Shows
Investing in SpainJoe Haslam, ScaleUps & IEMy guest today is Joe Haslam, Executive Director of the Owners Scaleup Program at IE Business School & Professor at IE UniversityJoe HaslamOwner's ScaleUp Program, IE UniversityIn this conversation, Joe provides counsel and advice to those interested in jumping into the Spanish tech ecosystem, both expats considering a move to Spain and young founders contemplating a new venture. He's also a fantastic story teller, with a wide ranging perspective on the past twenty years of tech growth in Spain.Enjoy this conversation with Joe Haslam.
2025-06-1940 minInvesting in SpainDr. Chema Molina, FreneticChema Molina started Frenetic in 2014 while in graduate school in Power Electronics. The company offers an online platform for magnetics design, sampling, and production, dramatically reducing the time for designers to interate when developing critical components for electrical processes. Dr. Chema MolinaFreneticFrenetic is an example of Spanish Deep Tech, one of the most rapidly growing areas of the Spanish tech market today. With a number of leading research centers producing PhDs each year, Spain is well positioned to develop a robust pipeline of startups in materials science, climate science, AI and beyond. In this conv...
2025-06-1945 minInvesting in SpainGuli Moreno, Capchase & The Exponential FellowshipMy guest today is Guli Moreno, co-founder of Capchase and founder of The Exponential Fellowship:Guli MorenoCapchaseThe Exponential FellowshipCapchase is one of the most important scale ups building in Spain today. In May 2024, the company announced another Euro 105M in fresch capital to lend to customers. The company also just celebrated four years since it was founded by Miguel Fernandez, Przemek Gotfryd, Guli Moreno, and Luis Basagoiti.In this conversation, Guli shares the story of how Capchase got started, and the emphasis the team put on culture and talent from the very start. Guli's sto...
2025-06-1946 minInvesting in SpainJose Miguel Herrero, Big Sur VenturesMy guest today is Jose Miguel Herrero, Founder and Managing Partner of Big Sur Ventures:Jose Miguel HerreroBig Sur VenturesJose Miguel is a pioneer of the Spanish tech ecosystem. He has been building and investing in tech companies since the late '90s. He take a long view on innovation in Spain, and in our conversation shares his reason for optimism today. Big Sur is investing out of Fund III, focusing on deep tech and consumer internet. Giving examples from his portfolio, Jose Miguel shares how Spain is producing a new generation of tech tal...
2025-06-1944 minInvesting in SpainAle Piedrahita & Giulia Cerbelli, Calafia SyndicateMy guests today are Ale Piedrahita and Giulia Cerbelli from the Calafia Syndicate:Alexandra PiedrahitaGioia CerbelliCalafia SyndicateThe Calafia Syndicate is a new angel investing group of 20 leading women in Spanish tech. Calafia's mission is to increase the participation of women in the early-stage capital market in Spain, support Spanish founders to grow globally, and to promote diversity in the ecosytem as a whole. The group has a decidated fund to invest in Spanish startups, and is already closing on a first deal.In this conversation Ale and Giulia share the thinking behind Calafia - ho...
2025-06-1935 minInvesting in SpainSandra Nolasco, Twinco CapitalMy guest today is Sandra Nolasco, Founder and CEO of Twinco Capital:Sandra NolascoTwinco CapitalTwinco is an ambitous, mission driven fintech company based in Madrid providing financing to small and medium sized companies around the world. Through better technology and risk analytics they can extend more credit at lower cost to the manufacturing suppliers for European retailers. It is a unique model that significantly reduces financing costs and improves supply reliability, with benefits for both suppliers and buyers.Sandra founded the company after a succesful career in trade finance, as a Managing Director at BB...
