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Could supply chains hold the key to combating climate change?

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StartupValley
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ClimateChoice team bild summer

ClimateChoice, the winner of the GREEN START-UP SLAM Los Angeles 2024, captivated with its mission to empower businesses in driving climate transformation through scalable supply chain decarbonization solutions. Lara Obst, who delivered the pitch on stage, hails from Germany, and the ClimateTech company is proudly based in Berlin

Lara, thank you for joining us today. Could you please introduce ClimateChoice and the role your company plays in the global fight against climate change?

Thank you for having me! At ClimateChoice, our mission is to make every purchasing decision a smart climate choice. We achieve this by providing our AI-powered Climate Intelligence Platform, which streamlines climate data acquisition and supplier engagement. This enables companies to accelerate supply chain decarbonization and achieve their net-zero targets effectively.

ClimateChoice focuses on supply chain decarbonization. Can you explain why this area is so crucial for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint?

Absolutely. Supply chain emissions, or Scope 3 emissions, typically account for more than 80% of a company’s carbon footprint. Every product or service a company purchases carries an embedded carbon cost. In fact, upstream emissions are often 26 times greater than a company’s direct emissions. Despite their significant impact, Scope 3 emissions are often overlooked, leaving companies with a critical blind spot. With new regulations like the European CSRD coming into effect, more than 50,000 companies will need to report and address these emissions from 2025 onwards. Decarbonizing the supply chain is no longer optional — it’s essential for compliance and leadership in sustainability.

Your company utilizes AI to enhance sustainability practices. Could you describe how this technology contributes to the decarbonization process?

Our AI-driven Climate Intelligence Platform transforms how companies approach supply chain sustainability. By processing vast amounts of data — typically over 100 granular data points per supplier — we create individual ClimateChoice Scorecards for suppliers. These scorecards assess performance across five dimensions: CO2, emission trends over time, climate targets, strategy & governance, and decarbonization efforts. This allows companies to make data-driven decisions, whether it’s selecting high-performing suppliers or supporting underperforming ones to improve. Ultimately, our platform empowers businesses to embed climate-smart choices into their procurement processes, fostering collaboration and driving measurable change.

What are some of the key challenges that companies face when trying to track and reduce emissions in their supply chains? How does ClimateChoice help overcome these obstacles?

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of reliable data. Most companies rely on assumptions, averages, or manual processes like sending spreadsheets via email to gather emissions and other climate relevant information from suppliers. This approach is time-consuming, inconsistent, and let’s be honest, often inaccurate. We tackle these issues by offering a scalable, high-quality solution. Our platform automates data collection from sources like sustainability reports, websites and public databases to create initial climate profiles for suppliers. Companies can then invite suppliers to enrich these profiles, enabling continuous improvement and collaboration. This streamlined process eliminates inefficiencies, increases transparency and sets the stage for effective Scope 3 strategies.

Could you share a success story of how a company has successfully reduced its carbon emissions with the help of ClimateChoice?

A great example is Lenovo’s collaboration with ClimateChoice to tackle Scope 3 emissions through the Lenovo 360 Circle initiative. Using our Climate Intelligence Platform, Lenovo launched the GHG Emissions & Strategy Community Benchmarking program to engage its global partner network. This program enabled their partners to share emissions data securely, benchmark their climate performance, and receive tailored feedback, fostering transparency and collaboration across the supply chain. As a result, Lenovo achieved a Gold rating for its climate leadership, while its partners collectively reached a Silver-equivalent rating – a testament to the collective impact and alignment towards shared sustainability goals.

This initiative showcases how data-driven insights and partnership can drive systemic change. Lenovo not only advanced its own sustainability goals but also united its partners around shared goals, and with that inspired its ecosystem to embrace joint climate action. By recognizing high-performing partners and supporting others with actionable improvement plans, Lenovo turned a complex challenge into an opportunity for collective progress in achieving meaningful emissions reductions. 

ClimateChoice offers a scoring methodology to assess supplier performance in sustainability. How does this scoring system work, and how does it help businesses make better decisions?

Our scoring system translates complex climate data into actionable insights. Suppliers receive a ClimateChoice Score, with levels ranging from Bronze to Gold based on their performance. This visual labeling system helps companies quickly assess their supplier base, identify strengths, and pinpoint areas for improvement. By using these scores, businesses can develop targeted strategies—such as supporting underperforming suppliers or leveraging high performers as benchmarks. This fosters collaboration and drives consistent emissions reductions across the supply chain.

The process of decarbonizing an entire supply chain can be complex. What are some first steps companies should take when starting this journey?

The first step is achieving transparency. Many companies lack visibility into their Scope 3 emissions, making it nearly impossible to set reduction targets or track progress. Start by assessing emissions using average data, then engage suppliers to refine this data with exact figures. Once transparency is established, companies can develop tailored decarbonization strategies. Prioritizing collaboration with suppliers and aligning on shared goals are key to making progress efficiently and effectively.

Many businesses are grappling with new regulations around sustainability. How do you see these changes affecting companies in the near future, and how can ClimateChoice support them?

New sustainability regulations are reshaping markets globally. They require companies to take responsibility for their entire value chain, positioning the supply chain as a central driver of strategic change. ClimateChoice helps businesses lead this transformation. By leveraging our platform, companies can turn compliance challenges into opportunities, strengthening relationships with suppliers and creating long-term value while reducing emissions.

ClimateChoice has built partnerships with organizations like T-Systems, Lenovo, and o2 Telefónica. How do these collaborations help scale your impact, and what role do partnerships play in achieving your mission?

Partnerships are essential for scaling impact. Studies show that just eight supply chains account for 50% of global emissions. Collaborating with industry leaders enables us to accelerate decarbonization along these critical supply chains. With active platform users in over 140 countries, we’re shaping a global network of climate-conscious companies. Together, we’re proving that collective action is not only possible but also effective in driving meaningful change.

One major trend is closing the “sustainability skill gap.” Many leaders lack the training, knowledge, and tools needed to navigate climate data and leverage emerging technologies effectively. To address this, we focus on user-friendly solutions that don’t require advanced sustainability expertise. Our platform simplifies complex processes, fostering collaboration across departments and empowering companies to act decisively.

What role do you believe transparency plays in achieving climate goals, and how does ClimateChoice promote this within the supply chain?

Transparency is foundational for accountability and progress. Without accurate and transparent data, companies can’t comply with regulations, track improvements, or build trust with stakeholders. At ClimateChoice, we make transparency actionable. Our platform ensures that businesses not only meet reporting requirements but also use climate data as a strategic asset to drive real-world change.

ClimateChoice raised $2 million to expand its platform. How does this investment help accelerate your mission, and what are your next big goals?

This funding allows us to scale our platform across industries and geographies, enhancing global supply chain coverage. With the support of impact-driven investors like Gutter Capital, we’re refining our business model and doubling down on solving customer challenges. Our next big goal is to make climate-smart supply chains the standard, not the exception.

As a founder, how do you balance the pressures of scaling a business with the urgency of addressing climate change?

The beauty of our business model is that the more we scale, the greater our impact. For us, business growth and climate action go hand in hand, creating a positive feedback loop that drives both success and supply chain decarbonization.

Finally, what message would you like to share with other entrepreneurs who are working on innovative solutions to combat climate change?

Change takes time — both in business and in fighting climate change. My advice is to break big challenges into manageable steps. Focus on progress, not perfection, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly momentum builds. Stay resilient, and remember that every small step contributes to a much larger impact.

Picture @ClimateChoice

Thank you Lara Obst for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Is Simplicity the Key to Transforming Your Daily Wellness Routine?

By
Sabine Elsässer
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éclat

éclat is redefining wellness with innovative, all-in-one solutions that blend beauty, health, and simplicity into your daily routine

Could you introduce éclat and share the story of how you and your team came together to build it?

The idea for éclat came from a moment of inspiration between my mother and me. My mother has been using collagen for years, long before it became widely popular, and she’s always trusted its benefits for her skin. When she entered menopause, she started adding more and more supplements to her routine, each targeting a different need. Then, during the pandemic, we found ourselves at the kitchen table, asking, ‘Why are there so many separate products? Couldn’t we create something better that combines them all?’

With her background in pharmacy and my experience in the beauty industry, we began working on éclat as a comprehensive solution. We wanted an all-in-one product that would simplify wellness routines without sacrificing quality. Our formula is unique: it has a pleasant tropical taste and combines 6,000 milligrams of marine collagen, 120 milligrams of hyaluronic acid, and sixteen essential vitamins and minerals to support skin, hair, nails, and overall health. Buying these ingredients separately would be expensive, but with our three-month subscription, it’s just one euro a day—making it both accessible and effective

What inspired the vision behind éclat, and how do you plan to bring this vision to life?

The vision behind éclat is to empower everyone to radiate happiness and confidence by making self-care simple, nourishing, and joyful. We believe true radiance starts within, so our products are designed to support inner wellness as the foundation for outer beauty and vitality.

Who is the primary target audience for éclat, and what unique needs or desires are you aiming to fulfill with your products?

The primary target audience for éclat is individuals aged 30+, with a focus on those seeking effective, all-in-one wellness solutions. While our products are designed for a broad age range, we see a significant number of women in their 50s and 60s choosing our collagen products. They are drawn to éclat because it not only makes them feel good but also delivers visible results, supporting their ongoing beauty, vitality, and confidence.

What distinguishes éclat from other brands in the beauty industry, and what would you say is éclat’s strongest unique selling point?

Our signature collagen blend combines fish collagen, hyaluronic acid, and 16 essential vitamins and minerals, making it a comprehensive solution for daily wellness. While other brands sell each of these ingredients separately, we bring them together in one premium product, ensuring high-quality ingredients without the high price tag—making it affordable for everyone.

Additionally, our tropical collagen taste is “unprecedented”—it’s truly delicious, making the daily routine of drinking it a treat rather than a chore. This unique combination of effectiveness, affordability, and taste sets éclat apart, providing a simple yet powerful way to support beauty and vitality from within.

