Ecosystems – Page 10

New pay transparency regulations could help women negotiate better salaries

Ecosystems, Future of Work, Government and policy / Mike M. / June 21, 2023

Story by

Sandra O Connell

Sandra O’Connell is a freelance business journalist based in Ireland Sandra O’Connell is a freelance business journalist based in Ireland

The EU’s new pay transparency directive won’t close the gender pay gap by itself. But it will help.

After all, if you want to close the gender wage gap you first have to have data. Under the new directive, EU companies will be required to share information about how much they pay men and women for work of equal value and will have to take action if their gender pay gap exceeds 5%.

The new directive includes provisions on compensation for victims of pay discrimination and penalties, including fines, for employers who break the rules.

Equal pay for equal work

Currently, women in the EU earn on average 13% less than their male counterparts. Although the principle of equal pay for equal work has been an EU right since 1958, it hasn’t improved in a decade. In fact, the EU’s pay gap remained the same, or worsened, for just under half of organisations who reported it over the past two years.

Such inequity has lifelong consequences. Unequal pay not only puts women at greater risk of poverty during their working life, it also contributes to the EU’s pension pay gap, which currently stands at 30%.

The new rules make it compulsory for employers to inform job seekers about the starting salary or pay range of advertised positions, whether in the vacancy notice or ahead of the interview.

Employers will also be prevented from asking candidates about their pay history. Making an offer based on pay history only perpetuates the wage gap.

Once in a role, workers will be entitled to ask employers for information about average pay levels (broken down by sex) for categories of employees doing the same work or work of equal value.

Broader problem

However, according to the OECD, the pay gap represents a much broader problem in both society and the labour market. After all, a woman who finds out she’s been underpaid has just three options: do nothing, negotiate higher pay, or initiate a pay claim. Having to identify and raise and rectify the problem is a massive burden to carry.

And while transparency laws may give workers more information, “their effectiveness largely relies on workers having bargaining power to negotiate collectively or individually — and to negotiate without a backlash, which is less likely the case for female workers.”

That’s not good, given that women tend to be less likely than men to negotiate for a higher salary in the first place, “and when they do negotiate they tend to face a backlash or a ‘social penalty,’” the OECD says.

In the UK, equal pay has been a legal requirement for decades and is currently covered by the Equality Act of 2010. The problem is that an employer with an effective pay policy can still have a gender pay gap if, for example, all the senior jobs are held by men and the majority of women are in lower-paid jobs.

This in itself points to the bigger problem.

Women typically have more gaps in their careers for caregiving reasons and are more likely to work part-time too. This means women are more likely to enter lower-paid occupations than men and, over time, when women move into sectors previously dominated by men, salaries fall.

Research also suggests that men engage in salary negotiations more often than women.

Even where pay transparency rules are in place, such as California and New York, there is concern that employers are simply getting around it by providing “salary ranges” so wide as to be practically meaningless.

Similarly, employers can dodge the issue altogether by simply not advertising and using third-party search solutions instead.

If you’ve decided to move somewhere you feel more valued, there are loads of great open roles on the House of Talent Job Board:

Senior Art Producer, Improbable, UK Remote

Improbable is a British metaverse technology company pioneering new ways to connect, play, create and build value across interconnected virtual worlds. It is recruiting a Senior Art Producer responsible for overseeing the entire art production pipeline.

The company is actively working to improve its pay gap, with its most recent gender pay gap report finding that its UK female representation has increased by 3.5 percentage points to 24.8%, and its gender pay gap decreased by 0.76 percentage points to 23%.

Senior Software Engineer (Java) For B2B (All Genders), Zalando, Berlin

Progress matters at Zalando which has made rapid progress on its “Women in Leadership” commitment. Women now occupy 37.5% of leadership positions, toward a target of 40-60% by the end of this year. In 2021, the company reported that the average gender wage gap between women and men with the same job and location at Zalando was less than 1%.

If you’d like to work there, there is an opening for a Senior Software Engineer (Java) For B2B in Berlin. You’ll design technical solutions to extend Zalando fulfilment capabilities to external brands and partners.

iOS Engineer, Depop, London

Depop is the community-powered fashion marketplace to buy and sell circular fashion, with over 30 million registered users in more than 150 countries. The company is hiring a mid-level iOS Engineer on a hybrid basis within its London HQ or Manchester office.

Depop’s 2021 Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap Report found that the company has a gender split of 47% women and 53% men, and when it comes to pay, the mean gender pay gap is 14.3%, something it’s open about and active in addressing.

For even more inspiration on great jobs in great companies all over Europe visit House of Talent job board today

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TNW Conference 2023 is a wrap! Here are some of the highlights

Ecosystems, Events, Next Featured, Startups and technology / DJ Henderson / June 16, 2023

Story by

Linnea Ahlgren

Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has a background in international relations and covers clean and climat (show all) Linnea is the senior editor at TNW, having joined in April 2023. She has a background in international relations and covers clean and climate tech, AI and quantum computing. But first, coffee.

TNW Conference 2023 is a wrap! And what a couple of days it has been; a whirlwind of phenomenal insights, extraordinary events and connections across the entire tech ecosystem.

We have talked about diversity and inclusion, why to design anything in the first place, the importance of building not only scaleups but “stayups,” how to secure funding from VCs and beyond, and, of course, there were plenty of discussions on AI. Although they were incredibly difficult to choose, here are some of the highlights from the past two days.

The speakers and sessions

Nagin Cox, interplanetary storyteller and NASA engineer took to the main stage for “Ad Astra (to the stars): Before we send humans, we send robots.” This talk was, literally, out-of-this world perspective changing, and sums up the spirit of TNW’s theme of 2023 – Reclaim the Future – perfectly.

