In this episode, Olaf van der Ven, co-founder and CEO of Orbisk, joins us to discuss how his company is tackling one of the world’s biggest yet most preventable problems: food waste. He reveals surprising facts like how 70% of food waste happens before it even reaches the plate, and shares how AI technology is helping restaurants reduce waste while boosting their bottom line. Olaf also opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, breaking down his unique approach to funding—including the "fake door test"—and how he managed to grow Orbisk from a kitchen table idea to landing major hotel clients.

• [00:02:00] The Wake-Up Call: Breakfast Buffet Sparks an Idea
• [00:05:00] Food Waste: The Shocking Global Impact
• [00:10:00] How Orbisk's AI Tracks Waste Before It Reaches Your Plate
• [00:17:00] Fake Door Test: Olaf’s Strategy for Testing Demand
• [00:18:00] Funding Breakdown: Navigating Bootstrapping vs. Investors

Mattia Montepara, co-founder and CEO of Sibill, breaks down how his fintech startup is making waves by scaling in the competitive small-to-medium business (SMB) sector. From automating financial operations to navigating the complexities of Italy's SMB market, Mattia shares the strategies that have fueled Sibill's rapid growth. Learn how focusing on underserved SMBs, leveraging mandatory e-invoicing, and maintaining strong co-founder alignment have been critical in scaling Sibill’s impact. Perfect for founders looking to scale smart in niche markets.

In this episode of MOMENTUM, we sit down with Alex Rodriguez Bacardit, the founder and CEO of MarsBased, a leading consultancy from Barcelona. Alex shares his entrepreneurial journey, offering insights into the strategic decision to pivot from B2C to B2B and the importance of maintaining authenticity and transparency in business. We also delve into his investment philosophy and how he approaches guiding startups to success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about the startup world, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on sustainable growth and leadership.

• 00:00 Introduction to Alex Rodriguez Bacardit
• 05:00 The Early Days: Influences and Entrepreneurial Roots
• 11:00 From B2C to B2B: Strategic Shifts in Business Models
• 19:00 The Importance of Authenticity in Entrepreneurship
• 28:00 Investing in Startups: Alex’s Approach and Philosophy
• 50:00 Final Thoughts: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

In this episode of MOMENTUM, we sit down with Tommaso Maschera, Director at Plug and Play, the world's largest open innovation platform. Tommaso shares insights into how Plug and Play connects startups with global corporations, driving transformative collaborations across industries like fintech, health, biotech, and more. We explore the unique ecosystem that Plug and Play fosters, the importance of ambition and risk-taking in startups, and the challenges and opportunities in Italy's growing startup scene. Tune in to discover how Plug and Play is powering the next wave of technological breakthroughs and what it takes to succeed in today's fast-paced innovation landscape.

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
  Introduction to the episode and guest, Tommaso Maschera.

• 00:01:00 - About Plug and Play
  Overview of Plug and Play and its global impact.

• 00:03:00 - The Unique Ecosystem of Plug and Play
  How Plug and Play builds and nurtures its ecosystem.

• 00:09:00 - The Importance of Ambition and Risk-Taking
  Discussing the ambition and risk-taking required for startup success.

• 00:16:00 - Challenges in the Italian Startup Ecosystem
  The unique challenges and opportunities for startups in Italy.

• 00:24:00 - Plug and Play’s Support for Startups
  How Plug and Play supports startups and corporate partners.

• 00:35:00 - Successful Collaborations
  Examples of successful collaborations facilitated by Plug and Play.

• 00:37:00 - Emerging Opportunities in Italy
  Discussion on emerging technologies and opportunities in Italy.

• 00:41:00 - Final Thoughts and What Gives Tommaso Momentum
  Tommaso shares what keeps him motivated and his perspective as a VC.

• 00:42:00 - How to Reach Tommaso
  Closing remarks and how to connect with Tommaso.

In this episode, Alexis Monville, leadership coach and co-founder of Pearlside, shares his expertise on nurturing high-impact teams and fostering emerging leaders. Dive into practical strategies for organizational development, change management, and integrating open-source principles to drive collaboration and innovation.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Alexis Monville and Pearlside

02:00 - Journey to Leadership and Organizational Development

04:00 - Adapting Leadership Styles from Startup to Scale-Up

07:00 - Building and Nurturing a Leadership Team

09:00 - Effective Strategies for Managing Organizational Change

12:00 - Integrating Open Source Principles in Startups

17:00 - Transparency and Its Impact on Team Motivation

In this episode of Momentum Makers, we chat with Eric Shaver, managing partner of Kensei Partners, about the ins and outs of securing venture capital for your startup. Eric breaks down what VCs really want to see, why financial modeling is crucial, and how to make sure your pitch hits the mark. He shares practical advice on understanding your market, building a solid team, and the do's and don'ts of engaging investors. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, Eric's insights are invaluable. Join us for an honest, no-nonsense discussion on navigating the startup funding landscape.

00:00 - Introduction to Eric Shaver and Kensei Partners
01:00 - Engaging Executives: Strategies for Startups
03:00 - Key Metrics VCs Look For: Profit and Loss, Market Numbers, Burn Rate
07:00 - Role of the CEO in Securing Funding Rounds
10:00 - Engaging with VCs: What They Really Want
13:00 - The Importance of Addressable Market and Revenue Projections
17:00 - Balancing Ownership and Control with Investor Demands
21:00 - The Value of Objective Advisors in the Funding Process
31:00 - Understanding Cash Flow and Value Drivers
35:00 - Building a Business Case with Financial Models

Alon Chen, CEO and co-founder of TasteWise joins us to discuss how the food industry is using AI and data analytics. Alon reveals why a shocking 89% of new food products fail, and shares how TasteWise is bridging the gap between what consumers crave and what companies create.

We'll also hear about Alon's journey from Google CMO to TasteWise CEO and Co-Founder, his take on the power of predictive analytics, and the resilience needed to thrive as an entrepreneur. Don't miss this episode packed with insights and inspiration for staying ahead in the fast-paced world of food trends.

03:00 - TasteWise's Beginnings and AI Integration

08:00 - Consumer Intelligence and Trends

31:00 - Building a Successful Startup and Innovation

48:00 - Resilience and Leadership in Entrepreneurship

Monique Leonhardt, co-founder of XbyX, a Berlin-based Femtech company dedicated to improving women's health during midlife and beyond. Monique discusses the origins of XbyX, the significant gap in menopause education, and the company's mission to break the taboo surrounding menopause.

Hear about the challenges and successes in Femtech marketing, the importance of educating the public about menopause, and how XbyX supports women through holistic, scientifically grounded products. Monique also shares insights into maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a founder and XbyX’s plans for future growth.

00:00 - Origins of XbyX

07:00 - Differences in Menopause Education Across Countries

15:00 - Marketing Strategies and Target Audience

26:00 - Tackling Misinformation

35:00 - Personal Practices for Health and Balance

40:00 - Motivation and Momentum