Is Europe funding its fintech future or exporting it at Series B? A candid panel on private markets, LP insights, GP fundraising, and financial sovereignty in Europe’s venture ecosystem.
In this special Balentic Edge episode from Nordic FinTech Week, host Kasper Wichmann joins Kim Rosenkilde (moderator), Christian Lindström-Lage (SEB), Toby Trieble (FinTech Collective), and Rune Ullbach (pension allocator) to examine Europe’s venture capital equation. The panel explores private markets dynamics, LP insights on portfolio construction and risk-adjusted returns, and the persistent tilt of GP fundraising toward US-led growth rounds.
Key themes include regulatory fragmentation and Solvency II, Europe’s dependence on US technology stacks and the push for financial sovereignty, and why top-down IC conviction (not safety nets) determines pension allocations to venture. The guests debate whether Europe’s diversity is a drag or an edge, how banks act as strategic LPs for early signal and partnerships, and what it takes to achieve consistent fund-returners in Europe.
If you’re an LP, GP, or allocator weighing Europe vs. US exposure, this episode offers a grounded view of capital flows, performance consistency, and the realpolitik behind 3x net targets.
Disclaimer:
The views are those of the host and guests and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not represent the views of any employer or affiliated entity. Nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, tax, or business advice, or an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security. References to funds or companies are illustrative only. Please consult your own advisers before making decisions.