When Markus Villig founded Bolt 12 years ago, it was one of dozens trying to take on Uber. Today, it’s the only major European ride-hailing company left — worth €7.4bn and expanding across taxis, scooters, car rental and delivery.
Podcast
December 11, 2025
Bolt founder and Klarna board member Markus Villig on why Europe is sleepwalking into a 'disaster' on self-driving cars and physical AI
He also explains how he's helping shape Estonia’s defence tech landscape.
1 min read
Maya Dharampal-Hornby is Sifted's editorial assistant and producer of Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast .

Sifted Daily newsletter
Stay one step ahead with news and experts analysis on what’s happening across startup Europe.
Recommended
BlaBlaCar’s winding road to success
From the pandemic to failed international expansions, the French mobility company has seen plenty of setbacks. But its new strategy and big growth in 2022 had investors bullish on the future
The Big Idea: this company thinks reinventing sails will save the seas
If the shipping industry was a country, it would be the sixth most polluting in the world.
Europe’s electric vehicle charging market sees surging investment
It’s estimated that revenues from charging could hit €36bn by 2030, and investor appetite's growing.


