Funding 

Southern Europe's €750bn opportunity

After the 2008 crisis, southern European countries felt like they were handed the short straw by the EU, left riddled with unemployment and harsh austerity.

But the recently announced €750bn EU Recovery fund could be a huge opportunity for Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy — and the startups based there.

So what needs to be done now to make the most of this rare opportunity?

Tim Smith finds out from southern European founders and investors.

😄 A not-to-miss conference for B2B founders 😄

Axeleo invites you to join the leading B2B & SaaS conference ‘B2B Rocks #REBOUND’ this September.

Focusing on the economic rebound, it’s an extravaganza of quickfire 30-min sessions with valuable tips from B2B & SaaS champions like Qonto and Personio.

Check out this year's star speakers here. [Sponsored post]

 Opinion 

5 ways to become the best new boss

If there's one thing that Anisah Osman Britton has learned in her role as CTO for German vintage clothes platform Vinokilo, it's that being the new boss is tough.

But inheriting a team, rather than building one from scratch, has its perks too.

Here's how to earn your new team's respect.

 Fintech 

An ethical alternative to payday lenders?

Who doesn’t fancy the idea of getting hold of your money as soon as you’ve earned it, rather than waiting until the end of the month?

That’s the bet that an increasing number of European startups are making.

But will employers go for it?

Kit Gillet finds out.

Sifted Suggests 

🙄 When Trump interrupts your entrepreneurial dreams. A revealing look at how life has changed for TikTok's founder, Zhang Yiming, and the shock he faced when Trump announced plans to block his breakthrough app in the US. Great stuff from The Wall Street Journal.

🏢 Forget returning to work if your office is in a high rise. A strangely fascinating piece looking at how lifts are proving a headache for employers trying to corona-proof their skyscrapers.

🤗 How to make the first move with your investor. Founders, how do you see that first call with an investor? Getting straight to business or simply getting to know each other? Mixed views in this Twitter thread here.

🛍️ Can tech tackle counterfeit fashion? Counterfeits are as old as time, and it's proving a match even for cutting-edge technology trying to crack down on fake luxury goods. An overview by Raconteur on the limits and potential of tech in this area.

✊ How a 22-year-old is driving political change using an app. With the world's eyes on Belarus, Stepan Putilo — a young student — is using Telegram to bring news to millions of locals in the midst of an internet crackdown. Here's more on the current landscape in Belarus' tech scene.

Events [in-person and digital!]

🔓 Unlocking Global Tech | 8 Sept
Follow the sun — from Australia to the US — with Tech Nation’s free virtual journey into the world’s leading tech ecosystems with high-profile tech leaders. Expect panels, keynotes and insightful discussions galore. [Sponsored post]

🇬🇧 How To Start Your Own Business and Succeed as an Entrepreneur | London | 3 Sept
In-person events are coming back! Targeted at early founders, this event brings two career coaches together to discuss the fears, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of entrepreneurs. 

🇪🇸 Pitch to Investors | Barcelona | 3 Sept 
Every Thursday, startup hub and early-stage fund Itnig organises a pitching session. Entrepreneurs get the chance to speak to key Spanish investors, including Jordi Romero (CEO at Factorial) and Albert Domingo (CEO at Nextret) and receive on-the-spot feedback.

🌐 London Tech Week (goes online!) | 7-11 Sept
The top names in tech would normally descend on London to share their ideas, challenges and experiences in the sector. This year, they're all heading online. Register to catch top speakers including executives at Facebook, Houseparty, and Google.

🌐 Insights from a futurist | 9 Sept
It would have been nearly impossible to predict the turmoil of 2020. But futurists like Melissa Clark-Reynolds see and use patterns to think about what the next few years might hold. Hosted by the New Zealand Business Women's Network, this is their headline slot. 

🇫🇷 What kind of founder are you? | Paris | 9 Sept 
Understand what type of entrepreneur you are and what the best fit is for your project in this two-hour workshop led by the Angers Technopole incubator.

🤸‍♀️ Share the fun 🤸‍♀️

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