Ex-N26 COO: What’s Really Holding Back European Innovation | Martin Schilling

Ex-N26 COO: What’s Really Holding Back European Innovation | Martin Schilling

What does it really take to build and scale a high-growth startup in Germany’s competitive tech scene?

In this episode of the Guten Tag Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Martin Schilling – former COO of N26, tech investor, and deep tech advocate.

From his own startup story to scaling one of Germany’s leading fintechs, Martin shares powerful lessons on entrepreneurship, failure, and what Europe needs to unlock its full potential.


We explore the realities of raising venture capital, the future of deep tech, and what it means to build a startup in Germany — especially in hubs like Berlin, often called Europe’s Gründerszene.

Whether you’re dreaming up your next business idea, navigating Berlin’s startup hub, or looking for insight from a real tech investor, this conversation is packed with clarity, courage, and practical wisdom.

🔑 In This Episode:
– Martin Schilling’s motivation for writing his book
– Behind the scenes of scaling N26
– Why failure is essential for founders
– What investors really look for
– The role of deep tech in Europe’s future
– Comparing startups in Europe vs the U.S.
– How to build and lead high-performance teams
– Mental health, leadership, and the entrepreneur mindset


Episoder(48)

From Russia to Tech Excecutive at 26: The Hidden Cost of Success Abroad with Olga Skipper

From Russia to Tech Excecutive at 26: The Hidden Cost of Success Abroad with Olga Skipper

VP at 26. Multiple burnouts. 10+ hour days. Olga Skipper went from leading at one of the biggest tech companies in Russia to resetting her entire life. Now she coaches C-level executives and tech foun...

9 Mar 1h 4min

Why Berlin Makes You Feel Lonely (And How to Find Belonging)

Why Berlin Makes You Feel Lonely (And How to Find Belonging)

Why does Berlin — one of Europe’s most exciting cities — make so many people feel lonely?In this episode, I speak with Monika Jiang, a Berlin-based writer and community builder focused on modern lonel...

16 Feb 1h 5min

The Simple (& Proven Way) to Pay LESS Tax in Germany (Legally) | Daniel Hannemann CEO of Wundertax

The Simple (& Proven Way) to Pay LESS Tax in Germany (Legally) | Daniel Hannemann CEO of Wundertax

Daniel Hanemann is the founder and CEO of Wundertax, and one of the most experienced voices when it comes to the German tax system. In this episode, we sit down with Daniel to explain taxes in Germany...

17 Jan 1h 25min

He Quit his Job in Tech in Berlin to Run and Rave

He Quit his Job in Tech in Berlin to Run and Rave

What is it really like to quit a tech job and build a meaningful life in Berlin?In this episode, Ben shares why he left his career in tech in Germany, how ADHD and burnout shaped his journey, and how ...

22 Des 20251h 8min

How Berlin Healed my self neglect and gave me a NEW START | Deidre Olsen

How Berlin Healed my self neglect and gave me a NEW START | Deidre Olsen

In this episode I speak with writer Deidre Olsen, a Canadian living in Berlin whose story shows how a change of country can completely reshape a life. After growing up with trauma, fighting self negle...

11 Des 202539min

What Leaving Ukraine and Living in Berlin Taught Me About Belonging | Olya co-founder of Quest.Inc

What Leaving Ukraine and Living in Berlin Taught Me About Belonging | Olya co-founder of Quest.Inc

Olya is a Ukrainian designer and founder of https://quests.inc/ She left her country just weeks before the first attacks. After months of moving across Europe and trying to build a new life, she made ...

4 Des 202555min

What the STRIP CLUB Taught Me about Shame, Healing & My Soul w/ Anya and Tara from Soulstrip

What the STRIP CLUB Taught Me about Shame, Healing & My Soul w/ Anya and Tara from Soulstrip

Anya & Tara — artists, performers, and founders of House of Soul Strip — share one of the most raw, honest, and transformative conversations about eros, shame, embodiment, and the Dark Feminine you wi...

19 Nov 20251h 2min

How Quitting Football Helped an American Coach Build a Life in Berlin

How Quitting Football Helped an American Coach Build a Life in Berlin

He came to Berlin to follow his dream of becoming a professional football player.But when that dream ended, he found something even more meaningful — a life built on movement, community, and love.In t...

3 Nov 20251h 1min

Populært innen Samfunn

rss-spartsklubben
giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
konspirasjonspodden
aftenpodden-usa
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
popradet
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
rss-henlagt-andy-larsgaard
alt-fortalt
grenselos
wolfgang-wee-uncut
min-barneoppdragelse
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
synnve-og-vanessa
krisemoter
fladseth
rss-dannet-uten-piano
rss-frekvens-med-anine-olsen
198-land-med-einar-trnquist