The Startup Freezing Humans For Tomorrow

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 Christmas Trip that Built BlaBlaCar

Jun 4, 202639 minSummary

In this episode of the EU Startups Podcast, host David Sena Garcia sits down with Frédéric Mazzella, the founder of the global ride-sharing giant BlaBlaCar. The conversation begins by revisiting the company’s origin story, which was born out of personal frustration during a holiday travel crunch. Mazzella recounts how his realization that thousands of cars were traveling with empty seats—a classic case of inefficiency—led him to create a solution that transformed how people move across Europe. Beyond the logistical innovation, the discussion explores the social and environmental layers of the platform. Mazzella explains that BlaBlaCar succeeds not only because it is an affordable travel option but because it fosters genuine human connections, even highlighting the platform’s unique features that allow users to signal their willingness to chat during rides. The two also delve into the company’s commitment to sustainability, noting that the service significantly reduces CO2 emissions by optimizing vehicle occupancy. Looking toward the future, the dialogue expands to the broader European startup landscape. Mazzella shares insights on the challenges of operating within a fragmented European market compared to more unified global regions. He also discusses his work with France Digitale, emphasizing the importance of policy education to ensure that regulation fosters innovation rather than hindering the next generation of European tech leaders.