Guide to European Startup Media: Podcasts, Newsletters and More
In recent years, Europe’s startup ecosystem has experienced unprecedented growth, with cities like London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Stockholm emerging as major innovation hubs. As the ecosystem matures, there’s been a corresponding boom in high-quality media coverage focusing on European entrepreneurship. This guide explores the best podcasts, newsletters, and other media resources that we think every European founder and startup enthusiast should know about.
Podcasts
Startup Europe (Sifted)
A great one to get a broad overview of what recently happened in the European startup ecosystem. Every month, Sifted editor Amy Lewin will be diving into the latest news coming out of Europe’s tech and startup sector.
The 20 Minute VC (20VC)
The Twenty Minute VC, commonly known as 20VC, has emerged as one of the most influential voices in the global venture capital landscape. Founded by Harry Stebbings when he was just 18 years old in London, the podcast has transformed from a bedroom project into a media empire that shapes conversations in the VC world. What makes 20VC particularly fascinating is its evolution – Stebbings has not only built a podcast but has also launched his own venture fund, 20VC Fund, demonstrating the platform’s real-world impact. The show’s format is distinctive: rapid-fire, high-impact conversations with elite investors and founders, typically packed into focused episodes. While covering the global tech scene, 20VC provides invaluable insights for European founders through its unique position bridging multiple ecosystems. Regular features include deep dives into term sheet mechanics, scaling strategies, and intimate founder stories. Notable episodes include conversations with Checkout.com’s Guillaume Pousaz, Klarna’s Sebastian Siemiatkowski, and UiPath’s Daniel Dines, offering a masterclass in scaling European startups to global prominence. The show has also expanded to include “20VC Masters of SaaS” and “20VC Angel” series, providing specialized content for different segments of the startup ecosystem. What truly sets 20VC apart is Stebbings’ interviewing style – a combination of deep research, direct questioning, and the ability to make even the most successful venture capitalists open up about their failures and learnings.
In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen
A standout addition to Europe’s business podcast landscape comes from an unexpected source: Nicolai Tangen, the CEO of Norway’s $1.4 trillion sovereign wealth fund (Norges Bank Investment Management). “In Good Company” offers a unique blend of high-level business insights and personal stories from some of the world’s most influential leaders. What makes this podcast particularly valuable is Tangen’s ability to draw out candid conversations about both success and failure from his guests, leveraging his position as a major global investor. The show features an impressive roster of European business leaders and entrepreneurs, with conversations moving seamlessly between strategic insights and personal development. Notable episodes include discussions with Spotify’s Daniel Ek about scaling European tech globally and Exor’s John Elkann. While not strictly focused on startups, the show offers invaluable perspectives on long-term business building and leadership that are relevant to founders at any stage.
EU Startups Podcast
The EU-Startups Podcast, the official podcast of EU-Startups.com, has established itself as an authoritative voice in European tech media. Hosted by Thomas Ohr, founder and editor-in-chief of EU-Startups.com, the show offers an insider’s perspective on the European startup ecosystem that few can match. What sets this podcast apart is its truly pan-European approach, featuring founders and investors from both established hubs like London and Berlin, and emerging ecosystems like Tallinn and Lisbon. The show excels at unpacking the unique challenges and opportunities of building startups in Europe, from navigating EU funding mechanisms to managing cross-border expansion.
Newsletters
Dragos Novac’ Nordic9/SundayCET newsletter – probably my favourite newsletter on the startup/VC ecosystem.
Pim Betist publishes a weekly newsletter on AI, it is not limited to European developments, but includes many references to EU startups and AI research.
Sifted has a decent newsletter on European startups. Sifted Daily gives you quick briefings on European startups and everything related to that. It also has industry-specific startup newsletters. Check all of them out here.
Kjetil Holmefjord publishes a bi-weekly newsletter focusing on Norway but including links to all sorts of interesting startup-related articles and media.
People to follow on LinkedIn
A few people with interesting takes on the European startup ecosystem:
Michael Jackson – VC with many insightful and critical posts about the European startup and venture world.
Joseph Michael – Venture partnership at Google and posting many interesting updates on Google and beyond, with a special focus on the Nordic ecosystem.
Constantijn van Oranje is a central figure in the Dutch entrepreneurial landscape as envoy of Techleap. He shares interesting views on the European startup scene in general and the Netherlands in particular.
Harry Stebbings. Founder 20VC capital and influential podcaster (see his podcast above).
Yoram Wijngaarde – Founder of Dealroom.co
Media platforms
EU-Startups
Launched in October 2010, EU-Startups.com has established itself as the definitive voice in European startup journalism. With a monthly readership exceeding 300,000 tech-savvy professionals, the platform has become an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the European innovation ecosystem. What sets EU-Startups apart is its comprehensive coverage approach – moving beyond simple funding announcements to provide deep, data-driven analysis of emerging trends, market dynamics, and ecosystem developments across the continent.
The platform’s strength lies in its truly pan-European perspective, with dedicated coverage of both established startup hubs and emerging ecosystems. Their reporting spans from Portuguese tech scenes to Baltic innovation clusters, offering readers a holistic view of Europe’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Sifted
The Financial Times’ Startup Hub Launched in 2019 as a Financial Times-backed media platform, Sifted has quickly established itself as the go-to source for European startup news and analysis. What sets Sifted apart is its combination of deep investigative journalism with practical insights for founders. Their reporting often uncovers emerging trends before they become mainstream, and their analysis pieces provide valuable context for understanding the European ecosystem. The platform excels at data-driven coverage of topics like funding rounds, founder challenges, and ecosystem developments. Their Pro subscription offers additional benefits like investor databases and in-depth market reports, making it an essential resource for anyone serious about understanding European tech.
Silicon Canals
Originally focused on Amsterdam’s startup scene (hence the clever play on the city’s famous canals), Silicon Canals has evolved into a comprehensive media platform covering technology news across the Benelux region and broader European ecosystem. The platform stands out for its detailed coverage of early-stage startups and scaleups, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Their reporting goes beyond typical funding announcements to include in-depth features on emerging tech hubs, founder stories, and practical guides for startups. Silicon Canals has become particularly valuable for its coverage of sustainability-focused startups and impact investing, reflecting the Benelux region’s strength in these areas. Their job board has also become a go-to resource for tech talent in the region, while their events and networking initiatives help bridge different European startup communities.
Market reports & further reading
Dealroom reports on European startup ecosystem
Some data on the best places to start a business in Europe
The European startup media landscape offers rich, diverse content for entrepreneurs at all stages. While established platforms provide broad coverage, emerging formats and regional focuses offer deeper insights into specific markets and challenges. As the ecosystem continues to mature, we can expect even more sophisticated and specialized content to emerge, further supporting Europe’s growing startup community.
About the Author: This guide is regularly updated to reflect new developments in European startup media. Last updated: November 2024.