Upside - the weekly pod exploring the real news behind the clickrage affecting European venture, startups and investing.

Hosts: Dan, Mads, Lomax, Andrew

04:56 - Amazon, Robots & Europe’s Automation
• Amazon aims for 75% robotised operations by 2033 in the US.
• Automation = productivity growth, not mass layoffs.
• Europe: >80% of warehouses still manual; Germany highly automated.
• Debate: displacement vs. growth; Europe can't fall behind.

18:50 - AI & Europe’s Industrial Revolution
• Can Europe capture AI’s value?
• Most AI projects fail due to lack of readiness, not tech.
• The human in the loop - Underinvestment in training and integration.
• Discussion: China racing ahead; Europe needs tech-smart leadership.

39:04 - UK AI Sandbox - What a waste of sand?
• New UK initiative to test AI under relaxed rules.
• Unlike fintech, AI isn’t “gate-kept” - barriers are procurement and deployment.
• Use NHS as testbed for AI admin tools to cut waitlists.

50:13 - EU “28th Regime” - Directive or Law?
• Proposed single EU startup entity (like a Delaware C-Corp).
• Regulation = uniform law; Directive = messy national versions.
• Local tailoring inevitable - but harmonisation could save €2B/yr in admin costs.

59:54 Deal of the Week - Comind
• Comind raises $102M Series A (Plural) — non-invasive brain-computer interface.
• Mentions: Revolut ($75B raise rumour), Wayve ($2B fundraise).