Dating apps are weird again — and honestly? We're here for it.
From Netflix's Swiped to AI-powered matchmaking apps for dog lovers, founders are reinventing love with algorithms.
In this episode:
- The real reason Gen Z is done with swiping
- AI that flirts and schedules your date
- Why the dating app market is still worth $10B+
- The loneliness economy (and why startups love it)
Whether you're in love, building a dating app, or ghosting texts — this one’s for you.
Everyone loves the “We just raised $3M!” LinkedIn post.
No one talks about the burnout, breakdowns, and bullshit behind it.
In this episode:
- The emotional tax of chasing your next round
- What actually gets VCs to say yes
- The moment we realized fundraising is often the worst part of the job
From AI-powered pizza ovens in Naples to robotic bartenders and airport arms serving poke bowls — theautomation wave is coming for your food.
In this episode, we talk about how tech is transforming the hospitality game (and if that’s actually what we want).
Robots are fast, efficient, scalable.
But can they replace the romance of a Neapolitan pizza chef?
We debate. We laugh. We fear for our free drinks.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Automation in Food Industry
00:03:09 - The Future of Pizza: Automation and Experience
00:06:20 - Robotics in Hospitality: A New Era
00:09:12 - The Impact of AI on Customer Experience
00:12:09 - Market Trends and Investment Opportunities
00:15:06 - The Role of Automation in Airports
00:17:47 - Evolving Job Roles in the Age of AI
00:20:55 - Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Food and Service
In this short & spicy edition, Erika and Vlada debate one of the biggest shifts in the startup world:
Is profitability finally sexier than growth?
Fundraising is down. Burn multiples are under the microscope.
Founders are rethinking everything — and we’re here for the hot takes. 🔥
Giacomo Bertoldi didn’t follow the Silicon Valley playbook.
Instead, he turned a legacy family business into Walliance — one of Europe’s biggest real estate crowdfunding platforms.
Fast-forward: €10M+ raised, campaigns across Italy, Spain, and the US, and a story full of hustle, pivots, and pressure.
In this episode:
- How he built Walliance from the ground up
- That €6.5M raise that nearly crashed
- Why Spain worked, France didn’t, and NYCsurprised them all
- Real estate lessons, family biz drama, and alot of grit
Real estate has never sounded this fun.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Momentum and Guest Introduction
00:01:02 - The Birth of Wallians: A Vision for Real Estate
00:05:00 - Giacomo's Journey: From New York to Wallians
00:07:24 - Family Influence and Entrepreneurial Spirit
00:10:13 - Navigating Challenges and Seeking Support
00:16:46 - The Importance of Mentorship in Business
00:22:57 - Explaining Wallians: A New Way to Invest
00:24:26 - Starting Small: The Investment Threshold
00:27:28 - Understanding Returns: What to Expect
00:28:21 - Expanding Horizons: Entering New Markets
00:32:13 - Navigating Challenges: Managing International Operations
00:36:23 - The Real Estate Reality: Managing Projects and Delays
00:38:07 - Finding Momentum: What Drives Success
00:38:32 - Rapid Fire Round: Quick Insights
The EU just announced a massive €10 billion fund to stop European startups from fleeing to the US — but is this really the magic fix we’ve all been waiting for?
In this episode:- The real opportunity behind the Scale-Up Europe fund (and who wins)- The risks: slow bureaucracy, tricky terms, regional favoritism- How you should think about public funding if you’re building in Europe- And why this could change (or not change) the game for founders
If you’ve ever wondered why funding in Europe feels harder — or what it’ll take to flip thescript — this one’s for you.
🎧 Hit play and let’s break it down.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to the New Format
00:01:03 - New Chapter
00:01:04 - Overview of the Scale Up Europe Fund
00:02:01 - Impact on European Startups
00:04:01 - The Ecosystem Maturity
00:05:47 - Challenges and Risks
00:08:38 - Strategies for Founders
00:09:20 - Future Vision for European Startups
No Stanford. No pitchdeck army. No working product.
Just an idea, a cold email, and a team of scientists crazy enough to go all in.
In this episode, we sit down with Pavel Hrmo — physicist, founder, and the brain behind ZuriQ — a startup building quantum tech from scratch.
