Beginner's Mind
Beginner’s Mind, hosted by Christian Soschner, is a deep-tech podcast exploring the frameworks and leadership principles behind impactful companies, from pre-seed to post-IPO. It features interviews with founders and investors, strategic book reviews, and lessons drawn from business, military, and political history. The show focuses especially on deep tech, biotech, AI, and climate tech, examining how breakthrough science can scale from lab to IPO. Soschner brings decades of experience in M&A, company building, and board roles, along with perspectives from ultrarunning and martial arts.
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EP 185: Ivy Nguyen | IQ, EQ and the Execution Quotient Investors Fund
The trait a Silicon Valley AI investor rewards most in a management team has a name almost nobody uses: XQ.IQ brings the idea and EQ reads the people across the table. The execution quotient shows in something as small as how fast a team follows up after a meeting, and in her experience the people who score high on it have no patience for those who do not. Meanwhile the money in AI moves in waves,
EP 184: Ivy Nguyen | 10,000 AI Pitches and the One Test That Matters
In 2017 another investor told Ivy Nguyen that artificial intelligence was too small a niche to dedicate a fund to.More than ten thousand AI pitches later, every pitch deck says AI. Single funding rounds have grown larger than entire venture funds, and from the outside the companies that will matter look exactly like the ones a fast follower overtakes within three years.Ivy Nguyen is a Partner at G
EP 183: Marie Schroeder | Send the Rough Deck, Not the Perfect One
A seed investor at Novo Holdings would rather read your rough idea than your finished pitch deck.Most founders spend a year building the deck, forming the team and waiting until the story holds together. By the time it is ready the science has moved, the money has gone somewhere else, and nobody told them the fund they were preparing for creates companies out of raw material.Marie Schroeder is a P
#182 - How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You Are Going: 4 Lessons from Ben Horowitz (Part 2 of 2)
What does it mean when the most respected adviser in Silicon Valley tells you that you are the best chief executive he works with, while your company is heading straight into a wall?Bill Campbell said exactly that to Ben Horowitz. Campbell was advising Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt at the time, so Horowitz assumed the compliment was absurd. Campbell explained himself: there are plenty of
#181 - When Things Fall Apart: 3 Lessons from Ben Horowitz on Leading Through the Struggle (Part 1 of 2)
What do you do on the morning when there are no good moves left?In March 2001, Ben Horowitz took Loudcloud public in the middle of the dot-com collapse. The bankers cut the price from ten dollars a share to six in the week of the offering. The day before the deal, Yahoo announced its chief executive was stepping down. Neither of the two banks that took the company public offered the traditional cl
EP 180: Eric Ries | Why Good Companies Go Bad After Success
What happens when the moment a company finally succeeds is the moment it becomes most likely to be destroyed? Most founders assume the market rewards the better product and protects what they built. The legal reality runs the other way. The dominant theory of the corporation treats a company as a financial instrument designed to enrich its shareholders, and treats everything else as optional.That
EP 179: Joško Bobanović | Why Venture Capital Fights Human Instinct
What happens when the instinct to help a struggling company is exactly what prevents the strongest companies from succeeding? Venture capital forces investors to make decisions that can feel deeply uncomfortable: stop rescuing the weakest, concentrate scarce capital behind the most promising, and accept that most investments will fail.Deep tech intensifies this conflict. Investors must commit capi
#178 - The Elon Musk Method: 7 Rules for Building What the Market Thinks Is Impossible
How can a company have the right numbers and still reach the wrong strategic conclusion?In 2017, Volkswagen’s chief executive mocked Tesla as one of the “world champions of big announcements.” At the time, Volkswagen sold roughly eleven million cars a year, while Tesla sold fewer than eighty thousand. The facts supported the criticism, but the conclusion missed the change already underway.That mom
EP 177: Alberto Chalon | Liquidity Before the IPO Window Opens
