In 2025, business podcasts have cemented themselves as a cornerstone resource for entrepreneurs across Europe. They offer unparalleled access to expert insights, real-world stories, actionable strategies, and timely trends that can help startups and scaleups navigate the complex and evolving landscape of European business. Whether you commute, work out, or brainstorm new ideas, these podcasts let you learn from top founders, investors, and industry leaders anytime, anywhere.
I’m Riten, founder of Fueler - a skills-first portfolio platform that connects talented individuals with companies through assignments, portfolios, and projects not just resumes/CVs. Think Dribbble/Behance for work samples + AngelList for hiring infrastructure
Why Business Podcasts Are Perfect for European Entrepreneurs
Podcasts deliver unique educational and networking advantages:
- Diverse European Perspective: Unlike many US-focused shows, European podcasts present market trends, investor sentiment, and regulatory nuances specific to the continent’s diverse countries and cultures.
- Founders’ Journeys: Raw startup and scaleup stories offer lessons from successes and failures that you won't find in textbooks or typical articles.
- Keep Up with Fast-Changing Trends: Podcasts help you stay updated on disruptive technologies like AI, fintech, climate tech, and evolving legislative environments across the EU.
- Flexibility: They integrate learning into your busy life, allowing you to absorb knowledge while multitasking.
- Expert & Investor Access: Episodes often feature top VCs, serial entrepreneurs, and policy makers sharing behind-the-scenes insights.
- Community Building: Many podcasts build active social media groups and events, fostering connections and collaborations.
Why it matters: For entrepreneurs keen to sustain competitive edge and grow successfully in Europe, podcasts offer real-time, relevant, and relatable business wisdom.
Top Business Podcasts for European Entrepreneurs in 2025
1. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Steven Bartlett’s podcast is a standout in Europe, exploring the emotional heartbeat of entrepreneurship. The show blends thoughtful personal stories with hard business insights, helping founders grow holistically.
- Content Style: Deep, candid interviews focusing on mental health, leadership, resilience, and personal growth alongside business success.
- Why listen: Offers a rare, authentic look at the lifestyle challenges behind startup wins and failures, invaluable for founders battling burnout.
- European focus: Strong UK and continental European guest representation with lessons applicable to local entrepreneurs.
- Example Guests: Founders of fintech challenger banks, creative agencies, and tech scaleups share their journey transparently.
- Typical Episode Length: Around 90 minutes, allowing deep explorations of personal and professional growth themes.
Why it matters: Mental clarity and emotional intelligence are increasingly recognized as essential for startup leaders Bartlett’s show helps build that foundation.
2. This Much I Know – The Seedcamp Podcast
Produced by Seedcamp, one of Europe’s best-known seed-stage VCs, this podcast is a masterclass in how early-stage startups can grow and fundraise across Europe.
- Content Style: Conversational interviews with founders and investors on market fit, traction strategies, fundraising, and European scale.
- Seed-stage focus: Covers challenges specific to startups seeking initial capital in Europe’s fragmented environment.
- European market insights: Focuses on how to navigate diverse country regulations, investor expectations, and cultural considerations.
- Example Topics: Perfecting pitch decks, hiring remote teams, and growth hacking tailored to EU markets.
- Typical Episode Length: Around 45 minutes, packed with actionable tips and inspirational founder stories.
Why it matters: European early-stage startups gain practical insights on overcoming unique regional hurdles directly from leading stakeholders.
3. EU-Startups Podcast
The official podcast of EU-Startups.com, the leading online magazine for European startups, this show offers a wide-angle view of the continent’s growing entrepreneurial spirit.
- Content Style: Medium-length episodic interviews with successful founders, investors, and startup ecosystem builders.
- Broad Topics: From fundraising trends and policy changes to innovative tech and startup culture in Europe’s innovation hubs.
- Regional Coverage: Includes startups from Spain, France, Germany, the Nordics, and beyond, highlighting regional success stories.
- Example Guests: CEOs of rising fintechs, founders of AI scaleups, and leaders from accelerator programs.
- Typical Episode Length: 30-40 minutes, engaging enough for quick knowledge boosts between tasks.
Why it matters: The podcast keeps entrepreneurs informed on the European ecosystem’s pulse and offers real-world, diverse founder perspectives.
4. Startup Europe by Sifted
Hosted by Amy Lewin, this podcast is part of the prestigious Sifted media brand known for sharp analysis and deep diving into Europe’s startup economy.
- Content Style: Long-form interviews focused on founder journeys, investor insights, market shifts, and operational growth challenges.
- Thought Leadership: Features high-profile CEOs, investors, and policy makers discussing the future of technology and scaling in Europe.
- Innovation Trends: Deep coverage of AI, sustainability, fintech, and healthtech sectors driving Europe’s startup renaissance.