We talk:
- How they raised €4.2M pre-product (and what convinced investors)
- The leap from academia to entrepreneurship
- Cold outreach, imposter syndrome, and why betting on yourself is the only way
- Building deep tech with no time, no sleep, and no roadmap
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Quantum Computing and Zuriq
00:01:33 - FromAcademia to Entrepreneurship: The Birth of Zuriq
00:05:34 - Navigating Investor Relations and Pitching Challenges
00:11:37 - Explaining the Technology: Trapped Ions in Quantum Computing
00:18:34 - Target Industries and Future Applications of Zuriq
00:20:36 - The Unique Approach: Combining Electric and Magnetic Fields
00:26:30 - Utilizing Seed Funding for Development and Partnerships
00:32:22 - Building a Skilled Team and Overcoming Hiring Challenges
00:38:19 - Facing Doubts and Challenges in Startup Life
Starting a podcast sounds fun.
Doing it with your best friend? Even better. Until… it isn’t.
In this no-guestepisode, we get real about building Momentum while juggling jobs, babies, bad Wi-Fi, and a hundred Google Docs.
We talk late-night edits, friendship dynamics, near meltdowns — and why we’re doing it.
In this episode:
- The real reason we started Momentum
- How we stalk guests without shame
- Running on zero time (and occasional baby cries)
- What we’ve learned from 20+ episodes — and where it’s going next If you’ve ever launched something with yourbest friend — or thought about it — this one’s for you.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Our Story
00:03:10 - Behind the Scenes of the Podcast
00:06:02 - Guest Selection and Future Plans
00:08:51 - Collaboration Dynamics and Personal Growth
00:12:04 - Common Themes Among Entrepreneurs
00:15:01 - Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
Felice Biancardi runs 4 companies — across sports, real estate, cyber and hospitality — all while living and working fully remote.
And he’s not chasing unicorns. He’s building freedom.
In this episode:
- Why his first startup failed (and why that was the best thing that happened)
- How he scaled in one of Italy’s slowest-moving markets
- How a “side hustle” made €1.5M+ in 18 months
- Why not every business needs to chase unicorn status
One of the most refreshing “build your own game” founder stories we’ve had.
Hit play. This one will stick with you.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introductionto Felice Biancardi and His Ventures
00:02:28 - The Journeyfrom Bocconi to Entrepreneurship
00:06:44 - FoundingGole: The Start of a Sports Tech Revolution
00:10:28 - NavigatingChallenges During the Pandemic
00:13:39 - Digital Transformation in Sports Clubs
00:16:29 - Understanding Decision-Making in Sports Organizations
00:19:50 - Expanding Horizons: Managing Multiple Ventures
00:25:38 - The Personal Cost of Entrepreneurship
00:26:54 - Diverse Ventures and Entrepreneurial Success
00:30:00 - Pitching Ideas and Gaining Investor Confidence
00:32:51 - The Importance of Co-Founders
00:36:57 - Unique Business Methodology and Personal Well-Being
00:42:47 - Future Aspirations and Industry Focus
00:46:00 - Motivation and Problem-Solving Mindset
Two Stanford physicists left the lab to fix a broken system: computer chips that waste too much energy and can’t keep up with AI.
Their startup, Lightium, is using light (yep, actual light) to make chips faster, cooler, and ready for the next tech wave — from AI to quantum.
In this episode, we get into:
- Why traditional chips are hitting a ceiling
- How they explained photonic tech without losing the room
- The inside story of raising €7M as deeptech outsiders
- What it really takes to turn hard science into a real business
If you like big tech bets, underestimated founders, and startups building the invisible stuff that powers the future — hit play.
Meet Sofia Radley — pharmacist-turned-cofounder of AXMED — a company on a mission to fix how low-income countries access medicines.
In this episode, we talk:
- Why building a global marketplace for medicines is 100x harder than it sounds- How fundraising and team building happened while giving birth to her second kid- What it really takes to co-found a mission-driven company (hint: brutal honesty) and the importance for social entrepreneurs to be system thinkers - The gap between opportunity and talent, as well as between US and EU startup landscape - The moments she asked herself: “Should I walk away?”.