Private companies are staying private longer, and that changes who gets liquidity, when, and why.Founders, employees, and early investors can wait a decade or more for an IPO or acquisition. Meanwhile, venture funds face growing pressure to return capital, and many of Europe's best companies struggle to access the growth capital needed to scale.In this conversation, Christian Soschner speaks
Alasdair Milton, KPMG | Why Precision Medicine Still Fails Patients (SPARK20 – 168)
Only one in three eligible lung cancer patients receives the targeted therapy they should get.That is not a failure of science.It is a failure of delivery.After more than two decades of precision oncology, biopharma has never had better tools: cell and gene therapy, in vivo CAR-T, antibody-drug conjugates, AI-enabled diagnostics, organoids, multi-omics, and global clinical data.Yet too many breakt
#176 - Why Smart People Say Yes: 7 Lessons from Influence by Robert Cialdini
Some books explain how the world works.Influence explains why people move.Why someone takes the meeting.Why an investor leans in.Why a customer trusts.Why a team follows.Why a board stays stuck.Why a founder keeps defending a decision that stopped making sense months ago.Robert Cialdini’s Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion is one of those books that becomes more valuable the longer you build,
EP 175: Stefanie Schubert | Why Smart People Lose Negotiations Before They Start
Most leaders think negotiation begins when both sides sit down to talk numbers. By then, trust, incentives, timing, internal alignment, and first impressions have already shaped the outcome. That is why smart founders, executives, investors, and board members can have the right facts and still walk away with the wrong result.In this episode of Beginner’s Mind, Stefanie Schubert explains why negoti
EP 174: Wanwipa Siriwatwechakul | Funding the Next Industrial Era
Most people still treat climate solutions as a cost.Wanwipa Siriwatwechakul argues that this is exactly why so many leaders miss the real opportunity.The next industrial era will not be built by patching old systems, but by redesigning them from the ground up.In this episode of Beginner’s Mind, Wanwipa explains why industrial decarbonization is not mainly about sacrifice, compliance, or adding exp
EP 173: Bret Kugelmass | The West Bet on the Wrong Energy Future
Power demand is rising faster than the systems meant to support it.AI, electrification, and industry all need stable energy, but the dominant story sold to the public was far simpler than reality. In this episode, Bret Kugelmass explains why the real bottleneck was never just climate ambition, but how the West misunderstood energy itself.For years, nuclear was framed as too dangerous, too slow, to
#172 - Fast Forward Thinking: Why Most Investments Fail — And How Elite VCs Think Differently
Most investors think they’re rational.Most founders think they’re disciplined.Most boards think they’re strategic.They’re usually wrong.In this episode, we unpack Fast Forward Thinking by Luis Pareras — a physician turned deep-tech venture capitalist who distilled decades of investing under scientific uncertainty into 40 brutally structured rules.This is not a summary.It’s a decision upgrade for f
EP 171 - Björn Cochlovius: Why Brilliant Biotech Breaks at Manufacturing
Most biotech breakthroughs don’t fail in the lab.They fail when science meets manufacturing reality.And by the time this bottleneck appears, tens of millions are already sunk.This episode examines the most under-discussed failure point in modern biotech: the gap between scientific discovery and scalable, usable healthcare solutions.While science has never been stronger—and big pharma excels at mar
EP 170 - Jim Pulcrano: Why Most Venture Capital Fails And What Europe Still Gets Wrong
Nine out of ten startups fail, yet Europe keeps funding them the same way.Governments replace judgment with bureaucracy, capital replaces experience, and failure is misunderstood instead of learned from.This conversation exposes why venture capital is a profession, not a policy tool — and why getting this wrong quietly kills innovation.In this episode, Jim Pulcrano, Adjunct Professor at IMD and lo
EP 169 - Why New Year’s Goals Fail by February - Even for Disciplined People
Most goals don’t fail because of laziness or lack of ambition.They fail quietly — buried under daily noise, competing priorities, and forgotten intentions.By March, even the most meaningful goals have slipped down the list… replaced by urgency, meetings, and excuses.In the last years, whenever I work with companies or people in my executive coaching a pattern showed up frequently.In private life:
