EU-Startups Podcast | Episode 123: Carles Reina, investor and go-to-market strategist at ElevenLabs

Most AI startups don’t fail because of the technology — they fail because they don’t know how to bring their product to market. In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, we are joined by Carles Reina, the first investor and go-to-market strategist at ElevenLabs, where he shares what it really takes to scale an AI startup.

We dive deep into the key differences between AI and SaaS go-to-market strategies, how to validate product–market fit with enterprise contracts, when to hire GTM leaders (and who to avoid), why cultural intelligence and brand matter more than people think, and much more! This conversation is full of practical insights for founders and early-stage investors working at the intersection of AI, speed, and global ambition.

Video version of episode 123:

Audio version of episode 123:

Key Takeaways

• The first GTM move should focus on sustainable growth
• Execution speed is more important than ever
• PMF in AI is often validated through enterprise contracts
• Global scaling demands deep cultural empathy
• Hiring for energy and adaptability beats experience alone
• GTM isn’t sales — it’s narrative, community, and trust
• Brand is not fluff — it’s a growth engine
• Community drives traction before PR ever hits

The post EU-Startups Podcast | Episode 123: Carles Reina, investor and go-to-market strategist at ElevenLabs appeared first on EU-Startups.