Accelerating Returns takes you into the minds of world-class executives, investors and innovators who are shaping the future of business and technology. Each episode reveals the hidden challenges, tactics, and learnings when scaling companies, managing investments, and building disrupting innovations. Not just stories but actionable insights.
Join us to learn how to stay ahead in a world that’s moving faster every day.
How to buy and sell 200 traditional companies with 4.5x yearly ROI | Jon Staenberg
Investor Jon Staenberg discusses search funds, the acquisition process, and growing small businesses with Diego Calligaro, offering advice for entrepreneurs and insights into his investment strategies in this interview.
30 Sept 2025
How to Get this $50M AI Fund to Invest in You | Patricia Pastor
Patricia Pastor, General Partner at NextTier Ventures, explores the AI investment landscape, shares insights on identifying promising startups, and advises founders seeking funding in this interview with Diego Calligaro.
27 Aug 2025
Technological Singularity 2060? What is missing and how society will change | Kartik Gada
Diego Calligaro interviews futurist Kartik Gada about technology's deflationary impact, the potential 2060 singularity, and navigating societal change.
23 Jul 2025
How to Use Technology to Remain Competitive | Mirco Patroncini
Mirco Patroncini, CTO of Lastminute.com, discusses his leadership philosophy with Diego Calligaro, emphasizing the importance of people in technology, the role of AI, and challenges in the travel industry in this interview.
25 Jun 2025
From 0 to 1 billion $ - The systematic process to build billion-dollar companies
Roland Austrup discusses with Diego Calligaro the systematic process of identifying opportunities and building billion-dollar companies by leveraging uncommercialized technologies from multinational corporations in this interview.
4 Jun 2025
How AI really works | Don’t believe what they say about AI | Andriy Burkov
Diego Calligaro interviews Andriy Burkov, an AI expert, about the limitations of Large Language Models like ChatGPT, including AI hallucinations and copyright issues, in this insightful discussion.
21 May 2025
How to raise funds and scale | Tactics, Metrics, Leadership and Success Factors | Xavier Castellana
Diego Calligaro, CEO of ICEO Technologies, interviews Xavier Castellana, the CFO of Amenitiz, and former CFO of Typeform (almost $1 billion valuation), and Travelperk ($2.7 billions valuation). Xavier has raised more than $350 million in equity investments and financing for his startups and has managed 3 exits in his career.
In this episode, Xavier shares his valuable insights on leadership, fundraising strategies, the real challenges startups face, what business metrics to use and how, the balance between equity and debt financing, market dynamics, and the role of a CFO. He also discusses the impact of AI on business management and the significance of maintaining company culture during tough times.
A must-listen for CEOs and entrepreneurs seeking practical advice on investment and growth!
00:00 Introduction and Motivation as a Leader
05:19 Raising Capital: Experiences and Challenges
09:19 Differences in Fundraising Stages
13:38 Key Metrics for Fundraising Success
17:42 Balancing Growth and Profitability
21:43 Choosing Between Equity and Debt Financing
25:40 Identifying Winning Companies
29:24 The Role of CFO in a Startup Environment
30:15 The Role of CFO in Business Strategy
31:26 Challenges in Early-Stage Companies
33:51 Scaling Up: Roadblocks in Growth
37:08 Navigating Profitability vs. Growth
41:16 Investing in AI: Opportunities and Strategies
42:45 Handling Crisis: Layoffs and Cultural Recovery
45:41 Advice for CEOs on Fundraising
48:16 Future Aspirations and Reflections on Career
Follow us: Instagram: @accelerating.returnsLinkedin: Diego Calligaro
7 May 2025
How Sony Invests in Startups | Tactics, Success Factors, Trends, AI and Ethics | Antonio Avitabile
Diego Calligaro interviews Antonio Avitabile, the Managing Director Europe of Sony Innovation Fund, the Venture Capital arm of Sony. In this conversation, Antonio discusses the importance of responsible investing, particularly in the context of venture capital. He emphasizes the need for investors to consider the impact of their investments on future generations and the world at large. Antonio outlines the investment strategies employed by Sony Innovation Fund, focusing on early-stage and growth-stage startups, and highlights the significance of team dynamics in successful investments. He shares insights on ethical investing, the role of AI in shaping the future, and offers advice for startups seeking investment.
