Monster Under the Bed

Rockets and satellites get the headlines. But what makes them work? Here are five technologies you've probably never heard of, but they're set to have a big impact on how rockets work and, even, on your electricity bill. We'll hear from the founders of companies working on: the pressure vessels inside every rocket and satellite; a green propellant to replace hydrazine, which can be stored for ten years and restarted in under thirty seconds; the aerospike engine, theoretically superior for sixty years and never yet demonstrated in flight; onboard software that lets satellites decide for themselves what to photograph; satellite data that helps power lines carry more electricity.Five technologies. None of them famous. All of them essential. Subscribe to Invested by Europe so you don't miss episodes like this one. From the team that brought you Monster Under the Bed.

Satellites have become the invisible backbone of modern life, as essential as electricity or running water, yet almost entirely unnoticed. We explore how the next generation of satellite infrastructure is being built in Europe, connecting space to the phone in your pocket or the Internet of Things devices used by farmers in their fields. Featuring company founders and the institutions backing them, this is the story of how pressing a button in a small office in a European village changes the direction of a satellite in. space. From the team that brought you Monster Under the Bed. Subscribe to Invested by Europe so you don't miss any of the other episodes in our space and deep tech series.

When Elon Musk founded SpaceX, he set off a chain reaction that reshaped the global space industry. A former SpaceX engineer turned European investor, a rocket founder in a converted shoe factory in Spain, a banker at the European Investment Bank and the Inspector-General of the European Space Agency explain how Europe is responding. From the team that brought you Monsters Under the Bed. Subscribe to Invested by Europe for more episodes like this one.

Deep tech is often described as the opposite of conventional or “shallow” technology. Rather than focusing on incremental improvements in software or business models, deep tech is driven by scientific breakthroughs aimed at solving real-world problems that persist over time. In this episode of Invested by Europe, Jussi Hätönen, head of European Innovation Council Fund investments at the European Investment Bank, explains: what deep tech really means how it differs from traditional tech innovation why it takes longer and costs more to develop why getting deep tech right is essential for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and sovereignty.  

Explore why accelerating energy efficiency renovations is one of the fastest and most effective ways to cut energy demand, reduce emissions and lower energy bills.The podcast looks at why renovation rates remain too low, what’s holding back households, businesses and cities, and how investment and public support can help unlock action. We also examine the role of digital tools and artificial intelligence in planning renovations and operating buildings more efficiently.The episode explains how energy efficiency supports the rollout of renewable energy, improves comfort for citizens and delivers more predictable energy costs — and how the European Investment Bank helps scale up investment through financing and technical assistance.

Invested by Europe explores the forces shaping the European economy. In each episode, we hear from experts tackling the most pressing challenges—from housing and energy to innovation and infrastructure, security and defence. We look at what’s changing, what the solutions are, and how Europe is investing in its future.

When we speak of the virtual world and storing things in ‘the cloud’, we seldom stop to realize that our digital climate impact is not virtual at all Many people see digitalisation as this magical pixie dust that Tinker Bell sprinkles on old industries to make them all environmentally friendly. Stop printing newspapers and get your news online and suddenly your environmental footprint is down to zero, right? Wrong. In this episode of the Monster Under the Bed podcast we learn:·        What is the climate impact of the digital sector?·        What is Jevon’s paradox? ·        What is the digital sector doing to clean up its act?·        That even when digital services use renewable energy, it might be using up renewable energy that otherwise might be used by more critical sources. So we should hold off on all those cat videos·        How can you personally curtail the CO2 emissions of our own use of technology?My guests on this episode are the European Investment Bank’s head of division for digital infrastructure Harald Gruber and risk manager Shirley Rizk. They are but two of the many experts at the EU bank who are helping me challenge various rumours, myths, and misconceptions that we are trying to overturn on this series of podcasts. Each episode features one ‘monster under the bed’ something that we are scared of, or mistakenly believe to be true. Check out our episodes on urbanisation, healthcare, education and much more. Look up Monster Under the Bed on your phone’s podcast app, and click ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’. This way you can sleep soundly without worrying about missing any episodes – and during the night Tinker Bell will sprinkle a new episodes into your phone for you! Also, please rate and review us, and give us feedback – I’m @AllarTankler on Twitter. 

In schools and in the workplace disability training makes for better inclusion—and lets everyone draw on the strengths of people who overcame difficulties most of us never facedIs disability a state of mind? According to Bebe Vio, the young Italian Paralympic champion, you don’t need arms and legs to reach your goals. However, disability and diversity can come in many different forms—they can even be invisible. How can you help create an inclusive society?In this episode of the Monster Under the Bed podcast you’ll find out:·        What is social diversity, diversity in the workplace, and diversity benefits·        Why inclusion should start at school·        How culture and education can build equality·        Where jobs and disability come togetherAt the European Investment Bank, the EU bank, we care about diversity and inclusion. In this episode, we meet kids, men and women, with and without disabilities. All together they challenge our assumptions and prejudices.In each episode of the Monster Under the Bed podcast, we fight one myth in society and win the battle for a more sensible way of doing things.So that you don’t miss any episodes, subscribe to Monster Under the Bed on your phone’s podcast app. You can do it in iTunes, Acast and many other podcast platforms as well.Let us know if you can think of a monster we should expose on future episodes. Get in touch on Twitter @AllarTankler. If you’ve got something to say about diversity and inclusion in particular, contact me @Anto4EIB