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.
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Beginner's Mind
#53: Alexander Schwartz and Ingrid Kelly Spillman - The Future of Early-Stage Deep Tech Investments in Europe
In this conversation, we will talk about the future of the Early-Stage Ecosystem in Europe.
Speaker in the Episode:
Alexander Schwartz joined IST cube in 2018 as a Partner. He has more than 15 years of experience in management consulting, eight of which with McKinsey & Company.
Ingrid Kelly Spillman joined the IST Tech Transfer team in October 2018. Ingrid worked as a patent attorney in and for the pharma industry for more than a decade.
IST cube focuses on startups with a strong background in science and technology, such as academic spin-offs or young deep tech companies.
Topics we discuss in the show:
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Ecosystems
- Early-Stage Investments
- VC Investment Stories
- From Science to Business
- The IST Ecosystem
- and much more…
Shownotes:
Video
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:50) Introduction Alexander
(04:12) Introduction Ingrid
(06:05) How are IST, Twist, and IST Cube linked?
(09:21) The Success Story of IST – from Greenfield Operations to Top 3 in 15 years
(13:20) IST Cube’s Role in the Early-StageCommunity
(16:45) The People behind IST Cube
(19:00) Investment Focus of IST Cube
(21:50) What is the attractive opportunity in early-stage investments?
(26:00) When is the right time to reach out to VCs?
(29:30) How Academic and Business Mindset work Together in Early-Stage Development
(34:45) The Attitude for Fundraising Companies
(38:20) What is the right timing for creating a spin-out company?
(43:14) What deal structures are possible for early-stage companies?
(48:25) Entrepreneurial Expertise in the European Eco-System
(58:50) Startup Business Models in the Early-Stage Investment Eco-System
(01:03:00) How Investors and Start-Ups Work Together to bring positive change to the World
(01:06:00) The IST Cube Eco-System in 2021 – Build Around Collaboration and Open Innovation
(01:09:15) How The Innovation Eco-System in Austria Collaborates to Support Companies to go from Zero to One
(01:12:00) How IST Cube Helps Scientists Making the Transition from Academia to Business
(01:17:00)Ideas for the European Eco-System
(01:20:10) Failure Culture in Europe
(01:23:30) Exit Strategies for Founders and Investors
(01:28:35) Four Attributes Startups Should Have to Fit into VC Models.
(01:32:40) What is the essential first step in the creation of a new company?
Podcast Links:
Podcast Website: https://www.lifescienceget2gether.com/
Community Partner: https://linktr.ee/lsg2g
Christian Soschner: https://linktr.ee/soschner
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