Podcast · 53 episodes
Pathfounders, page 2
by Mike Butcher · English
Pathfounders, with Mike Butcher, covers the tech startup and venture ecosystem.
All episodes, page 2
Odin thinks it can unclog the plumbing of global venture capitalOdin (UK-founded) is building cross-border venture fund administration to remove “plumbing” friction (country legal structures, taxes, currencies, compliance) that slows moving capital between US and…20 Apr 2026 · 18 min · 11 chapters
After 16 years under Orbán, Hungary’s startups are poised to bounce backThe episode discusses what 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s rule did to Hungary’s startup ecosystem and what might change after Peter Magyar’s opposition victory.14 Apr 2026 · 23 min · 10 chapters
Can Europe's family offices re-ignite the spirit of the Renaissance?Europe’s “innovation gap” and coordination problem, and whether family offices and a “Medici-style” institution can accelerate tech commercialization, re-industrialize Europe, and close…13 Apr 2026 · 13 min · 6 chapters
Will W be Europe’s answer to Silicon Valley’s social media dominance?Path Founders interviews Anna Zaita about W, a new European social media platform aiming to replace US-dominated networks by prioritizing human verification, privacy, and “European values” (privacy,…7 Apr 2026 · 24 min · 11 chapters
How the corporate AI productivity lag is costing billionsThe episode argues that enterprise generative AI is underperforming because of a “trust ceiling.” In large UK organisations, employees spend nearly as much time checking AI outputs as producing them,…3 Apr 2026 · 17 min · 7 chapters
Are two ex-McKinsey consultants out to kill McKinsey with AI?Omniscient, a Paris-based decision intelligence startup founded by two ex-McKinsey consultants, uses AI to synthesize fragmented signals (media, social, markets, supply chain, finance) into…2 Apr 2026 · 12 min · 5 chapters
Could energy from the heavens answer our prayers?Space-based solar power as a response to strained European grids and rising electricity demand from AI data centers, aiming to deliver 24/7 energy regardless of clouds and day/night cycles.1 Apr 2026 · 13 min · 6 chapters
After raising $125m, where next for Granola?Granola, a UK meeting note-taking startup, raised a $125m Series A at a $1.5b valuation and is expanding from transcription/notes into “company memory” and meeting intelligence, aiming to become a…27 Mar 2026 · 14 min · 7 chapters
Is Hollywood poised to embrace AI image generation?Luma’s UniOne unified AI model and whether Hollywood/advertising will embrace AI image generation, plus claims about workflow compression, job impact, and “world/physical AI” ambitions.26 Mar 2026 · 14 min · 5 chapters
What will power European Dynamism?“European dynamism” and whether Europe can turn innovation into globally scaled companies, not by copying Silicon Valley, but by betting on sectors with structural advantages: intelligent enterprise,…26 Mar 2026 · 16 min · 11 chapters
Women are harnessing AI, ignoring Tech Bro-sculinityDebate over “tech bro” culture in Europe (male-dominated hackathons, grind/996 long-hours culture, and narrow founder archetypes) versus evidence that women are increasingly building and funding…25 Mar 2026 · 22 min · 8 chapters
Will infrastructure be the next big tech category?Whether infrastructure and “resilience tech” (energy grids, water, defense-adjacent logistics, supply chains, construction productivity) is the next major venture category for Europe, driven by €6T…25 Mar 2026 · 23 min · 10 chapters
SuperSeed’s new VC fund to power industrial Physical AI startupsSuperSeed’s new VC fund and thesis for “physical AI” startups—using AI as an intelligence layer to automate hard real-world workflows in manufacturing, supply chains, energy, and construction,…24 Mar 2026 · 19 min · 10 chapters
Europe Backs ‘EU Inc’ — But will it go all the way?Europe Backs ‘EU Inc’ — But will it go all the way?19 Mar 2026 · 13 min · 8 chapters
Rivia secures $15M to build an agentic-driven platform for clinical trialsPathfounders, hosted by Mike Butcher, explores the tech startup and venture ecosystem with a focus on entrepreneurs, investors, and the implications of their work.18 Mar 2026 · 15 min · 8 chapters
OPUS launches Day Zero to back startups at the earliest stageSam Tidswell-Norrish, Founder and Chair of OPUS17 Mar 2026 · 21 min · 10 chapters
London-based Outpost raises $17.5M to fix global tradeLondon-based Outpost raises $17.5M to fix global trade11 Mar 2026 · 12 min · 5 chapters
With $50M, Isembard hopes to bring manufacturing back to EuropeWith $50M, Isembard hopes to bring manufacturing back to Europe11 Mar 2026 · 16 min · 11 chapters
Can Jónsson steady the NATO innovation ship?Can Jónsson steady the NATO innovation ship?10 Mar 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Qevlar AI raises $30M to bring AI to cybersecurityPathfounders, hosted by Mike Butcher, discusses the tech startup and venture ecosystem, focusing on innovative companies and trends.10 Mar 2026 · 23 min · 10 chapters
Geopolitical tensions mean dual-use and 'sovereign tech' are here to stay, say investorsIn this episode of the Pathfounders podcast, hosted by Mike Butcher, a panel of venture capitalists (VCs) and experts discusses the intersection of geopolitical tensions, advancements in AI,…4 Mar 2026 · 39 min · 19 chapters
Interview with Diyala D'Aveni of Vento: Can Italy surf the AI wave?Diyala D'Aveni, CEO and Partner at Vento24 Feb 2026 · 12 min · 4 chapters
Pathfounders Interview: Yaroslav Azhnyuk, founder/CEO, The Fourth LawPathfounders Interview: Yaroslav Azhnyuk, founder/CEO, The Fourth Law21 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters
Pathfounders Interview: Pierre Festal on Kembara's billion euro growth fundIn this episode, Pierre Festal discusses the recently launched Kembara Venture Fund by Mundi Ventures, which aims to address the lack of growth capital for deep tech startups in Europe.20 Feb 2026 · 28 min · 11 chapters