EP 168 - Alasdair Milton: The Innovation Inflection Point: Why 70% of Cures Never Reach Patients
Breakthrough science has never been stronger — yet patients still miss life-saving therapies.Despite decades of innovation, most precision medicines fail at the last mile of healthcare delivery.The problem isn’t discovery. It’s how science, capital, and systems are aligned — or not.Possessing elite science is no longer enough to win in the multi-trillion-dollar biopharma ecosystem.As innovation sh
#167: Pattern Breakers — 7 Laws Behind Category-Defining Companies
Most founders obsess over ideas.Breakthrough companies obsess over inflections, conviction, and structure.This episode unpacks Pattern Breakers by Mike Maples Jr.—a book that quietly explains why most startups never break out… and why a small minority reshape entire categories.But this isn’t a book summary.It’s a thinking upgrade for founders, operators, board members, and investors navigating the
SPARK20 – 156: Janos Pasztor | The Climate Diplomat Who Refuses to Give Up on Humanity
The world has grown quiet about climate change. Too quiet.We scroll past floods, fires, droughts… and move on with our day.As if the problem solved itself.As if we’ve earned the luxury to look away.Janos Pasztor (full episode) has spent 40 years inside the rooms where climate decisions are made — from serving as UN Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Change to advising presidents, prime minist
EP 166 - Karl Nehammer: Why Europe Fails to Scale – And How the EIB Plans to Fix It
Europe leads the world in discovery — yet too often, its breakthroughs never become global companies.Billions in research funding turn into patents, not products.While others build empires from ideas, Europe risks becoming the world’s laboratory — brilliant, but broke.That’s the paradox at the heart of this conversation.In this episode, Karl Nehammer, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank
EP 165 – Jason Foster: 153 Rejections Later — What Every Founder Must Learn About Resilience
Most founders dream of raising millions. Few survive the 153 “no’s” it takes to get there.Behind every biotech breakthrough lies exhaustion — late-night calls, failed rounds, and investors who walk away at the finish line.What separates the ones who make it isn’t luck or timing — it’s resilience built into process.In this episode, Jason Foster, CEO of Ori Biotech, shares how he transformed relentl
EP 164 - Kat Kozyrytska: AI in Pharma Is a Yesterday Problem – Why Ethical Frameworks Can’t Wait
Imagine waking up to find your company’s most valuable IP leaked—not by hackers, but by the very AI tools you trusted.This isn’t a distant scenario; it’s happening inside pharma and biotech right now.And the cost isn’t just financial—it’s patient lives, broken trust, and an industry on the edge of losing credibility. In this episode, Kat Kozyrytska shares how leaders can act before invisible risks
#163: The NVIDIA Way — 7 Scaling Lessons from Jensen Huang’s Playbook
Most founders obsess over products. Jensen Huang built a $3 trillion company by obsessing over inevitabilities. This episode unpacks The NVIDIA Way by Tae Kim—the definitive account of how NVIDIA went from near-death startup to the world’s most valuable chipmaker. More than a history, it’s a manual for founders and VCs navigating the messy, high-stakes stretch between Series A and IPO. But this is
Marc Penkala | Why Being Wrong is the Secret to Venture Success (SPARK20 – 139)
How do you succeed in a business where being wrong is the norm?Marc Penkala has lived both sides of the table: as an entrepreneur who built, sold, and failed with companies—and now as a venture capitalist running his own fund. What makes his story different is the radical honesty about what actually drives success in venture: failure, timing, and taking risks that look stupid at first.This Spark20
EP 162 - Alex Oppenheimer: The Secret Investors Use Before Writing the First Check
Here’s the harsh truth: If your business model can’t survive a spreadsheet, it won’t survive the market.Every year, ambitious founders pour months into product, pitch, and brand—yet the single biggest reason startups die isn’t funding, it’s flawed modeling.What are the four variables investors use to spot winners before anyone else?In this episode, investor and hands-on builder Alex Oppenheimer (F
EP 161 - Enis Hulli: VC Secrets Exposed: Why Only US-Based Startups Dominate (and How to Beat the Odds)
