In this short but insightful episode of the EUVC Podcast, we’re joined by George Robson of Sequoia and Benjamin, our trusted ambassador from Tech Barbecue, for a candid conversation on the transformative impact of AI—especially through the lens of content creation.
The group touches on the disconnect between innovators and the mainstream when it comes to AI adoption. George and Benjamin reflect on the massive potential of AI, the surprisingly slow uptake among everyday users, and how those on the cutting edge are already rethinking workflows, communication, and strategy.
Here’s what’s covered:
05:46 Reconciling European Optimism with U.S. Skepticism
17:22 U.S. Views on Europe: Misconceptions & Missed Nuance
21:00 The Return of Real Venture: Deep Tech vs. SaaS
24:00 Evaluating Deep Tech Founders: What Sequoia Looks For
26:59 Adapting Sequoia’s Platform to Serve Technical Founders
29:57 Scale-Up Capital in Europe: Reality vs. Perception
32:11 AI Company Metrics: Changing Signals & Due Diligence
34:56 Explosion of Founders in the AI Era: A Double-Edged Sword
36:59 Why Some European Companies Don’t Scale Big Enough
42:54 Foundational Principles for Building in the AI Era
📺 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
The European VC Moment
The conversation kicks off with a strong signal: Europe is no longer the underdog—it’s building its momentum. George reflects on Sequoia’s growing presence in London and explains how local ecosystems, from Klarna to Revolut, are creating a new generation of global-minded founders.
A Tale of Two Narratives: U.S. Skepticism vs. European Ambition
While American VCs increasingly cast doubt on Europe’s investability, George counters with hard data and local nuance. Andreas and Benjamin highlight the disconnect between U.S. perception and on-the-ground energy, calling out a lack of understanding of Europe’s fragmented but potent startup fabric.
Europe’s Deep Tech Edge
The discussion zeroes in on deep tech, where Europe’s industrial roots, life sciences leadership, and defense R&D strength are converging with AI. George explains how Sequoia sees this as a pivotal opportunity—and why talent density in hubs like Munich and Estonia shouldn’t be underestimated.
Capital, Catalysts, and Constraints
Benjamin raises the alarm about capital availability at scale, sparking a nuanced take from George: capital does exist, but perception lags. More importantly, founders must shed limiting beliefs and build with global ambition, assuming the capital will come if the vision is bold enough.
What Sequoia Looks for in AI & Deep Tech Founders
George breaks down how Sequoia evaluates technically elite teams, emphasizing founder-problem fit, storytelling, and team construction. He urges deep tech founders to pair intellectual depth with executional speed and customer obsession to stand out in today’s market.
Building Differently in the AI Era
As the conversation nears its end, George offers a tactical playbook for company-building now: formalize culture early, track AI adoption across workflows, and treat storytelling as a business function. The winners, he predicts, will be those who master both infrastructure and narrative.
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💬 Community event | LP AMA with James Heath | ⏰ May 19, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM GMT+2 | 💻 Online
Ever wonder how LPs actually think about fund strategies, especially in a world leaning toward specialisation? Join our next members-only LP AMA with James Heath, Investment Principal at dara5 and author of Why Specialists Will Win the Next Decade of Venture.
This is a small-group, interactive session where you’ll get the chance to ask candid questions and hear James’s unfiltered take on where LPs are placing their bets—and why.
Why attend?
Hear directly from a leading LP who’s investing in both specialist and generalist VC funds across Europe
Learn how LPs evaluate fund strategies—and why some are doubling down on focused, high-conviction theses
Get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s working in European VC, what’s not, and what LPs are watching next
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🗓️ 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!
0100 Emerging Europe 2025 | 📆 14-16 May 2025 | 🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary
GITEX Europe 2025 | 📆 23 - 25 May 2025 | 🇩🇪 Berlin, Germany
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