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Ben’s List for Entrepreneurs W2 – Selected

As Dan Taylor says in the Selected Podcast… aaaaaaaaaaaaand we’re back!

In my absence, Dan shared his own reading list and it reminded my how much of a geek he is. And I am. Well, we are two different kind of geeks with a notable overlap… and that’s the beauty of the Internet: it allows geekiness to expand to unexpected extremes and connect extreme geeks together.

This week’s list (1 book, 11 articles and 1 kickass game ) focuses as usual on a bunch of valuable entrepreneurial resources and dumb investor practices. We also talk product, newsletters and the music industry.

And we’re geeking out on science, physics and quantum entanglement.


Book

I got this book recently as I got even more obsessed with quantum mechanics over the winter holidays. It’s supposedly one of the most simple way to understand Penrose’s work on quantum physics, computer science and AI.

I’m a nerd.

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BBC

Entrepreneurship

No Meetings, No Deadlines, No Full-Time Employees

Because I was burned out and didn’t want to think about working any more than I needed to, I instituted a no-meeting, no-deadline culture. For me, it was no longer about growth at all costs, but “freedom at all costs.”

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GIPHY

Why Did I Write An “Annual Report” From The Future?

You can’t just get away with waving your hands and saying, ’that’ll all get figured out..’. You have to do the work, at least at a preliminary level to determine what it is that’ll need to get figured out.

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MemeGenerator

The 30 Best Pieces of Advice for Entrepreneurs in 2020

From HR to management to personal development and more, this list is jam-packed with tips & tricks to keep kicking ass in 2021

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Venture Capital

Absurd Seed Rounds Arguments

A new breed of angel investors and founders started to arise, the funding capacity of institutional investors as well… And in no time the prom night turned into a 24/7 packed club where realities got mixed with signals.

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GIPHY

Product

But First, Product: Resources for Product Builders and Leaders

Building great product lives at the intersection of technology, business acumen and user psychology.

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GIPHY

Build An App For Your Newsletter Subscribers with Adalo [7 Step NoCode Process]

Especially now, with everyone trying to get into everybody’s inbox, why not look at a different channel?

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REDDIT
  • Link: freshvanroot.com/blog/2021/build-an-app-for-your-newsletter-subscribers-with-adalo-7-step-process/
  • Author: Rolf Mistelbacher

Events

B2B business events in Europe — A year of tough lessons learned, and a positive outlook for 2021

Above all, it is clear that the need to meet, network and learn from inspirational business figures as part of a tailored experience is here to stay.

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Writing

What Writers and Editors Do

…what any kind of boundary breaking always does is to draw attention to the boundary itself—in this case between editor and writer, who together with the text form a kind of Bermuda Triangle within whose force field everything said and done disappears without trace.

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GIPHY

Newsletters: Is This Progress?

Yet websites are treated as these embarrassing, ugly, ad-riddled things, whilst newsletters have established some kind of prestige for themselves somehow.

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GIPHY

Science

Could an Industrial Prehuman Civilization Have Existed on Earth before Ours?

“Then again, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.”

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Music

How More TikTok Stars Can Succeed in the Music Industry

Music culture is as multi-hyphenate as ever, especially in hip-hop. TikTok’s not going anywhere, so it’s time to make moves.

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Game

Play through all the major events of 2020: the Australia wildfires, COVID-19, the stock market crash, quarantine, the rise of TikTok, the US elections, etc.

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Fundraising 22 hours ago

Despite ongoing conflict, Ukrainian fintech companies continue demonstrating remarkable resilience in securing international investment, challenging preconceptions about wartime entrepreneurship in Europe’s eastern frontier. The latest proof comes from Fintech IT Group, which has successfully raised €16.5M in growth funding from the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF), marking one of the most significant wartime investments in the Ukrainian startup ecosystem. This funding round represents more than capital allocation—it signals international confidence in Ukraine’s tech sector durability and the strategic importance of maintaining financial infrastructure during crisis periods. Ukraine wartime funding attracts international backing The Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund’s investment thesis centres on supporting critical financial infrastructure that serves both civilian and business communities during unprecedented circumstances. UMAEF, backed by the U.S. government, specifically targets companies providing essential services that maintain economic stability in challenging geopolitical environments. “We’re investing in companies that demonstrate not just financial potential, but strategic importance for regional economic resilience,” noted UMAEF representatives familiar with the deal. This approach differs markedly from traditional European venture capital, which typically prioritises pure growth metrics over strategic infrastructure value. The investment reflects broader international recognition that Ukrainian fintech companies have proven their operational capabilities under extreme stress conditions—a unique value proposition in European markets where regulatory compliance and operational resilience increasingly matter to institutional investors. Monobank’s European expansion strategy Fintech IT Group, operating primarily through its flagship Monobank platform, has established itself as Ukraine’s leading digital bank with over 7 million active users. The company’s mobile-first approach and robust API infrastructure have proven particularly valuable during wartime, when traditional banking channels face physical disruption. The €16.5M funding will primarily support technological infrastructure expansion and enhanced security measures, according to company leadership. This includes strengthening cross-border payment capabilities and developing additional financial products tailored for both domestic and international Ukrainian communities. “Our experience maintaining financial services during conflict has given us unique insights into building resilient fintech infrastructure,” explained Monobank leadership. “These capabilities position us well for expansion into other European markets where operational reliability is paramount.” The funding also enables deeper integration with European financial systems, potentially positioning Monobank as a bridge between Ukrainian diaspora communities and their homeland—a strategic advantage as refugee populations establish new lives across European capitals. This investment underscores how wartime innovation often produces solutions with broader European market applications, particularly in financial services where trust and reliability prove more valuable than flashy features. For Ukrainian startups, proving operational excellence under extreme conditions may well become their unique competitive advantage in European expansion.

