Episode 135: Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer: CEO of EGYM – Why 80% of Gyms Don’t Work
In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, Founder & CEO of EGYM, the German fitness tech unicorn transforming how the world approaches health.
EGYM’s mission is simple yet bold: make fitness accessible to everyone. By rethinking the traditional gym experience and integrating fitness into healthcare, EGYM is pioneering a shift from repair to prevention.
We dive into:
– Why 80% of gym-goers don’t actually benefit from their workouts
– The role of strength training in longevity and healthy living
– How technology personalizes and enhances fitness journeys
– What Europe can learn from the US (and vice versa) about health and fitness
– Philipp’s bold vision for the future of EGYM and preventative healthcare
Takeaways:
– EGYM’s mission is to make fitness accessible for all, not just the motivated 20%.
– Traditional gyms fail because most members don’t get real results.
– Strength training is one of the biggest unlocks for longevity.
– Integrating fitness into healthcare lowers costs and saves lives.
– Technology can personalize workouts, making prevention more engaging.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to EGYM and Its Mission
05:11 – The Broken Gym Experience
09:53 – Integrating Fitness and Healthcare
14:47 – The Future of Gym Technology
20:11 – Global Perspectives on Fitness
24:49 – Bold Bets and Future Aspirations
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#startup #fitness #gym #technology
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Episode 134: Des Traynor: Co-Founder of Intercom, creators of Fin.AI – Transforming a Unicorn into an AI-First Company
In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Des Traynor, Co-founder of Intercom, creators of Fin.AI, to unpack what it takes to transform a unicorn into an AI-first company.
Des shares the story of how Intercom embraced AI at its core, building Fin.AI, a customer service agent now handling millions of conversations. He explains the challenges of creating an AI-first culture, the risks of transition, and why companies that fail to adapt will not survive.
This is a must-listen for founders, builders, and investors navigating the AI revolution.
We also dive into:
– The future of AI-powered customer experiences
– Why Europe has untapped opportunities in AI vs. Silicon Valley
– What investors should know about backing AI startups today
– Des’s vision for the future of Intercom and Fin.AI
– And lessons from his angel portfolio (Notion, Algolia, Miro, Synthesia, and more)
Takeaways:
– AI isn’t a feature. It’s a foundation shift.
– Transforming a company into AI-first means changing culture, not just code.
– Customers measure AI by trust, not accuracy.
– Europe has the talent to lead in AI — speed is the missing piece.
– The biggest AI wins will come from industries still waiting to be disrupted.
Chapters:
00:00 – From Unicorn to AI Transformation
06:08 – Building an AI-First Culture
12:03 – Success Stories with Fin
17:48 – Europe vs. Silicon Valley in AI
24:12 – Future Vision for Fin and Intercom
If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast on YouTube!
Or follow along on your other favorite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/
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Subscribe to our Newsletter:
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#startup #venturecapital #ai
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28:21
Episode 133: Marco Trombetti: Co-Founder & CEO of Translated and Pi Campus – AI, Optimism & Naivety
In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Marco Trombetti, seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and Co-Founder & CEO of Translated and Pi Campus. Translated provides translation services in more than 200 languages with over 500.000 professional translators working in symbiosis with the best translation AI ever created.
Marco’s story is one of curiosity, long-term vision, and relentless optimism. From building software at just 15 to co-founding one of Europe’s leading translation platforms, Marco shares the lessons learned from decades at the intersection of technology, language, and entrepreneurship.
Packed with wisdom from a career of building, investing, and learning, this is a masterclass in how to play the long game as an entrepreneur.
We explore:
– Why naivety is often an entrepreneur’s superpower
– The importance of loving your users’ problems, not just your product
– How AI and humans can complement each other in translation and beyond
– Why physical spaces matter for innovation (and how Pi Campus was designed for that)
– Why optimism and long-term thinking are the most underrated startup strategies
Takeaways:
– Entrepreneurship is a long game: think 10–15 years, not 10–15 months.
– Optimism is an edge in building companies.
– Naivety isn’t a weakness — it’s what lets you try the “impossible.”
– AI won’t replace humans — it will enhance them.
