Follow the Gradient – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of the Follow the Gradient podcast, we explore how to maintain an entrepreneurial culture during hypergrowth with our guest, Noa Perry-Reifer, Chief People Officer at ON. As ON grew from 100 to over 3,000 employees, Noa played a key role in ensuring the company retained its startup mentality while scaling globally. She shares valuable insights on:

• Fostering a culture of innovation and resilience during rapid growth
• Embracing failure and empowering teams to take risks
• Aligning leadership and company values to drive long-term success
• Adapting organizational culture to new markets and business models

Whether you're a founder navigating the challenges of hypergrowth or a startup operator focused on preserving culture, this conversation is full of actionable advice to help your company scale without losing its entrepreneurial spirit.

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💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Noa Perry-Reifer

🌐 Website: ⁠⁠On

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🐦 X:⁠⁠ https://x.com/followgradient⁠⁠

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💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠

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Plus: We would love to hear from you! How did you like this episode? What should we improve for future editions, do you have any suggestions, ideas or dream podcast guests?  Please let us know: team at followthegradient dot io

Join us as we talk with Karim Maizar, partner at Kellerhals Carrard and head of the firm's Startup Desk. Karim has helped establish the firm as a leading Swiss law firm for tech entrepreneurs and investors.

In this episode, Karim shares crucial legal advice for startup founders, including:

• The importance of early legal counsel: Why startups need a lawyer from day one.

• Key elements of shareholders' agreements: Understanding why this document is vital.

• Founders' vesting explained: How vesting protects your company and attracts investors.

• Avoiding legal pitfalls: Real-life stories of common mistakes and how to prevent them.

• Navigating term sheets and investments: Tips for fair negotiations and meeting investor expectations.

• Securing intellectual property: Protecting your startup's most valuable assets.

• Working with strategic investors: Risks, rewards, and managing strategic deal terms.

• Preparing for an exit: Legal essentials for a successful acquisition or exit.

Whether you're a new founder or preparing for your next milestone, this episode offers actionable insights to navigate the legal landscape of entrepreneurship.

CONNECT WITH KARIM:

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠Karim Maizar⁠

🌐 Website: ⁠Kellerhals Carrard ⁠

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📬 Newsletter:⁠ followthegradient.io⁠

🐦 X:⁠ https://x.com/followgradient⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠@followthegradient⁠

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠@followthegradient⁠

🎵 TikTok: ⁠@followthegradient⁠

LEAVE US A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE

💚 ⁠⁠Leave a review on Spotify⁠⁠

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Plus: We would love to hear from you! How did you like this episode? What should we improve for future editions, do you have any suggestions, ideas or dream podcast guests?  Please let us know: team at followthegradient dot io

In this episode of the Follow the Gradient podcast, we dive deep into the challenges of transitioning from an individual contributor to an effective leader in fast-growing startups. Our guest, Stanislaw Grunstein—founder of CNTRD and an expert in leadership, organizational psychology, and behavioral change—shares invaluable insights on:

• Mastering the mindset shift required for leadership roles
• Overcoming the fear of letting go and delegating effectively
• Providing constructive feedback that empowers your team
• Cultivating intrinsic motivation and building high-performing teams

Whether you're a founder scaling your startup or a new manager stepping into a leadership role, this conversation is packed with practical advice and strategies to help you and your team thrive.

CONNECT WITH STANISLAW:

💼 LinkedIn: /stanislawgrunstein

🌐 Website: stay-cntrd.com

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📬 Newsletter: followthegradient.io

🐦 X: https://x.com/followgradient

📸 Instagram: @followthegradient

💼 LinkedIn: @followthegradient

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LEAVE US A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE

💚 ⁠Leave a review on Spotify⁠

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Plus: We would love to hear from you! How did you like this episode? What should we improve for future editions, do you have any suggestions, ideas or dream podcast guests?  Please let us know: team at followthegradient dot io

In this episode of the Follow the Gradient podcast, we sit down with Francine Gervazio, CEO of Shiftmove, who shares her invaluable insights on merging companies, preparing your startup for acquisition, and navigating complex exit strategies.

Francine, who has led the successful merger of Avrios and Vimcar, reveals the steps every founder needs to take to position their company for a successful sale. Whether you're planning for an exit or simply want to better understand your startup's value in the market, Francine’s experience offers actionable tips and strategies.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The key metrics investors and buyers look for
• How to align your management and board for an exit
• The importance of building a buyer's network early
• Why a realistic business plan is critical to closing deals
• Tips on engaging with strategic and financial buyers

Tune in for a wealth of knowledge on navigating the acquisition process from someone who’s been through it and is now on the buying side.

This episode is packed with actionable insights for CEOs, founders, and startup operators. Don't miss it!

CONNECT WITH FRANCINE 🌐 LinkedIn: Francine Gervazio

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💼 LinkedIn: @followthegradient
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In this episode of Follow the Gradient, we’re thrilled to be joined by Amy Lewin, Editor of Sifted, a leading media platform for European startups backed by the Financial Times. Amy shares invaluable advice on how startups can effectively engage with the media, build relationships with journalists, and craft stories that stand out in today’s crowded landscape.