Could you share some of the most significant challenges éclat has faced so far and how you’ve approached overcoming them?

One of the challenges éclat has faced is working with family, as the business is always top of mind. It’s never truly “off,” whether we’re on vacation or at family dinners. While this constant focus can be inspiring, it can also be challenging since the boundaries between business and personal life often blur. Finding a balance between the two has been a key challenge, but it’s also part of what drives our passion and commitment to the brand.

How do you stay in touch with customer needs and preferences, and what role do customer insights play in your product development?

We make it a priority to stay in close touch with our customers’ needs and preferences by regularly requesting their feedback on our products and services. We send out surveys to gather input, and this process is incredibly important to us. It’s one thing to ask for feedback, but it’s another to act on it—and we do just that. We take all feedback, whether positive or constructive, seriously and use it to shape improvements in everything from product versions to our website and email communication. If our customers have suggestions for improvement, we are committed to listening and making changes to ensure they feel valued and supported.

Gut health is gaining significant attention in the beauty and wellness industry, as more research reveals the essential role of a healthy gut in overall well-being. A balanced gut microbiome doesn’t just support digestion; it also impacts skin health, immune function, energy levels, and even mood. This “inside-out” approach to beauty and wellness has led many consumers to prioritize products that support gut health as a foundation for their overall vitality.

In response to this trend and growing demand, we launched an all-in-one gut support drink that brings together key ingredients to nurture and balance the gut microbiome. Our gut support formula is designed to be both effective and easy to integrate into daily routines, providing prebiotics, probiotics, and essential nutrients in one convenient drink. By offering a product that directly targets gut health, we’re helping our customers build a strong foundation for beauty and wellness, supporting their journey to feel and look their best from the inside out.

This all-in-one approach to gut health reflects our commitment to making wellness as accessible and enjoyable as possible, aligning with our vision of holistic, simple, and effective self-care solutions.

As éclat grows, what are some of the next big milestones you’re hoping to achieve?

As éclat grows, one of our next big milestones is expanding internationally, with Germany and Sweden as key targets. We’re excited to introduce our products to a wider audience and share the benefits of our all-in-one wellness solutions beyond the Netherlands. Our goal is to make éclat accessible to more people who value holistic health and beauty, ensuring that everyone can experience our products without limitations or borders. This expansion will allow us to build a more connected community and bring our vision of accessible, enjoyable wellness to new markets.

What three pieces of advice would you offer to aspiring founders looking to launch their own startup, especially in a competitive field like beauty?

Just Start – Progress over perfection: Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you launch. Many founders hold back, waiting for a flawless website or a fully polished product. But if you keep waiting for that ideal moment, it may never come. Just start! Even if your website isn’t exactly as you envisioned, you’ll have plenty of time to refine things as you go. Getting started is key, and you’ll improve along the way.

Know your unique value: The beauty industry is competitive, so it’s essential to know what makes your brand different. Focus on solving a specific need and offering something unique, like a special ingredient, an all-in-one solution, or a more streamlined approach. A clear, strong value proposition will help you stand out and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Prioritize your customers: Keep your customers at the center of your brand and listen to their feedback closely. Regularly engage with them, whether through surveys or one-on-one conversations, and be open to making changes based on their needs and insights. Building strong relationships with your customers is invaluable—it builds loyalty and ensures you’re delivering something they truly value.

How does éclat incorporate sustainability into its business practices, and why is this an important value for the brand?

At éclat, we integrate sustainable options wherever we can, striving to make eco-friendly choices across our product range. For instance, we offer various solutions for joint and gut health in capsule form, and to reduce waste, we’re introducing refill packages so customers can reuse their original glass jars rather than purchasing a new one each time.

These small steps reflect our commitment to minimizing environmental impact while still delivering high-quality wellness solutions. Sustainability is an ongoing journey for us, and we’re dedicated to making choices that support both our customers’ health and the planet.

What standards and processes do you have in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of éclat’s product line?

To ensure the quality and effectiveness of éclat’s products, we follow strict standards throughout our entire process, from ingredient sourcing to final production. One key ingredient in our formulations is collagen sourced from Peptan Rousselot, a globally recognized leader in high-quality collagen. Peptan Rousselot adheres to the highest industry standards, ensuring that their collagen is not only highly bioavailable but also produced using sustainable and ethical practices. Their strict quality controls guarantee that the collagen we use is pure, potent, and effective.

We also work with other carefully selected, science-backed ingredients like hyaluronic acid and essential vitamins and minerals.Our manufacturing process maintains high standards, with every batch tested to meet both regulatory requirements and our own quality benchmarks

Where do you see éclat in five years, and what steps are you taking today to achieve these long-term goals?

In five years, we envision éclat as a leading global brand in the wellness and beauty industry, recognized for offering effective, all-in-one solutions that empower individuals to feel their best from the inside out. We hope to expand our reach to even more countries, allowing us to serve a broader customer base and build a strong, international community of people who embrace holistic wellness.

Bildcredits © éclat

Thank you Gamze Ulker for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Premium Start-up: éclat

Contact:

Eclatant Beauty BV
Gamze Ulker
Vreeswijkstraat 19
Tilburg, 5036 VA
Netherlands

www.eclatbeauty.de
info@eclatant-beauty.com

Ansprechpartner: Gamze Ulker

How AI is Transforming Radiology: Can It Redefine Diagnosis?

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StartupValley
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contextflow Markus Holzer, CEO and Co-Founder of contextflow

From Research to Radiology: How contextflow is Pioneering AI Solutions for Medical Imaging

Could you briefly introduce contextflow and the team behind it, and tell us what inspired you to start the company?

contextflow is a company I co-founded in Vienna with a mission to transform radiology workflows using artificial intelligence. Our flagship product, ADVANCE Chest CT, is designed to assist radiologists in analysing chest CT scans, especially for complex conditions like lung cancer, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ADVANCE Chest CT integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, providing both quantitative and qualitative insights that allow radiologists to make faster, more accurate diagnoses.

The team behind contextflow brings decades of expertise in medical imaging, AI, and healthcare innovation:

I’m Markus Holzer, CEO, with a background in Computer Science and Innovation Management from the Vienna University of Technology. My focus is on guiding contextflow’s strategic direction and ensuring our solutions meet real clinical needs.

Georg Langs, our Chief Scientist, is a Professor at the Medical University of Vienna and a research affiliate at MIT’s prestigious CSAIL (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory). Georg leads the technical and scientific vision at contextflow, drawing on deep expertise in imaging analysis.

Allan Hanbury, a Professor of Data Intelligence at the Vienna University of Technology, has coordinated major EU-funded AI projects, bringing invaluable experience in data science and medical informatics to the team.

Marcel Wassink, our Chief Commercial Officer, is a seasoned executive who built Philips’ speech recognition business, which was later acquired by Nuance and ultimately by Microsoft. Marcel drives our sales and partnership strategies, leveraging his extensive experience in scaling businesses within the healthcare sector.

The idea for contextflow was inspired by our work on the EU-funded KHRESMOI project, where we experienced the challenges radiologists face daily: growing workloads, specialist shortages, and increasingly complex cases. We saw an opportunity to bring advanced AI from research into clinical practice, supporting radiologists with tools that help make their jobs a bit easier and diagnoses more precise, ultimately benefiting patients with faster, more reliable results

What is the vision behind contextflow, and how do you plan to achieve it in the next few years?

With a focus on chest CT imaging for conditions like lung cancer, ILD, and COPD, contextflow aims to equip radiologists with AI tools that increase diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and confidence. Our goal is to make radiology workflows more effective and allow radiologists to concentrate on providing high-quality patient care by reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks.

We have recently shifted our focus to securing reimbursement in Europe, starting with lung cancer. Achieving this milestone will be key to making our technology widely accessible and to supporting radiologists in identifying and managing lung cancer cases more effectively. By demonstrating the clinical and economic value of our tools, we aim to ensure that hospitals and healthcare providers see both cost savings and improved patient outcomes with contextflow’s solutions.

Who is your primary target audience, and how do you ensure that their specific needs are met with your solutions?

Our primary target audience includes radiologists and radiology departments, particularly those managing high volumes of chest CT cases, as well as healthcare administrators focused on cost-effectiveness and improved patient outcomes. Additionally, we work closely with PACS vendors and hospital IT teams to ensure smooth integration into existing workflows.

To address the specific needs of radiologists, we design our AI tools to support their daily routines by reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks and improving diagnostic accuracy for challenging cases like lung cancer, ILD, and COPD. We collaborate directly with radiologists during the development process, gathering continuous feedback to refine and adapt our solutions so they’re clinically relevant and intuitive. Our focus on demonstrating the clinical and economic value of our tools is also central to our efforts to secure reimbursement, which will make contextflow more accessible and impactful in European hospitals.

For healthcare payers, we emphasise the cost savings our solutions can bring, as our tools help radiologists diagnose more quickly and reduce the likelihood of costly follow-up procedures. By partnering closely with radiologists, hospital IT, and administrative stakeholders, we ensure our solutions are both effective and aligned with the operational needs of modern healthcare facilities.

What are some of the key challenges you have encountered in the healthtech or medtech industry, and how has contextflow managed to overcome them?

One of the key challenges in the healthtech industry is the complexity of integrating new AI technologies into existing clinical workflows. Hospitals often operate with different PACS systems, each with unique configurations and requirements, which can make seamless integration a significant hurdle. At contextflow, we address this by working closely with PACS vendors and hospital IT teams to ensure our solutions fit naturally into radiologists’ daily routines without disrupting their workflow.

Another major challenge is demonstrating the clinical and economic value of AI tools in healthcare. Health systems are often cautious about adopting new technologies unless there’s a clear benefit to both patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. To address this, we conduct rigorous clinical studies and gather real-world data to validate the effectiveness of our AI tools, focusing specifically on measurable benefits like time savings and diagnostic accuracy improvements. This data not only helps radiologists but also supports our efforts to secure reimbursement in Europe, which is a critical focus for us in the coming years.

