Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
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Thank you to BioEsol for sponsoring this episode. 💚
BioEsol is an AI-powered energy company bringing Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) to industrial and SME clients, enabling energy autonomy, cost savings, and sustainability - with no upfront investment. In April, the company will open its Series A round to accelerate its expansion in France & Europe.
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This week, we’re joined by Matthew Blain, Principal at Voyager Ventures, a climate fund investing across Europe and the US. In this conversation, we break down the key differences between Europe and America.
We discuss:
Why Europe’s software climate startups are outperforming
The deeptech-commercialization gap and how to fix it
What the US loan program office got right (and why it matters)
Lessons from academia, accelerators, and growth capital
The cultural differences in ambition between European and US VCs
How founders and funds can think globally from day one
… and more!
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⌛TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to the episode
01:46 Europe has great research universities
02:58 Comparing Investment Ecosystems: Europe vs. US
05:57 The European Advantage
08:40 The Role of Accelerators and Government Support
10:50 Grant Financing: The US advantage
11:28 The Loan Program Office
12:54 The problem with European Growth Fund
16:21 How can investors drive change
19:58 Ambition and Global Mindset in European Startups
25:13 Europe vs America: who wins in climate tech?
29:59 Collaboration Between US and European Investors
33:51 VC to VC conversation
35:54 Rapid Fire Insights
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▶️ CONNECT WITH MATTHEW
Matthew Blain - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-blain-vc/
Voyager Ventures - https://www.voyagervc.com/
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📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS
Activate – US deeptech accelerator
Loan Program Office (US DOE) – Government debt vehicle
ARIA (UK) – Advanced Research & Innovation Agency
SPRIND (Germany) – Government agency backing breakthrough innovation
BPI France – State-backed French investment bank
Atomico’s State of European Tech – Annual report on EU startup activity
Book: Venture Deals – by Brad Feld & Jason Mendelson
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🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE
Founders Should Operate Like Athletes – Romain Vidal (Teampact Ventures)
Climate Change Is a Social Issue - Alina Klarner (Impact Shakers)
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💚 LEAVE A REVIEW
Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg
Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR
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