The Equidam Podcast

Drilling for Funding with Moritz Pill

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.

Pitch Preparation with Jorian Hoover

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

Embracing Uncertainty in a Post-SaaS World

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.

Startup Valuation Trends: AI and Mega-Funds

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.

The State of VC in Q1 2025

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.