Upside

Overview: In this episode of Upside, hosts Dan Bowyer and Mads Jensen, along with guests Andrew Scott and Lomax Ward, delve into their 8 bold predictions for 2025. Covering everything from AI and space tech to geopolitical tensions and venture capital trends, they unpack what’s on the horizon for tech, business, and venture in Europe and beyond.2025 Predictions and Discussions:1. Apple will win AI2. Open AI will be dethroned 3. Conflict with China4. Defence Tech will boom5. EU and UK will wake up and focus sovereign control on AI, Quantum and Space  6. Space tech will really lift off 7. US heads into recession 8. M&A up IPOs up00:00 Introduction to Upside and the Future of AI02:46 Apple's Potential win in Consumer AI06:11 OpenAI dethroned? Leadership and Future Challenges11:49 China, geopolitical Implications of AI and Defence23:52 Defence Tech Investment will boom31:17 Hardware isn't always bad for VCs32:14 UK and EU Sovereign Control and Technological Progress in 202533:39 The Importance of AI, Quantum Computing and Space to Europe35:36 Space Tech really lifts off in 202538:26 Space Manufacturing and 'Why' Exploration42:17 Timings and Market Predictions51:33 The State of European Venture Capital54:26 VC and the Role of Technology in Economic Growth57:15 M&A and IPO Predictions for 2025Key Topics Discussed:Apple’s AI StrategyDan predicts Apple will dominate consumer AI by leveraging its ecosystem, resources, and loyal fan base. Mads questions whether Apple has lost its innovation edge and explores what "winning" consumer AI means.OpenAI's FutureOpenAI faces challenges as competitors like Google, Anthropic, and XAI push forward. The panel discusses leadership struggles, funding needs, and the possibility of new technologies dethroning OpenAI.Geopolitics and DefenceThe impact of China's ambitions toward Taiwan and the West’s response. Defence tech as a booming sector, with increased NATO spending and opportunities in dual-use technologies.Space Tech ExpansionInvestment in space technologies continues, focusing on communication, defence, and manufacturing. The challenges of scaling space ventures and predictions for a more affordable and accessible space economy.Economic Outlook for 2025US economic trends point to a possible mild recession, while Europe faces stagnation due to political and economic challenges. Insights into concentrated stock markets, corporate performance, and venture investment trends.M&A and IPO ResurgencePent-up demand for M&A deals and a likely reopening of the IPO market in 2025, with companies like Klarna leading the charge.The European Venture LandscapeChallenges in scaling European startups and the need for founders to integrate US business DNA early. Calls for greater ambition to build trillion-dollar companies and reinvigorate Europe’s industrial base.Memorable Quotes:Dan Bowyer: “Apple’s ecosystem gives it a fighting chance to become the de facto standard for consumer AI.”Mads Jensen: “Europe needs to back great founders and rebuild its industrial base.”Andrew Scott: “Space tech is the future, but timing is everything. A lot of startups will fail before the sector truly takes off.”Closing Thoughts:The panel concludes with their personal focus areas for 2025, emphasising a love for early-stage European founders, the need for industrial reinvention, and how we can push boundaries in venture capital.

In this episode we review significant events of 2024, focusing on the rise of AI, the challenges Europe faces in building its own AI infrastructure, and the political and economic landscape shaped by the recent elections. We chat venture capital trends, the impact of geopolitical shifts in the Middle East, and the future of TikTok amid national security concerns. Altman and Musk face off while Elon builds Colossus.The AI war heats up in big tech Is Labour competent enough to build business in Britain?Should Europe build chips?The Bitcoin Act.Will Trump Switch us off?The Trump sugar high. Coming to Europe?Will TikTok go down to Chinatown?More M&A means more business, recycling, investmentAgentic workflows to impact the EnterpriseMore IPOs in 2025.The geopolitical landscape in the Middle East & implications for us all.2024 inc VC was volatile but performed well. How?00:00 2024: The Year of AI Ascendancy - Musk builds Colossus.05:48 Europe's AI Infrastructure Challenge12:12 Political Landscape and Economic Predictions18:03 Venture Capital Trends in 202424:02 Geopolitical Shifts in the Middle East29:58 The Future of TikTok and National Security35:58 Looking Ahead: Startups and IPOs in 2025

Mads and I chatting this week about all things VC, investing, startup affecting Europe,Can the UK govt really think like a startup? Should it?The British DOGE.No one in the Labour govt has ever run a business. Matter?Why China's downturn will batter Europe.The European brain drain - is it real?Freedom of movement, is it coming back?Quantum is here, or is it.The old guards are coming out to solve Quantum.Can startups survive red ocean? If so how?Execution vs Novel.European startup of the week - Stegra.Why green steel is so important.

We're in a studio this week, sounding joojie. Mads and I discussing this week's news, views and thoughts around Europe, startup, and investing. What's moving the needle, what's not, and why.The Decline of Europe’s Automotive Industry◦ The shift from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs).◦ Why Chinese automakers are dominating global markets.◦ Can Europe recover, or is the industry destined for slow decline?Trillion-Dollar Companies: Can Europe Compete?◦ Why Europe has yet to produce a trillion-dollar company.◦ Strategic importance of big tech companies for economic growth and national influence.◦ Key sectors that could drive Europe's first trillion-dollar success: biopharma, quantum technology, and energy.China vs. the US: The Resource War◦ The implications of China restricting exports of critical metals like gallium and germanium.◦ How this trade war impacts Europe and global supply chains.◦ The importance of resource independence and domestic production.The AI Cage Match: Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman◦ The history of OpenAI, its pivot to a for-profit model, and Musk’s fallout.◦ The rise of XAI and the battle for AI supremacy.◦ Will Nvidia face real competition in the AI chip market?Founder Corner: The Psychology of Founders◦Insights into founder breakups and the challenges of building a startup.◦How Europe’s culture of risk aversion may hinder innovation.◦The importance of supporting founders to build resilient, long-term businesses.Bitcoin and Morality◦A heated debate about the ethics of Bitcoin and its role in the economy.◦Speculation, regulation, and the future of cryptocurrencies.◦Does Bitcoin represent humanity’s worst impulses, or is it a driver of innovation?