Finally, the regulatory landscape in healthtech can be challenging, with rigorous standards to ensure patient safety. contextflow has achieved CE certification for our ADVANCE Chest CT under Europe’s new MDR framework, which required substantial investment in quality management and compliance processes. By meeting these high standards, we demonstrate our commitment to safety and efficacy, which is crucial for building trust among healthcare providers and patients alike.

In a highly competitive market, what makes contextflow stand out from other companies in the field?

What makes contextflow stand out in the competitive AI radiology market is our comprehensive approach to chest CT imaging and our commitment to making a real impact on radiologists’ workflows. Our flagship product, ADVANCE Chest CT, isn’t just about detecting a single disease; it provides radiologists with comprehensive support for multiple conditions, including lung cancer, ILD, and COPD. By covering a range of findings in one tool, we help ensure radiologists don’t miss any crucial details within a scan, which sets us apart from many solutions that focus narrowly on one or two patterns.

Workflow integration is another important differentiator. We know that radiologists don’t have time for interruptions or complex new systems. That’s why our solution is designed to fit seamlessly into their existing PACS, allowing them to access AI insights without changing their usual routine. This smooth integration makes our technology not only easier to adopt but also genuinely valuable in everyday practice.

We have also put a lot of effort into making our technology transparent and trustworthy. Our AI is designed to explain its findings, so radiologists can see how results are generated and have confidence in what the tool presents. This is a major factor for adoption in clinical environments, where transparency is crucial.

Clinical validation has also been a key focus.

We’ve conducted extensive studies and partnered with leading medical institutions to ensure our tools deliver real value in a clinical setting. This evidence-based approach demonstrates the effectiveness of our solutions, which supports our goal to secure reimbursement in Europe, starting with lung cancer.

Ultimately, by combining comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, easy integration, transparency, and a clear focus on reimbursement and clinical impact, contextflow brings unique value to radiology departments that is unmatched in the market. We’re here to support radiologists in their work, not replace them, and that’s a mission we stand firmly behind.​

Can you share any exciting developments or new features that contextflow is planning to introduce in the near future?

We’re excited to share some recently released and upcoming developments at contextflow aimed at enhancing radiologists’ workflows and improving patient outcomes:

Malignancy Scoring Integration: We’ve incorporated a malignancy Similarity Index (mSI) into ADVANCE Chest CT. This feature analyses lung nodules for malignancy, assisting in early cancer detection and reducing unnecessary procedures. In clinical studies, the mSI has been shown to detect cancer up to one year sooner while reducing false positives.

TIMELINE Feature for Nodule Tracking: Our TIMELINE feature allows radiologists to visualize and quantify changes in lung nodules over time, facilitating efficient follow-up assessments and treatment planning.

Incidental Pulmonary Embolism Detection: We are introducing an incidental Pulmonary Embolism (PE) feature, designed to alert radiologists to potential cases of PE that may otherwise go undetected. This feature will help radiologists identify PEs in chest CT scans where the primary focus might be elsewhere, ensuring that critical findings are not overlooked.

Focus on Reimbursement: We’re actively pursuing reimbursement approvals in Europe, starting with lung cancer applications. Securing reimbursement is pivotal for making our technology accessible to a broader range of healthcare providers and patients, thereby amplifying its impact.

What role does artificial intelligence play in your technology, and how do you see its future within the medical sector?

Artificial intelligence is at the core of contextflow’s technology. Our AI-driven tools analyse and interpret chest CT images, detecting complex patterns associated with conditions like lung cancer, ILD, and COPD. By automatically highlighting relevant findings and providing quantitative insights, AI helps radiologists make faster, more accurate decisions, reducing the likelihood of missed diagnoses and allowing them to focus on high-quality patient care.

AI’s role is not to replace radiologists but to support them by handling repetitive tasks, providing contextual information, and identifying subtle patterns that might otherwise be missed. For example, our AI doesn’t just detect a lung nodule; it tracks changes over time and offers insights on malignancy likelihood, which can be critical in early cancer detection and treatment planning.

In the future, I see AI playing an even larger role in the medical sector as its capabilities expand to cover more imaging modalities and other areas of healthcare. AI will likely be instrumental in helping healthcare systems manage increasing workloads, ensuring diagnostic consistency, and potentially identifying new biomarkers that advance medical research. As AI becomes more integrated and accepted, I envision it as a critical partner for healthcare providers, supporting them in achieving better outcomes while maintaining a human-centered approach to medicine.

Building a startup is not easy—what are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learnt along the way?

Building contextflow has been an incredible journey, filled with both challenges and rewarding lessons. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learnt is the importance of focus and  prioritisation. In a startup, resources are often limited, and there are countless directions you could go. It’s essential to stay clear on your mission and prioritise initiatives that drive real value for users. For us, that has meant focusing on building solutions that genuinely improve radiologists’ workflows and patient outcomes.

Another key lesson is the importance of building strong relationships and partnerships. From day one, we’ve collaborated closely with radiologists, PACS vendors, and hospital IT departments to ensure our tools are effective and seamlessly integrate into existing workflows. Listening to feedback from end users has been invaluable, as it allows us to continuously adapt and refine our solutions based on real clinical needs.

Adaptability is also crucial. The healthcare and regulatory landscapes are constantly evolving, and being able to adjust quickly to changes in technology, compliance requirements, or market dynamics has been critical to our growth. For example, our recent focus on securing reimbursement for lung cancer in Europe reflects our adaptability to meet both clinical and economic needs.

Lastly, I’ve learnt the importance of having a mission-driven team. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision and are passionate about making a difference is essential for long-term success. Our team’s dedication to improving healthcare through AI has kept us moving forward, even when things get tough.

For other aspiring entrepreneurs, what are three essential pieces of advice you would give when starting a company in the tech or healthcare space?

For anyone looking to start a company in the tech or healthcare space, here are three key pieces of advice I’d offer based on my experience with contextflow:

Understand the Problem Deeply: Before diving into solutions, spend time understanding the pain points of your end users. In healthcare, this means working closely with professionals on the ground, whether they’re doctors, administrators, or IT staff. At contextflow, our close collaboration with radiologists has been invaluable in developing tools that actually solve real-world challenges.

Navigate the Regulatory Landscape Early: Healthcare is a highly regulated industry, and compliance requirements can be a significant barrier if not addressed from the start. Research the regulatory landscape early and build these considerations into your development process. This will save time and resources down the road and ensure that your product is safe, effective, and meets industry standards. Achieving CE certification for ADVANCE Chest CT was a crucial milestone for us, and having regulatory insights from the start made that process smoother.

Build a Mission-Driven Team: In the healthcare sector especially, the work can be challenging and progress may feel slow at times. Surround yourself with people who believe in your mission and are passionate about making a difference. A dedicated, resilient team is essential for tackling the unique challenges of healthcare and keeping you motivated through the ups and downs.

Starting a company in healthcare can be complex, but if you keep your mission clear, stay focused on real clinical needs, and build a strong, committed team, the journey can be incredibly rewarding.

How does contextflow address the evolving demands of radiologists, and what feedback have you received from your users so far?

At contextflow, we prioritise understanding and addressing the evolving needs of radiologists. Our flagship product, ADVANCE Chest CT, is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows, providing comprehensive support for conditions like lung cancer, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By automating repetitive tasks and offering quantitative insights, we enable radiologists to focus more on patient care.

User feedback has been instrumental in refining our solutions. Radiologists have expressed appreciation for features like the TIMELINE view, which facilitates efficient follow-up imaging analysis. Dr. Gerlig Widmann, Managing Senior Physician at the University Department of Radiology at the Medical University of Innsbruck, highlighted the value of this feature in clinical practice, noting its utility in analysing follow-up scans.

Additionally, our focus on transparency and integration has been well received. Jacob Visser, Chief Medical Information Officer & Head of Imaging IT and Value-Based Imaging at Erasmus MC, emphasised the importance of contextflow’s transparent approach compared to other AI solutions, appreciating its design that supports workflow while leaving final decisions to the radiologist.

By continuously engaging with radiologists and incorporating their feedback, we ensure that our tools evolve in line with their needs, ultimately enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

What are your thoughts on the future of AI in healthcare, and how do you think it will change the industry over the next decade?

I believe the future of AI in healthcare is incredibly promising, with the potential to transform nearly every aspect of the industry. In the next decade, I expect AI to play a pivotal role in helping healthcare providers manage the growing complexity and volume of medical data, improve diagnostic accuracy, and ultimately provide more personalised patient care.

In radiology specifically, AI will continue to evolve from being a supportive tool to a highly integrated, essential component of diagnostic workflows. AI-powered tools like ours will help radiologists focus on more complex cases by automating repetitive tasks and providing insights that may be challenging to detect with the human eye alone. Over time, as AI systems become more advanced and gain the trust of healthcare professionals, they could even identify new biomarkers, contributing to earlier detection and new treatment pathways.

Beyond radiology, AI’s ability to analyse large-scale data could enable truly personalised medicine, where patient care is tailored based on specific health profiles and predicted responses to treatments. I also foresee AI becoming crucial in preventive care, helping predict patient risk factors and enabling earlier intervention to prevent diseases before they progress.

Of course, for AI to reach its full potential, the industry will need to address challenges such as regulatory standards, data privacy, and ensuring that AI remains a transparent, trustable tool for clinicians. But with the right focus, AI has the potential to make healthcare more effective, accessible, and patient-centred over the coming decade.

How do you maintain a balance between innovation and regulatory compliance in the medtech sector, especially as you continue to grow?

Balancing innovation with regulatory compliance is essential in the medtech sector, particularly as we scale. At contextflow, we see compliance not as a barrier but as a guiding framework that ensures our solutions are safe, reliable, and effective. We incorporate regulatory requirements from the very start of our development process, which allows us to innovate within a structured and compliant framework.

Our approach to maintaining this balance involves building strong internal processes for quality management and working closely with regulatory experts to keep up-to-date with evolving standards. For instance, achieving CE certification for ADVANCE Chest CT under Europe’s MDR framework was a critical milestone for us. By embedding compliance into our product lifecycle, we can continue to develop new features and expand our offerings without compromising on patient safety or quality.