As Nagin, who has worked on a mind-blowing amount of NASA space exploration missions, quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do nor go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

vision stage opening at TNW — TNW co-founder Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten and CEO Myrthe van der Erve during the opening of the conference

Among those finding themselves in uncharted territory is Viktoriia Itskovych, First Deputy CIO of Kyiv City. She shared her first-hand experience of transforming what was essentially a public transportation app into a digital lifeline for thousands of people across the Ukrainian capital.

After the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022, Viktoriia and her team literally moved to Kyiv’s main data centre for a few weeks and worked on securing the infrastructure and building new features, from air raid alerts to evacuation schedules.

Speaking about the lessons learned, she noted how the COVID pandemic and the ongoing war have shown the importance of preparing for the scenarios that may seem totally impossible.

“What should we be preparing for next? An alien invasion,” she asked the audience. “You’re laughing, and I’m laughing too, but it doesn’t feel as impossible as it used to.”

During an illuminating Q&A session on the TNW Talks stage, Rana Gujral — CEO at Behavioural Signals delved deep into how advancements in cognitive AI and speech recognition software can help improve not only human-to-machine, but human-to-human communication as well.

Rana also shed light on some of the most pressing questions around AI: should we pause its development? How do we ensure an ethical approach? And why should we focus on creating empathetic artificial intelligence?

David Heinemeier Hansson being interviewed on the vision stage by Christina Criddle.

Dr Tom Furness III — founder and chairman at Virtual Worlds also captured the audience at our TNW Talks stage with invaluable experience and insights.

The pioneering inventor, professor, and entrepreneur celebrated as the “grandfather” of virtual reality and augmented reality, dived deep into his journey in XR development and shared with the TNW audience how the transformative power of this technology can be harnessed for humanitarian applications, drive social impact, and improve our lives.

Lubomila Jordanova, Founder and CEO at carbon accounting platform Plan A, and Jamie Crummie, co-founder of sustainable food waste app Too Good To Go, took to the Growth Quarters staged in front of a packed audience.

These two founders have built and scaled impactful businesses against all odds, and are now thriving as a result of their dedication. A key takeaway? “Stop wasting time! We need to act now on climate,” says Jordanova, invoking a standing ovation from the crowd.

The food

Speaking of acting on climate change – while TNW is pioneering the next in tech, it is also pushing the next in sustainable catering. Once again, it took the bold decision to make all dining options locally-sourced, and vegetarian — from delicious flatbreads and temaki to kebabs and good ol’ french fries.

By removing meat from its catering options, TNW aims to drastically reduce CO2 emissions, and help save large amounts of fresh water and land. In addition to the meatless menu, only reuseable utensils, cups, plates, and packaging were used at the event, with no single-use plastics on sale.

“This is a great thing to see,” said Chris Carmichael, head of corporate innovation at TUI Musement, on LinkedIn. “I have been to many many large conferences over the years, but TNW is the first I’ve been to that has put so much effort into sustainability.”

The side events

During one of the conference’s most impactful side events, companies, corporates, and policy makers from all around the world came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of DEI in the tech world. The ideas were structured around four main topics: legislation, translating DEI into action, maturing related initiatives, and setting up respective goals for organisations.

Our visitors could also meet up with several of the speakers for book signings, courtesy of Amsterdam’s own American Book Center.

The transportation

For the first time ever, TNW arranged ferry shuttles from Amsterdam Centraal Station. Anyone who got up in time will have experienced the light morning breeze while journeying down the Ij, or the epic sailing-into-the-sunset vibes of the KPMG karaoke cruise on the evening of day one.

And, of course, there were all the fantastic startups coming together to make connections, funders and policymakers, all looking to build and support the ecosystems that will take tech into its next chapter – of which we are incredibly excited to be a part.

See you at TNW Conference 2024!

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Startup Genome: 2022 was tough — but a recession is a great time to invest in tech

Ecosystems, Investors and funding, Next Featured, Startups and technology / DJ Henderson / June 15, 2023

Story by

Thomas Macaulay

Senior reporter

Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on deeptech, startups, and government policy. Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on deeptech, startups, and government policy.

The tech sector is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown, but analysts see immense opportunities for startups that survive the downturn.

Across the world, VC funding in 2022 plummeted by 35% from the previous year, according to a new study from Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 (GSER 2023) also observed slowdowns in deal counts, exits, and unicorns. But a deeper dive unearths grounds for optimism.

After a year of heavy market losses, inflation is now slowing and economic growth appears to be holding up. The headwinds remain challenging, but the GSER 2023 notes that recessions are good times to invest in startups.

Historical trends substantiate the theory. Startups funded during the Great Recession had higher exit multiples over total money invested than those funded during economic expansions. During downturn years, startups that achieved Series A financing were able to multiply by 20 the value of that round by the time of exit.

“Lean economic times can produce high-performing startups.

Tangible examples of successful startups born in a recession include Spotify raising a Series A in 2008, Twitter doing the same in 2007, and Flipkart in 2009. Similar successes emerged after the 2001 dot-com crash. When the bubble burst, pessimists tolled the death knell for the tech industry. Within a few years, their prediction was proven entirely wrong.

The spree of mass layoffs is also set to unleash a fresh wave of startups. A vast pool of elite talent with tech know-how and industry expertise is now looking for new ventures.

“Given that over half the companies on the 2009 Fortune 500 list launched during a recession or bear market, we know that lean economic times can produce high-performing startups,” said Jonathan Ortmans, Founder and President of GEN.