Why do Europe’s brightest founders still feel forced to leave for Silicon Valley—no matter how much money or talent we pour into the region? Every year, ambitious startups across Europe and CEE struggle to scale—not for lack of ideas, but because of invisible barriers that keep global success out of reach.Is it really just about capital—or is there a deeper mindset and playbook that only a handful
EP 160 - Vadim Fedotov: Elevate Your Wellbeing: How Data-Driven Choices Create Peak Performance
Still trying to optimize your health with guesswork and generic advice?Most people settle for “one-size-fits-all” supplements and hope for the best-missing out on the breakthroughs that only real data and personalization can offer.In a world flooded with empty promises, few realize how quickly tailored, science-backed solutions can transform energy, focus, and longevity.Enter Vadim Fedotov—ex-pro
Angeli Möller | Building the Future of Health with Precision, Vision, and Heart (SPARK20 – 142)
How do you lead at the cutting edge of health, data, and AI—while staying deeply human?Angeli Möller has led global data science teams across pharma giants, co-founded one of Europe’s most ambitious AI alliances, and now builds high-performance biotech strategies with precision. But what truly sets her apart isn’t just her technical fluency—it’s her clarity, courage, and care in how she builds tea
#159: No Rules Rules — 7 Culture Principles That Made Netflix Unstoppable
Most founders add layers to gain control. Reed Hastings built an empire by removing them. This episode unpacks No Rules Rules—the leadership playbook behind Netflix’s rise from a DVD mail service to a global entertainment powerhouse. Co-authored by founder Reed Hastings and INSEAD professor Erin Meyer, the book reveals how to scale not through policy, but through trust, talent density, and extreme
EP 158 - Rafael Rosengarten: Why 90% of Cancer Drugs Fail — and the Radical AI Fix You’ve Never Heard Of
Most cancer drugs fail. Not because the science is wrong—because we’re solving the wrong problems.The cost? Over $2 billion per failure. And for the patient waiting on a miracle—there’s no second chance.Behind the headlines of “precision medicine,” there’s a deeper story nobody’s telling. Until now. 🎯 Enter Rafael Rosengarten, the scientist-turned-founder who’s rewriting the rules of drug develop
EP 157 - Fabrizio Conicella: Why Europe Keeps Losing the Next Breakthroughs in Medicine
Europe has the science. The talent. The breakthroughs.But when an idea feels too uncertain, our systems shut it down before it has a chance to breathe.And with every safe bet… we quietly lose the next cure, the next Car-T, the next AI that could change everything. 🚨 Risk-aversion, fragmentation, and bureaucracy are draining Europe’s innovation power—and nobody dares to name it out loud.But Fabrizi
EP 156 - Janos Pasztor: The Most Controversial Fix for Climate Change
What if the only way to save the planet... is to cool it? Not figuratively—literally. Because the heatwaves, floods, and fires you’ve seen so far? They’re just the beginning.🌍 Emissions keep rising. Global cooperation is slowing. And the window to act is closing fast. Now, world leaders are quietly weighing a radical idea: Should we artificially cool Earth before it’s too late?💥 In this explosive
#155: Ray Dalio’s Playbook — 7 Principles for Building Scalable, Resilient Companies
What if your business ran like a well-designed machine—one that could evolve, self-correct, and outperform your competition over decades?In this episode, I unpack Principles by Ray Dalio, the billionaire investor and founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund. It’s not a traditional business book—it’s a blueprint for decision-making, culture design, and long-term scaling, ro
Suzanne Heywood | From Shipwreck to Boardroom Leadership (SPARK20 - 133)
What does it take to turn extreme adversity into extraordinary leadership? Suzanne Heywood’s life reads like a novel—shipwrecked at seven, isolated at sea for a decade, forging her father’s signature to survive, and ultimately earning a place at Oxford through sheer determination. Today, she’s a top executive and investor, steering multi-billion-dollar companies with resilience, clarity, and innov
EP 154 - Kristina Levan: Why Life-Saving Therapies Aren’t Reaching Patients—And How to Fix It
ATMPs, gene therapies, and cancer breakthroughs are here—but outdated regulations, high costs, and logistical bottlenecks are blocking access. What needs to change for hospitals to deliver these cures to patients who need them most?💡 Here’s the harsh reality:Patients are waiting, but hospitals aren’t ready.The science exists, but regulations haven’t caught up.The treatments work, but they’re too e
EP 153 - Christopher Uhde: The Biotech IPO Boom is Over. Now What?