As we grow, we also prioritise transparency and collaboration with healthcare providers and regulatory bodies. We make it a point to ensure our AI solutions remain explainable, so radiologists and healthcare institutions can trust the technology. This balance between pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and adhering to rigorous standards is central to our mission. It allows us to bring cutting-edge AI tools to radiology while staying aligned with the regulatory requirements that keep patients safe.

Bildcredits contextflow

Thank you Markus Holzer for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Are We Finally Solving the Data Access Problem for SaaS Startups?

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StartupValley
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Veriam Founder Jeroen de Bruijn

Veriam, a company specializing in secure access and subscription management solutions, is redefining how SaaS startups handle data access, billing, and identity management

What inspired the founding of Veriam, and could you tell us more about the people behind the company?

Veriam was founded by Martijn Kaag, Raymond Roelands, and myself. We were motivated by the need for accurate, reliable metrics necessary to build a sustainable society. We founded a company with this purpose, Metrics Matter, but we quickly identified a critical gap—infrastructure for exchanging ESG data securely, and at scale within supply chains. Specifically, we found that fragmented authentication, authorisation, and subscription management systems were standing in the way of effective ESG data sharing. This was how Veriam came to be. 

With our combined experience in the industry, we were confident that we could create a better solution. Since starting Veriam in January of this year, we’ve been focused on developing a platform that integrates authentication and authorization with subscription, invoicing, payments, and licensing. 

It’s important to note that our platform’s value goes beyond ESG, bringing significant value to all SaaS providers looking to manage access and subscriptions for any type of cloud-hosted data or digital product. 

What vision does Veriam have for the future of secure identity and access management, and what steps are being taken to achieve this vision?

Veriam envisions a future where our access and subscription management platform facilitates the secure, easy exchange of data, helping businesses grow while giving users a single login for all products, subscriptions, and data across any organization using Veriam. 

As a Veriam user, managing your access and billing in one place with a single login speeds up onboarding, saves time, and reduces costs. This integrated approach can lead to significant savings across supply chains, with billions of euros in potential savings for service providers and their customers or partners.

The benefit of Veriam’s reusable login is driven by widespread use. This is why we’re adopting a growth model similar to platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, offering our access management feature for free to SaaS startups. Users can easily invite their customers or partners to join. As our platform expands, we will introduce premium services, generating revenue while remaining committed to our social mission. 

How does Veriam identify the needs of its primary audience, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and tailor its offerings to meet those needs?

At Veriam, we focus on understanding the unique challenges that small and medium-sized SaaS providers face, especially when it comes to managing access and subscriptions with limited resources. We know that many traditional solutions can be costly and complex, so we’ve designed Veriam to be affordable, easy to use, and quick to set up. By offering a free access management feature, we’re enabling startups to securely manage user accounts without the high costs or complexity. We want to give smaller businesses the tools they need to succeed, no matter their size.

SaaS startups face extensive challenges in access management, particularly when integrating complex systems that often require significant custom code and time-consuming maintenance. Veriam addresses these challenges by offering a flexible, out-of-the-box SaaS solution that minimizes coding and setup effort, enabling easy integration with existing platforms. This reduces the workload on IT teams, accelerates deployment, and ensures robust, compliant access management without the usual integration hassles.

What differentiates Veriam’s platform from other identity and access management solutions on the market?

What sets Veriam apart from other identity and access management solutions is our unified approach that combines access and subscription management into a single platform. This design makes the user experience simple, allowing for quick setup and management. Users can log in once to access all their product subscriptions and data across any organization using Veriam, which enhances usability and integration.

We also help service providers by reducing integration code by 99%, making it much easier to implement our solution.

In what ways does Veriam’s solution specifically enable smaller organizations to manage security and access as efficiently as larger enterprises?

Our solution helps smaller organizations efficiently manage security and access by offering our access management feature for free. Unlike larger companies with the resources for complex systems, smaller businesses can leverage our platform without incurring high costs. Our platform is easy to use and quick to implement, making it an ideal solution for companies with limited resources.

We make the integration process simple, allowing users to set it up with fewer than 10 lines of code. This cuts the usual integration workload by 99%, enabling smaller organizations to adopt our solution quickly and focus on what they do best instead of dealing with complicated technical issues.

What are some of the biggest challenges the team has faced since launching, and how have these shaped Veriam’s approach or products?

One of the main challenges Veriam faces is creating a new market segment that doesn’t currently exist. We are competing against large, established organizations with significant user bases and valuations, which adds pressure to our efforts. Then, our approach involves targeting multiple verticals simultaneously, making our challenge more complex than if we were solely focused on identity and access management. 

How does Veriam envision its growth in the next few years, and are there any new features or expansions currently in development?

Our primary focus is on releasing the first fully integrated solution that combines identity and access management with subscription management, invoicing, payments, and licensing. This unique approach makes integration easier for users, allowing them to tap into all of these features with less than 10 lines of code.

We’re also working on integrating more third-party identity providers and enhancing data validation capabilities. Ultimately, the plan is to build a marketplace that allows customers to purchase software directly through our platform. Our main objective, however, is to make it easier for users to integrate their existing identities while allowing third-party providers to connect easily with our solution.

Identity and access management is set to expand as more services transition from on-premise to SaaS solutions, which will call for new methods to secure these environments. Similarly, subscription management is evolving, with traditional perpetual licenses giving way to on-demand solutions. 

We also see account reusability becoming increasingly important. We’ve already seen this shift in other areas where users log in with Google or Microsoft, instead of creating new credentials. Then, in payments, users have one PayPal account rather than sharing card details with each service provider. Proprietary accounts are likely to fade away. With our solution that combines identity management, access control, and subscription management, Veriam is well-positioned to lead in this evolving landscape.

What role does customer feedback play in Veriam’s ongoing development, and how is it integrated into product improvements?

Customer feedback is central to Veriam’s ongoing development. We actively collect insights from clients to understand their evolving access and subscription management needs and pain points. This feedback is systematically analyzed and prioritized, allowing us to make targeted product enhancements that improve functionality, ease of use, and integration. By aligning our development closely with customer input, Veriam ensures that our solutions continuously adapt to and address real-world challenges.

What are three key pieces of advice you would offer other founders who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey?

Create a balanced team: Surround yourself with people who complement your strengths and skills to build a strong foundation, whether they’re co-founders, executive team members, or initial employees. Trust and a clear division of responsibilities can make decision-making and execution significantly easier and faster.

Stay close to your customers: Early customer feedback is invaluable. Use it to validate and refine your product, and keep an open feedback loop to ensure your solution evolves with real customer needs.

Focus on sustainable growth: It’s easy to chase quick wins, but it’s important to prioritize building a scalable, resilient business model. Stay agile, but set clear goals and metrics to ensure your growth is both strategic and manageable.

Could you share some of the core values driving Veriam, and how these values shape the everyday work and decision-making processes within the company?

At Veriam, we focus on accessibility and sustainability as the backbone of our work. We want to make access and subscription management easy and affordable, especially for smaller organizations that often face resource limitations. This means developing tools that are straightforward to implement and use, so more businesses can handle security and data sharing without extensive setup.

Sustainability is central to our mission. A major driver of our solution is supporting global regulations on Scope 3 CO2 emissions, which require businesses to securely exchange CO2 data across their supply chains. Our platform is designed to provide a strong solution for this need.

Photographer Suzan Alberts

Thank you Jeroen de Bruijn for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

A 10-step guide to transform your ideas into stunning images

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prompt
surreal nature background

How to write the perfect AI prompt

As text-to-image generative AI continues to gain momentum, the ability to craft effective prompts—concise, creative instructions for AI tools—is emerging as a key advantage for businesses looking to leverage AI for their visual content. While AI-generated images have opened new possibilities to create unique visuals, the difference between good and great often comes down to the tool but also – the prompt.  

Prompts are at the core of AI-driven creativity. The right prompt with the right tool can turn a simple idea into a powerful visual that truly captures your creative vision. It’s not just about what you want to see; it’s about understanding how to communicate that vision to the AI tool in a way that yields the best results and ultimately create the right image for what you need.

For the right project, AI-generated content offers SMBs and SMEs a way to unlock creative potential, streamline marketing efforts, and create time efficiencies. To unlock these benefits, here’s a 10-step guide to help anyone build compelling prompts and get the most out of text-to-image generative AI tools.

Step 1: Protect Your Creativity

First things first. Ensure that the generative AI tool you’re using produces images you can use in your marketing and advertising materials. This means, choosing a tool that is commercially safe and provides legal protection for your outputs. This safeguards you from creating something that may include elements that are legally protected. AI tools should amplify your creativity, not expose you to risk.

Step 2: Start with a Clear Vision

Begin by visualizing the scene you want to create. Think of a basic noun, verb, and setting/location, and then build out your prompt with adjectives and descriptive phrases. The clearer your initial concept, the better the AI tool will translate it into a compelling image. 

Step 3: Be Detailed and Specific 

Don’t hesitate to create longer, more descriptive, and complex prompts, generative AI thrives on detail. Approach your prompts as if you’re telling a story, using comma-separated keywords to enhance your narrative. Also, tools like iStock’s AI Generator, with its recent model updates, allow you to be incredibly detailed and see how your desired features come to life thanks to advanced upscaling and increased 4K generation capabilities. 

Step 4: Describe the Scene’s Environment

Mention the setting where the scene takes place. For example, if you want an outdoor scene, specify if it’s in a forest, on a beach, or in an urban environment. Also, consider where your vision is located; after all, a “forest” in Brazil is hardly the same as one in Washington state.

Step 5: Highlight Key Elements

Identify the main subjects or focal points of the image. If it’s a person, describe their appearance, clothing, and expression. For objects, focus on their size, shape, and placement. Experiment with language, even if you like the first image you generate. Try different words and phrases to see how they alter the outcome.