“Despite recent downturns in investment, this report foreshadows where we might see the world’s most disruptive and solution-driven companies emerge in the years to come — and provides unparalleled insights that policymakers and community leaders need to build resilient startup ecosystems.”

Furthermore, the report notes that high-interest rates can actually benefit startups. They concentrate capital and talent into ventures that create value, weeding out the less competitive ventures. Indeed, while fewer startups were funded in 2022, they received larger sums. According to the GSER, the average deal size grew by 2%.

Increasingly, those investments target artificial intelligence. AI and big data was the sub-sector with the highest count of total VC deals in 2022, making up 28% of the global share.

European prospects

The report highlights numerous positives for European startups. Despite macroeconomic woes and geopolitical tensions, 2022 was the second-biggest year overall for European VC activity after 2021, with deal count and amount surpassing pre-2021 numbers.

The continent has also captured more unicorn land. While there’s been a global slowdown in the number of startups valued at over $1 billion, Europe’s share of unicorns increased from 14% to 20% in 2022.

Of the seven ecosystems that produced their first tech unicorn in 2022, three were in Europe: the Sofia-based Payhawk, Zagreb’s Rimac, and Rohlik Group in Prague.

Europe is also the most represented region in the GSER’s “Emerging Ecosystems,” which is comprised of startup communities at earlier stages of growth. The continent expanded its share from 37% to 41% since last year, and contains the number one ranked ecosystem: Copenhagen.

European representation — Europe’s top five ecosystems in each category. Credit: Startup Genome

Europe’s performance was even stronger in the Strong Starters category, which features the 25 Emerging Ecosystems where early-stage funding activity is most robust. Over half of the class is European, including the top four: Istanbul, Barcelona, Estonia, and Madrid.

Among the leading ecosystems, London remains number one in Europe and joint-second globally.

The UK capital has the most companies valued at over $1 billion. The city’s 83 exits over $50 million include Wise, at a valuation of $12.2 billion, and Deliveroo at $10.5 billion. Revolut, one of Europe’s largest Fintech unicorns, is valued at $33 billion.

In second place is Berlin. The German capital minted five new unicorns in 2022, increasing its total from 14 to 19. Exits over $50 million have increased by 40% since the GSER 2022, with AUTO1-Group attracting the highest value in a $9.2 billion IPO.

The third spot was retained by Amsterdam, thanks to an increase in exits over $50 million, early-stage deal count, and unicorns. Banking platform Backbase is the most recent addition, valued at 2.7 billion.

“This essential mission cannot be put on hold.

Another ecosystem that deserves special attention is Zurich. The city rose 10 places to 36th place in the world, marking the biggest year-on-year improvement in Europe. Exits over $50 million have grown a massive 300%, with Healthtech Pharvaris exiting at a valuation of $636 million. The unicorn count, meanwhile, has surged from two to six, including Blockchain company Dfinity, which is valued at $9.5 billion.

Zurich offers further evidence that startups can still thrive through a downturn. JF Gauthier, Founder & CEO of Startup Genome, expects further success stories to emerge.

“Despite current economic challenges, we are confident that, equipped with the right knowledge, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community leaders everywhere can leverage opportunities to come together and show how innovative technologies can not only continue to drive growth and job creation, but simultaneously help save the planet and ensure a better future for everyone,” he said. “This essential mission cannot be put on hold while we wait out rocky economic times.”

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Ford opens next-gen EV factory in Germany

Corporates and innovation, Ecosystems / DJ Henderson / June 13, 2023

Story by

Siôn Geschwindt

Siôn is a reporter at TNW. From startups to tech giants, he covers the length and breadth of the European tech ecosystem. With a background (show all) Siôn is a reporter at TNW. From startups to tech giants, he covers the length and breadth of the European tech ecosystem. With a background in environmental science, Siôn has a bias for solutions delivering environmental and social impact at scale.

This week, Ford opened its new EV production facility in Cologne. The move is part of the American automaker’s push to make its entire European passenger vehicle lineup all-electric by 2030.

Originally opened back in 1930, Ford has spent the past two years — and $2bn — redeveloping the facility into a solely EV manufacturing centre.

The Cologne Electric Vehicle Centre will produce Ford’s next-gen EVs, the first of which will be the electric Explorer, followed by a yet-to-be-named sports crossover.

The plant is expected to churn out over 250,000 vehicles per year, a big chunk of Ford’s target to build two million EVs globally each year by the end of 2026.

We’ve built nearly 18M vehicles at our assembly plant in Cologne since 1931. Today it officially re-opens as the Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, our first carbon neutral assembly plant worldwide. The start of a new electric era for @Ford in Europe. #CologneEVCenter pic.twitter.com/6aUH3ic2Jq

— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) June 12, 2023

It is billed as Ford’s first carbon-neutral assembly plant as the firm aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its European operations – including facilities, logistics and suppliers – by 2035.

“This facility will now be one of the most efficient and environmentally responsible plants in the entire industry,” said executive chair Bill Ford, the great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford who first inaugurated the plant over 90 years ago.

In addition to its sustainability credentials, the ‘state-of-the-art’ EV centre utilises machine learning, autonomous transport systems, robotics, and augmented reality to enhance production efficiency.

“We are implementing advanced technologies to build fully connected, software-defined vehicles that meet our customers’ demand for zero emission mobility,” said Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e Europe.

Last year, Ford said it plans to introduce three new electric passenger vehicles and four new electric commercial vehicles in Europe by 2024, and looks to sell more than 600,000 EVs in the region by 2026.

As EV sales in Europe reach record levels, Ford inevitably isn’t the only automaker opening EV megafactories on the continent. Last year, Tesla inaugurated its Berlin Gigafactory, capable of producing half a million EVs per year, while Volvo is building a new EV manufacturing plant in Slovakia, due to open in 2026.