In 2021, biotech IPOs were soaring. Valuations hit record highs. Investors were throwing money at anything that moved.Then… the market crashed. Funding dried up. Growth stalled. Biotech founders and investors were left scrambling.So what really happened? And more importantly—how do you navigate what’s next?📌 In this episode, Christopher Uhde—Senior Pharma & Biotech Equity Analyst at SEB—breaks
EP 152 - Alex Dang: Billion-Dollar Bets: Why VC’s Best Decisions Go Against the Crowd
🚀 Most investors chase consensus. The best ones? They bet against it.If everyone agrees on an investment, it’s probably not bold enough. That’s why the greatest venture capitalists don’t just follow trends—they seek out the hidden outliers that redefine industries. But how do they spot the next Amazon, Google, or Tesla before anyone else? And why do so many leaders play it safe and miss out?📌 In t
#151: Mastering Uncertainty – 7 Venture Secrets to Thriving in Chaos
What if your greatest asset in business was how you think under pressure?In this episode, I dive into The Venture Mindset by Alex Dang and Ilya Strebulaev, unpacking seven transformative lessons drawn from the world of venture capital and deep-tech entrepreneurship. These principles aren’t just for investors—they’re a roadmap for anyone navigating uncertainty, from startup founders to corporate in
Dan Bowyer: Rethinking Venture Capital with Superseed VC (SPARK 20 – 125)
What does it take to redefine venture capital while empowering founders to disrupt industries and drive meaningful change? Meet Dan Bowyer, a bold investor from Superseed VC reshaping the game with a no-nonsense approach and a passion for impactful innovation.In this episode, Dan shares his journey from entrepreneur to VC and dives deep into what’s wrong with traditional venture capital. He reveal
EP 150: 2024 in Review: 9 Bold Steps Toward a Brighter 2025
What makes a year unforgettable? Is it the challenges conquered, the bold ideas pursued, or the connections that shaped us?As 2024 comes to a close, this special episode celebrates the lessons, breakthroughs, and visionary insights that defined the year. Through 9 remarkable stories, hear from leaders, investors, and innovators who are shaping the future.🎙️ In This Episode:Suzanne Heywood: Discove
EP 149: Marina Schmidt - How Do We Feed 10 Billion People Without Destroying the Planet?
Our global food systems are at a breaking point. Climate change, geopolitical tensions, and industrial farming are pushing us closer to food insecurity every day. Can we find a way to feed 10 billion people while safeguarding the planet?Marina Schmidt, founder of Red to Green Solutions, reveals groundbreaking ideas that reimagine how we grow, consume, and sustain food for a resilient future.🎙️ Wha
Doerte Hirschberg: Investing in Climate Solutions and Transforming Industries (SPARK20 - 114)
What does it take to tackle the world's biggest challenge—climate change—while driving profit and innovation? Meet Doerte Hirschberg, a visionary investor reshaping industries with bold ideas and data-driven solutions.In this episode, Doerte takes us on a journey of how her team at Climentum Capital uses measurable CO2 impact as their guiding star. She shares insights into why the future of s
#148: Think Long-Term, Thrive Always: 7 Lessons From Investing Titans
What if your greatest advantage in business was how you think about the future?In this episode, I explore Richer, Wiser, Happier by William Green, unpacking seven actionable lessons inspired by legendary investors like Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, and Sir John Templeton. These lessons go beyond money—they’re about mastering long-term thinking, simplifying complexity, and building resilience to
SPARK 20 - 109: Philipp Baaske, CEO of Nanotemper
What does it take to lead a global biotech company tackling diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s—and still treat every team member, from executives to production staff, as equals?In this 20-minute highlight episode, we meet Philipp Baaske, the visionary CEO of NanoTemper. From his small Bavarian village roots to global biotech innovation, Philipp shares the leadership lessons and personal philosop
EP 147: DC Palter - Why Startups Face the 'Pit of Hell': The Truth About Securing Funding
Startups promise innovation, but why do so many fail to secure the funding they need?Investors demand results before committing, yet startups require resources to build. This paradox leaves founders stuck in what angel investor DC Palter calls the "pit of hell." How can startups navigate this critical gap and convince investors to bet on their vision?🎙️ What's in the Episode: 1️⃣ Cr
EP 146: Bio Europe - Will Europe’s Biotech Future Survive? Inside the Funding and Talent Exodus
Europe’s biotech sector is facing a crisis: despite its scientific achievements, it struggles with funding gaps and an exodus of top talent to the US. As biotech innovations drive global healthcare, Europe risks losing its edge—and the potential for groundbreaking medical advancements that affect us all. How can Europe regain its competitive advantage and transform scientific discoveries into real
EP 145: Shlomo Noy - Why Healthcare Innovation Fails Without the Right Strategy
Healthcare investment is booming, but why do so few initiatives actually deliver lasting impact? While funding flows into biotech and life sciences, many leaders overlook the complex strategies needed to bridge research and real-world application. Are you ready to discover the key to successful healthcare innovation and make informed decisions that truly drive change?In this episode, Shlomo Noy, a
#144: 9 Life-Changing Principles from Charlie Munger: Smarter Investing and Decision-Making
What if you could rewire your thinking to solve life’s toughest problems? In this episode, we dive into Charlie Munger's timeless insights from Poor Charlie's Almanack, revealing 9 core principles for smarter investing, better decision-making, and a well-rounded life.Munger’s success is rooted in clear, simple principles that help avoid pitfalls and achieve long-term results. Poor Charli
EP 143: Jordi Ferrer Rendé - Is Healthcare Destroying the Planet? The Shocking Truth About CO2 Emissions
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare, but what if the real danger lies in the industry's carbon footprint?Despite healthcare’s purpose of saving lives, the industry contributes up to 10% of CO2 emissions in developed countries. Can patient care and sustainability go hand in hand, or are we risking the planet's health for human survival?In this episode, Jordi Ferrer Rendé
EP 142: Angeli Moeller - Why AI Isn’t Transforming Healthcare Like It Should
Artificial intelligence is heralded as the future of healthcare, but why do so many innovations fail to make a tangible impact? Despite the hype, countless companies are missing critical opportunities to leverage AI effectively. What’s holding them back? In this episode, Angeli Möller, CEO of Sequoia Growth, reveals why healthcare AI often falls short and what leaders must do to turn potential int
EP 141: Alessandro Morra - How AI-Powered Robotics Will Transform Security—Are You Prepared for the Future?