This one’s raw, real, and ridiculously inspiring.
Hit play — it’ll stay with you.
00:00:00 - Introduction to AxMED and Sophia Radley
00:02:58 - Sophia's Journey: From Pharmacist to Entrepreneur
00:05:51 - The Importance of Co-Founders in Startups
00:09:14 - Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
00:12:06 - The Role of Harvard in Startup Success
00:15:07 - Differences Between US and European Startup Ecosystems
00:18:08 - Navigating Investor Expectations and Company Direction
00:31:12 - Choosing the Right Investors
00:32:30 - Vision for AXMED's Future
00:33:59 - The Marketplace for Medicines
00:36:20 - Social Entrepreneurship Challenges
00:39:02 - Balancing Mission and Margin
00:44:25 - Overcoming Personal Challenges as a Founder
00:54:48 - Finding Personal Momentum
What happens when a 24-year-old ex-BCG consultant takes on Europe’s slow, dusty real estate market? You get Casavo — a platform that once bought $30M in homes a month... then pivoted hard.
In this episode, Giorgio Tinacci shares:
How he raised $800M+ (with zero VC experience)
The real story behind their near-death moment (hint: interest rates)
Lessons from running a real estate rocket ship in 4 countries
Why he loves building things that create “ecosystem value”
It’s a masterclass in company success, founder intuition, and the art of pivoting under pressure. If you like big swings, big numbers, and bigger lessons — this one's for you.
Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction to Casavo and Giorgio Tinacci
00:00:56 - The Birth of Casavo: Early Challenges and Validation
00:05:49 - Funding the Vision: Securing Initial Investments
00:10:08 - Navigating the COVID Era: Investor Support and Challenges
00:13:06 - Building Relationships with Investors
00:16:50 - Lessons from the VC World: What Founders Should Know
00:21:05 - Cultural Differences in Investment: US vs. European VCs
00:24:03 - Facing Crisis: Near-Death Experiences in Entrepreneurship
00:25:27 - Navigating Near-Death Experiences in Entrepreneurship
00:26:11 - The Impact of Interest Rate Changes on Startups
00:28:00 - Transitioning to an Asset-Light Model
00:30:22 - Preparing for Market Changes
00:32:21 - Cultural Shifts in Business Strategy
00:35:33 - Expanding into International Markets
00:39:00 - Challenges of Merging Company Cultures
00:41:31 - Shifting Mindsets: From Growth to Profitability00:46:20 - The Founder’s Spirit: Balancing Leadership and Operations
What do Formula 1 and nanotechnology have in common? Andrea Giovannelli.
At 23, while Italy’s startup scene was barely on the map, Andrea launched Nanotech — betting on the smallest materials to solve the biggest engineering challenges. Fast forward: today, his company is powering faster F1 cars, safer airplanes, and the future of advanced materials.
We dive into the early days of building from scratch, landing €50K in business plan competitions, convincing partners when deeptech wasn’t “cool” yet, and why real innovation doesn’t chase trends — it creates them.
If you've ever dreamed about building something hard, this episode is for you.
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction to Nanotech and Its Vision
00:05:03 The Journey of Co-founding Nanotech
00:09:51 The Role of Sports in Entrepreneurship
00:15:02 Transitioning from Consulting to Entrepreneurship
00:19:56 Understanding Nanotechnology and Its Applications
00:24:53 Breaking into Formula One and Early Success
00:25:37 Entering the World of Formula One
00:29:14 Navigating Challenges and Innovations
00:31:02 Overcoming Early Struggles
00:38:35 The Courage to Start
00:42:47 Vision for the Future
00:46:11 Finding Momentum and Motivation
In this episode, we dive into how he built Vianova, a mobility data platform used by cities to make better decisionsaround transport and infrastructure. He shares what it’s really like to sell to governments, validate a product in public, and pitch an idea before the market is ready.