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Germany set to make it easier for international tech talent to get work visas

Ecosystems, Future of Work, Government and policy / Shannon Garcia / June 13, 2023

Story by

Aoife Barry

Aoife Barry is a freelance journalist and broadcaster based in Dublin, Ireland. She is the author of the bestselling non-fiction book Social (show all) Aoife Barry is a freelance journalist and broadcaster based in Dublin, Ireland. She is the author of the bestselling non-fiction book Social Capital, about Ireland’s relationship with social media.

A great work-life balance, excellent transport, a chosen spot of major tech companies, and a social culture featuring currywurst and Oktoberfest… welcome to Germany, a country that’s trying to make itself a top choice for workers keen to move abroad.

Germany badly needs more skilled workers, but one major barrier to attracting international talent has been the country’s love for bureaucracy. In the face of an ongoing skills gap, it’s having to move with the times. That’s why Germany recently decided to make it easier for people from outside the EU to move there for work, with new legislation on the way to help attract fresh foreign talent.

Reform on the way

The move to reform the Skilled Immigration Act (which was cleared by the Cabinet in March) has been spurred on by the fact that the country is suffering from a major skills gap. Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Hubertus Heil, told the Financial Times that if it doesn’t take action, Germany will be short a whopping 7 million workers by 2035.

Some of the skills the country’s missing are in the IT sector, which is interesting given that tech companies love Germany. Major industry leaders like Apple, Amazon, and Airbnb have already been tempted to set up offices there. Meanwhile the country is an incubator for a range of startups alongside homegrown tech behemoths such as SAP and Zalando.

But traditionally, it hasn’t been easy for workers from outside of Europe to move to Germany. Heil is determined to change this. He fears the skills shortage will put a “brake” on Germany’s economic growth, particularly as experienced baby boomers retire in the coming years and their roles go up for grabs.

To help attract more workers from abroad who can bring much needed skills, he’s in the process of reforming legislation. This will make it easier for foreign workers to look for a job in Germany, without the need for a German professional qualification.

Take a “chancenkarte”

Part of this new system will involve what’s called a “chancenkarte” or “opportunity card.” It sets out the criteria for entry involving a points system based on factors like vocational training or a degree, experience, and age.

If applicants have enough points, they’ll be allowed to look for a job in Germany. The government will issue a certain number of these cards every year.

Moving to a new country can bring some challenges, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture. In the past, Germany tended to treat people moving from outside the EU for work as “Gastarbeiter” or “guest workers.”

But Heil says he wants the focus to be on making people feel welcome and integrated in society, not treated as temporary members of the community.

The government launched a portal—Make it in Germany—several years ago, aimed at workers from abroad. Last year, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs made a direct appeal in a new YouTube video for the portal, telling skilled workers: “We need you.”

Key tech hubs

With a population of 83 million, Germany is a huge country with a number of fast-growing tech hubs. But where should you base yourself if you move there for a job in tech?

A Deloitte study found that Munich is the key hub in the country, where you can find the highest number of STEM jobs and the highest level of specialisation in the ICT sector.

Berlin came second, while Hamburg was also a highlight. But it’s not just the well-known German cities that are good options for tech workers—the same research found that Darmstadt, a city near Frankfurt with the moniker of “city of science” was also a top location for tech roles.

Major tech players have been flocking to Germany to set up bases there. Along with a wealth of startups, in Berlin you’ll find Zalando, Google, and Facebook; Munich is where Apple set up its European Silicon Design Center and where Amazon Web Services has offices, while Hamburg is home to Dropbox, Microsoft, and Airbnb.

You can see why they’re attracted to the country—it has a strong welfare system, a low crime rate, good wages, excellent childcare, and a great healthcare service. Its proximity to other European countries means travel across the EU is easy.

Interested? Here are three tech jobs based in Germany that are now open for applicants:

DevOps Engineer, Astriol Academics GmbH, Munich

This recruitment agency is looking for a DevOps Engineer (m/f/d) who wants to work in a job where “no two days are the same.” They offer the freedom to work independently alongside the security of being an employee. The ideal candidate has a degree in computer science or a comparable qualification—check out the full job spec here.

Senior IT Consultant, Xenium AG, Berlin

Xenium AG is looking to add to its IT consultant team, with new hires expected to work directly with a customer in Germany or Austria. This full-time, permanent position is aimed at a person who has several years of professional experience in the IT environment and who can communicate confidently in German and English. More details here.

Principal Fullstack Engineer, Trusted Shops AG, Germany

This role would allow you to work from home anywhere in Germany, adding a remote twist to the job. Trusted Shops develops SaaS solutions for companies all over Europe, and is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Principal Fullstack Engineer to join the team and work with one of its 13 cross-functional product teams. Find out what your day might look like here.

Take a look at the House of Talent Job Board for a full list of Germany-based jobs

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8 things we’re excited about at TNW Conference day 2

Corporates and innovation, Ecosystems, Government and policy, Investors and funding, Next Featured, Startups and technology / DJ Henderson / June 13, 2023

Story by

Thomas Macaulay

Senior reporter

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and nemeses, the moment has finally arrived: TNW Conference is this week!

After taking our show on the road to València in April, we’re returning to where it all began: Amsterdam. The two-day event kicks off on June 15 — and you’re all invited.

Expect our usual smorgasbord of talks, networking, learning, and festival vibes, but with a new unifying theme. Following a turbulent few years, this year we want to reclaim the future — and reignite the positive power that tech can have.

