Good morning! On today’s agenda, we have a new packed newsletter for you that includes:
🎧 New podcast episode with Rupda on somatic healing, self-awareness & building meaningful connections
📝 The Startup Leap 16: Building a High-Performing Team to Scale a Massive Vision
Looking for more insights? Here are some great articles and news from the venture community.
📝 Greece 2024 - Year in Review
📝 What to Watch in 2025 - The companies, markets, tokens, and themes that will define the year
Last seats available for VC Fund Performance Benchmarking. 🔥
Benchmarking is more than just numbers - it’s a critical tool for GPs and LPs to measure performance, position funds effectively, and align with market expectations.
Join us for this 2-hour masterclass designed to demystify VC benchmarking and provide actionable insights to navigate key metrics like IRR, TVPI, DPI and PME.
Led by Joe Schorge, Managing Partner of Isomer Capital, this session will help you understand how LPs think, how benchmarks are created and - most importantly - how to use them to evaluate performance, communicate results, and position your fund confidently in the market.
Rupda on somatic healing, self-awareness & building meaningful connections
In today’s episode of the European VC Podcast, we have a powerful conversation with Rupda, a trauma therapist and expert in somatic healing, to explore the profound impact of self-awareness, connection, and body-based healing on personal and professional lives.
If you’re a founder, investor, or someone striving for balance, this episode offers transformative insights into navigating stress, building meaningful relationships, and reconnecting with yourself.
Want to experience this work firsthand?
Join the next Deep Work Retreat from April 1 to 6 in beautiful Italy. To learn more about it, go here, and to request an invitation, contact Andreas at a@eu.vc.
Watch it here or add it to your episodes on Apple or Spotify 🎧 chapters for easy navigation available on the Spotify/Apple episode.
✍️ Show notes
1. How did your background lead you to this work?
Understanding the roots of trauma and healing is deeply personal. How did Rupda’s journey shape her approach to helping others?
Rupda:
Journey into trauma work began with early-life experiences of separation and disconnection. Born to a homeless teenage mother, was given away at birth and later experienced multiple separations, including being placed in boarding school at age five. These formative years imprinted beliefs of unworthiness and disconnection.
Introduction to Tibetan Buddhist teachings and meditation at seven marked a turning point. The compassion and safety experienced in that environment laid the foundation for healing and ignited the passion for helping others.
2. What are the root causes of stress and burnout, and where do you start to address them?
High-stress environments, especially for founders and professionals, can lead to burnout. What are the underlying causes, and how can healing begin?
Rupda:
Stress and burnout often stem from disconnection from self, stemming from societal expectations to suppress emotions and overachieve.
Many people construct "false selves" to gain external approval, abandoning parts of themselves in the process. This leads to feelings of isolation, unworthiness, and disconnection.
Healing begins with cultivating self-awareness and allowing space to reconnect with one’s body, emotions, and authentic self.
3. How can we recognize and address numbness before reaching burnout?
Many people don’t realize they’re disconnected until they face extreme burnout or depression. How can we identify and address early signs of numbness?
Rupda:
Numbness begins as a survival strategy, often learned in childhood when emotions are dismissed or suppressed. Over time, it leads to disconnection from feelings, including joy and grief.
Common signs include lack of emotional expression, overworking as a distraction, and difficulty connecting with loved ones.
Addressing numbness involves recognizing these patterns, reconnecting with emotions, and creating space for natural releases, such as tears or laughter, which are vital for emotional health.
4. What is somatic work, and why is it so impactful?
Trauma and stress are stored in the body. How does somatic work facilitate healing, and what makes it different from traditional talk therapy?
Rupda:
Somatic work focuses on the body as a repository of tension and trauma. It helps release stored stress through physical sensations, such as shaking or muscle relaxation.
She works through four centers of intelligence: the head (understanding), the heart (emotions), the belly (physical sensations), and the unknown (intuition).
This approach bypasses cognitive barriers, allowing the body’s innate wisdom to guide the healing process. Physical cues, such as a tense shoulder or a shaking leg, often reveal hidden emotional states.