(Image credit: Created with Generative AI by iStock)

Step 6: Incorporate Emotions and Mood

Use aesthetic terms in your prompts to refine the overall look and feel of the image. Terms like “retro,” “sharpened,” or “monochrome” can guide the AI’s creative direction. Instructions like “vibrant colors,” “soft lighting,” or “moody atmosphere” can add a different style.  If you’re not sure which keywords to use, reference this extensive list of artistic keywords for AI image prompts. Also, consider adjusting parameters like color and mood filters to generate images with specific tones and feelings to align it to your vision. 

Step 7: Include Action or Dynamics

If the scene involves movement or interaction, describe what’s happening. This could be as simple as “a cat playing with a ball of yarn” or “a city bustling with people.” Descriptors like “future,” “vintage,” or “historical” can add layers of context to your output.

Step 8: Consider Perspective and Angle

Specify the viewpoint or angle from which the scene should be captured. This could be a bird’s-eye view, close-up, or wide shot, which influences the composition and framing.  Refine your image by using camera controls, distinguishing lens type or depth of field, including wide angle, telephoto, shallow, or deep, to create the look of an image captured by a camera.

Step 9: Review, Refine and Iterate

Before finalizing your prompt, review it for any ambiguity or missing details. Use AI’s modification tools to tweak the visual further.  You can add, replace, or remove elements from an image or expand or reduce the image ratio to fit the format you need. Even, when you are fully satisfied with an image, explore variations of that image and keep the active prompt text handy for future reference. Keep experimenting and iterating with your favorite prompts and other elements to spark fresh, bold ideas. 

Step 10: Prioritize Authenticity

While AI tools offer incredible creative possibilities, it’s important to be authentic to your audience. iStock’s VisualGPS report revealed that a striking 87% of Britons want to know if an image is AI-generated. Consider if you need to label AI-generated content — particularly when generating people or showing a real product — as consumers value transparency and appreciate knowing the origin of the images they interact with. This helps you build trust and credibility. 

With this guide, SMBs, SMEs and AI enthusiasts are now equipped to prompt more effectively, harnessing the power of generative AI tools to produce high-quality, impactful marketing visuals. 

Mainpicture: Credit_istock-Vizerskaya

Pictures: istock pictures

By Bill Bon, Senior Director of Creative Operations at iStock

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Reimagining a Classic: The Ongoing Evolution of 2048

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Gabriele Cirulli founder 2048

2048, a developer of addictive puzzle games, is capturing the attention of casual and hardcore gamers alike with its latest release.

How did the idea for 2048 first come about, and what inspired you to create it as a weekend project?

I built 2048 in a weekend, just for fun. At the time, I was obsessed with two similar games, 1024! and 2048 by Saming. While both games shared similarities with my version of 2048, I wanted to put my own spin on it by creating a version with a different color scheme and better animations. To be honest, it was mainly meant as a test of my skills.

What is the vision for 2048 as you celebrate this decade milestone, and how do you plan to achieve it in the coming years?

I want to keep 2048 true to its core while modernizing it to stay engaging for both new and longtime players, young and old. The first step in this process was introducing power-ups, which allow players to develop new strategies and provide a boost when facing the game’s challenges. For example, one of the power-ups is the highly requested ‘Undo’ feature, which lets players correct mistakes and refine their strategy. Moving forward, I aim to keep adding features that make the game as fun and dynamic as possible. Some ideas I’m exploring include leaderboards, multiplayer modes, and even more types of power-ups

With 2048 being such a widely recognized game, who would you say is your core audience, and how do you ensure that the new version continues to meet their needs?

2048 is enjoyed by a diverse range of players, both young and old. Interestingly, younger individuals who weren’t around when the game first launched are now discovering it. My version of 2048 aims to target casual players while also providing opportunities for more hardcore gamers. The goal is to create a fun and effortless experience that allows people to enjoy themselves and take a break from their daily routines.

What were some of the main challenges you faced when initially launching 2048, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge with the initial launch of 2048 was its sudden popularity, which took me completely off guard. The hardest part was managing my emotions and stress related to the unexpected success and figuring out how to stay on top of it all. I believe I navigated the situation reasonably well, although there are a few things I would approach differently in hindsight. However, I have no regrets about the experience.

In what ways does the new 2048 edition stand out from the original game, and what are some of the unique features that players can look forward to?

My goal was to honor the original game by preserving its essence in this new version. I felt the original was beginning to show its age, and I wanted to create a more timeless experience for players. This involved refreshing its look and feel by improving the animations and design. Eventually, the idea to add power-ups came about, becoming an integral part of the game. These power-ups allow players to do much more and tackle challenges that were previously difficult to overcome. However, for those who prefer a more challenging experience, a ‘Classic’ mode without power-ups is still available

How did you approach the decision to release a special version of 2048 for Amazon Prime members, and what benefits does it offer to players?

2048 Plus for Amazon Prime members is a special version of the game that includes three additional power-ups beyond those offered in the standard version. When the opportunity came about to provide this exclusive experience for Prime members, similar to what other games in this space do, I thought it would be great to infuse it with elements of exclusivity, such as a distinct dark board design and unique power-ups. The idea behind this version is to give players more enjoyable tools to work with, lifting some of the game’s constraints and allowing for greater creativity in gameplay.

Considering the evolving mobile gaming landscape, what do you see as the biggest challenge for 2048 moving forward, and how do you plan to address it?

I consider my version of 2048 primarily a web game rather than a mobile game, even though there are standalone mobile apps published by my partner, Solebon. While I am not deeply immersed in the mobile gaming landscape, my goal was to ensure that this version of 2048 works well on mobile devices for users who want to play on the go. One trend I’ve noticed in mobile gaming is how cheap and ad-ridden some experiences feel. Many mobile games are heavily advertised online, yet the ads often misrepresent the actual game, requiring players to watch numerous ads and make in-app purchases to enjoy the game. My version of 2048 is ad-supported as well, but I want to move toward a fairer model where ads support the site without obstructing gameplay, and any future paid offerings I create provide genuine value for money rather than gatekeeping core game features.

What do you think sets 2048 apart from other puzzle games, and how has it maintained its appeal over the years?

I’ve never fully understood the formula behind 2048’s popularity, but I believe it lies in its accessibility—players can simply browse a website to start playing—and its addictive nature once they understand how to play. The game doesn’t allow for easy wins, which encourages many players to keep coming back for more.

Are there any specific future developments or new gameplay elements that you’re particularly excited about introducing to 2048 fans?

In the upcoming period, I’ll be focusing on improving the quality of the version I’ve just released, addressing bug fixes and implementing minor enhancements like dark mode and different animation options for those who prefer less motion. As for the long term, I’ve been considering features such as leaderboards and multiplayer options. However, there’s no telling when I’ll be able to develop these, as I’m a one-person team, and such features can take a lot of time to implement. But those are the ideas I’ve been contemplating!

For those interested in launching their own game or startup, what are three key pieces of advice you would offer based on your experience with 2048?

I’m not an expert in these areas, so I’ll share the things I’m working on improving myself

  1. Engage with people or allow them to use your product as early as possible before spending months building something that might not work.
  2. Remember that done is better than perfect. Don’t waste time polishing something if you’re unsure it will be effective (as mentioned in point 1).
  3. When people give you negative feedback, especially if it’s emotionally charged, try to look beyond the emotional language and understand what they’re trying to convey. Don’t take it personally. Often, if someone expresses strong negativity about something you’ve done, it’s because they genuinely care—either about you or about what you’ve built. Acknowledge their concerns, but try not to let their words affect you emotionally

How has your perspective on 2048 changed since its inception, and what personal goals do you have for the game and its community moving forward?

Early in 2048’s life, I distanced myself from it due to the stress it caused me, which I had not fully processed. Over the past few years, I’ve been able to reconnect with it and eventually quit my job to work on it full-time. I want 2048 to remain an engaging game by adding new features while preserving its core mechanics. At the same time, I aim to make it sustainable for myself to continue working on the game full-time, but I refuse to do so by introducing cheap purchases or increasing the number of ads. If I decide to add paid features in the future, I will ensure that they are implemented thoughtfully and do not hinder those who wish to enjoy the game for free from having a complete experience.

Picture @private

Thank you Gabriele Cirulli for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

What You Need to Know About Ethereum: How It Differs from Bitcoin

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Ethereum: How It Differs from Bitcoin

Ethereum is often mentioned in the same breath as Bitcoin, but the two cryptocurrencies have significant differences in their function and intended purposes. While Bitcoin is primarily viewed as digital gold or a store of value, Ethereum is the foundation for an entire ecosystem of decentralised applications (dApps) and smart contracts. At DiviCoins, our experts frequently share insights into cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, helping users understand its unique features and how it fits into the broader crypto landscape. In this article, we’ll explore how Ethereum functions, how it differs from Bitcoin, and some lesser-known facts that make Ethereum a key player in the crypto world.

Key Differences Between Ethereum and Bitcoin

While both Bitcoin and Ethereum are built on blockchain technology, their design and purpose set them apart in several ways:

Purpose: Bitcoin was designed as a peer-to-peer payment system and a decentralised alternative to traditional currencies. Its main goal is to be a store of value, much like gold. On the other hand, Ethereum is a decentralised platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralised applications. Bitcoin is money, while Ethereum is a programmable network for various blockchain-based applications.

Blockchain: Bitcoin and Ethereum run on blockchain technology, but Ethereum’s blockchain is more advanced and flexible. Ethereum’s blockchain not only records transactions like Bitcoin but also supports smart contracts—self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. This allows complex decentralised applications to run on Ethereum’s network, enabling use cases beyond just currency exchange.

Supply: Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, making it a deflationary asset. This scarcity is one of the reasons Bitcoin is often compared to gold. Ethereum, however, does not have a capped supply. Its inflationary model is designed to encourage the continued development of its platform, although updates to the protocol are working to reduce its inflation rate over time.