00:00:00 - Introduction to Vianova and Its Mission
04:26:00 - The Journey of Thibault Castagne: From Finance to Mobility
12:41:00 - The Evolution of Vianova: Data-Driven Urban Mobility
16:06:00 - Challenges in Partnering with Cities and Governments
20:06:00 - Vianova's Presence and Market Focus
24:17:00 - Navigating Urban Mobility Challenges
27:27:00 - The Entrepreneurial Journey: Personal Insights
31:34:00 - Lessons from the Startup Experience
37:13:00 - Funding and Investor Relations
41:11:00 - Building a Strong Technical Team
45:55:00 - Finding Momentum in Entrepreneurship
Chandralika Hazarika is a walking power surge.
No tech background, no co-founder, no safety net—and yet, she’s partnering with global fashion giants to bring AI to your online shopping cart.
As co-founder of Bigthinx 3D AI, she’s building cutting-edge tech that powers 3D body scans, virtual try-ons, and digital twins for the world’s biggest fashion and luxury brands.
(You know that moment when you wish you could see a 3D view of the bag you’re about to buy online? That’s her tech.)
In this episode, we talk:
⚡ Turning rejection into rocket fuel
⚡ Building credibility without a tech CV
⚡ Selling to big brands before the market was ready
⚡ Showing up bold in rooms that want you quiet
Chapters
00:00:00 - Revolutionizing Fashion with AI
00:07:27 - The Journey from Architecture to Fashion Tech
00:14:52 - Overcoming Challenges in the Fashion Industry
00:19:35 - Navigating Funding in Fashion Tech
00:25:39 - Building a Strong Founding Team
00:31:29 - Global Expansion and Headquarters Strategy
00:34:41 - Challenges Faced During Growth
00:38:30 - Personal Impact of Entrepreneurship
00:40:20 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
00:42:13 - Competitive Advantages in the Market
00:44:09 - Motivation and Team Development
Cristina Jäger spent years advising millionaires at UBS—then left it all to fix what the industry ignores: the gender wealth gap.
In this episode, she shares how Her Financial Freedom was born from a few conversations over Prosecco and turned into a fast-growing platform that’s helping thousands ofwomen invest with confidence.
We cover:
💸 Real estate vs. market investing
👶 The ETF plan she started for her 4-week-old niece
⚠️ The biggest mindset mistakes women make about money
🧠 What Europe can learn from Hong Kong billionaires
If you’ve ever thought“I’ll start investing when I have more money” — this episode is for you.
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction to Financial Empowerment
00:03:01 Cristina's Early Influences and Career Path
00:05:59 Wealth Management Insights from Asia and Europe
00:09:06 The GenderWealth Gap and Financial Literacy
00:11:54 The Birth of Her Financial Freedom
00:14:56 Transitioning from Banking to Entrepreneurship
00:17:53 Mission and Vision of Her Financial Freedom
00:20:57 Addressing Misconceptions About Wealth
00:23:47 The Importance of Financial Education for Women
00:27:26 Gendered Communication and Its Impact on Financial Confidence
00:30:35 The Importance of Early Investment
00:33:54 Starting Small: Building Financial Confidence
00:39:37 Transforming Financial Education for Future Generations
00:46:35 Creating a Supportive Community for Women in Finance
In this episode, we sit down with Yury Vasilkov, CEO of Gamaya, to talk about what it really takes to build momentum in deep tech. From overcoming a failed product launch to finding the right market (hello, sugarcane farmers 🧃), Yury shares the behind-the-scenes of navigating pivots, raising funding, and introducing AI into one of the most traditional industries on earth.
00:00:00 - Introductionto Gamaya and Yuri's Journey
00:03:10 - Transitioningfrom Corporate to Startup Leadership
00:05:53 - ChallengesFaced in Previous Startup Experience
00:08:57 - NavigatingGamaya's Early Challenges
00:11:52 - StrategicChanges and Business Model Pivot
00:15:01 - BuildingTrust with Farmers and Driving Adoption
00:18:02 - Innovatingin Agriculture: Overcoming Resistance to Change
00:24:05 - BuildingCustomer Relationships and Trust
00:28:26 - ExpandingProduct Portfolio and Market Reach
00:32:05 - NavigatingChallenges in Business Growth
00:34:20 - PersonalChallenges and Leadership in Uncertainty
00:41:23 - FindingMotivation and Balance in Entrepreneurship
00:42:52 - Passion forAgriculture and Technology
"Sell first. Build later." That’s the mindset that helped Tanguy Frecon, co-founder and CEO of Prolong, raise €1.5M before even launching his company.
