Co-Founder of Bolt, mobility super-app of Europe & Africa (hiring!) / Enthusiast of Education, Startups, Better Cities & Doing Good
Glad to see 400 EBAN - European Business Angel Network members in #Estonia for their annual investor conference. #WelcomeToEstonia What are the growth challenges of "future unicorns" in Northern-Europe? 1) VISION 🎯 - "Unicorn Founders" should have a big ambition - tackle big enough problem (climate, transport, energy, health, education, food etc) so you can build a large global company longer term. It's also fine to choose a narrow niche and build a great profitable business there, founders have choices! 2) TALENT 👩👨 - we have less "top global experienced" leadership talent here in the Baltics, but if you have a great mission and good value proposition, it's possible to attract talent and also relocate them here. Ukraine war makes it harder, but still possible. Lets keep supporting Ukraine and invest in defence, to make sure we never have to start a real war with Ukraine and Baltics! 3) CAPITAL 💰 - we have plenty (maybe even too much) of early stage funding in the Baltics. But not enough growth capital for larger A-rounds and B/C/D rounds. Great companies can attract global investors, weaker ones get stuck around A-rounds. If you business starts growing well, build relations with your top target investors early on! Share your annual goals and report back when you deliver, after few years of such reporting and growth, investors start paying attention and you can open up a dialogue for larger investments! That's what helped us to attract Fidelity, Sequoia and others. 4) EXIT - are necessary for the ecosystem. BUT don't sell your company too early! We have more startups in Europe than in US, but much less scale-ups. Keep building for 10-15-20 years and bring "bigger value" home and to your country/region. We need more role model for next upcoming founders. That's what we are also aiming with Bolt, build one of the biggest tech companies in Europe. 🚀 What's your thoughts of Baltic and European #competitiveness? What would you expect from new European Parliament?
I like the thinking that it's more tolerated to build profitable startups from day one, so we are working on right problems from the start. Exits or secondary rounds are needed to show that stock options are worth it for employees.
It was such an inspiration to hear your thoughts from the stage and then afterwards visit your office and learn more about your long-term vision. And I just saw Bolt scooters in Sofia, Bulgaria! Looking forward to hearing more about how you change cities and built for the people!
Thank you Martin for hosting part of EBAN delegation at Bolt HQ as well - great insights continued!
Thanks for coming! Our distinguished guests were truly amazed about all that. Specially when meeting you at the Bolt HQ today, based on the feedback I got.
Huge thanks, Martin, for your contribution and participation in the EBAN Congress Tallinn 2024. The panel was great, and hosting our guests at Bolt HQ made the event extra special. Thanks, again, on behalf of EstBAN!
Martin was great to hear you on the main stage, excellent points, as always! Show the way! ↗️
Sehr gute Themen, Martin. Viel Erfolg.
Thank you, Martin for being on stage and also hosting our investor group at Bolt HQ! Truly inspiring!