In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm talks with Sebastian Pollok to unpack the thesis behind Visionaries Tomorrow, a fund purpose-built to back industrial deep tech founders emerging from Europe’s labs and institutes.
Sebastian explores why Europe's frontier innovation requires new LP-GP dynamics, portfolio construction models, and national ambition—and how family offices and sovereign industrial strategy can unlock a generational leap in European deep tech leadership.
Here’s what’s covered:
02:30 Why Industrial Deep Tech Needs Purpose-Built Capital
06:45 Founders from Labs, Not MBAs: Rethinking Team Archetypes
10:10 Case Study: Proxima Fusion & Max Planck’s World-Leading Design
13:55 Balancing Moonshots and Pick-and-Shovel Businesses
18:20 Family Offices & Mittelstand: Europe’s Strategic LP Base
22:40 What It Means to Truly Love Your LPs
26:30 The New Portfolio Construction for Deep Tech VC
36:10 Why Capital Efficiency Still Matters in Deep Tech
40:25 Strategic Sovereignty & the Role of the West in Frontier Tech
📺 Watch the episode here or stream it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—now with chapters for easy navigation on the Spotify/Apple episode🎧
✍️ Show Notes
Why Europe Needs a Deep Tech-Specific VC Model
Sebastian breaks down the unique founder archetypes emerging from Europe’s research labs and technical institutes—people who don’t need just capital, but co-builders and commercial guides. Visionaries Tomorrow aims to meet that need by going all-in on operational support and deep vertical understanding.
Proxima Fusion: Europe’s Chance to Lead
One of Visionaries’ flagship investments—Proxima Fusion—is a rare story where public R&D and private capital align to create a global category leader. With backing from the Max Planck Institute and €1.5B in research behind it, Proxima shows that Europe can lead in industrial tech if capital aligns with conviction.
The Power of the Mittelstand & Enterprising LPs
Sebastian explains why European family offices are uniquely aligned to back frontier innovation: they’re long-term oriented, operationally savvy, and highly strategic. Visionaries Tomorrow sees them not just as LPs—but as co-builders in the deep tech renaissance.
Balancing the Deep Tech Portfolio
Not every investment can be a 10-year science project. Sebastian shares Visionaries Tomorrow’s approach to blending 10–15% moonshots with 85–90% “pick-and-shovel” tools—making the portfolio resilient while staying bold.
Strategic Sovereignty in a Fragmented World
At a time when democratic systems are being challenged, Sebastian makes the case for Europe to invest in technological self-determination—and why industrial deep tech is a matter of sovereignty, not just innovation.
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