Musk & Trump's Power Play, Women Leading WealthTech, and Europe's Tech Renaissance: This Week’s Espresso ????????
Elon Musk takes center stage in this week’s Espresso! We explore how Trump’s “First Buddy” might impact tech regulations, spotlight female leaders reshaping WealthTech, and dive into EU Inc’s push to boost European innovation.
Step aside, First Lady—the White House has a “First Buddy” now, and it’s Elon Musk. ??
In what might be the most unlikely bromance of the decade (or history ??), President-elect Trump and Musk are teaming up to reshape Washington like a start-up in overdrive. With Musk as Trump’s go-to confidant, this power duo is rewriting the playbook on how business, tech, and politics intersect.
So, what’s brewing in this Trump-Musk fusion, and what could it mean for the future of U.S. tech?
An Unlikely, Unfiltered Bromance ??????
Trump and Musk might look like an odd pair—Trump, the classic real estate mogul, and Musk, the space-loving tech innovator—but dig deeper, and they’re a match made in headline heaven.?
Both love breaking rules, both understand the power of spectacle, and neither shies away from a bit of chaos. Musk, now a regular at Mar-a-Lago, isn’t just advising Trump; he’s part of the inner circle, brainstorming big (and occasionally bizarre) ideas for the new administration.
Musk’s “Out There” Ideas for Government ??
Musk is bringing his “let’s disrupt everything” mindset straight to Washington. He’s got ideas for rethinking government structures, slashing budgets, and creating a “Department of Government Efficiency” (affectionately called DOGE, after the cryptocurrency??).?
Imagine federal departments with Silicon Valley’s tech-forward efficiency—or at least Musk’s version of it. It’s ambitious, it’s unconventional, and it’s sure to shake things up. Whether it’ll all work? That’s another story.
A Power Play on Social Media ???
With Musk’s social media reach, Trump has a new megaphone, and they’re not afraid to use it. Musk’s X account (formerly Twitter) is now amplifying Trump’s messages, influencing Senate races, and setting the agenda in real-time.?
Forget traditional press briefings; this duo is taking policy to the timeline, turning tweets into a political force. It’s chaotic, it’s digital diplomacy 2.0, and it’s absolutely Musk and Trump.
Conflicts? Who, Us? ??
Here’s the twist in this tale: Musk’s companies—Tesla, SpaceX, X, and others—stand to benefit from Trump’s pro-business, deregulation-friendly policies.?
Critics are already questioning if this “First Buddy” role blurs the lines between public service and self-interest. But Trump seems happy with the setup, and Musk isn’t one to shy away from pushing boundaries.
The Bottom Line: Tech Could Be A Big Big Winner ??
With Musk as Trump’s “First Buddy,” the White House and the U.S. tech landscape are in for a transformation.?
Love them or hate them, this duo is set to make waves, and by the time Trump and his entourage move on, the country might be looking at a very different Washington and a very different tech scene. ??
????♀??????????????????? Forbes - Women In Wealthtech: Female Leaders Reshaping Family Office Technology
In the traditionally male-dominated world of WealthTech and family office finance, a group of remarkable women are stepping up, breaking barriers, and changing the game. ??
These leaders are bringing innovation, purpose, and resilience to the industry, proving that diversity in leadership drives powerful change.?
Here’s a look at some of the trailblazers highlighted by Forbes who are redefining WealthTech.
?? Sallie Krawcheck – Ellevest?
As co-founder and CEO of Ellevest, Sallie Krawcheck is making waves with a focus on gender equality in finance, using tech to close gaps and drive impactful change.
?? Erin Hulse – Deviate Consulting?
Founder and CEO of Deviate Consulting, Erin Hulse is pioneering the way forward in WealthTech consulting, helping family offices navigate and adopt the right tech solutions for today’s challenges.
?? Simran Kang – MyFO?
CEO and founder of MyFO, Simran Kang is shaking up the family office platform space with her bold vision, backed by a recent seed funding win that has brought her cutting-edge ideas to life.
?? Eva Lundell – Swimbird?
Eva Lundell, Founder and CEO of Swimbird, is leading a data-centric approach to family office technology, making waves in Scandinavia with her platform’s recent funding boost.