5. What happens during a physical release, and why is it so transformative?
In a retreat setting, participants sometimes experience dramatic physical releases. What’s happening in those moments, and how do they facilitate healing?
Rupda:
Physical releases are involuntary movements like shaking, crying, or laughter, allowing the body to discharge deeply held tension.
When participants feel safe and supported, their bodies naturally repair themselves, bypassing the need for cognitive understanding.
These moments often bring profound relief and a sense of lightness, as unresolved trauma is released and replaced by relaxation and clarity.
6. How does group work amplify the healing process?
Group therapy offers unique benefits beyond one-on-one sessions. Why is it so effective in fostering transformation?
Rupda:
Group settings create resonance and shared understanding. Seeing others open up inspires participants to explore their own vulnerabilities.
Collective dynamics amplify emotions—grief, joy, and connection—allowing participants to process emotions they may have suppressed for years.
The group becomes a supportive collective, fostering profound transformation and a sense of belonging.
7. How can founders and professionals balance work and personal life?
Founders and professionals often struggle to prioritize relationships amidst demanding schedules. What’s the key to achieving balance?
Rupda:
Neglecting personal relationships for professional success leads to isolation and burnout. Prioritizing relationships with self, partners, and children is essential for long-term fulfillment.
Inner work fosters better decision-making and a deeper connection to one’s values, which naturally enhances both personal and professional relationships.
Success without connection to loved ones often feels hollow; alignment with personal priorities is key.
8. Why is vulnerability and connection becoming so important in professional circles?
Authenticity is gaining importance in the business world. How does vulnerability transform professional relationships?
Rupda:
Vulnerability fosters deeper, more authentic connections beyond transactional interactions.
Shared experiences, such as retreats or meaningful conversations, build trust and understanding.
As professionals embrace authenticity, they create stronger bonds and more fulfilling collaborations.
9. What practical steps can we take to slow down and reconnect with ourselves?
In a fast-paced world, slowing down can feel counterproductive. How can we integrate moments of connection and reflection into daily life?
Rupda:
Slowing down allows for presence, nervous system regulation, and deeper connections with others.
Practical tips:
Practice mindful eating by focusing on taste and sensation.
Engage in reflective journaling with prompts like, “Who would I be without the story I keep telling myself?”
Unplug from distractions and spend time in nature or quiet contemplation.
Small acts of mindfulness, such as pausing before speaking or placing a hand on the heart, can create profound moments of connection.
Final Notes:
This episode offers powerful insights into how somatic healing, vulnerability, and self-awareness can transform our personal and professional lives. Whether you’re seeking to navigate stress, build meaningful relationships, or reconnect with yourself, these lessons are both timeless and practical.
Want to experience this work firsthand?
Join the next Deep Work Retreat from April 1–6 in beautiful Italy. Limited spots are available—reach out to Andreas at a@eu.vc to secure your place.
If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and connect with us on social media. Together, let’s create a more authentic and connected world.
The Startup Leap 16: Building a High-Performing Team to Scale a Massive Vision
Guest post by Maria Rotilu - Founding Partner at Openseed.VC and Yvonne Bajela - Partner at LocalGlobe. | Originally published on The Startup Leap.
In this special episode, our hosts Yvonne and Maria look back on valuable insights from past guests on building a world-class team—a critical challenge for every founder. This episode revisits key insights on how to navigate the challenges of finding the perfect co-founders and team members to drive success. Listen in for strategies that have helped founders grow resilient teams that thrive together.
Key Highlights:
🌟 Why intentional hiring is more important than rushing to fill roles
🔑 The power of complementary skill sets and founder-market fit
🤝 How team chemistry and aligned goals can make or break a startup
💡 Effective ways to bring high-quality talent on board despite startup constraints 👀 Tune in to learn from founders who’ve mastered the art of team-building! Subscribe for more insights every week.
👉 Connect with Yvonne and Maria on LinkedIn and Instagram: @yvonnebajela and @mariarotilu
🌟 Stay Updated with The Startup Leap: Instagram @thestartupleappod, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok: @thestartupleap, and newsletter here.