– Founders should fall in love with their users’ problems, not their own ideas.
– The future is built by those who show up to build it.
Chapters:
00:00 – From Early Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Spirit
03:08 – The Birth of Translated and the Internet Revolution
10:05 – Building Companies: The Long Game
16:13 – The Importance of Physical Spaces for Innovation
19:34 – Optimism and Naivety in Entrepreneurship
21:16 – Rapid Fire Insights: Wisdom from Marco Trombetti
If you haven't already.... Subscribe to the EU-Startups Podcast on YouTube!
Or follow along on your other favorite podcast platforms... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QU85dN... / Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast...
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/
Visit our Website:
https://www.eu-startups.com/
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
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#startups #entrepreneurship #ai #translation
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23:56
Episode 132: Joe Seager-Dupuy: Director, Investment at TRUE – From Firefighter to TRUE $1bn VC
In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Joe Seager-Dupuy, Partner at TRUE, the $1bn consumer-specialist VC and innovation advisory firm that’s reshaping the retail, leisure, and consumer tech sectors.
Joe shares his unique journey from a family of firefighters to venture capital, explains why brands today need a strong point of view, and reveals the “superpowers” that make TRUE one of the most interesting players in consumer VC.
The conversation dives into:
– How TRUE integrates sustainability beyond just a label
– The evolution (and reality check) of direct-to-consumer (D2C) models
– How AI is transforming consumer behavior and entrepreneurship
– Lessons learned working with Richard Branson
– And what makes a founder truly stand out
Takeaways:
– Great founders reshape consumer habits, not just follow them.
– Market size matters — even the best idea struggles without it.
– Copy-paste advice is dangerous; context defines success.
– Brands with a bold point of view earn loyalty faster.
– AI is an accelerant — amplifying both good business models and bad ones.
This episode is packed with insights on where consumer markets are heading — and what it takes to build a business that actually changes behavior.
Chapters:
00:00 From Firefighter to Venture Capitalist
04:11 The Superpowers of TRUE
08:20 Sustainability Beyond the Label
12:14 Brands Need a Point of View
16:17 The Evolution of D2C
19:11 The AI Revolution and Consumer Behavior
22:15 The Impact of AI on Entrepreneurship
25:29 Lessons from Richard Branson and Early Stage Founders
26:04 Identifying Promising Founders
29:43 Challenges in Consumer Market Size
31:01 Red Flags in Startup Pitches
33:02 Rapid Fire Insights on Consumer Trends
Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-startups-menlo-media/
Visit our Website:
https://www.eu-startups.com/
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/
#startups #consumer #ai #venturecapital
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Episode 131: Jens Wohltorf: CEO & Co-Founder of Blacklane – Scaling Luxury Mobility
In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Marcin Lewandowski sits down with Jens Wohltorf, CEO & Co-Founder of Blacklane — the premium global chauffeur service that’s transforming the way business travelers move through the world.
Jens shares the journey from concept to becoming a trusted name in luxury mobility. We discuss how Blacklane scaled across continents while maintaining exceptional service, navigated complex local regulations, and adapted during the pandemic to emerge stronger than ever.
You’ll hear insights on:
– Building trust in the luxury service industry
– The importance of anticipating customer needs before they even ask
– How to scale without sacrificing quality
– Why sustainability must be more than a marketing line
– The skills and mindset entrepreneurs need to thrive in global markets
Takeaways
– Trust is your most valuable currency.
– Global expansion demands local understanding — and patience.
– Scaling too fast can compromise quality beyond repair.
– Anticipation and empathy separate good service from great service.
– Crises (like the pandemic) can be catalysts for reinvention.
Chapters
00:00 The Spark of Blacklane
02:57 Scaling Luxury Mobility
06:09 Building Trust in Service
09:01 Navigating Global Expansion
11:58 Sustainability in Luxury Travel
14:51 Lessons from the Pandemic
18:11 Future of Mobility
21:02 Rapid Fire Insights
Follow EU-Startups on LinkedIn:
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Visit our Website:
https://www.eu-startups.com/
Subscribe to our Newsletter:
https://www.eu-startups.com/newsletter/
#startup #mobility #luxury #travel
Österreich