That spirit has been infused throughout the conference agenda. It featured prominently in our guide to day one, and it’s equally pervasive in our top picks for day two. Read on for our highlights from the jam-packed agenda.

1. Spellbinding speakers

Our stellar schedule is bursting with splendid speakers, but we have to whittle the day down to four faves. Why? Well, because that’s what we did for day one, and we love our conference days like our kids: equally (at least, that’s what we tell them).

Lila Ibrahim, Chief Operating Officer of Google DeepMind

DeepMind is one of the most exciting artificial intelligence labs in the world. From its humble roots as a UK startup conquering games, the company has risen to lead the AI revolution at Google. At 10: 10 on the Vision Stage, we’ll be hearing from the woman helming the company’s growth: Lila Ibrahim, DeepMind’s first-ever COO.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Lila ahead of her keynote, which left us eager to hear more on the epochal subject of her talk: the future of AI.

Viktoriia Itskovych, Deputy CIO of Kyiv City

Ukraine’s tech sector has proven remarkably resilient since Russia’s invasion. As well as keeping the country’s economy afloat, IT has played a central role in fighting the war.

At 14: 40 on the Vision Stage, we’ll get the inside story from one of the key figures on the digital frontline: Victoria Itskovich, the deputy CIO of Kyiv.

Philip Rosedale, Founder of Second Life

Virtual worlds existed long before the metaverse hype. The most popular of them all, Second Life, has provided a parallel reality for 20 years.

At 16: 00 on the Discovery Stage, the platform’s founder, Phillip Rosedale, will share his insights from running the community — and what it can teach us about the future of virtual worlds.

Nagin Cox, Spacecraft Systems Engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab

Nothing excites us more about the future than space travel. At 16: 10 on the Vision Stage, we’ll get an inside glimpse into the direction we’re heading.

Nagin Cox, spacecraft systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will explain our path towards the cosmos — and the role that robots will play in the mission.

2. Fun and games at our revamped festival site

Our festival site has had a major makeover this year. The Wi-Fi’s been souped-up, the co-working spaces have expanded, and the badge pick-up’s gone auto. But most importantly of all, we’re bringing games.

You can find the likes of ping-pong and Dutch shuffleboard around the venue. It’s a great way to break the ice, do business, or ruthlessly humiliate your rivals.

To find your way around the fun and games, you can use our floor map.

3. Healthy runs and indulgent breakfasts

On the sidelines of the big show are a medley of marvellous side events. Our recommendation for day two is a healthy run around the picturesque Vondel Park, followed by some unhealthy drinks with our friends at Techleap.

If that balanced diet doesn’t appeal, there are options on the menu to suit every taste.

4. The Startup Liasion Network + Netherlands Point of Entry Breakfast Session

TNW Conference is an international festival, but we’re also highlighting the opportunities in our home country. At 09: 00 in TNW HQ, we’re opening a gateway to the Dutch tech ecosystem.

Over breakfast, the Netherlands Point of Entry and the Startup Liaison Network from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are joining forces to unite entrepreneurs and explain how the Dutch government can support startups. After the grub, the hosts will whisk you straight to TNW Conference by bus.

You can reserve a spot at the event here.

5. DEI talks, mentoring, and networking

TNW Conference 2023 has partnered with the Dutch DEI Coalition to celebrate and accelerate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in tech.

The day’s agenda begins with a roundtable on the challenges and opportunities to spur DEI in the sector. Next up is a plenary talk on the role of tech and new metrics in DEI strategies. In the afternoon, there are mentoring sessions with senior representatives from Diversity Hero, Techleap, Taskforce D&I by NLdigital, and Booking.com. We’ll then bring the programme to a close with networking drinks.

You can find the full itinerary for the day here.

6. Startup pitch battles (and lessons)

It wouldn’t be a TNW Conference without a pitch battle, but this year’s contest has a more harmonious edge. In line with our conference theme, we’ll be shining a sector spotlight on tech for good at 10: 10 on the Glasshouse stage. The winner will progress to the finals at 16: 10 on the Growth Quarters stage.

The pitching doesn’t end there. At 14.00 at the Glasshouse, pitching coach David Beckett will provide a masterclass on the art. There’s also the second half of the impact-driven Startup Pitch Hour at the Amsterdam Pavilion at 14: 00.

7. The official closing party

What would TNW Conference be without a massive closing party? From 17: 00, we’ll close the event in style at the event garden. Bring your dancing shoes and head to the giant disco ball to catch our DJ on the wheels of steel.

8. The ferry shuttle

We like to think that the whole agenda is full of unmissable events, but one thing you definitely shouldn’t miss is your ride to the venue.

Our favourite mode of transport is the free ferry service. The pick-up spot is next to Amsterdam Central at SUPPER Cruise. You can find the location on Google Maps and the full timetable here. The boat journey from there to our conference site takes around 45 minutes.

If you prefer to travel by road, you can get to the venue by public transport, car, or bike. We’re also providing a free shuttle bus service between Zaandam Central Station and the venue. Check out our travel guide for everything you need to plan your trip to the event.

See you there!

If you want to experience TNW Conference (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for the event. See you in Amsterdam!

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8 unmissable highlights of TNW Conference 2023: Day 1

Corporates and innovation, Ecosystems, Government and policy, Investors and funding, Next Featured, Startups and technology / Mike M. / June 12, 2023

Story by

Ioanna Lykiardopoulou

Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainabili (show all) Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainability, green tech, AI, and EU policy. With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.

Drumroll, please! The moment we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived: TNW Conference 2023 is taking place this week, on June 15 & 16 — and you’re all invited.

This year we’re not only going to discover what’s next in tech, but also reclaim the future and join forces to explore how technology can help us build a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive world.

