20 VC 061: Roxanne Varza on Pitching A VC in 10 Minutes and Maximising Media Exposure For Your Startup

US VC Influence

The influx of US venture capital (VC) funds into the European tech market is reshaping the landscape for startups. Roxanne Varza notes that top-tier American VCs, like Andreessen Horowitz, are increasingly investing in Europe, which she sees as beneficial for creating global businesses 1. This trend is not without its challenges, as it raises questions about a potential funding bubble. Roxanne humorously remarks, "The talk about the bubble, I think it kind of cracks me up because we're going to know we're out of the bubble when we're out of the bubble" 2.

   

French Tech

France's tech ecosystem has seen remarkable growth, outpacing even Silicon Valley in some respects. Since 2009, the country has launched numerous funds and accelerators, supported by government initiatives aimed at fostering a stronger entrepreneurial environment 3. Roxanne highlights the importance of building networks and gaining international experience to strengthen the tech community. She states, "I recommend building a network and having an experience abroad to really kind of strengthen your understanding" 4.

   

Policy Impact

Governmental policies play a crucial role in the growth of the European tech sector. Roxanne emphasizes the need for a unified digital market, although she finds current initiatives vague and lacking in collaboration 4. She believes that local environments, like Croatia, are beginning to see growth in VC funds, suggesting a positive trend across Europe. Roxanne asserts, "I think Europe as a whole is really going to start working together" 2.