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Hi Sifted reader,

It's Friday, which means it's time to tune in to the latest episode of our podcast, where you can catch Amy and Eleanor discussing whether crypto clubs are really worth the hype, and a new app that’s helping food delivery couriers maximise their earnings. 

Plus...

• Europe’s most active gaming investors
• If you totally disagree with your cofounder, should you leave?
• Why the nine-day fortnight might trump the four-day work week

— Sophie, editorial assistant & Tom, digital editor

🇩🇪 Germany pledges €30bn to boost its startup scene. Earlier this week, Germany’s coalition government approved the country’s first comprehensive policy roadmap for startups — with the hope that it'll be a major driver of economic growth in the coming decade. It also includes proposals to reform taxes for employee stock options, nurture university spinouts and set up special funds for deeptech, climate tech and female founders. 

📹 Condense raises $4.5m seed round. The Bristol-based metaverse startup hopes to use the new funding to develop a new way of streaming live music and sports on gaming platforms. The round was led by LocalGlobe, with backing from 7percent Ventures, Deeptech Labs and Tom Blomfield. 

🌍 French startup jobs least affected by downturn. According to recent data, the number of open vacancies at European startups has dropped by 43% since February. Germany and Sweden are the countries hit hardest by the hiring freeze, but France has weathered the storm best so far — seeing only a 9% decline in the number of open roles. 

🍔 Choice QR raises €1.5m seed round. The Czech restaurant food ordering app wants to take on its much better funded competitor Sunday — which recently pulled out of four markets. It raised from Presto Ventures, Seedcamp, Reflex Capital, J&T Ventures and Purple Ventures to do so. 

The EIT Digital Challenge aims to identify the best European deeptech scaleups and help them access international investors. Apply by September 19 for the chance to win a spot in the 12-month accelerator program worth €50k.

Apply here.

Between high energy bills and ungodly heat, being a human is becoming a lot less appealing. But really, the biggest tragedy of all — sorry, polar bears — is just how difficult it is to find a safe space to talk about crypto.

That was until London got its very own crypto club. 

We sent two of our reporters deep inside the new — and highly exclusive — crypto venue... and let's just say it left much to be desired.

Enter the crypto club here.

When you think of gaming, names like Nintendo and EA might come to mind — no surprise in an industry historically dominated by the US and Japan. 

But times are changing: European studios have created some of the biggest mobile and online games in recent years, including Candy Crush, Clash of Clans and Minecraft. And that's got investors licking their chops.

So, who are Europe’s most active gaming investors?

Here's the problem: you're close to raising a seed round, but you and your cofounder can't align on how to run the company — and it's hurting sales and product development. Is it time to leave?

Sifted turned to VCs, founders and a startup coach to find out. 

Here's what they had to say.

In our “Dear Sifted” series we ask you, our readers, to send us your startup problems, and then ask industry experts for some top-notch advice. Need some sage wisdom yourself? Submit your problems anonymously here. 

In this week’s Sifted pod, we’re talking about a new app that’s helping food delivery couriers earn more dosh, Germany’s new funding pledge for startups and what it’s really like inside a "crypto club"... 

And... if you’re already a regular listener, please let us know what you think of the pod by taking our very short listener survey. Thank you!

Countries like the UK and Belgium are trialling four-day work weeks — but almost a third of British businesses still see the four-day working week as unfeasible. 

But it's not the only work model gathering pace. Over a period of nine months, HR startup CharlieHR trialled the nine-day fortnight, which had staff alternate between five-day and four-day weeks every two weeks.

But did it work?

The pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote working — but should the "new normal" affect your career progression? And how can startups ensure they’re compensating global talent fairly?

Find out on August 17.

Our sustainability-focused newsletter has undergone a rebrand. Say hello to Climate Tech. And if you work at a green startup — or want your business to get greener — sign up here! 

The best of our recent climate tech coverage:

💭 How to get a job in climate tech.

☀️ The eco-friendly alternatives to air conditioning.

🐮 Can startups fully remove animals from the food chain?

Elsewhere on Sifted…

🤔 How can companies upskill their engineering teams?

🇬🇷 Everything you need to know about Greece's growing startup scene.

Sophie Zhang

Editorial Assistant

Get in touch with them at sophiezhang@sifted.eu

Tom Nugent

Digital Editor 

Get in touch with him at tomnugent@sifted.eu
Or tweeting at @TJNugent92

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