Learn the secrets behind what journalists look for in a pitch, the common mistakes founders make when reaching out, and why press releases still matter in 2024. Amy also dives into the current trends dominating tech journalism, including AI and climate tech, and offers practical tips for handling negative press.

Whether you're a startup founder looking to secure your first article or an operator looking to refine your media strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can't afford to miss!

Key Takeaways:

• The right way to build relationships with journalists.
• Why understanding your purpose for media attention is crucial.
• The dos and don'ts of media outreach.
• How to handle crisis communication and negative press.
• Current trends in tech journalism that can help your startup get noticed.

Tune in for an expert breakdown of what it takes to get your startup in the headlines!

Watch the key moments of our conversation with Amy on Youtube

And now we would love to hear from you! How did you like our first episode? What should we improve, do you have any suggestions, ideas or dream podcast guest? Please let us know.

CONNECT WITH AMY 🌐 Website: https://sifted.eu 📬 amy at sifted dot eu CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: followthegradient.io 🐦 X: @followgradient | @tinyf1sh | @melanieXgabriel 📸 Instagram: @followthegradient | @melanieXgabriel 💼 LinkedIn: @followthegradient | Christian | Melanie 🎵 TikTok: @followthegradient

LEAVE US A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE

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Building a business is tough

Whether you're starting, running, or scaling up, it can push you to your limits. What makes the journey manageable is hearing and learning from those who've been there before, who know what it's like to build a plane while flying.

Today, we're thrilled to launch the ⁠Follow the Gradient podcast.⁠

Who is we? ⁠Melanie Gabriel⁠ and ⁠Christian Woese⁠ - we have spent countless hours swapping insights and tackling challenges, always on the lookout for scalable solutions.

We've navigated tough yet exciting and fun times and often wished for a reliable source of information. That's why we created Follow the Gradient.

Join us on this journey as we explore and share together with our podcast guests real-world and hands-on strategies for overcoming business challenges.

As Jensen Huang, co-founder & CEO of Nvidia, famously said, “I wish you suffering.” It's more fun to suffer when you’re not alone. Let’s go!

HUNGRY FOR MORE? WE HAVE A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Each Tuesday morning we send you insider knowledge, open positions, must-attend-events, and real stories on how to build a business in Europe while staying sane.

Subscribe now and stay tuned: ⁠followthegradient.io⁠

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

How did you like the show so far, what should we improve, do you have any suggestions, ideas, or dream podcast guest - please let us know via ⁠team@followthegradient.io⁠. Every feedback is much appreciated!

CONNECT WITH US 📬 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: ⁠followthegradient.io⁠ 🐦 X: ⁠@followgradient ⁠| ⁠@tinyf1sh⁠ | ⁠@melanieXgabriel⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠@followthegradient⁠ | ⁠@melanieXgabriel⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠@followthegradient⁠ | ⁠Christian⁠ | ⁠Melanie⁠ 🎵 TikTok: ⁠@followthegradient⁠

LEAVE US A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE

💚 ⁠Leave a review on Spotify⁠

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Join us for an insightful conversation with Ruth Barnett, an expert in startup communication and storytelling. With a wealth of experience in guiding founders to articulate their vision, Ruth emphasizes the crucial role of effective communication in scaling a business. In this episode, Ruth shares essential strategies for founders, including:

• Crafting Your Foundational Story: Why developing a compelling narrative is vital for engaging investors and team members.
• The Power of Reputation: Understanding how others perceive your company and why a positive reputation is key to growth.
• Storytelling Techniques: Practical tips for refining your story to resonate with various audiences, from customers to investors.
• Flexing Your Communication Muscle: How to practice and improve your storytelling skills through real-world applications.
• Identifying Your Audience: Recognizing who your message matters to and how to tailor your communication effectively.
• Whether you’re a new founder or looking to enhance your communication strategy, this episode provides actionable insights to help you connect with your audience and elevate your startup's presence.

Are you interested in reading more about the two crisis comms examples that Melanie mentions in the introduction? Here we go:

• Intuit asked us to delete part of this Decoder episode - We declined
• CrowdStrike Crisis Comms Case Study

CONNECT WITH RUTH:

• 💼 LinkedIn
• 🌐 Website

CONNECT WITH US:

• 📬 Newsletter:⁠ followthegradient.io⁠
• 🐦 X:⁠ @followgradient⁠
• 📸 Instagram: ⁠@followthegradient⁠
• 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠@followthegradient⁠
• 🎵 TikTok: ⁠@followthegradient⁠

LEAVE US A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE

• 💚 ⁠⁠Leave a review on Spotify⁠⁠
• 💛⁠ ⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcast⁠⁠

Plus: We would love to hear from you! How did you like this episode? What should we improve for future editions, do you have any suggestions, ideas or dream podcast guests? Please let us know: team at followthegradient dot io

In this episode of Follow the Gradient, we dive into the intricacies of venture capital funding—what it really means, who it's suited for, and whether it’s the right fit for your startup. Our guest, Henrik Grosse Hokamp, Co-Founder and Partner at Berlin-based VC firm Revent, shares his candid perspective on the dynamics of VC investments. Forget the glorification or vilification of venture capital—Henrik breaks down how VCs think, what they look for, and how founders can decide if this type of funding is truly right for them.