- Educational & Motivational: Provides lessons on leadership, culture-building, and fundraising with a European lens.
- Typical Episode Length: 30-50 minutes, suitable for in-depth learning sessions.
Why it matters: Perfect for scaling entrepreneurs who want comprehensive market and leadership insights from top European actors.
5. The Recursive Podcast
Focusing on South Eastern Europe, The Recursive Podcast highlights the dynamic tech ecosystem there but offers universal lessons for all European founders.
- Content Style: Bi-weekly conversations with founders, VCs, and innovation leaders packed with tactical advice and personal stories.
- Emerging Markets Focus: Sheds light on underrepresented but rapidly growing ecosystems in CEE countries.
- Leadership & Culture: Explores how values and leadership styles impact startup success.
- Guest Highlights: TechCrunch journalists, high-growth startup founders, and notable European venture capitalists feature regularly.
- Typical Episode Length: 30 minutes, delivering punchy, insightful narratives.
Why it matters: Great for entrepreneurs looking for fresh perspectives from emerging European tech hubs beyond the traditional Western hotspots.
6. UKTN – The Podcast
From UK Tech News, this podcast covers the UK’s bustling startup and scaleup tapestry, featuring founders and innovators sharing journeys and growth hacks.
- Content Style: Conversational, with episodes tackling tech trends, funding rounds, talent acquisition, and regulatory landscape changes.
- UK-Focused: Deep dives into the post-Brexit business scene, immigration policies for startups, and London’s standing as a global hub.
- Practical Advice: Helps startups solve problems like building remote teams, managing cash flow, and attracting customers with limited budgets.
- Guest Mix: Mix of startup founders, investors, and policy makers.
- Typical Episode Length: 25-35 minutes, digestible and high-value.
Why it matters: UK-based startups and those targeting the UK market get specialized, localized knowledge critical for navigating unique challenges.
7. The Made For Creators Podcast
Not strictly a startup podcast, but invaluable for entrepreneurial founders, particularly in digital, creative, and content-driven businesses.
- Content Style: Mindset, leadership, personal growth, and building brands from scratch.
- Creative Economy Focus: Explores the evolving creator economy and how entrepreneurs monetize creativity globally and locally.
- Diverse Hosts & Guests: Inclusive conversations about mental health, entrepreneurship, marketing, and scaling online businesses.
- Cross-European Guests: Features stories and tips from creators in the UK, Germany, France, and beyond.
- Typical Episode Length: 60+ minutes, catering to deep dives into mindset and strategy.
Why it matters: Ideal for founders merging entrepreneurship with content creation looking to grow influence and build sustainable businesses.
Tips to Maximize Podcast Learning in 2025
- Create a listening schedule: Dedicate regular time daily or weekly to absorb podcast content and reflect on learnings.
- Take notes: Jot down key strategies, quotes, and action points. This helps retention and practical application.
- Engage with podcast communities: Many shows have associated Facebook groups, LinkedIn pages, or Discord channels join the network.
- Apply lessons early: Translate ideas into experiments or tactics for your startup to see what works best.
- Cross-pollinate knowledge: Listen to podcasts outside your sector or geography for broader insights and unique perspectives.
Fueler: A Platform to Showcase Your Learning and Growth
As you grow through podcasts and other learning channels, tangible proof of your evolving skills and startup progress is critical. Platforms like Fueler enable founders and teams to curate portfolios of work samples, traction metrics, case studies, and pitch-ready materials that investors and partners respect. A strong portfolio complements your mindset and knowledge growth and helps accelerate attention from stakeholders.
Final Thoughts
European business podcasts in 2025 offer rich lenses on leadership, innovation, funding, and the real-life contexts behind startup numbers. For any entrepreneur serious about growth, tuning in regularly to these shows is like attending a masterclass in European business excellence from anywhere in the world. Harness these resources, engage actively with their communities, and combine insights into practice—the result is a sharpened startup ready to thrive across one of the most dynamic global markets.
FAQs
1. Which podcasts are best for early-stage European startups?
Podcasts like “This Much I Know” by Seedcamp and “EU-Startups” offer tailored advice on fundraising and product-market fit for early-stage companies.
2. Can I find podcasts focused on specific European regions?
Yes, for example, “The Recursive Podcast” covers South Eastern Europe, while “UKTN” focuses on the UK tech scene specifically.
3. How often should I listen to business podcasts for startup growth?
Consistency matters more than volume setting aside 2-3 episodes per week can ensure steady learning without overload.
4. Are there podcasts that help with mental health and leadership?
“The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett” and “Made For Creators” deeply explore resilience, mindset, and leadership challenges founders face.
5. How do podcasts help with building investor-ready startups?
Investor-centric podcasts expose founders to VC perspectives, pitching strategies, and scaling tales that prepare startups for fundraising journeys.