Many companies today face increasing security challenges, yet few are leveraging the power of AI and robotics to protect their most critical assets. But what if these groundbreaking technologies could not only reduce costs but also provide a more efficient and secure future? In this episode, Alessandro Morra, CEO of Ascento, shares how AI-powered robotics are reshaping industries and why embracing
#140: Customer Obsession Isn’t Enough—What Jeff Bezos Knows That Most Leaders Miss
What’s the secret to building a trillion-dollar company from scratch? In this episode, we uncover Jeff Bezos' game-changing strategies from Invent and Wander, revealing how Amazon became a global powerhouse.In the world of business and investing, visionary ideas alone are not enough. Invent and Wander reveals that it's a relentless focus on long-term thinking, innovation, and customer ne
EP 139 - Marc Penkala - Why European Startups Must Think Bigger: Lessons from a Top VC on Turning Failure into Fortune
Many European startups are trapped in a mindset that limits their potential, aiming for millions when they should be thinking in billions. But what if this conservative approach is holding them back from global success? In this episode, Marc Penkala, a leading venture capitalist, reveals the secrets to breaking free from this limiting mindset and how embracing calculated risks can lead to extraord
#138: The PayPal Blueprint: How Vision Without a Business Model Nearly Sunk a Tech Giant
Ever wondered what it takes to build a tech giant from the ground up? Is it just about having a great idea, or is there a secret formula for success? In this episode, we dive into Jimmy Soni's The Founders, uncovering the key principles that propelled PayPal from a fledgling startup to a cornerstone of the digital economy.In the world of investing and entrepreneurship, having a visionary idea
EP 137: Hampus Jakobsson - The Secret to Venture Success: Investing in People, Not Just Ideas
Did you know the secret to venture success isn't just in groundbreaking ideas? It's in the people behind them. Learn how empathy and grit fuel extraordinary success in this insightful episode. Many investors fail by only chasing ideas. Discover why focusing on the right founders can unlock revolutionary outcomes. Join us as Hampus Jakobsson reveals how empathy and grit are the true drive
EP 136: Focus and Determination: Lessons from Dan Brisse's Sports and Business Career
Discover how Dan Brisse, a former X Games gold medalist, transformed his passion for snowboarding into a thriving real estate empire. In this episode of [Podcast Name], we delve deep into Dan's journey, exploring the resilience, focus, and determination that propelled him from professional sports to building Granite Towers Equity Group.🎙️ What's in the Episode: 1️⃣ The Power of Resilienc
#135: Empowering Innovators: 10 Lessons from The Innovators by Walter Isaacson
Ever wondered how the digital revolution came to be? Was it the work of lone geniuses, or was there something more at play? In this episode, we delve into Walter Isaacson's "The Innovators," uncovering the collaborative efforts and key principles that have shaped our technological landscape.In the world of investing and entrepreneurship, building a multidisciplinary mental model is
EP 134 - The Secret Sauce of California’s Biotech Success Revealed by Joe Panetta
🚀 Discover the Secret Sauce Behind California’s Biotech Success with Joe Panetta Unlock the keys to California’s biotech boom as we delve into the insights of Joe Panetta, President and CEO of Biocom California. In this episode, we explore the unique factors that have made California a global leader in biotech innovation. Whether you’re a CEO, investor, or biotech enthusiast, this episode offers i
MM 22: Solving Big Problems: Luis Pareras on Smart Investments
Are you ready to discover the secret behind successful investments? Join us as we delve into the mind of Luis Pareras, a venture capital expert, as he reveals the critical investment principle many founders overlook.🚀 What if the key to successful investments isn't just about having a solution, but finding the right problem to solve?🎙️ In this Clip: 1️⃣ Learn why identifying and solving big p
EP 133: Suzanne Heywood - From Shipwreck to Boardroom: How Education Transformed a Life of Adversity into Extraordinary Success
