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Upside

Podcast Upside
Dan Bowyer - SuperSeed
This week's happenings in startup and investing land. Getting underneath VC, and discussing how to better support the European startup eco-system. Every week we...

Available Episodes

5 of 25
  • Upside #24 - Fact Check This, European Unicorns, Should Govt Invest in Startups? Digits For Who?
    In this insightful episode, Dan, Mads, and Lomax tackle some of the most pressing topics in tech, venture capital, and global business, diving into issues like Europe's chip dependency, the evolving role of AI in VC, the future of social media moderation, and the rising stars in the European startup scene.Europe’s Semiconductor StrugglesThe problem: Europe's lag in semiconductor production compared to global competitors like the US and China.  Key insights: Germany's halted Intel plant and Europe’s high energy costs exacerbate its strategic vulnerability. Lack of coordinated funding—only €4 billion from Brussels compared to $142 billion in China.The Role of AI in Venture CapitalFuture of VC: Will AI become a co-pilot, augmenting human decision-making, or could we see fully automated "Quant VC"?  Predictions: AI can streamline processes like sourcing and due diligence. Human interaction remains crucial for founder evaluation and post-investment support.Social Media, Free Speech, and ModerationMeta’s Shift: Meta moves away from fact-checking in favour of community notes in the US but not the EU due to stricter regulations. Broader themes: The challenges of moderating social platforms in a way that balances free speech with preventing harm.European Startups and UnicornsPositive trends: Europe saw 13 new unicorns in 2024, doubling from the previous year. Highlights include: Diverse representation: Companies from across sectors and countries. Notable names: Kraken (Octopus Energy's SaaS platform) and Bending Spoons (creative suite apps).  Government’s Role in Venture Capital Debate: Should government funding for startups taper off as private markets mature? Key takeaways: Europe needs institutional capital to match the US. Government initiatives like the British Business Bank’s Enterprise Capital Fund have shown positive results.  NVIDIA and the Future of ComputingJensen Huang’s unveiling of Digits, a $3,000 AI supercomputer for developers.  Discussion on Moore’s Law breaking down and NVIDIA’s innovative approach to integrated computing systems.Closing ThoughtsThe evolving tech and VC landscape demands adaptability from all players.  Europe must focus on creating favourable conditions for founders to build globally competitive startups. Excitement for 2025 as AI and foundational tech continue to reshape industries.With HostsDan: The optimist, ready to embrace AI's potential in VC.  Lomax: The realist, emphasising the importance of human connection and strategy.  Mads: The strategist, diving deep into the broader implications of industry trends.  00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview06:13 Intel's Challenges and European Dependency12:01 The Evolution of Free Speech on Social Media18:05 Anthropic's Growth and Valuation in AI32:26 The Future of Open Source and AI Funding39:36 Government's Role in Venture Capital53:56 Success Stories in the UK Startup SceneTune in next week for more insights into the world of tech, startups, and European venture capital! 
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  • Upside #23 - Some not so obvious predictions for 2025
    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.
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  • Upside #22 - The News Behind 2024's Biggest Tech Headlines
    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
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  • Upside #21 - UK Govt to act like a startup? Why China's downturn matters here. The EU Brain drain - is it real? A quantum leap, and green steel.
    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.
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  • The Seed #20 - Euro-Autocrash, Euro-(no)Doom, Europe's 1st Trillion $tartup, Musk v Altman
    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?
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About Upside

This week's happenings in startup and investing land. Getting underneath VC, and discussing how to better support the European startup eco-system. Every week we share what's been on our mind and get under the skin of VC, investing, startups and founder psychology. From the team behind SuperSeed who invest in technical teams solving difficult business problems. The network is run on LinkedIn so join me there - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbowyer/With full interview audio and video uploaded to all major outlets. Love to hear from you - [email protected] 
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