Mining and Consensus Mechanism: While both cryptocurrencies used Proof-of-Work (PoW) for mining, Ethereum is transitioning to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) model with Ethereum 2.0. This shift aims to make the network more energy-efficient by allowing users to “stake” their coins to help validate transactions, as opposed to the energy-intensive mining process used by Bitcoin. DiviCoins experts highlight that Ethereum’s move to PoS is a significant step toward making the network more sustainable.

How Ethereum Functions

Ethereum’s blockchain operates as a decentralised, global computer where applications run without downtime, fraud, or interference from a third party. Here’s how it works:

Smart Contracts: One of the most innovative features of Ethereum is the smart contract. These are self-executing agreements coded directly into the blockchain. Once conditions are met, the contract executes automatically. For example, a smart contract could automatically release funds when goods are delivered without the need for intermediaries like banks or lawyers. DiviCoins experts emphasise that Ethereum’s ability to support smart contracts is one of the key reasons for its rapid growth.

dApps (Decentralised Applications): Ethereum is the foundation for thousands of decentralised applications, or dApps. These applications run on Ethereum’s blockchain and offer services in various industries, from finance to gaming. Because these apps run on a decentralised network, they resist censorship and central authorities’ control.

Ether (ETH): While Bitcoin’s primary function is to serve as a currency, Ethereum’s native token, Ether (ETH), has multiple uses within its ecosystem. It is used to pay for transactions and power dApps, and compensate miners or validators for their work. You can easily buy ETH for various needs through platforms like DiviCoins, allowing you to interact with the Ethereum network and its many applications.

Lesser-Known Facts About Ethereum

While Ethereum is widely known as the second-largest cryptocurrency, there are several interesting facts that many users may not be aware of:

Turing-Complete Language: Ethereum is Turing-complete, meaning it can run any computational task, given enough time and resources. This flexibility allows developers to build almost any application on the Ethereum network, something Bitcoin’s more straightforward scripting language does not allow.

Ethereum 2.0: One of the most significant upgrades to Ethereum is the transition to Ethereum 2.0, which introduces Proof-of-Stake (PoS) and other scaling solutions like sharding. Sharding breaks the Ethereum blockchain into smaller parts, allowing more transactions to be processed simultaneously. This upgrade aims to reduce energy consumption and improve transaction throughput, addressing some of the scalability issues faced by the network.

Gas Fees: Every Ethereum action, whether sending ETH or running a smart contract, requires gas. And gas is a fee paid in ETH to incentivize miners or validators to process and confirm the transaction. Gas fees can spike during high demand, leading to costly transactions. Platforms like DiviCoins make it easy to acquire ETH, ensuring users have the necessary funds to cover gas fees when interacting with the network.

DeFi (Decentralised Finance): Ethereum is the backbone of the decentralised finance (DeFi) movement, which aims to recreate traditional financial services, like lending and borrowing, without intermediaries. DeFi applications built on Ethereum allow users to participate in various financial activities without relying on banks, opening up new possibilities for financial inclusion and innovation.

Ethereum’s Role in the Crypto Ecosystem

Ethereum’s flexible and programmable blockchain is a cornerstone of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. With its support for smart contracts and decentralised applications, Ethereum has extended the potential use cases of blockchain technology far beyond digital currency. Whether using ETH to power decentralised applications, participate in DeFi, or simply as a store of value, understanding how Ethereum works can help you get the most out of the platform.

At DiviCoins, users can easily purchase Ethereum (ETH) to interact with these applications or hold them for personal needs. As Ethereum continues to evolve and introduce upgrades like Ethereum 2.0, it remains a key player in shaping the future of decentralised technologies. When you no longer need your ETH, DiviCoins provides a straightforward way to sell it or exchange it for other cryptocurrencies.

Conclusion: Ethereum’s Future and How You Can Get Involved

Ethereum has proven to be much more than just a digital currency—it’s a platform for innovation driving decentralised technologies’ future. As its ecosystem grows and adapts, Ethereum’s role in finance, gaming, and supply chain management is expected to expand. If you’re interested in being part of Ethereum’s journey, platforms like DiviCoins make it easy to purchase ETH and join the broader crypto industry. Whether you’re using Ethereum for its dApps or smart contracts or simply exploring its potential as a digital asset, understanding how it works is crucial to maximising its value.

Picture Gerd Altmann for pixabay

Author: Aleks Souschuk

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Generative AI imagery for SEO: How can SMBs use it?

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AI imagery for SEO credit istock overearth

SEO is arguably one of the most important skills for SMEs to learn. It improves your web authority around subjects your audience is searching for, which can boost organic traffic by increasing your site ranking on search engines. But what people often forget is that using high-quality images and videos is essential in getting your content in front of potential customers. 

According to iStock’s VisualGPS research, 60% of small businesses globally create and source their own content. One of the ways they are now doing this is through generative AI, as it allows users to create unique and engaging content in a way that saves time and money. But as a small business that is getting to grips with how AI imagery can be used in marketing, you might be asking yourself – how can I use AI-generated imagery for SEO?

Where do I start with using generative AI imagery for SEO?

AI imagery can be used in the same way as any stock image to enhance SEO. An important step to take before choosing an AI tool is to make sure that it produces images that can be used on your website. This means selecting a commercially safe tool that provides legal protection for your outputs. It safeguards you from producing content that may include elements that are legally protected, such as known people (celebrities, sportspeople), known places (travel destinations) or works of art. AI-generated imagery should enhance your site’s user experience without putting your business at risk. 

Once the decision is made, crafting precise AI prompts is crucial. Start by visualising the scene you want to create and then build out your prompt with detailed and specific phrases. Remember, some tools have a word limit for prompts. The clearer the description, the better the AI tool will turn your prompt into a compelling image. 

Think about generating the image in different sizes so it can be optimised for different devices and formats – thumbnails, mobile, desktop and social media. For instance, if your hero image space is 500 px wide and 400 px high, avoid using a larger image and instead create an image that closely matches the intended dimensions.  

You can also mix AI and stock imagery to transform your website from unengaging to exciting. It has the same impact when used to update old content. Not only does AI allow you to create unlimited iterations from a prompt, but you can also utilise the technology in certain creative libraries to modify an existing stock image. 

How do I optimize the AI image for SEO?

You can apply traditional image SEO tactics to optimise your AI image. First start by adding alt text to the image. This can be done by using clear descriptions and relevant keywords – it will help search engines understand the relevancy of the image to the searches your audience is making. Your AI prompting skills will come in handy if you decide to use the technology to generate the alt text. 

Make sure that you include relevant keywords in the image’s URL on your website, compress the image at a file size optimized for search engines without sacrificing the image quality, and upload the image in a format readable to search engines – PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP or AVIF (Google only). Using detailed Schema markup also guides search engines on the format, usage rights of the image, and what the image is showing. 

VisualGPS highlights a call for transparency when it comes to labelling images as AI-generated, as 87% of British people want to know if an image has been generated using AI. Consider indicating on your website, whether through an icon or a brief text snippet, that the image they are viewing is AI-generated to further build trust with your target audience. 

Adding optimised captions to AI images on a landing page can also improve contextual relevance. If you follow Google’s image guidelines, you can even drive some traffic from Google Images to your site.

How do I measure the performance of AI images?

iStock’s research shows that the biggest challenges for small businesses in Britain are profitability, finding new customers and competing with larger brands. This is why it’s important to test the effectiveness of your AI image by measuring the performance of your web page. 

Create a Page Group or Segment in Google Analytics (GA) to simply and efficiently check web performance and engagement metrics.  Add event and interaction tags to links underneath or around the AI image to get an idea of its impact on user engagement and create segments on GA for pages that contain AI imagery. Alternatively, you can use heat mapping and behaviour analytics tools such as Hotjar to monitor how users interact with the AI imagery on your website. 

Optimising generative AI imagery for SEO can enhance page load speed, improve user experience and contribute to better search engine rankings. It can make your site more discoverable to a wider audience. Your web page also benefits from unique images that no one else has, and it can be combined with stock imagery to make your page more appealing. All types of optimised images can be used in SEO and it is a crucial step in creating a fast, user-friendly and search-engine-friendly website. 

Picture: credit-iStock-Overearth

Author: Helen Pollitt, Head of SEO at iStock

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

Could this be the future of dairy as we know it?

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DairyX CEO and founder Arik Ryvkin, PhD.

DairyX develops animal-free dairy proteins using advanced biotechnology to create sustainable, authentic dairy alternatives that replicate the taste and texture of traditional milk products

Could you start by giving us an introduction to DairyX and the people behind this innovative company?

Dr. Arik Ryvkin earned his PhD in biology and soon after joined the Israeli Ministry of Economy as the Director of FoodTech and Circular Economy. It was during this time that the idea for DairyX began to take shape. As a vegan at the time, Arik recognized that existing plant-based dairy alternatives often lacked the taste and functionality of traditional dairy products. This insight inspired him to seek a better solution.He delved into the history of animal-free dairy products, noting the establishment of a soy milk plant near Paris in 1910.

While companies in 2014 started making authentic whey milk proteins using significant biotechnological advances, Arik realized that the industry still hadn’t fully replicated the dairy experience. Some companies progressed by producing caseins and even casein micelles. In order to create firm, stretchy, and creamy products desired by the industry, the next crucial step was to develop caseins that self-assemble into gelating micelles—replicating the exact process used by cows.

With this vision, Arik founded DairyX in 2022.

He teamed up with Dr. Maya Bar-Zeev, who investigated casein micelles during her PhD under the supervision of Professor Yoav Livney—a world-renowned expert on the biochemical properties of milk proteins and now DairyX’s Chief Scientific Product Advisor. Maya’s deep understanding of casein micelles has been instrumental in developing smart caseins that self-assemble into micelles and gelate like those in cow’s milk.

The team also brought on board Galit Kuznets, who has extensive experience in managing fermentation processes from her previous work at Sigma Aldrich. She further honed her skills in developing microorganisms at Lavie Bio and Remilk. Galit is highly motivated by the technical challenge of creating caseins in microorganisms, and her expertise has been invaluable to DairyX’s mission.

