20VC: Bolt; The Most Insane Story in Startups | Turning a $5K Loan into an $8BN Company | Why Every VC Turned Down One of Europe's Biggest Winners | Competing with Uber & The Future of Micromobility and Self-Driving

The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

In this episode of the 20VC podcast, Markus Villig, the founder of Bolt, shares the inspiring story of his ride-hailing company, which reached a remarkable $2 billion annual recurring revenue despite facing initial rejection from leading European venture capitalists. Villig discusses the hurdles of bootstrapping a marketplace, the crucial role of persistence in finding the right co-founders, and how tailored strategies led to unexpected success in African markets. He also reflects on the significant funding he eventually secured from Daimler and Sequoia. Throughout the conversation, Villig emphasizes valuable lessons on market expansion, fundraising, and fostering a strong, cost-effective company culture.

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