The Christmas Trip that Built BlaBlaCar

The Airship Startup NATO is Backing

Jun 11, 202635 minSummary

In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, the host interviews Janna Hietala, CEO of the Finnish airship developer Kellu. Since its founding in 2018, Kellu has pioneered persistent aerial autonomy using unmanned airships, recently securing a significant 15 million euro funding round to scale its operations. The conversation explores the resurgence of airship technology, moving past historical misconceptions and safety concerns to focus on their modern-day viability. Hietala explains that by utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, autonomous software, and advanced materials, Kellu has created a mass-manufacturable platform that is both environmentally friendly and highly efficient at counteracting gravity. A major focus of the discussion is the company’s pivot toward dual-use technology. Following the geopolitical shifts caused by the war in Ukraine, Kellu has integrated its platform into NATO’s defense innovation initiatives to provide critical surveillance and security. Hietala details how the company’s ability to operate in harsh Arctic conditions, combined with its resilience against electronic warfare and GNSS jamming, makes it a vital tool for modern security. Ultimately, Kellu aims to use these aerial assets to provide granular data for both environmental sustainability and large-scale infrastructure monitoring.

The Startup Freezing Humans For Tomorrow

May 28, 202644 minSummary

The latest episode of the EU-Startups Podcast features an engaging conversation with Emil Kenziora, the founder of Tomorrow.bio, Europe’s leading startup specializing in cryopreservation for humans and pets. Throughout the discussion, Kenziora explores the complex evolution of cryopreservation technology and the vision behind his company’s mission. He clarifies that while the technology currently focuses on providing a chance for the future, the ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between present-day medical limitations and future scientific breakthroughs. Kenziora discusses the intricacies of the process, including the financial and logistical challenges of providing long-term storage, and explains why he views this startup as his life's work rather than a typical business venture. The conversation also touches on the importance of governance, specifically through the use of non-profit foundations to ensure stability for those in cryostasis. Addressing the ethical and practical aspects of the field, the host and guest examine the distinction between whole-body and brain-only preservation, the role of life insurance in making the service more accessible, and the eventual goal of scaling these operations to reduce costs. Ultimately, the episode serves as a deep dive into a moonshot ambition that challenges traditional perceptions of life, death, and human longevity.