The European startup scene is at an inflection point. Economic uncertainty, shifting regulatory landscapes, and evolving market demands have created both obstacles and unprecedented opportunities. Against this backdrop, Founder Institute Vienna and Scale to Global launched the European by Design event series—an initiative designed to spark meaningful conversations about the future of European innovation.
The inaugural session set the tone with an insightful discussion featuring Nicolas Benady, CEO of Swan—a Paris-based fintech that recently secured €42 million in Series B funding from Creandum, Lakestar, and Eight Roads. As a four-time founder, Benady’s journey offers a masterclass in navigating Europe’s evolving startup ecosystem.
In our exclusive interview with him, he shared his perspective on what it means to build a startup that is truly European by Design, the fundraising hurdles European startups face and how to overcome them, how embedded finance is reshaping industries across the continent, and the importance of adaptability in the face of economic headwinds. His story is one of resilience and vision, proving that while European startups may face challenges, they also have the potential to lead global innovation.
Investors and policymakers who are actively shaping the future of European startups joined in a panel setting as well. Some of our featured speakers included Kambis Kohansal Vajargah, Head of Startup Services at the Federal Economic Chamber Austria, Jakobus Schuster, Founder of Notarity.ai, Julia Eisner, Researcher & Lecturer for Responsible AI, Assen Plevneliev, Chief of Staff at Sigma², and Niklas Benesch, Principal at ROI VENTURES.
At its essence, European by Design goes beyond the goal of merely scaling startups. It delves into what sets European innovation apart and how key stakeholders—including founders, investors, and policymakers—can collaborate to transform local startups into internationally competitive ventures. Throughout the series, we explore whether Europe can compete with global tech giants or if it needs a different playbook, how founders can protect their brand while expanding beyond Europe, which key industries the region is poised to dominate in the next decade, and how to build unicorns at home without losing them to foreign markets.
The first event was just the beginning. Each edition of European by Design will feature key industry voices shaping the region’s startup landscape.
Future sessions will investigate critical topics such as internationalization and the lessons learned from European startups expanding globally, the impact of regulatory shifts and how EU policies are shaping startup growth, and the latest investment trends highlighting where smart money is flowing in 2025.
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to scale, an investor seeking Europe’s next unicorn, or a policymaker shaping the future of innovation, European by Design is a conversation you need to be part of.
Looking ahead, our next event will continue this dialogue with a unique opportunity to engage with one of Europe's leading climate tech entrepreneurs. On Tuesday, April 15, we are hosting an Ask Me Anything session with Lubomila Jordanova, a visionary founder who is redefining sustainability in business.
Lubomila is the CEO and founder of Plan A, a Berlin-based company that leverages AI-driven technology to help businesses measure, monitor, and reduce their environmental footprint. With corporate sustainability becoming a major priority, Plan A equips companies with the tools to improve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, making it a crucial player in the green transition.
Beyond her work at Plan A, Lubomila co-founded the Greentech Alliance, a global network that connects over 1,000 green technology startups with more than 500 advisors from venture capital, media, and business sectors. This initiative fosters collaboration and accelerates the impact of climate tech companies across industries.
Her contributions to sustainability and innovation have earned her numerous accolades, including being named an Obama Leader for Europe in 2022 and an MIT Innovator Under 35 Europe in the same year. Her work is a testament to how European entrepreneurs can lead in the fight against climate change while building scalable, high-impact businesses.
During this special session, founders will have the opportunity to ask Lubomila about her journey as an entrepreneur, the challenges of building a purpose-driven company, and the future of sustainability in business.
Join us as we continue the European by Design journey with an exclusive opportunity to learn from one of Europe’s most impactful founders. The European startup ecosystem is evolving, and those who stay ahead of the conversation will be the ones shaping its future.
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