2025-06-1944 minInvesting in SpainAris Xenofontos & Mary Egan, Seaya VenturesMy guests today are Aris Xenofontos and Mary Egan from Seaya Ventures:Aris XenofontosMary EganSeaya VenturesSeaya is a top VC fund in Spain, with over 650M Euros in assets under management. The fund has supported Spanish tech breakouts like Glovo, Wallbox and Clarity. Yet, Seaya is not resting on past success. Our conversation highlights how Aris, Mary and the team are building an investment firm for differentiated future returns. They share about the ongoing data investment at Seaya, and how they are using technology to find companies before competitors. We discuss how the investment proc...
2025-06-1938 minInvesting in SpainFernando Pedraz, ReveniMy guest today is Fer Pedraz, founder and CEO of Reveni:Fer PedrazReveni "Your pessimism is my opportunity." With a nod to Jeff Bezos, that's my summary of Reveni's approach. Fer and team are on a mission to help retailers improve their profitability, initially by supporting an instant returns and exchange process, but with plans for deeper integrations to support wholistic planning and customer support across the retail business. Reveni makes money today by betting that customers will do the right thing when returning or exchanging a product. They advance the refund immediately, and...
2025-06-1949 minInvesting in SpainMarta Higuera, AI & PharmaMy guest this week is Marta Higuera, AI Labs Director at Insud Pharma:Marta HigueraInsud PharmaOur conversation focuses on building an entrepreneurial career: how to navigate a 'sea of gray', in Marta's words, when making career decisions.After growing up in a small community outside Santander, Marta has helped lead organizations on four continents. She has worked for prestigous global brands like McKinsey and BCG, and also started and run her own company.My hope is this conversation provides inspiration and specific actionable advice for listeners following their own e...
2025-06-1948 minInvesting in SpainCarme Artigas, AI RegulationToday, we have a special episode. On Dec 9, 2023, European Parliament negotiators and the Council presidency agreed on the final version of the world's first-ever comprehensive legal framework on Artificial Intelligence; the EU AI Act.My guest today was a central figure in that negotiation. Carme Artigas represented Spain as the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Because Spain held the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU her voice and her role were crucial in getting the agreement done.As you will hear, Carme worked on this process for several years. She sh...
2025-06-1947 minInvesting in SpainSergio Gonzalez, Piper AIMy guest this week is Sergio Gonzalez, co-founder of Piper AI:Sergio GonzalezPiper AIAlong with his two co-founders, Sergio is building Piper as a generation AI CRM. He comes to the challenge after years leading sales ops and sales teams at world class companies (Google, Twitter, Stripe, Job & Talent). In our conversation, Sergio names the 'false premise' of CRM systems today - the idea that sales teams will consistently put in the data needed to get actionable insights from a CRM. Piper is building a solution that addresses this fundamental challenge. We cove...
2025-06-1934 minInvesting in SpainHaydee Barroso, AtaniMy guest his week is Haydee Barroso, founder and CEO of Atani:Haydee BarrosoAtani ExchangeAtani is a European-regulated company that has built the first crypto broker that enables access to all the crypto market with only one account. Atani aggregates the liquidity of top exchanges (centralized and DeFi) so users can access all the coins with only one KYC. Haydee's story fits squarely within the thesis for this show: Atani is a one of one tech company building a unique technical product. Haydee and team are globally ambitious, already serving over 300,000 customers from all ove...
2025-06-1946 minInvesting in SpainJose Bayon - CEO of EnisaMy guest today is Jose Bayon, CEO of Enisa.Jose BayonENISA ENISA is a state owned company integrated into the Spanish Government’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. ENISA's mission is to promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium sized businesses throughout Spain. Last year, ENISA provided over 100M Euros of funding to Spanish startups.I wanted to talk with Jose about the work ENISA does throughout the Spanish startup ecosystem. We discuss:the Startup Law, and the impact on startupsthe rise of new hubs of innovation in Spain, beyond the tradi...