Greece 2024 - Year in Review
I know many of you still find yourselves in large get-togethers with family and friends, heatedly debating about Greek politics, economics, society or sports.
If you fall in that group, I have a small present for you:
Here are the 10 most spicy charts from the top stories of the Changing Greece newsletter for 2024.
Knowing that I may have added an extra spark to your fiery conversations makes me happy. Nothing makes one feel as alive as participating in a big fat Greek debate!
For the rest of you, I hope you enjoy equally in the delight.
Peace, love and keep the Greek spirit alive!
What to Watch in 2025 - The companies, markets, tokens, and themes that will define the year
No one can predict the future. But talking to the right people can get you much closer.
The best venture capitalists are not just money managers, but savvy prognosticators, skilled at seeing which fractal path is about to unfurl. These are the investors that spotted Solana in 2018, invested in generative AI before the ChatGPT moment, backed Airbnb when it looked like couch-surfing lunacy, and recognized the potential in prediction markets prior to Polymarket’s incredible 2024.
Some things are made for platforms - music, cabs & pizzas. But fund solutions aren’t one of them. Their individual client focus and regulation-first approach is your guarantee for flexible solutions accommodative to a broad range of deal and client specifics. The kicker? Prices that match any of the shelf-products in the market.
🤗 Join the EUVC Community
Looking for niche, high-quality experiences that prioritize depth over breadth? Consider joining our community focused on delivering content tailored to the experienced VC. Here’s what you can look forward to as a member:
Exclusive Access & Discounts: Priority access to masterclasses with leading GPs & LPs, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
On-Demand Content: A platform with sessions you can access anytime, anywhere complete with presentations, templates and other resources.
Interactive AMAs: Engage directly with top GPs and LPs in exclusive small group sessions — entirely free for community members.
💬 EUVC Community | LP AMA with AQVC’s Marius Weber
Join us for an exclusive AMA session with Marius Weber, Founding Partner at AQVC.
After a history as a co-founder of startups and a manager of several VC funds over the last 15 years, in 2021 Marius Weber partnered with his long time friends Marcus and Oliver and co-founded AQVC, a tech enabled asset manager for Venture Capital which is divided in two departments.
This AMA is part of our ongoing series of small-group sessions designed to foster deep, meaningful discussions within the VC community. Participation is free for members of our community, but spots are limited. Reserve your spot now to ensure you don’t miss this opportunity.
Emerging fund managers face countless challenges when setting up and structuring their first VC fund. The process is complex, daunting, and full of pitfalls, from navigating legal frameworks to engaging with the right service providers, the foundations you lay now will shape your growth trajectory.
That’s why we’re planning an exclusive 3-hour masterclass designed to equip emerging managers with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to tackle these challenges head-on.
✍🏻 EUVC Masterclass | Marketing & VC Fund Narrative
Your brand is everything. It’s what sets you apart, helps you win the best deals, attract LPs, and ultimately drive your growth. For emerging fund managers, building a credible brand and establishing the right marketing foundations early on are game-changers. Yet, many don’t know where to begin.
Your fund’s narrative is what makes the difference between an LP glancing at your deck or deciding they’re ready to write a check. It’s your brand that makes LPs feel confident they’re partnering with someone who knows how to make magic happen.
We’re planning a masterclass on building strong marketing foundations with a top industry leader. If enough people show interest, we’ll make it happen.
🗓️ The VC Conferences You Can’t Miss
There are some events that just have to be on the calendar. Here’s our list, hit us up if you’re going, we’d love to meet!
GoWest | 📆 28 - 30 January 2025 | 🇸🇪 Gothenburg, Sweden
Investors Summit Bilbao 2025 | 📆 11 - 12 February 2025 | 🇪🇸 Bilbao, Spain
0100 DACH 2025 | 📆 18 - 20 Feb 2025 | 🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria
0100 Europe 2025 | 📆 02 - 04 April 2025 | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
0100 Emerging Europe 2025 | 📆 14-16 May 2025 | 🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary
GITEX Europe 2025 | 📆 23 - 25 May 2025 | 🇩🇪 Berlin, Germany
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