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
Ep 130: Is Venture Debt the Missing Piece in Your Startup's Funding Puzzle? (EIB's Expert Reveals All)
What if there was a funding source that could supercharge your startup's growth without diluting your equity? It's not a pipe dream. It's venture debt – a powerful tool that many founders and investors haven't fully explored.
In this episode, we channel the spirit of learning from industry leaders, just as in the famous Harvard Business Cases. We dissect innovative financing strategies, focusing on venture debt – a secret weapon for companies looking to scale without sacrificing ownership.
We're joined by Gergely Krajcsi, a Senior Investment Officer at the European Investment Bank (EIB), Europe's leading provider of venture debt. This conversation happened at Bio Europe in Barcelona as a Fireside Chat on stage.
He'll reveal:
- The hidden benefits of venture debt that 90% of startups are missing
- How EIB's tailored solutions can supercharge your company's trajectory
- Real-world success stories of European innovators fueled by venture debt
If you're a CEO or investor seeking a competitive edge, this episode is your blueprint. Uncover the funding strategy that could be the key to your next breakthrough.
Problems This Solves:
- Funding Gap: Learn how to bridge the gap between venture capital rounds and unlock the capital you need to scale.
- Equity Dilution: Discover how to fuel growth without sacrificing ownership in your company.
- Limited Knowledge: Gain insider knowledge from the EIB's expert on the untapped potential of venture debt.
Why Watch:
- Expert Insights: Get actionable advice directly from a leading venture debt provider.
- Success Stories: See how other startups have used venture debt to achieve remarkable results.
- Strategic Advantage: Gain a competitive edge by understanding this underutilized financing tool.
Key Quotes:
- "Venture debt is a game-changer for startups looking to accelerate growth." - Gergely Krajcsi
- "The EIB is committed to supporting European innovation through tailored financing solutions." - Gergely Krajcsi
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:30 - What is Venture Debt?
05:45 - Benefits for Founders
09:20 - Benefits for VCs
13:15 - Tailored Solutions
17:00 - The EIB's Unique Role
22:30 - Case Study: Successful European Company
28:00 - Q&A
35:00 - Closing Remarks
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