2025-06-1924 minInvesting in SpainIsabel Rodriquez, King & Wood MallesonsMy guest today is Isabel Rodriquez, Partner at King & Wood Mallesons:Isabel RodriquezKing & Wood MallesonsIsabel is the head of the Investment Funds team at King & Wood and the preeminent attorney in Spain for all things venture capital. She advises LPs and GPs in structuring and establishment of domestic and international investment funds (including venture capital), secondary transactions, carried interest arrangements, co-investment plans and other related transactions such as restructuring of funds or creation of special purposes vehicles for investment into private equity. Isabel shares her expert perspective on the challenge for Spanish venture firms ra...
2025-06-1922 minInvesting in SpainJuan Montero, FenceMy guest today is Juan Montero, Founder and CEO of Fence.Juan MonteroFence Fence is building internet native debt capital markets. The first offering is a SaaS product that allows asset based lenders to monitor a portfolio of loans in real time. The service went live earlier this year to support BBVA's €20M lending facility with Payflow. I talk with Juan about:Growing up coding as a student in MadridEarly experiences learning about business modelsDefi SummerThe Fence origin storyWhat success looks like for Fence and its customersJuan's views on tech in Spain right now.Like...
2025-06-1952 minInvesting in SpainRika Christanto, LifeXMy guest today is Rika Christanto, Partner at LifeX Ventures.Rika ChristantoLifeX VenturesRika is a global investor, based in Madrid. She and the team at LifeX invest in software and AI companies focused on improving outcomes in health and climate. Rika is also a builder, having been COO at two different Spanish startups. We talk aboutthe climate and health care markets today,the perspective gained when investing globally from MadridUS vs Europe AI innovationwhat she looks for in foundersHere is the Endeavor Report on the Spanish Tech ecosystem referenced in the conversation:
2025-06-1934 minInvesting in SpainGioia Cerbelli, GP BullhoundMy guest today is Gioia Cerbelli, VP of GP Bullhound and co-founder of Calafia Syndicate.Gioia CerbelliCalafia SyndicateGioia brings a wide lens to our study of the Spanish venture market, advising founders when selling their company to large international investors, and also investing personally at the very earliest stages. Our conversation covers:How the Spanish market is weathering the current environmentThe pace of change for local founders and investors over the past five yearsThe exit market, and how it is evolvingGioia also shares her own entreprenurial experience, creating a new network of female in...
2025-06-1939 minInvesting in SpainCarina SzpilkaMy guest today is Carina Szpilka, General Partner at K Fund. Carina SzpilkaK FundCarina and her partners founded K Fund in 2016, marking an important milestone in the growth of the Spanish venture market. The K Fund founders emphasized operating experience, focusing on partnering with their portfolio companies to build great products and companies. Today, K Fund manages over 500M euros. Carina and I discuss The impact of the recent Spanish Startup Law, a law Carina helped pass in her role as then President of Adigital.How the Spanish venture market has changed in the p...
2025-06-1843 minInvesting in SpainSonia FernandezMy guest today is Sonia Fernandez, Partner at Kibo Ventures. Sonia FernandezKibo VenturesSonia brings a multi-decade perspective on building technology companies in Spain. She is both an operator, having led the Spanish offices for MercadoLibre and Match.com, and an investor. In our conversation, we talk about the changing level of ambition in Spanish entrepreneurs, and how investors like Kibo are meeting this moment. This is a great conversation for anyone curious about the trajectory of the venture market in Spain, and what leading investors are looking for today. We cover:Kibo's origin story...
2025-06-1857 min2025-06-1801 min
Investing In SpainJoe Haslam, ScaleUps & IEMy guest today is Joe Haslam, Executive Director of the Owners Scaleup Program at IE Business School & Professor at IE University Joe Haslam Owner's ScaleUp Program, IE University In this conversation, Joe provides counsel and advice to those interested in jumping into the Spanish tech ecosystem, both expats considering a move to Spain and young founders contemplating a new venture. He's also a fantastic story teller, with a wide ranging perspective on the past twenty years of tech growth in Spain. Enjoy this conversation with Joe Haslam.