?? Meghan Holmes – Advyzon?
As COO of Advyzon Investment Management, Meghan Holmes is at the forefront of integrating innovative solutions, making it easier for family offices to meet today’s complex demands.
?? Jill Creager – iPaladin?
Founder and CEO of iPaladin, Jill Creager is transforming the family office landscape with a focus on streamlined, secure digital solutions for wealth management.
?? Liz Fritz – F2 Strategy
Co-founder of F2 Strategy, Liz Fritz is bridging gaps in the industry, aligning WealthTech solutions with the strategic needs of family offices.
These women do more than break through glass ceilings—they’re building entire new floors in the WealthTech industry!?
With every move, they’re setting a higher standard, showing that innovation and inclusivity go hand-in-hand.?
Fuelling ambition for the next generation ??
From shaking up the traditional structures to injecting purpose and perspective into family office finance, these leaders prove that the whole industry benefits when women take the reins.
So here’s to the trendsetters reshaping WealthTech. May they keep leading with purpose, pushing boundaries, and inspiring the next generation of trailblazers. The future of family office finance is in good hands. ??
?? CNBC - Stripe, Wise founders want a ‘tech renaissance’ in Europe to help region rival Silicon Valley
Imagine Europe not just as the hub of culture and history but as the next giant tech titan. ??
That’s the vision behind EU Inc—a unified push from leaders like Stripe’s Patrick Collison and Wise’s Taavet Hinrikus to turn Europe into a global innovation powerhouse.?
This isn’t just another initiative; it’s a rallying cry to unite Europe’s tech scene and take on Silicon Valley and China.
Who Else is Behind the EU Inc Push???
A who’s who of Europe’s tech scene is leading the charge:
? Patrick Collison (CEO of Stripe)
? Taavet Hinrikus (Co-founder of Wise)
?? Leaders from Supercell, Wolt, Pigment, and top venture capital firms like Index Ventures and Sequoia
These founders have all signed an open letter calling for EU Inc, published on a newly launched website for the initiative.?
Their goal? Turn Europe’s unique diversity from a hurdle into an asset.
What’s EU Inc All About? ??
Imagine a single European entity that would make life easier for startups by: ??
EU Inc would function as a “28th regime” in the EU, giving startups an alternative to juggling multiple national regulations. Think of it as an easy button for scaling across Europe.
Why Now? Europe’s Race to Compete with the U.S. and China ??
The numbers tell the story: Europe’s startups raised $45 billion in venture funding last year. Sounds big until you compare it to the U.S. ($120 billion) or China ($48 billion). Europe has incredible talent, but as Andreas Klinger from Prototype Capital puts it, “momentum is everything in the startup world”—and anything that slows down growth could be a death sentence.
While Europe has been leading in the volume of new startups, regulatory fragmentation means these businesses often struggle to secure the same level of funding and growth as their U.S. counterparts.
What’s Next? Will EU Inc Get Off the Ground? ??
The tech leaders pushing EU Inc are hoping to bypass rewriting laws by creating a new, parallel entity. This “28th regime” would allow startups to operate across borders more smoothly, tackling the challenges of European fragmentation.
But this is no small feat. Past efforts to unify regulations haven’t always succeeded. Still, with powerful voices like former ECB President Mario Draghi calling for €800 billion in annual investment, there’s more momentum than ever for Europe to level up in the tech world.
Could EU Inc Spark a Global Tech Shift??
If EU Inc gets off the ground, Europe could finally have the unified tech framework it needs to compete with Silicon Valley and China. With backing from Stripe’s Patrick Collison and Wise’s Taavet Hinrikus, this “tech renaissance” is gaining steam, promising to streamline regulations and supercharge growth across the continent.
And with Elon Musk, Trump’s “First Buddy,” steering the good ship US Inc, the emergence of EU Inc could be well-timed and much-needed. As Europe pushes forward with its vision, this unified tech push might be just what’s needed to keep Europe competitive on the world stage. ??
We didn’t have to look too far for topics this week, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, female leaders reshaping family office technology and the launch of EU Inc - which of these insights caught your eye? Don't miss out on our Espresso Break! ?
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