Ever wonder what it really takes to get funded — or if you should even try?
In this essential episode of Perception Paradox, Zivile sits down with Nicolaj Højer Nielsen — a seasoned entrepreneur turned angel investor with over 30 startups in his portfolio and exits to giants like Intel and Carta.
Having sat on both sides of the table, Nicolaj shares a raw, honest take on what truly drives startup success — and where most founders get it wrong.
You’ll learn:
Why understanding customer needs beats any pitch deck.
How sales skills make or break early-stage startups.
When to bootstrap vs. raise capital (and why VC isn’t for everyone).
What it takes to build trust and break into new markets like Spain.
Nicolaj’s thoughts on AI trends, the solo vs. co-founder debate, and founder resilience.
Whether you're just starting out or deep in the startup grind, Nicolaj’s insights are refreshingly no-BS, deeply practical, and grounded in real experience.
About Nicolaj Højer Nielsen: Nicolaj is a serial entrepreneur, business angel, and lecturer with over two decades of experience building and investing in startups. He has co-founded and funded more than a dozen companies, primarily in tech, and brings deep insight into the fundraising process from both sides of the table. Nicolaj lectures on entrepreneurship at Copenhagen Business School, holds an MBA from INSEAD, and is one of the driving forces behind PreSeed Academy.
Connect with Nicolaj on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolajnielsen/
🎙️Hosted by Zivile Einikyte:
https://www.perceptionparadox.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zivileeinikyte/
🎵 Music by Luca Nioi:
http://www.lucanioi.com/
00:00 Introduction
01:03 Introduction to Nicolai Nielsen and His Journey
04:13 The Philosophy of Investing
06:57 Identifying Green Flags in Founders
10:08 The Importance of Sales Skills in Startups
13:12 Understanding Customer Needs
16:01 Navigating Funding and Traction
18:54 Venture Capital vs. Bootstrapping
26:09 Building Trust and Credibility
30:25 The Importance of Local Networks
34:04 Navigating New Markets: Insights from Spain
37:13 The Role of Media in Venture Capital
41:30 Emerging Trends in Startups: The AI Revolution
46:13 The Debate on Solo Founders vs. Co-Founders
48:13 Final Thoughts: Passion in Entrepreneurship
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