How Bolt Survived An 85% Revenue Crash And Became Europe's Ride-Hailing Champion (Markus Villig, Founder & CEO)

Markus Villig, CEO of Bolt, discusses the company's origins, culture, and strategies for competing in the transportation and logistics market. Villig emphasizes Bolt's underdog mentality, rooted in Estonia's history and culture, and its focus on operational excellence and frugality. He recounts Bolt's pivot to food delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic as a moment of "eucatastrophe." The conversation explores Europe's ambition problem in tech, advocating for capital market reforms and increased investment in defense technologies. Villig shares insights on Bolt's expansion into Africa, the importance of network effects, and the future of self-driving cars, highlighting the need for European companies to compete in this space. He also details Bolt's unique approach to company culture, emphasizing written communication and hiring smart generalists.