Together, they are pushing the boundaries of biotechnology to produce smart caseins that mimic the natural functionality of cow’s milk, aiming to revolutionize the dairy industry.

What was the driving vision behind DairyX, and how do you plan to achieve it in the coming years?

Our driving vision at DairyX is to help the dairy industry to reduce the sole reliance on cow’s milk as a raw material for dairy products and to free the cows (at least some of them). 

I am a fan of cows—just not for producing dairy. As a scientist and former vegan, I didn’t eat plant-based dairy for a decade because I didn’t find truly tasty and additive-free products. To genuinely mimic traditional dairy, producers needed to start with different source ingredients. Together with my team, I had the vision and the scientific expertise to create sustainable smart casein proteins that are identical to cow’s milk proteins in structure and function. proteins that can self-assemble into micelles. Micelles are the primary building blocks of dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt.  

In the coming years, we plan to achieve this vision by focusing on several key areas. First, we will continue to improve the efficiency of our yeast strains to increase protein yields and reduce production costs, aiming for price parity with traditional dairy. Second, we’re scaling up our fermentation capacity and refining our downstream processes to ensure large-scale production. Third, we are actively collaborating with dairy companies to test our gelling casein micelles, integrating our ingredients into their products using existing manufacturing processes. Lastly, we’re preparing for regulatory approvals under the GRAS framework, targeting commercial availability of our micelles by early 2027. Through these efforts, we aim to provide high-quality, animal-free dairy proteins that meet consumer demands while contributing to a more sustainable and ethical food system.

Who is your primary target audience, and how does DairyX address their specific needs?

Our primary target audience are dairy manufacturers and food companies seeking to produce high-quality dairy products without counting on animal-derived ingredients. DairyX addresses their specific needs by developing “smart casein” proteins that self-assemble into micelles and gelate just like those in cow’s milk. Currently, manufacturers of animal-free dairy products use additives, like stabilizers, emulsifiers and thickeners, which don’t perform as well as cow’s milk and can add unpleasant aftertastes. These fail to satisfy consumer cravings for a real dairy experience. 

In addition, dairy companies do not want to change their plants to adopt new source ingredients, especially if the benefits aren’t compelling. 

This allows manufacturers to create firm, stretchy, and creamy products using their existing dairy-making processes without requiring significant changes or the addition of artificial stabilizers or thickeners. By offering a drop-in replacement for traditional milk proteins that matches the functionality, taste, and texture of conventional dairy, we enable our partners to meet consumer demands for authentic dairy experiences while also addressing sustainability and ethical concerns.

What challenges have you faced in the development and growth of DairyX, and how have you overcome them?

DairyX faced significant challenges in developing its animal-free casein proteins, primarily because secreting casein from yeast is notoriously difficult and there’s limited existing research on the topic. The team encountered obstacles at nearly every stage—yeast designing, analytics, reconstitution, fermentation, and downstream processing. Caseins are hard to express in organisms other than cows, and replicating the necessary post-translational modifications (PTMs) was particularly complex. 

The true challenge in microorganism-based casein production is to take it to the next step: to assemble them into micelles, which produce the gelling consistency that makes yogurt creamy and cheeses solid yet stretchy. 

When we encounter a challenge, we brainstorm collectively, valuing every idea of team members and advisors with diverse backgrounds in biochemistry, microbiology, nanoscience, and computational biology. This collaborative approach has allowed us to turn these challenges into proprietary assets. Ultimately, DairyX succeeded in producing “smart caseins” that self-assemble into micelles, overcoming the hurdles to create highly functional, animal-free casein micelles.

What sets DairyX apart from other companies in the dairy industry, and what is your unique selling point?

DairyX has 4 proprietary technological pillars:

Biological design: Cutting-edge biological methods to genetically manipulate yeast to produce functional caseins.

Fast-tracked natural evolution: A screening process that simulates evolution to locate super protein secreters from among millions of yeast strains. 

Machine learning models: Models that simulate fermentation to rapidly determine optimal fermentation conditions.

Micelle recreation and gelation: Unique protocol to reconstitute micelles that can gel from 2 caseins.

This combination of superior functionality and affordability sets DairyX apart as an innovative leader in creating authentic, animal-free dairy proteins.

Could you share some insight into the upcoming developments or innovations DairyX has planned for the future?

DairyX has several exciting developments and innovations planned for the future. We are focusing on improving the functionality of our casein micelles and developing our super-secreter yeast strain to make our production process more efficient. This involves enhancing protein yields and reducing production costs to achieve price parity with traditional dairy products.

We are also scaling up our fermentation capacity. Our plan includes reaching a 100-liter production scale in 2025 and expanding to 10,000 liters by 2026. This scale-up will support larger production volumes and meet the growing demand for our animal-free casein proteins.

In addition, we are advancing collaborations with several dairy companies. We aim to co-develop technology and products over the next few years. By providing samples of our gelling casein micelles, we enable these companies to test and integrate our smart caseins into their existing manufacturing processes without significant changes.

Our regulatory plan includes filing for FDA approval under the GRAS framework. We intend to submit our application in 2026, target for regulatory approval by early 2027. This will allow us to commercially sell our micelles and make them widely available.

We are also committed to sustainability initiatives. We recently launched a pilot project to upcycle biomass from our fermentation process. This project reduce waste, benefit the environment, and save costs.

In summary, DairyX is dedicated to revolutionizing the dairy industry through ongoing innovations in strain development, fermentation scaling, industry collaborations, and sustainability efforts. We are working diligently to bring our high-quality, animal-free casein micelles to market in the near future.

How do you envision DairyX evolving over the next five years, and are there plans to expand into new markets or technologies?

Over the next five years, we plan to enter the market and become a leading provider of animal-free dairy proteins to dairy companies in the U.S., following GRAS regulatory approval. To achieve this, we will focus intensely on finalizing our R&D, specifically developing efficiently gelating casein micelles using our super-secreter yeast strain. We will complete scale-up, and begin production in a large fermentation facility with a joint venture partner. While we concentrate our efforts on the U.S. market, we also intend to initiate an EU EFSA novel food application to enter the European market. On the technological part, although our evolution-based platform for generating super-secreter strains could be applied to any target protein, we are currently focusing exclusively on caseins. 

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to launch a startup in a competitive industry like dairy technology?

To entrepreneurs aiming to launch a startup in a competitive industry like dairy technology, my advice is to deeply immerse yourself in the field. Engage with everyone you can—potential customers, competitors, NGOs, and academics—to thoroughly understand the problems and needs of the industry. Read extensively to broaden your knowledge. Once you’ve gained a clear understanding, honestly assess your ability to address these challenges based on your strengths and weaknesses. Seek out a partner who complements your skill set. In such a crowded market, it’s wise to rely less on marketing and more on developing strong technological capabilities, as there’s always someone who can tell a better story, but proprietary technology will set you apart. 

How does DairyX integrate sustainability into its business model, and why is this an important factor for your company?

At DairyX, sustainability is a key factor in our business model and mission. We integrate it by producing animal-free dairy proteins through precision fermentation, which is much more efficient at converting feed into milk proteins than traditional dairy farming. By eliminating the need for cows in casein production, we lower greenhouse gas emissions—dairy farming accounts for over 3.5% of global emissions—and reduce excessive land and water use. We also initiate projects like upcycling biomass from our fermentation process to reduce the heavy financial and environmental costs of disposing it, which accounts for approximately 40% of our expected GHG emissions. 

We help dairy companies make the exact dairy products that consumers desire and keep the cows happy .

In what ways has your team managed to stay adaptable and innovative in an industry that is both traditional and highly regulated?

Our team has stayed adaptable and innovative by recognizing significant shifts in the industry over the past decade. Driven by consumer demand and ESG policies, leading companies are eager to bring animal-free products to market once they are tasty and affordable. Many have dedicated R&D teams specializing in formulating animal-free products and are awaiting new ingredients like DairyX’s smart casein micelles. Regarding regulations, companies like Perfect Day, Remilk, and Imagindairy have already received GRAS approval using similar technologies and organisms. This has paved a clear regulatory pathway for us, as the approval process is now well-established for dairy proteins and even other proteins like egg proteins (GRAS by The Every Company).

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from running DairyX that you believe could benefit other startup founders?

Here are my 3 lessons:

Be prepared for the inevitable ups and downs of running a startup. It’s crucial not to get discouraged during challenging times or become overly exuberant during good times. 

People are ultimately the most important part of your company, so trust your instincts about them, not just the numbers on a spreadsheet. 

Connect with founders who were in your position a few years ago can provide advice that saves you time and misery.

With the rapid advancements in food technology, how does DairyX plan to stay at the forefront of innovation in the dairy sector?

 At DairyX, we stay at the forefront of innovation by continuously monitoring the latest advancements in food technology and biotechnology. We actively keep up with new research that could enhance our yeast strains or improve the functionality of our casein micelles. We often engage with leading researchers and innovators to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations.

Internally, we foster a culture of innovation where every team member is encouraged to contribute ideas, regardless of their position. We maintain an open environment that values diverse perspectives, creating a backlog of concepts that we test and implement when suitable. This collaborative approach allows us to adapt quickly to new technologies and integrate cutting-edge methods into our processes.

We encourage experimentation and learning from failure—as long as it happens in the lab.

Picture @DairyX

Thank you Arik Ryvkin for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

How Is This Approach Shaping the Future of Startups?

By
Sabine Elsässer
-
0
Alexey Skobelkin, a Chief Product Officer and Head of MediaTech at Raw Ventures.

Raw Ventures, an investment firm specializing in early-stage startups, focuses on industries such as MediaTech, HealthTech, and Sustainability. Alexey Skobelkin, a representative of Raw Ventures, will participate in the Global Media Pitch Day at #MTHCON24

How does Raw Ventures evaluate startups when considering them for potential investment, and what key qualities do you look for in a founding team?

