Meet the Coaches: Gloria

We're excited to introduce Gloria Tränkle, one of the venture coaches joining us for this year's venture builder programme.

Gloria comes from a background in McKInsey where she advised startups and investors on commercial strategy, growth and fundraising, and earlier work in bioeconomy innovation on a European Commission programme. She has also founded her own venture in Stockholm and is currently helping founders turn ambitious ideas into scalable businesses

We asked her a few questions ahead of the venture builder programme:

What's the potential of fungi startups to solve some of our largest environmental challenges and be a driver in the bioeconomy?

"Transformative fungal solutions are an incredibly versatile technology platform, with leverage across the wider economy, not just one industry."

The fungi opportunity isn't just greener alternatives to existing products, but fundamentally better production systems and entirely new markets. Realising that impact requires matching scientific breakthroughs with a clear customer problem, scalable economics and a credible path to market.

How will you best help the innovators in the venture programme?

"I offer practical, challenging guidance to help founders turn promising technology into scalable businesses. Drawing on my experience building ventures, I pressure-test customer needs, sharpen go-to-market strategy, and help founders prepare for partnerships and fundraising. My focus is on the decisions and execution that create real progress."

What's your best advice to fungal startups on their commercial journey?

"A compelling technology is a starting point; a compelling business is what ultimately attracts customers, capital and the partners needed to scale."

Fungal startups often have fascinating science and a huge range of potential applications — which can also become a trap, as it's easy to pursue too many possibilities at once. Pick the application where you can create the strongest combination of customer value, willingness to pay and a credible path to scale, and let that commercial focus guide your technical and fundraising priorities.

Welcome, Gloria,  we're excited to have you on board!