EP #530 - Stef van Grieken: Europe’s AI-Biotech Revolution Starts Here
NOV 5, 202556 MIN
EP #530 - Stef van Grieken: Europe’s AI-Biotech Revolution Starts Here
NOV 5, 202556 MIN
Description
<p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><p><br></p><p>6:38 The birth of Cradle </p><p><br></p><p>21:36 Convincing Skeptics and Finding Product-Market Fit</p><p><br></p><p>28:29 Raising Capital and Choosing the Right VCs</p><p><br></p><p>35:21 Europe’s missed opportunities (and how to fix them)</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Summary:</strong></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefvangrieken/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Stef Van Grieken</a>, CEO and Co-founder of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/cradlebio/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Cradle</a>, the AI biotech startup helping scientists design better proteins in record time and pioneering the intersection of AI and biology, re-imagining how humans create life-changing molecules. Stef holds a MSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Groningen . </p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Stef shares his journey from policy activism and Silicon Valley engineering to founding one of Europe’s most ambitious deep-tech companies. We discuss how Cradle turned AI models into a tool for biologists, the hard early days when investors said “this is impossible,” and why the team literally paid its first customers to prove value before revenue followed.</p><p><br></p><p>Stef also opens up about raising over $100 million, the three hypothesis you need to prove to create a disruptive startup (feasibility, value, monetization), navigating the gap between US and European venture cultures, and why Switzerland has everything needed to lead Europe’s next innovation wave.</p><p><br>This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.infinity.swiss/swisspreneur" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">infinity.swiss</a>, Switzerland’s most advanced AI accounting tool. Save 25% by entering code SWISSPRENEUR at checkout.</p><p><br></p><p>The cover portrait was edited by <a href="https://smartportrait.io/en/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Smartportrait. </a></p><p></p><p><br></p><p>Don’t forget to give us a follow on<a href="https://x.com/swisspreneur" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/swisspreneur/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/swisspreneur" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong></strong></a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/swisspreneur" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>Linkedin</strong></a>,<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@swisspreneur" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong> TikTok</strong></a>, and<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Swisspreneur" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong> Youtube </strong></a>so you can always stay up to date with our latest initiatives. That way, there’s no excuse for missing out on live shows, weekly giveaways or founders' dinners.</p><p><br><br></p>
