LAUNCHING THE GSA STARS PODCAST: A NEW CHAPTER
CEO and Co-founder of the GSA, Kim Balle, in conversation with Jeppe Rindom (Pleo)
Spotlighting the Voices Shaping the Future of Entrepreneurship
This Wednesday marked a major milestone for the Global Startup Awards as we officially launched Down the Rabbit Hole - our brand-new podcast segment dedicated to giving bold voices from across the startup world the spotlight they deserve.
Designed as a platform for deep, unfiltered conversations with innovators from the GSA Network, the podcast explores the challenges, decisions, and mindset shifts that define the entrepreneurial journey.
“Too often, we only see the headlines, the funding rounds, the exits, the success. But behind every one of those stories is a human being who made real sacrifices, took personal risks, and kept showing up even when no one was watching. This podcast is our way of creating space for those stories. The honest, unfiltered moments that make the journey real. Because that’s what builds a community. It’s not just about celebrating the wins, but understanding the weight behind them. That’s exactly what we want to achieve with Down the Rabbit Hole. We want to create a space to go deeper, beyond the surface, and connect through the shared values of building something that matters.”
- KIM BALLE, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, GSA
A Launch Event to Remember
To celebrate the beginning of this new format, we hosted three live podcast recordings on stage. It was an honour to be joined by some of the most influential figures in the Nordic startup ecosystem:
Jeppe Rindom, CEO and Co-founder of Pleo
Peter Torstensen, CEO of Accelerace
Stine Mølgaard Sørensen, Partner at Alliance VC
Each guest brought a unique perspective, real and raw reflections, and the kind of energy that only happens when experienced minds come together for meaningful dialogue. The sessions ranged from tactical insights to personal reflections on leadership, scale, and navigating uncertainty.
Stine Mølgaard Sørensen, Alliance VC
Peter Torstensen, Accelerace
Jeppe Rindom, Pleo
Community at the Core
The day culminated in a special live recording with an audience of over 100 guests from the Danish startup scene. Founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers came together to listen and connect.
This intimate gathering created exactly the kind of real-world exchange and shared momentum Down the Rabbit Hole was created to foster: a community brought together through conversation, curiosity, and a shared belief in the power of innovation.
Thank You to Our Partners
One of the evening’s standout moments was the panel discussion, which explored how uncertainty is shaping both investment strategies and entrepreneurial decision-making. Thoughtfully curated by our partners, Ricky Thomsen and Amalie Vilhelmine Gullits Ernst from TechSavvy Media, the session brought timely relevance and real-world nuance to the stage.
We’re incredibly grateful to the TechSavvy team for their collaboration and for bringing such clarity and insight to a complex topic.
A sincere thank you as well to our panelists, Rune Boye of Moxso and Peter Torstensen of Accelerace, whose sharp perspectives added depth, honesty, and true value to the conversation.
A special thank you also goes to Schillerhuset for hosting us in such a warm and inspiring space. The atmosphere played a big role in shaping the energy of the evening and making everyone feel part of something special.
From left to right; Peter Torstensen (Accelerace), Rune Boye (Moxso), Ricky Thomsen (TechSavvy)
Behind the Scenes Brilliance
No production of this scale would be possible without the magic happening behind the cameras.
A huge thank you to the brilliant minds at DROBE: Director Jonas Sølberg, Head of Content Markus Jul, and Mathias Tegtmeier, for your creative direction, technical excellence, and ability to turn vision into impeccable storytelling.
Welcoming Words by Director, Jonas Sølberg (DROBE)
Markus Jul (DROBE) prepping Peter Torstensen (Accelerace) for the recording
LOOKING AHEAD
There’s so much more to come from Down the Rabbit Hole. This launch was just the beginning of a series that will continue to explore the raw, real, and often overlooked sides of the entrepreneurial journey. We’re headed towards deeper conversations, stronger connections, and a growing archive of founder stories that reflect not only success, but the grit, vulnerability, and humanity behind it.
We can’t wait to share more. Until then, thank you for being part of the beginning.