Imagine spending a decade of your childhood adrift at sea, facing shipwreck and isolation. Could you turn that adversity into a springboard for a remarkable career?Suzanne Heywood, COO of Exor and author of the captivating memoir "Wavewalker," did just that. In this episode, we unpack her incredible journey from a life of hardship to leading a global investment firm.Uncover the secrets t
#132: Mastering Risk and Failure: Jeff Bezos' Blueprint for Success (Biography Review)
Ever wondered how Jeff Bezos transformed a humble online bookstore into the global powerhouse that is Amazon? This biography summary by Influential Individuals uncovers the core principles that propelled Bezos to become the world's richest person. In my martial arts days, a coach taught me to study exceptional role models – a strategy akin to the famous Harvard Business Cases. Analyze success
EP 131: 🚀 Fast Forward Thinking: Luis Pareras on Future and Science-Driven Innovation
Unlock the secrets of future-proof investing and transformative innovation in this compelling episode. Join us as we delve into the mind of Luis Pareras, Managing Partner at Invivo Partners, a venture capital fund pioneering investments in cutting-edge biotech. Discover how to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of science and technology to drive meaningful change and unparalleled success. 🎙️
Ep 130: Gergely Krajcsi - Is Venture Debt the Missing Piece in Your Startup's Funding Puzzle? (EIB's Expert Reveals All)
What if there was a funding source that could supercharge your startup's growth without diluting your equity? It's not a pipe dream. It's venture debt – a powerful tool that many founders and investors haven't fully explored.In this episode, we channel the spirit of learning from industry leaders, just as in the famous Harvard Business Cases. We dissect innovative financing str
#129: Elon Musk Leadership Formula: Risk, Ambition, and the Cost of Success (Walter Isaacson Biography Review)
Ever wondered what drives Elon Musk, the world's most controversial innovator?This biography summary by Walter Isaacson dives into the complex mind of the man behind rockets, EVs, and the Twitter takeover.In my martial arts days, a coach taught me to study exceptional role models – a strategy akin to the famous Harvard Business Cases. Analyze success, discover core principles, then adapt them
EP 128: Squire Servance - Beyond Profit: Venture Capital’s Key Role in Solving Health Disparities
🚀 Investing with Impact: Squire Servance on Health Equity & Venture CapitalUnlock the power of venture capital to address health disparities and drive positive social change. In this insightful episode, we speak with Squire Servance, founder of health equity fund Syridex Bio. Discover his unique approach to investing in companies tackling underserved health needs, proving that profitability
MM21: Mastering Venture Capital in a Volatile Market: Insights from a Life Science Investor
Venture capital funding is drying up, but is this a crisis or an opportunity? Squire Servance, founder of Syridex Bio,, explains the "denominator problem," why savvy investors are targeting overlooked assets, and how his fund addresses health disparities.Link to full episodeSend us Fan MailJoin Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scale
MM20: Alarming Disparities Exposed: A VC's Take on Health Equity - Squire Servance, Syridex Bio
Witness the raw truth as Squire Servance, founder of Syridex Bio, a healthcare impact investor, sheds light on the glaring health disparities in the US.In this exclusive clip (full episode coming this week!), Squire dives deep into the root causes – from social determinants to systemic issues – and why a concerted effort across sectors is crucial for achieving true health equity.This conversation
#127: Tim Cook's Apple: Leadership, Profit, Privacy, & Changing the World (Book Review)
Ever wondered how Apple became a trillion-dollar empire, even after the loss of Steve Jobs? This Tim Cook biography summary reveals the operational genius and the ethical leadership strategies that redefined the company. Discover secrets of Apple's growth, innovation, and Cook's unwavering commitment to privacy.Problems This Solves:Feeling overwhelmed by market volatility? Discover Cook&
EP 126: Owen Reynolds is Changing the Game: Risk, Returns, & the Future of Tech
🚀 Navigating the Future: Owen Reynolds' Blueprint for Venture Capital Success!Join us in this riveting episode as we explore the visionary mind of Owen Reynolds, a leading figure at Teklas Ventures, renowned for his strategic foresight in the venture capital arena. Delve into how Owen's innovative approach is not just navigating, but pioneering new pathways for startups to scale from gro