2024-06-1840 minInvesting In SpainDr. Chema Molina, FreneticChema Molina started Frenetic in 2014 while in graduate school in Power Electronics. The company offers an online platform for magnetics design, sampling, and production, dramatically reducing the time for designers to interate when developing critical components for electrical processes. Dr. Chema Molina Frenetic Frenetic is an example of Spanish Deep Tech, one of the most rapidly growing areas of the Spanish tech market today. With a number of leading research centers producing PhDs each year, Spain is well positioned to develop a robust pipeline of startups in materials science, climate science, AI and beyond. In this...
2024-06-0345 minInvesting In SpainGuli Moreno, Capchase & The Exponential FellowshipMy guest today is Guli Moreno, co-founder of Capchase and founder of The Exponential Fellowship: Guli Moreno Capchase The Exponential Fellowship Capchase is one of the most important scale ups building in Spain today. In May 2024, the company announced another Euro 105M in fresch capital to lend to customers. The company also just celebrated four years since it was founded by Miguel Fernandez, Przemek Gotfryd, Guli Moreno, and Luis Basagoiti. In this conversation, Guli shares the story of how Capchase got started, and the emphasis the team put on culture and talent from the very st...
2024-05-2746 minInvesting In SpainJose Miguel Herrero, Big Sur VenturesMy guest today is Jose Miguel Herrero, Founder and Managing Partner of Big Sur Ventures: Jose Miguel Herrero Big Sur Ventures Jose Miguel is a pioneer of the Spanish tech ecosystem. He has been building and investing in tech companies since the late '90s. He take a long view on innovation in Spain, and in our conversation shares his reason for optimism today. Big Sur is investing out of Fund III, focusing on deep tech and consumer internet. Giving examples from his portfolio, Jose Miguel shares how Spain is producing a new generation of tech...
2024-05-1044 minInvesting In SpainCalafia SyndicateMy guests today are Ale Piedrahita and Giulia Cerbelli from the Calafia Syndicate: Alexandra Piedrahita Gioia Cerbelli Calafia Syndicate The Calafia Syndicate is a new angel investing group of 20 leading women in Spanish tech. Calafia's mission is to increase the participation of women in the early-stage capital market in Spain, support Spanish founders to grow globally, and to promote diversity in the ecosytem as a whole. The group has a decidated fund to invest in Spanish startups, and is already closing on a first deal. In this conversation Ale and Giulia share the thinking behind Ca...
2024-05-0135 minInvesting In SpainSandra Nolasco, Twinco CapitalMy guest today is Sandra Nolasco, Founder and CEO of Twinco Capital: Sandra Nolasco Twinco Capital Twinco is an ambitous, mission driven fintech company based in Madrid providing financing to small and medium sized companies around the world. Through better technology and risk analytics they can extend more credit at lower cost to the manufacturing suppliers for European retailers. It is a unique model that significantly reduces financing costs and improves supply reliability, with benefits for both suppliers and buyers. Sandra founded the company after a succesful career in trade finance, as a Managing Director at...
2024-04-0244 minInvesting In SpainAris Xenofontos & Mary Egan, Seaya VenturesMy guests today are Aris Xenofontos and Mary Egan from Seaya Ventures: Aris Xenofontos Mary Egan Seaya Ventures Seaya is a top VC fund in Spain, with over 650M Euros in assets under management. The fund has supported Spanish tech breakouts like Glovo, Wallbox and Clarity. Yet, Seaya is not resting on past success. Our conversation highlights how Aris, Mary and the team are building an investment firm for differentiated future returns. They share about the ongoing data investment at Seaya, and how they are using technology to find companies before competitors. We discuss how the...
2024-03-2038 minInvesting In SpainFernando Pedraz, ReveniMy guest today is Fer Pedraz, founder and CEO of Reveni: Fer Pedraz Reveni "Your pessimism is my opportunity." With a nod to Jeff Bezos, that's my summary of Reveni's approach. Fer and team are on a mission to help retailers improve their profitability, initially by supporting an instant returns and exchange process, but with plans for deeper integrations to support wholistic planning and customer support across the retail business. Reveni makes money today by betting that customers will do the right thing when returning or exchanging a product. They advance the refund imme...
