How can European founders access Silicon Valley’s capital, network and ambition without falling into the trap of raising too much money at an inflated valuation?
In this episode of Impressions Podcast, recorded in San Francisco, we meet Guillaume Roux-Romestaing — also known as EuroMaxing. Guillaume is the founder of DeskOne, an angel investor, syndicate operator, content creator and A16Z scout.
Guillaume shares how he entered venture capital without having significant personal capital, built a network around European founders and developed a relationship with Andreessen Horowitz. He also announces that DeskOne has raised a pre-seed round from A16Z.
In this conversation, you will learn:
• Why European founders can become exceptionally strong global founders
• How A16Z’s Scout Fund identifies and backs early-stage companies
• Why inflated valuations can damage future funding rounds and exit outcomes
• How European startups can benefit from valuation arbitrage in the US
• Why AI cannot easily replace trust-based relationships and warm introductions
• How consistent content can attract customers, employees and investors
• How to build a meaningful network during six weeks in San Francisco
• Why founders should ask every new contact for three further introductions
• What Norwegian founders must overcome when challenging Janteloven
Guillaume also explains why founders should let traction and economics determine the size of a funding round, how to write a concise personal blurb and why spending time in San Francisco can permanently change a founder’s level of ambition.
Watch or listen to the full episode of Impressions Podcast.
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