouldn't consider otherwise. **

Startups creating new materials, including for food industries, can have a significant climate impact, making them interesting targets for the Nordic investment firm Inventure,  partner Tuomas Kosonen said in an interview on the sidelines of the TechChill startup conference in Riga in late April 2022.Inventure is a Helsinki-headquartered seed-stage investor, known for its investments in companies like Wolt and Swappie.**A few key takeaways from Tuomas Kosonen:**We are not an impact investor. We are a pure financial investor, but in the past years, all ESG-related topics have raised their meaning, coming from all also from the portfolio and from LPs. We have to be very aware of all these topics.**That's something that is like super important on the agenda of pension funds, insurance companies, and public money. And, of course, it is super nice to see what kind of impact money can make. So if the big money or institutional investors would not care for it, most of the investors, at least, wouldn't put that much effort into that one. But actually, you might not even qualify for the money, like the LP commitment, if you're not part of that.**Especially what we have done in the past is on new materials, so like, plastic replacement, or like carbon nanotubes. That's something that has a huge environmental impact. So that's something we are now looking for in the coming two years. **Food-related companies will have a direct impact line quite fast, much faster, some material technologies. And then the food, I guess, is superheated as well. Yes, and we have looked at meat replacement companies; unfortunately not invested single one of them yet. There have been some quite interesting ones.

Stockholm-headquartered Norrsken VC is on a mission to find not just unicorns but impact unicorns, startups valued at over $1 billion which at the same time can impact the lives of more than 1 billion people, Agate S. Freimane said on the sidelines of TechChill startup conference in Riga. The VC firm was born out of Norrsken Foundation – a non-profit foundation founded in 2016 by Niklas Adalberth, co-founder of Klarna -  with the belief that entrepreneurs building rapidly scalable businesses are our best bet to solving the hardest and biggest problems of our time.**A few key takeaways from Agate S. Freimane:**"Why we coined the term unicorn was because it was so rare. And these days, it's not that rare anymore. The bar has lowered, though, I think, impact unicorn is still pretty rare ... it's a really high bar."**"Even if you have a very deep, meaningful impact, if you don't have a strong business model, you're not able to attract capital - you're not able to grow. So hence, you don't really scale your impact."**"Maybe someone says that there are just not enough startups in this space. It's also because a lot of entrepreneurs thought that there's no point starting these businesses, that there is no capital, and it's kind of what comes first, you know, exactly the chicken or egg. Do the startups come first or capital? Maybe at the moment, there is a lot of capital, but that's just going to inspire more entrepreneurs to dare to actually start businesses in these sectors."**"I think Europe is at the forefront of the climate tech movement globally. What I see right now is that Europe is at the forefront of the public sector and the regulatory environment for taxonomy. And so we see in Europe, more so than anywhere else in the world regulation pushing big old school businesses on the path of sustainability. But the reality is that a lot of these businesses don't have the tools to achieve this. And then, it's up to the startups to fill that gap to enable the industries to shift."**

This episode I cover my recent trip to Riga and Tech Chill, a wonderful startup and tech event in the Latvian capital of Riga. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/chinchillasqueaks/message

This week, Amy calls in from Riga, and tells us about the Latvian startups she's met at TechChill — turns out wind-turbine-fixing robots are big business! We discuss the latest in startup news, including the ‘world's largest' facility opening for cow-free milk and on-demand tailoring app Sojo raising £. After that, we talk to fintech reporter Amy O'Brien about the latest wave of fintechs targeting underserved communities, including migrants, international workers and… seafarers! Finally, Amy (Lewin — not O'Brien) interviews Nord Security cofounder and co-CEO Tom Okman about their recent mammoth $100m raise.