As usual, we’re bringing together the whole tech ecosystem: from startups and investors, to industry leaders, C-level executives, and policymakers.

Across the two days, attendees will enjoy inspirational talks, pitches, networking events, learning opportunities, and of course, the festival vibes our conference is known for.

With over 200 speakers, 6,000 companies, 1,500 startups, and 240 investment firms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — but we’ve got you covered. To help you find your way through the crammed agenda, we’ve gathered eight highlights of the event’s first day. Stay tuned for what not to miss on day two.

1. The opening ceremony (and opening party)

Kick off your TNW experience bright and early with the opening ceremony at 10: 00. Expect a surprise live performance to set the buzz and get inspired by the insightful words of our CEO and co-founder. Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, will also be making a special appearance.

If you happen to be in Amsterdam already on June 14, join our opening party at Reguliersdwarsstraat — one of the most famous streets in Amsterdam, right behind our HQ at the city centre. The fun starts at 17: 00, grab a drink, and enjoy the vibes.

2. Unmissable speakers

We’ve assembled a sensational line-up of keynote speeches, fireside chats, and panel discussions. It’s challenging to pick only a few of the tech luminaries who’ll take the stage, but here are four of our favourites:

Nick Foster, Designer, Futurist, and Former Head of Design at Google X

A trailblazer in the field of design with an impressive background spanning Google, Sony, Nokia, and Dyson, Foster will explore how the intersection of technology, imagination, and design will shape the future of the human experience.

Barbara Belvisi, Founder and CEO at Interstellar Lab

Barbara Belvisi is an entrepreneur passionate about space, hardware, biology and AI. Now a multiple award winner, Belvisi founded Interstellar Lab in 2018 with the mission to preserve life on Earth and expand it in space. To do so, the company has developed AI-powered, environment-controlled modules.

Dr. Thomas Furness III, Founder and Chairman at Virtual World Reality

The trailblazing inventor, professor, and entrepreneur celebrated as the “grandfather” of virtual reality and augmented reality, will share his awe-inspiring 55-year journey and explore the humanitarian potential of extended reality (XR).

David Heinemeier Hansson, Co-founder and CTO at Basecamp

Heinemeier Hansson is not only the co-founder of Basecamp, but also the visionary creator of Ruby on Rails and the mind behind HEY. At TNW Conference, he’ll share his insights into building successful SaaS startups and offer advice on how to thrive in the competitive tech landscape while creating a lasting impact in the world of software.

3. A game of padel or a yoga session

Take full advantage of our many side events! Whether you’re looking to have fun with your colleagues or take networking to the next level, a game at our EY padel court will do the trick. And if you feel like relaxing for a bit, join a 20-minute yoga session under the disco ball! Make sure to sign up early.

4. The Assembly

It sounds serious and it is. In collaboration with our overlords at the Financial Times, the Assembly will bring together policymakers, government leaders, corporates, and founders to find common ground that balances regulation and innovation. It’s an invitation-only event, so check if you meet the criteria and join us.

5. The startup pitch hour

Get ready for a fiery pitch battle! Across the event’s two days, 12 impact-driven startups from Amsterdam’s tech scene will fight for a dazzling array of prizes, including a pod at TNW Conference 2024, a booth at IFA Next, and a feature article by our beloved editorial team.

6. A stroll through the business floor

Our exhibition floor is the perfect spot for inspiration, connections, and business deals. The 77 exhibitors cover the full spectrum of the tech ecosystem, including global brands, startups, investors, accelerators, and government agencies.

7. Top-notch networking events

The entire conference is a networking opportunity, but if you’re looking for something extra join the Corporate Innovators Meetup, IFA Social, or the Startup Genome Leadership Ecosystem Forum — depending on your business needs. And here’s a tip: the Discoball Garden is the perfect spot to make connections.

8. The karaoke cruise

TNW Conference’s first day ends with a blast! At 18: 45, hop on the karaoke cruise from Taets to Amsterdam Central Station and get ready for sailing and singing! If you’re a VIP or speaker, you can also enjoy happy hour drinks from 17: 00 to 18: 30 at the VIP Village.

Bonus tip: the floor map is your best friend

With so many things to see and do, don’t forget to use our floor map to help you smooth your experience and keep track of your activities:

Are you ready for a journey into the heart of tech? Then see you soon in Amsterdam!

If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam!

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Balancing profit, purpose, and planet: A must-see talk at TNW Conference

Ecosystems, Investors and funding, Next Featured, Startups and technology / DJ Henderson / June 9, 2023

Story by

Siôn Geschwindt

Lubomila Jordanova and Jamie Crummie will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam!

The goals of decarbonisation and the circular economy are two sides of the same coin. We cannot achieve one without the other, and both are vital to a sustainable and equitable future for humanity.

Just a few years ago, however, actionable tools for businesses and consumers to reduce emissions and waste were hard to find. But thanks to pioneering entrepreneurs like Lubomila Jordanova and Jamie Crummie, ways to measure and reduce our carbon and material footprint are now within reach.

Jordanova is the founder and CEO of Plan A, an AI-powered carbon accounting tool that helps companies measure, reduce, and report on CO2 emissions. So far, Plan A has built a 100-strong team of leading scientists and developers, secured big name clients like BMW and the European Commission, and claims to have 5Mt of carbon under its management.

Operating in a very different market, Crummie is the co-founder of sustainable food app Too Good To Go, which enables consumers to buy unsold food from restaurants and retailers. It is currently the world’s largest marketplace for surplus food, active in 17 countries, has over 75 million registered users, and 135,000 active food businesses. The app claims to have rescued over 200+ million meals of food.

Both companies entered the market in the mid-2010s, a time when climate tech received a mere fraction of the funding it does today. Despite an unfavourable investment landscape, both startups overcame their respective challenges and positioned themselves for impressive growth.

At TNW conference next week, Jordanova and Crummie will take to the stage to discuss their respective journeys, and ways to successfully deliver measurable impact within a for-profit business model.

So if you’re an entrepreneur looking to found a startup, or scale your existing business, make sure not to miss this talk! The future of the planet could depend on it.

Navigating the spinout process is among many startup growth topics that will be explored at TNW Conference. You can find more on the event agenda — and remember: for a 25% discount on business passes, use the promo code READ-TNW-25.

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EU pours €8B of state aid into chips and microelectronics

Deep tech, Ecosystems, Government and policy, Startups and technology / DJ Henderson / June 9, 2023

Story by

Ioanna Lykiardopoulou

The EU has approved an €8.1bn state aid package to boost the development of chips, aiming to strengthen the bloc’s microelectronics and comms sector.

The subsidy falls under the framework of “Important Projects of Common European Interest” (IPCEI) — an initiative that provides easier access to public funds.

The IPCEI will undertake 68 projects across 14 member states: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Slovakia.

It will involve 56 companies in total — from major players such as Airbus and ASML, to startups and SMEs — and over 30 associated partners located in five additional member states.

The projects will target the research and development of “resource-efficient technologies and components,” including chips, sensors, and processors; new materials and tools; and chip design and manufacturing processes.

“Microchips are the backbone of innovation and of Europe’s industrial competitiveness in a digital world,” said Margrethe Vestager, Executive VP in charge of competition policy. “We need to be pioneers and develop truly innovative solutions and their first industrial deployment in Europe.”

The IPCEI’s aim is to use the upcoming technologies for the advancement of multiple sectors, including 5G and 6G telecoms, autonomous driving, AI, and quantum computing.

The first products may reach the market already in 2025, but the projects’ overall completion is expected in 2032. By that point the IPCEI hopes to have unlocked an additional €13.7bn in private investments, bringing its total impact to €22bn.

Meanwhile, the EU is finalising its Chips Act with the aim to boost domestic semiconductor chip production and capture at least 20% of the global market share by 2030.

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European startup funding to drop 38% in 2023 — but there’s cause for hope

Ecosystems, Investors and funding, Startups and technology / Shannon Garcia / June 6, 2023

Story by

Ioanna Lykiardopoulou

European tech startups will see a 38% investment drop in 2023 compared to 2022 levels, the latest report by Atomico finds. Specifically, startups are expected to raise $51bn in funding — down from $83bn in 2022 and $106bn in 2021.

But Europe isn’t alone in navigating a tough year for tech. The US and China are also looking at a 49% investment decrease in 2023 compared to 2021. According to the report, this global retraction in funding has a domino effect on the flow of capital between the regions. For Europe, this translates to a significant reduction of capital from US investors, which will mostly impact companies raising larger later-stage rounds.

While the funding slowdown is visible across all European countries, the biggest fall between H2’22 and H1’23 is expected in the UK with a 57% investment drop. This is followed by France at 55% and Germany at 44%.

As a result, founders are adjusting to the new reality, which, according to Atomico, means that layoffs were accelerated in Q1 2023, while valuations are dropping and down rounds are increasing.

Don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom

Despite the rough funding landscape, the European tech ecosystem’s total value is forecast to reach $1tn this year — climbing back to (the highest ever) 2021 levels.

The ecosystem also accounts for 29% of the global funding going to early-stage companies — almost at parity with the US (at 36%), after nearly halving the gap in the past five years. At the same time, Europe is leveling with the US in terms of startup creation, although the pace has slowed somewhat.

In addition, startups in the continent continue to lead in “purpose-driven tech” that meets the UN’s sustainability goals. Specifically, investments in “climate and purpose” have so far reached an all time high, representing 18% of the total funding.

Notably, the flow of capital in generative AI is also on the rise. This year to date, companies developing the technology have secured 35% of all funding going to AI/ML — the highest share ever — jumping from 5% in 2022.

“We should think about this period as a return to first principles,” said Tom Wehmeier, Partner and Head of Insights at Atomico. “From this cycle we have the opportunity to build an even healthier ecosystem, with a clearer focus on quality. In the short-term, there will be fewer companies started, but the ones that break through will more likely be winners, with a strong foundation of senior talent and greater share of the region’s resources.”

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This AI-powered carbon tracker is fighting corporate greenwashing

Corporates and innovation, Ecosystems, Next Featured, Startups and technology / Mike M. / June 6, 2023

Story by

Siôn Geschwindt

This article features an interview with Lubomila Jordanova, founder and CEO at Plan A. Jordanova will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam!

In 2016, on a surfing trip in Morocco, Lubomila Jordanova experienced a serendipitous moment that would redirect the course of her life. That moment came not in the barrel of a wave, but on shore.

“Looking around I noticed litter everywhere. I ended up spending that week cleaning the beach and, in the process, I realised I had basically no knowledge about pollution and climate change,” the Bulgarian entrepreneur tells TNW. “So after my trip, I embarked on a one-year journey to educate myself.”

At the end of that year, Jordanova quit her corporate job as an investment banker to forge a path as a climate tech entrepreneur. “I think it was an incredibly irrational decision,” she says. “I was working for a really successful fintech company at a time when the sector was exploding.”

But Jordanova was convinced that she had a moral obligation to dedicate her skills and knowledge to the climate cause. In 2017, she founded Plan A — an AI-powered carbon accounting tool that helps corporates measure, reduce, and report on CO2 emissions.

