OpenAI's Laura Modiano on hackathons, Lovable and how startups can partner with the tech giant

OpenAI's Laura Modiano on hackathons, Lovable and how startups can partner with the tech giant

Author: Sifted March 26, 2026 Duration: 43:47
Within a relatively short space of time, Laura Modiano has come to play a fairly unique and valuable role in Europe’s startup scene. Laura, who leads OpenAI’s startup team in Europe, hops from city to city, attending hackathons, events and dinners with Europe’s leading AI companies and investors. This week she sits down with host Amy Lewin to discuss what the best startups have in common, how she’s automated her work and what she looks for as an angel investor. This podcast was brou...

Each week on Startup Europe-The Sifted Podcast, host Amy Lewin sits down with the people actually shaping the continent's technology landscape. This isn't about abstract theories or distant analysis; it's built from direct conversations with the founders rolling up their sleeves, the operators scaling teams, and the investors backing the next big ideas. Alongside Sifted's own journalists, Amy delves into the specifics of building a business, examining the strategies, setbacks, and successes that define the journey. The discussions go beyond the headlines to explore the real mechanics and human stories behind the companies causing a stir. Tuning into this podcast offers a genuine, behind-the-scenes look at innovation as it happens, grounded in the reporting and network that Sifted brings. It’s for anyone curious about the practical realities of European tech, from seasoned investors to aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to hear how it’s really done. You’ll find a focus on tangible lessons and candid insights, making each episode a detailed snapshot of a dynamic and fast-moving ecosystem.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Can French AI startup Mistral ever compete with Big Tech? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:41
This week we discuss: 02:07 — Improbable’s refocus on the metaverse sees big reduction in losses 04:46 — ‘The economics of trading equity for compute are not great’ — Mistral releases its first model 07:15 — Dutch arm of…
European valuations tumble as the great startup fire sale begins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:13
This week we discuss: 01:24 Getir valuation reduced 4x in new $500m funding round 02:14 The big French fire sale: record numbers of startups are selling at big discounts 05:51 German HR tech Personio opens New York offic…
Klarna is back in black after a tough 2022 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:31
This week we discuss: 02:55 US AI startup Poolside raises $126m seed round and relocates to France 05:50 Klarna cuts losses and sees “huge opportunity” in generative AI 08:10 N26 CPO Gilles BianRosa steps down, becomes s…
Getir is laying off 2,500 employees to try and survive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:39
This week we discuss: 02:25 Weight-loss drug mania reaches Europe: Denmark’s Embla raises €10m 06:47 Getir cuts 10% of staff in latest sign of speedy grocery industry's struggles 08:30 Northvolt raises $1.2bn convertible…
Founder of a top European VC firm accused of sexual harassment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:31
This week we're talking about a single story that Sifted reported this week: serious allegations of workplace misconduct at one of Europe’s leading VC firms. Seven people who worked at DN Capital — an investor in Shazam,…
Which buyer can save Babylon from bankruptcy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:45
This week we discuss: 01:10 How much RingCentral paid for those Hopin assets Was Hopin really such a failure? 03:41 Dutch startup Meatable raises $35m to scale cultivated pork products 07:58 Build-a-bot workshop: deepset…