Conversations about Berlin's startups, founders and technology, with Emilia and Erik. Product ideas, customer problems and the decisions behind building a company. Episodes in English, with new releases scheduled daily at 07:00 Stockholm time.
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When you hear about Berlin these days, do you still picture early-stage software hackers, or has the focus quietly shifted toward big, physical, long-term infrastructure projects? Honestly, both seem to be happening at the same time, but under very different pressures. The venture side feels quite cautious, while the city itself is signing massive property deals.
Today we're taking a broader look at practical decisions founders face across European hubs, from Berlin to Stockholm, especially around validating demand before building a single feature. It sounds obvious, but it is still where so many teams stumble. You talk to five people, they say your concept sounds fantastic, and you immediately start writing code.
Erik, when people talk about building a tech giant today, the assumption is usually that you need mountains of venture capital. But a report from Berlin this week completely turns that script upside down. You mean Almedia reaching a reported one-billion-dollar annualized run rate?
Erik, whenever we look at European tech hubs, Berlin always stands out as this restless, energetic place. But it seems the way the city actually builds its infrastructure is shifting. You see headlines about venture capital resetting, but also major public-backed initiatives trying to secure physical space and practical skills right in the metropolitan area.
Erik, have you ever actually stopped to picture what goes on inside a high-volume European distribution warehouse today? Cardboard boxes, high-bay metal racking, and increasingly, automated carrier carts zipping between human workers and traditional diesel or electric forklifts. That exact physical mix is where the operational headache begins.
An introduction to this show and its synthetic presenters.