EP125 - Dan Bowyer: Revolutionizing Ventures: Dan Bowyer's Blueprint for Disruptive Success
🚀 Revolutionizing the Game: Dan Bowyer's Vision for the Future of Venture Capital!In this compelling episode, join us as we unravel the insights and strategies of Dan Bowyer, a pioneering force in the venture capital world with SuperSeed VC. Discover how his unique approach is not just reshaping, but revolutionizing how startups navigate the journey from conception to global impact.🎙️ What&ap
#124: From Zero to Billion: How Venture Capital Shapes Our World | 'The Power Law' Review
Venture capital is the lifeblood of innovation, transforming bold ideas into groundbreaking realities. Yet, navigating this high-stakes world is fraught with challenges that only the daring overcome. "The Power Law" by Sebastian Mallaby reveals the untold stories of the mavericks who dared to invest in the improbable, shaping our world with technologies once deemed impossible.Why This Su
EP 123 - Navigating the New Era of European Innovation with David Dana
🚀 Europe's Tech Transformation: David Dana's Vision for the Future!In this episode, join me, Christian Soschner, for an enlightening conversation with David Dana, a leading figure in the European tech investment landscape. Discover how his strategic approach at the European Investment Fund (EIF) is driving innovation and shaping the future of technology in Europe.🎙️ What's in the Ep
EP 122: Change-Makers of 2023: Discovering New Paths in Health, Technology, and Climate
Ready to make 2024 your best year ever? If so, this episode is tailor-made for you. We've hand-picked the five most impactful, insightful, and exhilarating pieces of advice from various episodes of 2023, each poised to help you navigate the coming year with greater clarity and confidence.First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to every speaker who graced my show. Each conversation was a jou
SP 15: 2024 Vision: Amplifying Deep Tech Voices – Insights from Investors and Entrepreneurs on 'Beginner's Mind'
Dive into the future with 'Beginner’s Mind' as I unveil the 2024 vision, a groundbreaking journey through the world of deep tech. In this special episode, join me for a riveting exploration into the minds of tech giants like Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett, and Elon Musk. Discover exclusive insights that are shaping the future of technology and investment.We're not just talking about tre
EP 121 - Matías Peire: How Can Latin America Revolutionize Global Biotech?
In this episode, we dive into a groundbreaking conversation with Matías Peire, a trailblazer in the biotech venture capital space. Discover how his innovative approach at GRIDX is reshaping the future of biotech in Latin America.🎙️ What's in the Episode:1️⃣ Bridging Science and Business: Matías discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in connecting Latin American scientific talent wi
MM 19: Merry Christmas from Christian Soschner: Uniting Deep Tech with Timeless Wisdom
📢 About This Memorable MomentThis festive season, I reflect on the journey we've shared through the 'Beginner’s Mind' podcast and our collective mission in the deep tech world.📘 Inspiration Behind the Message:Drawing from the insights in Sebastian Mallaby’s 'The Power Law', I discuss how we’ve aimed to nurture connections within the deep tech ecosystem. My message intertwi
MM 18: Revolutionizing Mental Health: The Promise of Psychedelic Therapy with Matias Serebrinsky
Dive into a groundbreaking discussion with Matias Serebrinsky from Psymed Ventures, as we uncover the astonishing potential of psychedelic therapy in mental health. In this exclusive clip, Matias reveals groundbreaking clinical trial results for MDMA in treating PTSD, showing unprecedented remission rates and long-term healing. He also discusses the shift from traditional symptom management to act
EP 120: Matias Serebrinsky: Shaping the Future of Mental Health: AI, Psychedelics, and Beyond
Did you know that the intersection of mental health and cutting-edge technology is paving the way for revolutionary therapies that could redefine our approach to mental health and wellness?Imagine a future where AI and novel therapies like psychedelics work together to unlock new realms of mental health treatment. Matias Serebrinsky and Psymed Ventures are at the forefront of this innovation, not
