Tim Rowe (he/him)

Poland is becoming one of Europe’s most interesting startup ecosystems. For this episode of Where Innovation Happens, I spoke at CIC Warsaw with Bartosz “Bartek” Lipnicki, Managing Director of Endeavor Poland, about founders, scaling, and why world-class companies are increasingly coming out of Poland. Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=Xem46i… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1Yv1vF… Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-… We talked about ElevenLabs, the Polish-founded AI voice company that recently reached decacorn status, as well as ICEYE, Docplanner, Booksy, CampusAI, and the broader momentum building in Warsaw and beyond. Bartek also explains Endeavor’s global model: a founder-to-founder network helping high-impact entrepreneurs scale internationally, access the right people and capital, and then give back to the next generation. A key theme: the "multiplier effect": when successful entrepreneurs mentor, invest in, and inspire other founders, entire ecosystems start to believe bigger things are possible. That idea is very close to the work we have tried to do through CIC and Venture Café: helping build the places, networks, and communities where innovation happens. This conversation is about Poland, Endeavor, and how world-changing companies can emerge far beyond the usual startup capitals. #WhereInnovationHappens #Poland #Warsaw #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #ElevenLabs #Endeavor

I sat down in Dublin with Patrick Walsh, founder and head of Dogpatch Labs, to talk about Dublin’s startup ecosystem. Dublin has long been a major EU base for global big tech. Now, after decades of maturing its tech workforce, many of those people are building startups. Dogpatch is right at the center of that story. A great conversation on hubs, talent, and how cities become places where innovation happens. Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=7RZ9TR… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4Qd5bp… Apple podcasts should sync in the next 24 hours.

My wedding ring. Getting it re-sized more than two sizes down! Thanks to Eli Lilly.

What makes an innovation hub truly great? In the new “manifesto episode” of Where Innovation Happens, I propose the idea of an innovation mecca: A place that becomes the place for elite talent in a field. A place of pilgrimage. The “Hollywood” of its industry. Can we build these deliberately? I think we can. YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=9zqMML… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7ESqW8…

The current crisis has drawn the world’s attention, but it would be a mistake to see the whole region through that lens alone. Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have been building serious innovation economies for years. I discussed that recently at Web Summit Qatar: youtu.be/X5Ntl6p6xPs

I've just pushed my third podcast episode: a conversation with two of the world's most vibrant innovation driving organizations: France's Station F and UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). Enjoy! youtu.be/K6ePoaI9g4U

The Japan Times -- main English-language newspaper in Japan -- just published their interview with me on what Japan needs to do to go to the next level in entrepreneurship: japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/…

I've just released my second podcast episode, speaking with the CEO of the world's largest innovation space, T-Hub (located in Hyderabad, India). youtu.be/a-sZEUfzHH0

After 27 years building spaces and places for innovators, I’ve decided it’s time to share more of what I’ve learned — and to have conversations with others doing this work around the world. Today I’m launching my new YouTube channel, Where Innovation Happens. The first episode is now live: youtube.com/watch?v=aTFasJ…

Here is a fairly hilarious AI-based attempt at an English translation of the video (lnkd.in/gvtmbzvp).

I gave my usual advice that Japanese startups should globalize their teams from the get-go, to give them better access to global markets. And that Japan needs to improve its English language education in schools.

CNBC/Nikkei just released a 20 minute interview with me about innovation in Japan. lnkd.in/g9tePedS. (in Japanese)

I travel a lot, so I set out to find an AI personal trainer that could always be there. I figured "this is a perfect use of AI"! ChatGPT told me that Ray (rayfit.com) is the best. And I'm loving it. Nearly every feature I thought I wanted is already live.

Yes, I know I will have to take these for the rest of my life to keep the beneficial effects, just like statins. I'm good with that.

I know they are working on cheaper pill versions. I suspect it would save governments a lot of money in later treatment if they could find a way to make these free for everyone.

My wife just posted this comparison of what I looked like before and after trying weight-loss drugs (Zepbound, aka GLP-1s). I've got to say, I've had an amazing experience. Went from about 215 lbs down to 176lbs. I sleep better and have more energy.