2024-03-0749 minInvesting In SpainMarta Higuera, Insud PharmaMy guest this week is Marta Higuera, AI Labs Director at Insud Pharma: Marta Higuera Insud Pharma Our conversation focuses on building an entrepreneurial career: how to navigate a 'sea of gray', in Marta's words, when making career decisions. After growing up in a small community outside Santander, Marta has helped lead organizations on four continents. She has worked for prestigous global brands like McKinsey and BCG, and also started and run her own company. My hope is this conversation provides inspiration and specific actionable advice for listeners following their own en...
2024-03-0148 minInvesting In SpainCarme Artigas, AI RegulationToday, we have a special episode. On Dec 9, 2023, European Parliament negotiators and the Council presidency agreed on the final version of the world's first-ever comprehensive legal framework on Artificial Intelligence; the EU AI Act. My guest today was a central figure in that negotiation. Carme Artigas represented Spain as the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Because Spain held the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU her voice and her role were crucial in getting the agreement done. As you will hear, Carme worked on this process for several years. She sh...
2024-01-3147 minInvesting In SpainSergio Gonzalez, Piper AIMy guest this week is Sergio Gonzalez, co-founder of Piper AI: Sergio Gonzalez Piper AI Along with his two co-founders, Sergio is building Piper as a generation AI CRM. He comes to the challenge after years leading sales ops and sales teams at world class companies (Google, Twitter, Stripe, Job & Talent). In our conversation, Sergio names the 'false premise' of CRM systems today - the idea that sales teams will consistently put in the data needed to get actionable insights from a CRM. Piper is building a solution that addresses this fundamental challenge. We co...
2023-12-2734 minInvesting In SpainHaydee Barroso, AtaniMy guest his week is Haydee Barroso, founder and CEO of Atani: Haydee Barroso Atani Exchange Atani is a European-regulated company that has built the first crypto broker that enables access to all the crypto market with only one account. Atani aggregates the liquidity of top exchanges (centralized and DeFi) so users can access all the coins with only one KYC. Haydee's story fits squarely within the thesis for this show: Atani is a one of one tech company building a unique technical product. Haydee and team are globally ambitious, already serving over 300,000 customers from all...
2023-12-1846 minInvesting In SpainJose Bayon - CEO of EnisaMy guest today is Jose Bayon, CEO of Enisa. Jose Bayon ENISA ENISA is a state owned company integrated into the Spanish Government’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. ENISA's mission is to promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium sized businesses throughout Spain. Last year, ENISA provided over 100M Euros of funding to Spanish startups. I wanted to talk with Jose about the work ENISA does throughout the Spanish startup ecosystem. We discuss: the Startup Law, and the impact on startups the rise of new hubs of innovation in Spain, beyon...
2023-12-1224 minInvesting In SpainIsabel RodriquezMy guest today is Isabel Rodriquez, Partner at King & Wood Mallesons: Isabel Rodriquez King & Wood Mallesons Isabel is the head of the Investment Funds team at King & Wood and the preeminent attorney in Spain for all things venture capital. She advises LPs and GPs in structuring and establishment of domestic and international investment funds (including venture capital), secondary transactions, carried interest arrangements, co-investment plans and other related transactions such as restructuring of funds or creation of special purposes vehicles for investment into private equity. Isabel shares her expert perspective on the challenge for Spanish venture fir...
2023-11-2922 minInvesting In SpainJuan Montero, FenceMy guest today is Juan Montero, Founder and CEO of Fence. Juan Montero Fence Fence is building internet native debt capital markets. The first offering is a SaaS product that allows asset based lenders to monitor a portfolio of loans in real time. The service went live earlier this year to support BBVA's €20M lending facility with Payflow. I talk with Juan about: Growing up coding as a student in Madrid Early experiences learning about business models Defi Summer The Fence origin story What success looks like for Fence and its customers Juan's views on tec...