Fundraising 1 day ago

The UK’s fintech landscape is witnessing a new wave of institutional backing as specialised accelerators emerge to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and scalable growth. Against this backdrop, Antidote has secured €2.95M (£2.5M) in funding to launch its accelerator programme focused on fintech and Bitcoin-adjacent technologies. The funding signals renewed confidence in the UK’s position as a global fintech hub, despite ongoing regulatory uncertainties around digital assets. Led by Fulgur Ventures, the round reflects the growing appetite among European investors for infrastructure plays that can nurture the next generation of financial technology companies. The timing aligns with increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin and digital assets across traditional finance, creating demand for specialised support structures. Fintech accelerator funding attracts specialist investors Fulgur Ventures’ decision to lead this round underscores the firm’s thesis around Bitcoin infrastructure and the tools needed to support mainstream adoption. The Venice-based venture capital firm, known for backing Lightning Network infrastructure companies and Bitcoin-native startups, sees Antidote as a strategic platform to identify and develop promising UK fintech talent. “The UK remains one of Europe’s most vibrant fintech ecosystems, but there’s a clear gap in specialised support for Bitcoin and crypto-adjacent innovations,” notes a Fulgur partner familiar with the investment. “Antidote’s approach combines traditional accelerator methodology with deep domain expertise in digital assets.” The investor’s portfolio strategy focuses on companies building critical infrastructure for Bitcoin adoption, from payment rails to custody solutions. Antidote fits this thesis by positioning itself as a talent pipeline for the next wave of Bitcoin-enabled financial services. Bridging traditional fintech with digital asset innovation Antidote’s programme targets the intersection between established fintech verticals and emerging digital asset opportunities. This positioning reflects broader market dynamics where traditional financial services increasingly integrate blockchain-based solutions, creating demand for hybrid expertise. The accelerator plans to support 8-12 startups per cohort, providing €50,000 in initial funding alongside mentorship from industry veterans. The programme specifically targets companies working on payment infrastructure, trading platforms, custody solutions, and compliance technology for digital assets. “We’re seeing exceptional talent in the UK who understand both traditional financial services and the technical nuances of Bitcoin,” explains Antidote’s founding team. “Our role is to provide the runway and expertise needed to turn these insights into scalable businesses.” The funding will support programme operations, mentor network development, and follow-on investment capacity for portfolio companies. Antidote also plans to establish partnerships with major UK financial institutions seeking exposure to digital asset innovation without direct investment risk. This launch reflects the maturation of Europe’s digital asset ecosystem, where specialised support infrastructure is emerging to complement general-purpose accelerators. With regulatory clarity improving across EU markets, accelerators like Antidote are positioning to capture the next wave of fintech innovation at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets.

Fundraising 1 day ago

Germany’s tax advisory sector faces a looming crisis. With 57% of the country’s tax advisors aged over 50, the profession confronts both a demographic cliff and mounting pressure to digitalise decades-old processes. Into this gap steps AnyTax, which has secured €1 million in pre-seed funding from IBB Ventures to modernise Germany’s tax infrastructure through intelligent automation. The Berlin-based startup’s timing couldn’t be more strategic. As Germany’s Mittelstand grapples with increasingly complex tax regulations whilst traditional advisors edge towards retirement, AnyTax’s platform promises to bridge the growing expertise gap through technology that augments rather than replaces human judgment. German tax modernisation attracts strategic investment IBB Ventures’ investment reflects a broader recognition that Germany’s tax advisory market—worth billions annually—requires urgent technological intervention. The Berlin-based VC, backed by the city’s investment bank, has consistently backed companies addressing structural inefficiencies in German business processes. “The German tax system’s complexity creates both challenges and opportunities,” notes an IBB Ventures spokesperson. “AnyTax’s approach of augmenting advisor capabilities rather than replacing them aligns perfectly with how German professional services are evolving.” The funding round positions AnyTax within a growing cohort of European RegTech companies that specifically address continental European regulatory environments, rather than adapting Anglo-Saxon solutions. This localised approach proves increasingly valuable as EU member states maintain distinct professional service requirements. Addressing Germany’s tax advisor shortage through technology AnyTax’s platform targets the critical bottleneck facing German businesses: accessing quality tax advice amid advisor shortages. The company’s technology enables existing advisors to handle larger caseloads whilst maintaining compliance standards, effectively multiplying capacity within the existing professional framework. The startup’s solution addresses uniquely German challenges, including the complex interplay between federal and state tax obligations that confounds even sophisticated international businesses operating in Europe’s largest economy. By automating routine compliance tasks, AnyTax frees advisors to focus on strategic tax planning—precisely where human expertise adds most value. Founder insights suggest the €1 million will primarily fund platform development and partnerships with established German tax advisory firms, recognising that success requires deep integration with existing professional networks rather than attempting to bypass them entirely. AnyTax’s funding reflects broader momentum in European professional services technology, where regulatory complexity creates sustainable competitive moats for startups that truly understand local market dynamics. As Germany’s tax landscape grows increasingly sophisticated, platforms like AnyTax become essential infrastructure rather than mere efficiency tools.

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