When evaluating startups for potential investment, Raw Ventures places a strong emphasis on the founding team, more so than the idea itself. While good ideas are abundant, it’s the people behind those ideas that matter most. Some key qualities we look for in a founding team include commitment, focus, ability to execute, adaptability, and operational expertise.

Founders need to demonstrate deep dedication and a clear focus on their vision. We value founders who can convey their idea concisely but also show the commitment necessary to execute it. Raw Ventures prioritizes teams that have the capability to turn ideas into reality. This involves leadership skills, the ability to delegate, and an understanding of how to navigate challenges, particularly in the early stages of a startup’s life.

Startups often need to pivot or adjust their strategies. Raw looks for teams that are open to feedback, willing to make changes when necessary, and agile enough to respond to market shifts, as illustrated by a case where a startup made a major pivot based on the firm’s advice.

Founders who can manage growth and handle the complexities of scaling a company are highly valued. We help startups develop these skills, but it’s important that the founding team shows potential in this area.

However, while the team is a crucial component, it’s not the only factor we consider. From a product perspective, we primarily focus on how the product solves the customer’s problem, who the target customer is, which market the product will grow in, and what metrics the team uses to describe and validate the product’s success. Through this analysis, we assess the growth potential and our own capabilities in supporting the company.
This comprehensive approach allows us to evaluate not just the team, but also the product’s market fit, scalability, and potential for success. It helps the Raw Ventures team determine how we can best support the startup’s growth and whether it aligns with our investment strategy.

Could you explain the thought process behind offering up to one million euros in funding for the best startup team at the Global Media Pitch Day?

We offer up to one million euros not only to the winner of the Pitch Day but we may offer the funding to any startup who has applied to participate. We are ready and eager to invest in all startups from the pipeline that pass our investment analysis process and align with our strategy. For example, last year, two Pitch Day finalists received investments: the UK-based musictech startup Setmixer and the US-based Filmustage, which develops an AI platform that enhances the film pre-production phase. The Pitch Day winner will receive a €10k prize for the best pitch as decided by the jury. Following the event, the Raw Ventures investment team will begin their thorough due diligence and evaluation process.

When we developed the concept for our event, we thought about the types of startups we wanted to attract. That was probably the main question for us, and the answer led us to set these parameters. When we say “up to one million euros,” we are, of course, thinking about pre-seed and seed-stage startups that already have a clear understanding of the product they are building and are on the path to full-scale growth. These are the stages that are most attractive and interesting to us, as they are where we excel in helping startups grow, offering not only funding but also industry expertise, business connections, specialized advisers, and more. At the same time, such a check may also interest later-stage companies, where this one million euros can be part of a larger round.

What role does Raw Ventures see itself playing in the growth of early-stage companies beyond just financial support?

The core of our portfolio today consists of companies that we actively support from the very early stages, some even from the idea stage. When we invest in such companies, we immerse ourselves in the business, sharing our own expertise and bringing in external experts, as well as helping with business connections. We understand this role very well and often refer to it as a “Venture Studio,” because, in essence, we not only support the founder but also outsource certain functions until the company reaches a certain stage of development.

How does Raw Ventures differentiate itself from other venture capital firms in terms of the support it provides to startups?

We define our key advantage over other funds as the ability to identify the competencies and challenges where help is needed and find the optimal solution, whether it’s within our team or externally. Our investment thesis, or how we position ourselves, is that we take raw ideas from seed to global businesses. We enjoy working with companies and building businesses together with them.

What are some of the most successful companies you’ve invested in, and what factors contributed to their growth?

I would first like to mention two of our portfolio companies — Fermata and AIBody. These examples vividly demonstrate our influence as a team and investor on the growth of startups. We have supported both companies from the very early stages, making it even more exciting to see their growth and the results they are achieving now.

AIBody is developing two highly essential products for medical professionals, creating a digital twin of the human body, starting with the most important organ—the heart. The company operates in a very complex niche, with multiple factors and a serious scientific foundation. We see the team’s commitment to the company’s idea and mission as a key success factor here. Now, based on long research and technology testing, two products are growing, created to meet the needs of clients – doctors and medical students.

Fermata contributes to the development of agriculture and helps protect crops from pests and diseases with its product. Fermata’s product is in high demand in the market, with consumers ranging from major global companies to individual local farmers. The company’s growth is facilitated by the development of AI technologies, the team’s focus on customer needs, and the agricultural market’s commitment to sustainable development.

I should also mention Jay, where the team, with our help and active participation, is reaching a completely new international level. Jay’s product changes user behavior patterns when watching movies and shows, allowing viewers to purchase items they see on their favorite actors or in the movie frame. Despite the complex task facing the team, they are moving forward quickly, through systematic work on product development and rapid adaptation to the needs of two key industries: movie and show production and e-commerce.

As you prepare for the Global Media Pitch Day, what kind of innovation or entrepreneurial spirit are you hoping to see from the participating startups?

I am always interested in seeing how innovations in a particular industry transform from technology into product metrics and business indicators while solving real-world problems for people and businesses. We expect the finalists of Pitch Day to demonstrate this “magical” ability—to turn technology into a solution to a problem that no one has solved so quickly and effectively before.

We focus on areas where we have the “right to succeed.” This right can be earned through our team’s expertise, the experience we gain from projects we work on daily, and having the necessary experts and connections in a particular industry.

For example, MediaTech, HealthTech, and Sustainability are our focus industries, and we are currently more actively moving in these directions.

Of course, we pay attention to technological trends and keep track of all markets, but our priority is always to look at the product, its application, and how it solves customer problems. Only then do we delve into the technology behind it and how relevant it is.

What challenges do you foresee for the startups competing at the Global Media Pitch Day, and how can Raw Ventures help them overcome these challenges?

I don’t think I have anything original to say here—the problems and challenges most startups face lie in product management and finding exactly the customer problems they can solve, and preferably, solve them in a way that customers are willing to pay regularly. This is generally our focus when scouting startups because we can help with practically all other aspects of company development—legal support, patent protection, financial models, management, business development, marketing, and sales, etc.

If we’re talking about specific, current threats, of course, AI—particularly AI models being developed by industry leaders like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc.—is capturing market share and users across various industries. The most frequent question from investors to startups today is probably, “Why won’t ChatGPT solve this problem tomorrow instead of you?” However, big models are not only a threat but also a big opportunity for startups if they learn to leverage the technology from major companies and combine it with their own innovations and approaches. Raw Ventures has expertise in this area, and we help structure solutions and products in a way that competition with the giants doesn’t crush the company in the medium- to long-term.

What criteria will you use to determine the best startup team at the Global Media Pitch Day?

By this point, at the final stage of our year-long preparation program for Global MediaTech Pitch Day, we have already analyzed over 400 startups in this industry. Our analytics team selected around 80 companies for the long list and then narrowed it down to 20 companies for the short list. From these, the jury and experts chose 8 finalists. This entire process was built on our internal methods of evaluating and analyzing startups, and the work doesn’t end on Pitch Day. We will be reviewing all the short-listed companies in our internal investment committee and determining which ones will become our investment targets and with whom we’ll proceed to the next stage of due diligence and then investment.

When it comes to determining the winner of Pitch Day, the jury will primarily focus on the product the startup is presenting and its potential. Of course, the pitch itself will also be considered—how well the team and the presenter can convey the value and inspire the audience. The jury will undoubtedly choose the best startup and team based on a full range of factors.

Could you share some insights into how Raw Ventures supports startups with long-term strategic planning and scaling their operations?

Raw doesn’t just invest and wait for financial returns; we actively work with startups throughout their journey. This includes offering legal support, assistance with business development, marketing, sales, and even helping to build financial models like cash flow forecasts. Our approach ensures that startups have the necessary tools and knowledge to scale effectively. Ultimately, we see long-term success as a collaborative effort between the founders and our team, making sure to contribute not just financially but also strategically at every step.

What advice would you give to early-stage entrepreneurs looking to attract venture capital investment?

In short, what sets a great founder and entrepreneur apart is the ability to formulate and manage the vision, while also having the skills to execute at any point in time. I would advise not to forget these two elements and, most importantly, to demonstrate this to investors through well-known tools and metrics.

How do you think the startup ecosystem in Europe compares to other regions like the US or Asia, and what opportunities do you see for growth in the European market?

Recently, we’ve seen that venture activity and the number of tech entrepreneurs are growing in Europe, helped by various government programs and market conditions. Each year, we analyze the MediaTech landscape by reviewing startup applications and conducting our own scouting. This year, our sample consists of around 1,000 startups, allowing us to have a fairly objective view of this sector. The number of European startups in our pipeline has remained relatively stable for the second year in a row—58%, with the UK accounting for 19% of the total. The share of startups from the US has slightly decreased this year but still remains high at about 37%, which was surprising for us both last year and this year—US startups are actively seeking investments in Europe for some reason.

If we talk about development opportunities, regulatory changes, such as those concerning AI, play a significant role. In addition, the venture market dynamics differ significantly between the old and new worlds, influenced by various macroeconomic factors. This disparity is particularly evident when comparing European and US startup ecosystems.

In Europe, our analysis reveals a strong trend towards internationalization from the outset. A striking 74% of European startups have embraced subscription-based models, understanding the value of recurring revenue for stable and predictable income. Furthermore, 70% of these startups are simultaneously employing freemium models. This dual strategy allows them to attract users with free offerings while monetizing through premium features, demonstrating a sophisticated response to market demands and growth opportunities.

In contrast, the US market exhibits greater diversity in revenue models. Only 39% of US startups utilize subscription-based models, while 23% opt for transaction-based commissions. This variety likely stems from the large, homogeneous domestic market in the US, which allows for more experimentation with different business models.

These differences highlight how startups in different regions adapt their strategies to their respective market conditions. European startups lean towards models that facilitate international scalability, while US startups have more flexibility to explore diverse revenue streams within their expansive home market. Understanding these regional variations is crucial for investors and entrepreneurs alike, as it informs both investment strategies and startup growth plans in an increasingly globalized business landscape.

Picture@ DARIA TIHONCHYK

Thank you Alexey Skobelkin for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

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