Does coachability beat raw talent?⚡️

In this episode, we sit down with Cristobal Alonso — serial entrepreneur, early-stage investor in over 450 startups, growth enabler, global executive, bestselling author, and sought-after speaker. With a uniquely diverse background as a chef, former professional basketball player, and passionate pianist, Cristobal shares the kind of deep insight that only a truly global entrepreneur should offer.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Why coachability is the most critical trait in founders
• What early-stage startups get wrong about acceleration
• Lessons from living in 10+ countries and how cultural context impacts business

• The power of soul in entrepreneurship and mentorship
• How Startup Wise Guys became one of Europe’s most trusted accelerators

🎧 Tune in for a masterclass on building not just scalable companies, but resilient, coachable founders.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome  El Patron - Cristobal Alonso

01:40 The Early Days of the Baltic Startup Ecosystem

04:50 Why Everyone Calls Him El Patrón

06:22 How Startup Wise Guys Outgrew Its Roots

09:28 Cracking the Accelerator Business Model

13:23 The Evolution of Wise Guys’ Investment Focus

15:48 Why Early-Stage VC Is a Numbers Game

16:54 Are We in an Industrial or Internet Revolution?

21:11 The Traits That Make (or Break) a Startup Team

24:52 Why Strong Co-Founding Teams Matter Most

26:04 Scaling Across Borders Means Local Scouting, Global Mindset

30:07 Why Africa Requires Full Focus and Multicountry Strategy

32:22 Fundraising in 2025: Why Sales and Syndicates Beat Hype

36:40 Fundraising for GPs: The Long Game No One Talks About

38:31 The Silent Struggle of GPs

40:08 Two New Funds with Big Impact Ambitions

45:01 Quality Over Quantity

48:08 The VC Morning That Starts Without a Screen

51:35 You Can’t Build a Balanced Startup Without a Balanced Self

52:56 The Third Book: A Journey Through Crisis, Cooking, and Compassion

55:37 Join us at VNTR Global Investor Summit — November 11, 2025

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Host:

Yuri G. Rabinovich

https://www.linkedin.com/in/byuric/

Guest:

https://cristobalalonso.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristobalalonso