The Equidam Podcast

In this episode, Daniel Faloppa sits down with Quintus Willemse, founder of Share Council, for their first recorded conversation since Equidam and Share Council merged in February 2026. They talk about why giving employees a stake in their company is still hard in Europe: how stock options are taxed in the Netherlands, the proposed lower rate for start-ups and scale-ups from 2027, vesting and reverse vesting, and why valuation is where so many founders get stuck. Quintus shares how he tried to make his own team co-owners in 2015 and why the cost stopped him, and the two discuss what changes when AI makes output, not hours, the thing that matters.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BCYjqg-DQC4Episode page and transcript: https://www.equidam.com/every-employee-an-owner-quintus-willemse-share-council-equidam-podcast/Value your company for an option plan: https://www.equidam.com/pricing/

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 covers why hardware rounds are milestone-driven, how to blend angel, strategic and VC capital, the supply-chain realities of prototyping in Europe, and why customer-led development matters as much in hardware as in software.

SummaryIn 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 navigating the fundraising timeline. Jorian also discusses valuation strategies and shares a success story from a client who effectively raised capital.

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 reality where traditional metrics may no longer apply. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding risk and the changing dynamics of funding in the startup ecosystem.

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 implications of AI on startup valuations and the necessity for founders to align with investors who share a long-term vision.

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 evolving landscape of deep tech investment, the impact of macroeconomic shifts on innovation, and the current state of AI funding in venture capital. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing dynamics of IPOs and secondary markets, emphasizing the need for transparency and regulatory frameworks to foster a healthier investment environment.

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 among European founders and the necessity of creating scale-ups to drive growth and competitiveness in the global market. They also cover the challenges and opportunities facing European startups in terms of talent retention, government support, and the potential of deep tech. They explore the importance of harnessing research expertise, the evolving landscape of AI, and the shifting dynamics of SaaS investment.

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, particularly the tension between hardware and software, the implications of AI on capital and innovation, and the future of productivity and work. They also consider the risks of overinvestment in AI, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the potential for hardware to provide sustainable competitive advantages. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a recalibration of investment strategies and the role of innovation in driving value in the economy.

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 pitfalls that founders encounter. We also cover some current trends in equity compensation across different regions, underscoring the necessity for founders to be informed and proactive in their approach to equity management. 00:55 The Evolution of Equity Compensation 02:33 The Role of Equity in Startups 05:13 Challenges in Implementing Equity Strategies 07:57 Investor Influence on Equity Distribution 10:49 Taxation Issues with Equity Compensation 13:36 Setting Standards for Equity Practices 16:25 Determining Fair Equity Distribution 18:55 The Future of Equity Compensation 34:17 Pricing Equity and Risk Management 35:56 The Evolution of Equity Perspectives 37:45 Understanding Pool Sizes and Equity Allocation 39:53 Navigating Equity Topping Up Strategies 42:57 Benchmarking Equity: Best Practices and Pitfalls 45:15 The Role of Benchmarking in Equity Planning 47:45 Marketing Equity Schemes Effectively 50:29 The Importance of Transparency in Equity Disclosure 52:51 Common Mistakes in Equity Management 54:13 The Need for Structured Grant Systems 01:00:58 Trends in Equity Compensation and Market Dynamics

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 discounts, and the potential problems with stacking multiple SAFEs. The conversation highlights the need for standardization and consensus in the industry. In this conversation, Daniel and Dan discuss the biases and complexities surrounding convertible notes and the need for a more thoughtful approach. They explore the different usages of convertibles, including bridging the gap between funding rounds, and the challenges of setting caps and discounts. They propose a first principles approach to determine the discount, tying it to the required ROI for venture capital. They also discuss the determination of the cap based on the optimistic valuation of the company. Overall, they advocate for a shift towards simpler and more transparent instruments that align with the needs of both founders and investors. SAFEs have become the dominant form of early-stage fundraising, with most seed rounds and pre-seed rounds using SAFEs. The use of SAFEs has evolved over time, with companies now raising multiple SAFEs at different caps. There is a lack of consensus on how to set caps and discounts for SAFEs, leading to confusion and potential issues. The terms of SAFEs can be complex and may not align with the original intention of simplifying early-stage fundraising. There is a need for standardization and clear guidelines in the industry to ensure fairness and transparency. There is a bias towards actual news and data in the startup ecosystem, which can lead to misconceptions and surprises when it comes to average conversion times and expectations for convertible notes. Convertible notes can be used to bridge the gap between funding rounds, providing a short-term solution for startups in need of additional capital before a Series A round. Setting caps and discounts for convertibles can be challenging, especially in cases of high uncertainty or deep tech startups. A first principles approach, tying the discount to the required ROI for venture capital, can provide a more transparent and fair solution. Determining the cap for a convertible can be based on the optimistic valuation of the company, rooted in the reality of the business but accounting for future growth. Simpler and more transparent instruments, such as convertibles with discounts and caps based on first principles, can benefit both founders and investors by aligning incentives and reducing negotiation complexity. The referenced interview with Kate Shillo Beardsley of Hannah Grey VC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmTXBbC0glc