00:00 Investment Strategies at Sony
05:04 Key Metrics and Portfolio Management
08:37 Identifying the Right Investment Targets
11:00 The Responsibility of Impact Investing
14:00 Examples of Impactful Investments
16:07 Values in Investment Decisions
19:17 Emerging Technologies and Investment Focus
23:17 The Future of AI and Regulation
30:57 Advice for Startups Seeking Investment
33:17 Reflections on Venture Capital and Career
38:13 Excitement and Concerns about the Digital Future
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Instagram: @accelerating.returns
Linkedin: Diego Calligaro
23 Apr 2025
Selling a €1 billion valuation company | Success Factors | Dealbreakers | Negotiation | With Jaume Ayerbe
Diego Calligaro interviews Jaume Ayerbe, a serial entrepreneur who has raised over €500 million in investments and achieved four exits to multinationals and large funds. Jaume shares his insights on understanding market needs, navigating business transformation, success factors, dealbreakers, and the negotiation strategies behind successful exits. Three years ago, he became Chief Revenue Officer at the multinational Nalanda Global, to restructure the company, reach a €1 billion valuation, and ultimately selling it. Since then, he has led a successful transformation, doubled revenues, and completed the company’s acquisition.Follow us: Instagram: @accelerating.returnsLinkedin: Diego Calligaro
19 Mar 2025
How to Find and Invest in the Next $1 Billion Startup | Secrets from the world's most active VC fund
Thomas Bigagli has invested in 200+ startups from pre-seed to Series A as venture capitalists and angel investors, helping them scale and achieve key milestones. Thomas is a Partner at Plug and Play, one of the world’s most active Venture Capital funds with 2% of global unicorns in its portfolio and the largest Open Innovation Platform. He oversees investments and empowers teams across 30+ Plug and Play locations in EMEA.
00:00 The Drive Behind Innovation
04:50 Identifying Winning Startups
07:11 Navigating Market Trends and Bubbles
09:51 The Art of Follow-On Investments
12:41 Screening and Investing in Startups
14:59 The Role of Networking in Deal Flow
17:28 FOMO and Investment Decisions
19:44 Learning from Missed Opportunities
22:19 Red Flags in Startup Investments
26:59 Investment Process Insights
30:10 Deep Tech: The Future of Investment
32:47 Trends in the VC Industry
34:14 Technology's Role in Venture Capital
35:50 Automation in Venture Capital
37:54 The Future of Venture Capital
39:00 Personal Milestones and Future Goals
39:58 Influential Entrepreneurs
43:21 Advice for Investors and Founders
45:42 Reflections on Career Choices
46:54 Concerns and Excitement for the Future
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Linkedin: Diego Calligaro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegocalligaro/)
26 Feb 2025
95% of Founders Don't Know This | How Venture Capital Really Works | How to Win VCs | LPs, GPs, VCs
Stephane Nasser is the founder of the investment platform OpenVC. The startups using OpenVC have raised over $1 billion from major investors such as Google, Sequoia, and NASA. In this interview we delve into the structure of Venture Capital funding, psychological triggers, ROI expectations, how to win VCs, the role of AI in VCs, harsh realities, poverty and investment scams.
00:00 Introduction to OpenVC and Fundraising Challenges
02:47 Building OpenVC: The Journey Begins
05:10 Community Engagement and Feedback Loop
07:35 Bridging the Gap: Founders and Investors
10:08 Data-Driven VC Trends and Automation
12:38 The Future of Investment Decisions
15:00 AI in Pitch Deck Assessment
17:15 The Importance of Online Presence for Founders
19:55 Inbound Fundraising Strategies
22:15 Understanding Investor Feedback Dynamics
30:39 Navigating Negative Feedback from Investors
32:55 The Dark Side of Fundraising: Scammers and Advisors
37:23 Understanding the VC Ecosystem: LPs, VCs, and Founders
45:07 The Financial Reality of Venture Capital
49:41 Best Practices for Fundraising: Time and Strategy
54:15 Common Mistakes Founders Make in Fundraising
59:04 Advice for Founders and VCs: Learning the Game
01:02:05 The Future of Technology: Robotics and AI
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Instagram: @accelerating.returns (https://www.instagram.com/accelerating.returns/)
Linkedin: Diego Calligaro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegocalligaro/)
5 Feb 2025
Leadership Strategies & Hiring | AI, VR and the Future of HR | Building High-Performing Teams
Diego Calligaro interviews Serap Zel. Serap Zel has been the HR Director of Maersk, BIC, and HR Partner of Meta in Europe, US and Middle East. She is now CEO of Uplift People Consulting which have hired top talent across 50 countries and 27 industries.