“I was basically on my own,” she says. “Climate tech wasn’t even a thing at that time, and I had no experience as an entrepreneur. I learnt a lot in those first two years, lessons that are now helping me succeed as a founder and CEO.”

Lubomila Jordanova, founder and CEO at Plan A. Credit: Nadine Stenzel

Out of the plethora of climate tech solutions, Jordanova chose carbon accounting because she believed that companies were lacking the necessary tools to precisely quantify their environmental impact, thereby impeding progress towards a more sustainable economy.

The “key magic” behind the platform, says Jordanova, is an algorithm that gathers up to 20 million data points each month and automatically prescribes a list of actions a company must take to reduce its footprint. These actions include improving energy efficiency, sourcing goods from more sustainable suppliers, and, particularly for financial institutions, making climate-friendly investments.

Jordanova has assembled a 100-strong team of leading climate scientists and developers to design and run the platform, which looks to make carbon accounting more accurate, robust, and, well, accountable.

So far Plan A has been adopted by the likes of BMW, Deutsche Bank, N26, and the European Commission. The company does not, however, work with coal or oil and gas firms.

Carbon accountability

As the world warms, pressure is mounting on corporations to decarbonise. But measuring a company’s footprint is far from straightforward. The fragmented and non-standardised nature of carbon accounting methods hampers accurate measurement and transparency in tracking corporate emissions.

Moreover, most companies in the EU, other than the largest ones, are not required to report on scope 3 emissions — which includes all indirect emissions outside a business’ purview, like those of suppliers. This scope, however, typically represents the largest chunk of a company’s total emissions.

Failure to report scope 3 emissions, therefore, gives an incomplete measurement and may encourage greenwashing, says Jordanova. “When companies market their goods as sustainable without fully accounting for their emissions, they risk deceiving the consumer and furthering unsustainable consumption patterns,” she says.

Fast fashion companies, for instance, have come under fire in recent years for falsely labelling products as ‘recyclable’ or ‘sustainable’ while masking the true impact of these products across the supply chain.

“Climate risk is business risk.

Inaccurate carbon accounting isn’t just an enabler for greenwashing either; it can also squander genuine corporate efforts to decarbonise. Without accurate measurements, businesses cannot accurately reduce emissions or accurately report these reductions to customers, partners, and shareholders.

“We want to turn carbon accounting from corporate headache to actionable opportunity,” says Jordonova.

By automating the process with AI, Plan A looks to eliminate the human error associated with manual carbon accounting methods, which often rely on spreadsheets and manual calculations. All data is traceable in the platform, in an effort to improve transparency and accuracy.

Importantly, the platform is aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the international standard for carbon accounting, as well as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which provides decarbonisation targets based on the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to well below 2°C above preindustrial levels.

For Jordanova, transparent and accountable carbon accounting aligned with the best science simply makes business sense. “Climate risk is business risk, and anyone who ignores the writing on the wall will get left behind,” she says.

While there is still a long way to go on the path to a net-zero economy, Jordanova is optimistic about the future. “I feel like things are bubbling,” she says. “There is a lot of excitement in this space and businesses we work with are showing a genuine interest in changing their practices. Let’s hope that momentum builds even further.”

Lubomila Jordanova is one of many tech luminaries speaking at TNW Conference on June 15-16. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference.

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EU wants to create 100 deep tech unicorns in digital, green push

Corporates and innovation, Ecosystems, Insider, Next Featured, Startups and technology / DJ Henderson / June 2, 2023

Story by

Siôn Geschwindt

Siôn is a reporter at TNW. With a background in environmental science, he loves to write about climate tech, policy, and the built environme (show all) Siôn is a reporter at TNW. With a background in environmental science, he loves to write about climate tech, policy, and the built environment.

The European Commission launched a new initiative this week to help 100 deep tech startups become unicorns, as the bloc looks to accelerate growth in green and digital technologies.

“We will identify one hundred of Europe’s future tech champions, engage them, and provide them with support on their scaleup journey,” said EU tech chief Margrethe Vestager, who announced the EIC Scale Up 100 initiative at a deep tech conference in Stockholm yesterday.

These “future tech champions” will be picked from a pool of startups already enrolled in national and EU-led innovation programmes across the Continent. Only the “best performing” startups will make the cut, the EU executive said in a statement.

Startups will be selected in areas that contribute to Europe’s green and digital transition such as climate, energy, digital, and health. “Supporting scaleups is not only our best chance to produce home-grown tech giants: it is a critical choice for digital and energy resilience,” said Vestager.

The European Innovation Council (EIC) will oversee the process. The Council, which Vestager likened to a “factory of European unicorns,” has already produced 12 startups valued at $1bn or more, such as Dutch vertifical farming startup Infarm and Swedish 3D bioprinting startup Cellink. The EIC has also produced 112 ‘centaur’ companies — firms with an annual recurring revenue exceeding $100m.

EU member states and countries associated with the bloc’s scientific research initiative, Horizon Europe, will be invited to nominate companies from their ecosystems, with their participation pending the selection process.

The selected startups will receive support from a group called the EIC Scaling Club which includes 100 investors from VC, growth, and government funds, 100 companies with innovation units, and 100 independent mentors.

The initiative aims to help the startups grow annually by 40% in their valuation, new investments, partnerships, and jobs and by 50% across the same parameters for the 20 top performing companies in two years.

“EIC Scale Up 100 will prove that Europe is the most attractive location for future global unicorns and their investors,” said Vestager.

The programme falls under the New European Innovation Agenda, launched last year, which aims to boost scaleup funding, nurture deep tech skills, and implement improved policy tools.

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