2023-11-2052 minInvesting In SpainRika Christanto, LifeXMy guest today is Rika Christanto, Partner at LifeX Ventures. Rika Christanto LifeX Ventures Rika is a global investor, based in Madrid. She and the team at LifeX invest in software and AI companies focused on improving outcomes in health and climate. Rika is also a builder, having been COO at two different Spanish startups. We talk about the climate and health care markets today, the perspective gained when investing globally from Madrid US vs Europe AI innovation what she looks for in founders Here is the Endeavor Report on the Spanish Tech ecosystem referenced in...
2023-11-0734 minInvesting In SpainGioia Cerbelli, GP BullhoundMy guest today is Gioia Cerbelli, VP of GP Bullhound and co-founder of Calafia Syndicate. Gioia Cerbelli Calafia Syndicate Gioia brings a wide lens to our study of the Spanish venture market, advising founders when selling their company to large international investors, and also investing personally at the very earliest stages. Our conversation covers: How the Spanish market is weathering the current environment The pace of change for local founders and investors over the past five years The exit market, and how it is evolving Gioia also shares her own entreprenurial experience, creating a new ne...
2023-10-3139 minInvesting In SpainCarina Szpilka, K FundMy guest today is Carina Szpilka, General Partner at K Fund. Carina Szpilka K Fund Carina and her partners founded K Fund in 2016, marking an important milestone in the growth of the Spanish venture market. The K Fund founders emphasized operating experience, focusing on partnering with their portfolio companies to build great products and companies. Today, K Fund manages over 500M euros. Carina and I discuss The impact of the recent Spanish Startup Law, a law Carina helped pass in her role as then President of Adigital. How the Spanish venture market has changed in th...
2023-10-2343 minInvesting In SpainSonia Fernandez, Kibo VenturesMy guest today is Sonia Fernandez, Partner at Kibo Ventures. Sonia Fernandez Kibo Ventures Sonia brings a multi-decade perspective on building technology companies in Spain. She is both an operator, having led the Spanish offices for MercadoLibre and Match.com, and an investor. In our conversation, we talk about the changing level of ambition in Spanish entrepreneurs, and how investors like Kibo are meeting this moment. This is a great conversation for anyone curious about the trajectory of the venture market in Spain, and what leading investors are looking for today. We cover: Kibo's origi...
2023-10-1757 minInvesting In SpainInvesting In Spain: TrailerToday, Spain is the fastest growing large economy in Europe. A rapidly growing technology industry is driving optimism and creating new global champions for the Spanish economy. Companies like JobandTalent, Glovo, Cabify, and Flywire all begun in Spain and grew to markets around the world. In the past two years, more than $7B has been invested in Spanish startups. Google announced a new cybersecurity center for excellence in Malaga, and Apple acquired Vylinx, its first acquisition in Spain. A new generation of Founders and investors have committed to building in Spain, including technologically driven companies like Carto...
2023-09-2801 min
Magic Minds#8 — Ryan Caldbeck — Talking AllowedRyan Caldbeck and his co-founder Rory Eakin founded what has become one of the most innovative investment platforms I’ve ever seen with their award-winning company, CircleUp. In short, they use machine learning analysis to find and fund amazing companies in the consumer packaged goods space, companies like Halo Top, Rebbl, Smarty Pants vitamins — and we actually share some of those companies like Halo Top. But, being the founder of an innovative investment approach that is hitting its stride is only the above-the-line version of Ryan's story.
Last year, Ryan started sharing what his entrepreneurial experiences have really been like. His...
2019-05-221h 29
Fintech One-On-OnePodcast 123: Rory Eakin of CircleUpConnect with Fintech One-on-One: Tweet me @PeterRenton Connect with me on LinkedIn Find previous Fintech One-on-One episodes
2017-10-2134 min