Serap has run many leadership programs within major multinationals and she has personally hired over 700+ employees and 100+ C-level executives in over 50 countries.
00:00 The Talent Mindset in Leadership
02:58 Navigating the Talent War
05:58 The Role of Technology in Recruitment
09:00 Assessing Emerging Roles
12:02 The Art and Science of Recruitment
14:57 Bias in Recruitment Processes
17:51 Identifying the Right Candidate
21:10 Key Traits for Success24:03 Attracting Top Talent
26:49 The Evolution of HR Roles
29:53 Leadership Development and Challenges
33:06 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
34:43 The Power of Diversity and Inclusion
38:08 Overcoming Gender Barriers in Leadership
42:08 The Role of Men in Supporting Women Leaders
46:05 The Impact of Technology on Recruitment
51:14 Navigating the Future of Hiring with AI
01:06:51 Embracing Change in a Digital Future
Follow us:
Instagram: @accelerating.returns (https://www.instagram.com/accelerating.returns/)
Linkedin: Diego Calligaro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegocalligaro/)
23 Jan 2025
What investors want and CEOs need to focus on | Multi-billion $ investments in the energy transition
Diego Calligaro interviews David Adams. David drives the energy transition by leading multi-billion-dollar investments in the energy supply chain for Gotion, one of the world’s largest energy storage companies with over $5 billions in revenue. Over his career, David has also founded 3 successful companies, raised $90 million in venture capital, early investor of 2 public companies, involved in 20 M&As, and achieved a remarkable personal investment IRR of 568%.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the guest and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Gotion. All information shared during this episode is not confidential, is public knowledge, and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes.
Follow us:
Instagram: @accelerating.returns (https://www.instagram.com/accelerating.returns/)
Linkedin: Diego Calligaro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegocalligaro/)
X: @DiegoCalligaro
18 Dec 2024
Inside a $ 1 Trillion Investment Fund | From 0 to 500 Employees in 1 Year | They Don't Understand You Need to Fail | Enrico Milovan
Diego Calligaro interviews Enrico Milovan, the Scaleup Acceleration Head of the incubator dedicated to helping PIF's companies launch and scale in their first year of life. The PIF is the 925 Billions dollars public investment fund of Saudi Arabia and one of the largest funds in the world.
Follow us:
Instagram: @accelerating.returns (https://www.instagram.com/accelerating.returns/)
Linkedin: Diego Calligaro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegocalligaro/)
X: @DiegoCalligaro (https://x.com/DiegoCalligaro)
4 Dec 2024
Kevin Henshaw | We invented the future | AI, Web3, Metaverse | An endemic problem in the industry
Diego Calligaro interviews Kevin Henshaw, our first guest on the Accelerating Returns podcast. In today's episode we're going to talk about his experience in business, what it was like to scale the world's largest web3 metaverse to 300M users. How he scaled the company from start-up to over 400 employees, generating over 1 billion dollars in revenue, raising over 70 million dollars in funding and managing 4 mergers and acquisitions in the process.
Follow us:
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/accelerating.returns/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegocalligaro/)
X (https://x.com/home)
ICEO (https://www.iceo.io/)
Follow Kevin Henshaw:
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-henshaw/)
3 Dec 2024
Launching Accelerating Returns
In this episode I will present you why we are launching Accelerating Returns and what you can expect from this.
Who has been a guest on Accelerating Returns
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jon Staenberg
Patricia Pastor
Kartik Gada
Mirco Patroncini
Andriy Burkov
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
35,307
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
33
Social presence
90
YouTube
85
Engagement
0
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Accelerating Returns
Who hosts Accelerating Returns?
Diego Calligaro host the show. Published by Accelerating Returns.
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The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
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Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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