You’ll learn:

• Which business models are best suited for venture capital.
• How to evaluate whether a VC is the right partner for your startup.
• The key elements of a successful pitch to venture investors.
• The common pitfalls founders make when preparing for a funding round.

Henrik's insights provide a fresh, realistic view that cuts through the noise, helping founders navigate the often confusing world of venture funding. Join us as we explore the pros, cons, and everything in between about getting VC funding for your venture.

Sign up for exclusive content from this episode and more at followthegradient.io.

CONNECT WITH HENRIK:

💼 LinkedIn: /henrikgrossehokamp/

🌐 Website: ⁠⁠https://www.revent.vc/

CONNECT WITH US:

📬 Newsletter:⁠⁠ followthegradient.io⁠⁠

🐦 X:⁠⁠ x.com/followgradient⁠⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠

🎵 TikTok: ⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠

LEAVE US A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE

💚 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Spotify⁠⁠⁠: bit.ly/FTG-Spotify

💛⁠⁠ ⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcast⁠⁠⁠: bit.ly/FTG-Podcast

Plus: We would love to hear from you! How did you like this episode? What should we improve for future editions, do you have any suggestions, ideas or dream podcast guests? Please let us know: team at followthegradient dot io

In this episode, European and German Patent Attorney Bastian Best unpacks why every startup needs a patent strategy—and why it’s never too early to start.

Drawing from over 15 years of experience in software and AI patents, Bastian shares actionable advice for founders, including how to protect core innovations, attract investors, and turn patents into strategic business assets. Using real-world examples like Humane’s AI Pin and RobCo’s robotics journey, this episode is packed with insights to help startups build a defensible position in competitive markets.

• Why patents are essential even for early-stage startups
• How patents act as shields, magnets, and value generators
• Key steps for navigating freedom to operate and avoiding common pitfalls

Bastian’s practical approach helps founders move beyond the myths of patenting to create lasting value for their startups.

Sign up for exclusive content from this episode and more at ⁠⁠followthegradient.io.

CONNECT WITH BASTIAN: 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠/bastianbest/ 🌐 Bastian’s patent law firm BESTPATENT: https://bestpatent.eu/

💡fundingmagnet.de - Bastian’s AI-powered coaching program that helps European founders achieve their first patent-pending status with just a few hours of time. CONNECT WITH US: 📬 Newsletter:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠followthegradient.io⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🐦 X:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠x.com/followgradient⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎵 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠⁠⁠ LEAVE US A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE 💚 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Spotify⁠⁠⁠: bit.ly/FTG-Spotify 💛⁠⁠ ⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcast⁠⁠⁠: bit.ly/FTG-Podcast

Plus: We would love to hear from you! How did you like this episode? What should we improve for future editions, do you have any suggestions, ideas or dream podcast guests? Please let us know: team at followthegradient dot io

Rebranding is more than a new logo or fresh name—it’s about reshaping how the world sees your startup and setting the stage for future growth. In this episode, we dive into the art and science of rebranding with insights tailored for founders and startup operators.

💡 What you’ll learn:

• When and why startups should rebrand (and why timing is critical).
• How to convince stakeholders and overcome resistance to change.
• What makes a name stick, using Alexandra Watkins’ Smile & Scratch framework.
• Success stories like Wise and ConvertKit—and cautionary tales like Twitter’s transition to X.
• Practical steps for planning, executing, and sustaining a rebrand.

Plus, Melanie shares behind-the-scenes insights from Yokoy’s transition from Expense Robot, and our guest, Andrea von Kaenel, offers a corporate perspective on rebranding at scale.

🎙️ Tune in for actionable tips and candid discussions about what it takes to redefine your startup’s identity—without losing your audience or your momentum.

Sign up for exclusive content from this episode and more at ⁠⁠followthegradient.io⁠⁠.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:

CONNECT WITH ANDREA:

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠/andreavonkaenel/

CONNECT WITH US:

📬 Newsletter:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠followthegradient.io⁠⁠⁠⁠

🐦 X:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠x.com/followgradient⁠⁠⁠⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠⁠⁠

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎵 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@followthegradient⁠⁠⁠⁠

LEAVE US A VIRTUAL HIGH-FIVE

💚 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Spotify⁠⁠⁠: bit.ly/FTG-Spotify

💛⁠⁠ ⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcast⁠⁠⁠: bit.ly/FTG-Podcast

Plus: We would love to hear from you! How did you like this episode? What should we improve for future editions, do you have any suggestions, ideas or dream podcast guests? Please let us know: team at followthegradient dot io