E563 | Louis Dussart, RTP Global: The Political Wake-Up Call on Tech Sovereignty, Growth Capital & Europe’s Urgency to Lead

Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC podcast, where Andreas Munk Holm explores the cutting edge of European venture capital. Today’s guest is Louis Dussart, Partner at RTP Global.Louis entered venture at just 20 years old with White Star Capital, built a startup bridging Europe and China, and now helps lead RTP Global’s European strategy. In this conversation, he shares why Europe faces a political wake-up call on tech, what we need to fix in talent, growth capital, and IPO markets, and why founders are not just entrepreneurs—they’re geopolitical assets.From emerging managers to sovereign LPs, from tech transfer to liquidity, Louis lays out the hard truths and actionable priorities for Europe to compete globally.Here's what's covered:02:12 Louis’s Path: From White Star Intern to RTP Partner06:01 What Makes RTP Global Different: A Truly Global, Debate-Driven DNA10:14 The Political Wake-Up Call: Why Tech Must Sit at the Top of Europe’s Agenda12:48 Talent, Visas & Education: The Dual Strategy for Closing the Skills Gap15:32 Sovereign LPs, Emerging Managers & The Role of Fund-of-Funds19:20 Tech Transfer in Europe: Why Our Universities Still Struggle25:40 US Growth Funds in Europe: Selling to America vs. Selling Out of Europe29:12 The Liquidity Problem: Why Capital Markets Union Is an Elephant in the Room34:45 Founders as Geopolitical Assets: Lessons for Europe’s Leaders38:55 The VC Role: Echo Chambers Between Founders, LPs & Policymakers44:20 Why Europe Needs Risk-Taking Politicians as Much as Risk-Taking Founders