Prolong is reshaping the fashion industry by making after-sales a brand asset—helping companies integrate care, repair, and maintenance services seamlessly. But building astartup from scratch is never smooth sailing.
How do you convince investors and clients to bet on an idea that doesn’t exist yet? What happens when your startup goes head-to-head with industry giants? And what’s thehardest lesson Tanguy learned along the way?
Listen now to find out.
00:00:00 - Introductionto Prolong and Tanguy's Journey
00:05:28 - Tanguy'sEntrepreneurial Background and Early Experiences
00:10:07 - BuildingProlong: The Concept and Team Formation
00:15:28 - FundraisingJourney and Initial Challenges
00:20:24 - NavigatingChallenges and Pivoting the Business Model
00:26:13 - TheImportance of External Perspectives
00:28:13 - KeyLearnings from Building Prolong
00:30:55 - SalesStrategy and Founder Involvement
00:32:01 - Goals andExpansion Plans for Prolong
00:34:15 - TargetMarket and Client Focus
00:35:16 - Data-DrivenAfter-Sales Solutions
00:36:29 - AIIntegration and Future Prospects
00:40:09 - Motivationand Vision for the Future
Quitting Corporate to Launch a Lingerie Empire – Tiffany’s Wild Ride
Ever thought about ditching your 9-to-5 to start your own thing? That’s exactly what Tiffany did. In this episode, Erika, Tiffany, and Vlada catch up on her leap from podcast host to full-time entrepreneur—building a lingerie brand with a bold twist: adaptive fashion.
The crew dives into the chaos of launching a business in France, why influencers are the new power players in marketing, and the unfiltered truth about going all-in on your dreams. Spoiler: It’s not all champagne and victory laps.
🔥 If you’re into startups, scale-ups, or just love a good “I quit my job” story, this one’s for you.
Episode Timestamps
00:00:00 - Introduction and Transition
00:01:12 - Tiffany's Departure and Vlada's Introduction
00:02:27 -Vlada's Background and New Beginnings
00:04:28 - The Podcast Experience and Learning Together
00:05:41 - Authenticity in Content Creation
00:06:11 - Exploring Entrepreneurial Journeys
00:08:58 - Tiffany's Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
00:11:02 - Identifying Market Gaps and Personal Experiences
00:13:11 - The Evolution of Tiffany's Business Idea
00:15:40 - Reflections on Corporate Experience and Growth
00:17:02 - Deciding to Take the Leap
00:18:53 - The Roller Coaster of Entrepreneurship
00:20:41 - Language Learning and Cultural Integration
00:22:00 - Challenges of Starting a Business in France
00:24:11 - Navigating Company Registration and Ecosystem Connections
00:24:30 - Funding Strategies for Startups
00:26:04 - Influencer Marketing in the Fashion Industry
00:33:10 - Dreams and Aspirations for the Future
You’ve seen the cute baby announcements and the glowing pregnancy pics, but let’s get real—motherhood is a rollercoaster, and maternity leave? A whole other beast. In this episode, Erika and Tiffany sit down with Katie to unpack the messy, exhausting, and surprisingly hilarious parts of pregnancy, birth, and navigating work after baby. From breaking your water and not knowing it (yes, that happened) to the pressure of “having it all together,” this episode is an honest, unfiltered convo on what it really feels like to juggle career and mom life.
Episode Timestamps
00:00:00 – Welcome to the MOMentum Podcast
00:01:00 – The MOM Episode Begins
00:06:00 – Preparing for Birth: The Over-Researcher vs. The ‘Let’s Just Wing It’ Approach
00:14:00 – The Weird Things We Prioritized Before Birth
00:18:30 – The Reality of Maternity Leave: How Much Time is Enough?
00:28:00 – What We Wish We Knew Before Maternity Leave
00:32:00 – Going Back to Work: Exciting or Overwhelming?
00:40:00 – Final Thoughts: Every Mom’s Journey Looks Different (And That’s Okay)