The Equidam Podcast

In this episode, Moritz Pill, who leads fundraising at Borobotics — a Swiss geothermal drilling spin-off from ETH Zurich — walks through how a deep-tech hardware startup builds its funding stack. He shares the company's journey from local angels and drilling-industry strategics to Swiss public programs (InnoSwiss, VentureKick) and specialist VCs like Underground Ventures. The conversation cove...

Summary In this episode, Jorian Hoover, a fundraising consultant, shares insights on the fundraising process for startups. He emphasizes the importance of founders taking charge of their fundraising efforts, preparing thoroughly, and understanding their readiness to raise capital. The conversation covers common mistakes, building a strong investor list, crafting an effective pitch deck, and naviga...

In this episode of the Equidom Podcast, Dan Gray and Daniel Faloppa discuss the evolving landscape of startups, particularly focusing on the impact of AI, changes in venture capital, and the bifurcation of opportunities in the software sector. They explore how the economics of SaaS have shifted, the challenges new companies face in a saturated market, and the need for investors to adapt to a new r...

In this conversation, Daniel Faloppa and Dan Gray explore the current state of the fundraising environment for startups in 2025, discussing trends, challenges, and strategies for founders. They analyze the impact of global economic factors on valuations, the importance of cash flow, and the evolving dynamics between venture capital and private equity. The discussion also delves into the implicatio...

In this conversation, Daniel Faloppa and Dan Gray discuss the current state of the startup fundraising market, focusing on early-stage funding trends, the impact of AI on startups, and the disconnect between valuation and price. They analyze the challenges faced by European startups and explore future strategies for growth in a changing economic landscape. This conversation delves into the evolvin...

In this conversation, Daniel Faloppa (Equidam Founder & CEO) and Robin Wauters (Founder & Former CEO of Tech. EU) discuss the evolution of the European tech ecosystem, focusing on Wauters' journey with Tech. EU and the broader state of European tech. They look at investment trends, productivity issues, and the importance of innovation. Wauters emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset amo...

This episode explores the rapid rise of AI investment, the differences between AI infrastructure and startups, the implications of general intelligence on business models, the impact of AI on work and creativity, and the competitive landscape between incumbents and startups in the AI space. In this conversation, Daniel Faloppa and Dan Gray look at the evolving landscape of technology investments,...

In this episode, we dive into the complexities of equity stock compensation for startup employees, with Špela Prijon and Tamas Varkonyi — the Co-Founders of EquityPeople. We run through a range of topics related to ESOPs and cap table management, including the importance of aligning equity incentives with company goals, the challenges of determining fair equity distribution, and the common pitfall...

In this conversation, Daniel and Dan discuss the current state of the early-stage financing ecosystem, focusing on SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity) and convertible notes. They explore the evolution of SAFEs and how they have become the dominant form of early-stage fundraising. They also discuss the differences between SAFEs and convertible notes, the challenges of setting caps and disco...

In Episode 9 of the Equidam podcast, Daniel is joined by Peach Zwyssig, CEO and Co-Founder of Axelra, a venture builder based in Switzerland. They talk about how a venture builder can help founders overcome some of the hurdles in setting up a new startup, fundraising challenges and business growth. The Equidam podcast is hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) , and focuses on startup fundrai...

In this episode we talk about valuation methodology, accounting for different aspects of risk and reward, as well as the mostly unaccommodated factor of externalities. Thank you for joining us! The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on...

In this episode we cover a number of topics, including - Changes in average and top quartile valuations, globally Numbers available here: https://www.equidam.com/parameters-update-p5-7-average-and-maximum-valuations/ The unique considerations of valuation for the purpose of pricing employee stock options Why Y Combinator graduates can justify seeking above market rates And whether AI has any appli...

Welcome back to the Equidam podcast! Today we speak to Will Bricker, data nerd and venture capitalist based out of New York working for Hustle Fund, a pre-seed venture firm. We discussed Hustle Fund's philosophy and Will's role there, as well as valuation at the earliest stages and in the frothiest markets, the startup revenue premium, the ROI of venture dollars, and much more. Thanks for...

In this episode of the Equidam podcast we talk about the collapse of silicon valley bank, the reponse from the startup world, and the resolution on Monday morning.  What other options were available to startups? Given what we knew about Silicon Valley Bank, why was this such a surprise? How much did caps-lock bashing VCs help? Thanks for joining us. The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Falop...

In this special episode we discuss the 5.6 Parameters Update for the Equidam platform, looking at a range of market data impacting startup valuations, including industry multiples, average and maximum valuations around the world, and some of the drivers of discount rates used in our methodologies. Thanks for joining us.   The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and D...

In this episode we talk about the principles of valuation for venture capital. What are the fundamental drivers of 'value' in a startup opportunity, how are they measured, and what are the consequences of that approach? Specifically, what role do multiples and 'comparables' play in valuation, and why?  How much of a startup's valuation is driven by the business, and how much is...

In this episode we talk about some of the challenges facing venture capital as an asset class, how it has changed over the years, and the role it plays in broader investment strategies.  Is venture capital still backing 'aventurers', or is it just picking winners?  Is there an overlooked opportunity in 'middle risk' companies? The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equ...

We start this episode by explaining why we've decided to launch a podcast. (It's not because the world needed another entrepreneurship podcast.) To begin this series, we start by sharing some perspective about exactly what startup valuation is, in terms of process and outcome. We compare that to more traditional company valuation, and why the two differ.  We also look more broadly at the c...