Beginner's Mind
Blueprints for Builders and Investors
Hosted by Christian Soschner
From pre-seed to post-IPO, every company—especially in deep tech, biotech, AI, and climate tech—lives or dies by the frameworks it follows.
On Beginner’s Mind, Christian Soschner uncovers the leadership principles behind the world’s most impactful companies—through deep-dive interviews, strategic book reviews, and patterns drawn from history’s greatest business, military, and political minds.
With over 200 interviews, panels, and livestreams, the show ranks in the Top 10% globally—and is recognized as the #1 deep tech podcast.
With 35+ years across M&A, company building, board roles, business schools, ultrarunning, and martial arts, Christian brings a rare lens:
What it really takes to turn breakthrough science into business—how to grow it, lead it, and shape the world around it.
🎙 Expect each episode to deliver:
- Founder & Investor Blueprints: How breakthrough technologies scale from lab to IPO
- Historical & Biographical Frameworks: Timeless playbooks from the world's great builders
- Leadership & Communication Mastery: Tools to inspire, persuade, and lead at scale
Whether you're building the next biotech success, investing in AI, or leading a climate tech company through hypergrowth—this podcast gives you the edge.
Listen in. Apply what matters. Build companies that last.
📬 Join the newsletter & community: https://lsg2g.substack.com/
Beginner's Mind
#47: Sebastien Groyer - 7 Tales from 20 years of Deep Tech Life Science Venture Capital Investment
Here is my conversation with Sebastien Groyer, Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist
Episode Links:
Article to the Episode: https://lsg2g.substack.com/p/7-tales-from-20-years-of-deep-tech-42f
Youtube: https://youtu.be/Ni3mEDM7-_c
Sebastien Groyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-groyer-2438548/
Podcast Links:
Podcast Website: https://www.lifescienceget2gether.com/
Community Partner: https://linktr.ee/lsg2g
Christian Soschner: https://linktr.ee/soschner
LSG2G Twitter: https://twitter.com/LGet2gether
LSG2G Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-science-get2gether
Podcast Episodes: https://pod.link/1493847125
Episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZfrwd6iXrQ3LIANISUpP22seS2CsCEV
Timestamps:
For those who want to listen to specific parts of the episode, here are the timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:35 How do VCs view planning in companies?
05:59 How to Approach Investors when Plans Change
11:00 What are Target Companies of VCs?
15:15 Are VCs Going for First Movers or Rather Established Markets?
19:30 How Detailed Should Business Plans be when Pitching to VCs?
23:50 Storytelling – From Rough to Detail
27:15 The Reality of VC Life
34:40 How Often Can You Follow Up with VCs before Ending Up on a Blacklist
38:54 What is the Right Time to Approach VCs?
40:40 How do VCs view companies in Fundraising Mode?
46:10 The Fundraising Process in a Company
48:15 Is the Fundraisngprocess Transactional, or do Relationships matter?
51:00 Fundraising – Similarities and Differences between the US and the European Approach
56:50 Entrepreneurship and Investors – Lifestyle or a Job?
01:00:00 The Role of Money in Different Societies
01:04:00 Why Do VCs Search for Exits?
01:11:00 Valuation Expectations of VCs
01:14:00 It is all about growth
01:19:00 When Does it Make Sense to Reach out to VCs?
01:23:00 Differences in the Value of Information in the B2B and B2C world
01:27:00 The Pros and Cons of Being an Investor or Entrepreneur
01:30:00 Spirituality, Investment, and Entrepreneurship
01:34:30 What is the most important thing to consider when reaching out to VCs?
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