Building a Lasting Company Culture: Insights from Slush 2024

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Roxanne Varza of STATION F and Eva Lægdsgaard of Podimo Share Lessons on Creating Thriving Work Environments

At Slush 2024, the spotlight turned to an often-overlooked factor behind startup success: company culture. Roxanne Varza, Director of STATION F, the world’s largest startup campus, and Eva Lægdsgaard, Co-founder and Chief People and Culture Officer at Podimo, took the stage to discuss the importance of building a lasting, positive company culture.

In an engaging conversation, they shared stories, strategies, and lessons learned from their journeys, emphasising the role of culture in scaling startups and sustaining employee engagement. From navigating hyper-growth to fostering inclusivity, here are the highlights from this inspiring fireside chat.

Roxanne Varza, Director of STATION F, and Eva Lægdsgaard, Co-founder and Chief People and Culture Officer at Podimo(C) Petri Anttila
Roxanne Varza, Director of STATION F, and Eva Lægdsgaard, Co-founder and Chief People and Culture Officer at Podimo(C) Petri Anttila

Culture from Day One: The Foundation for Success

Eva’s Vision for Podimo

Eva opened the conversation by reflecting on Podimo’s founding pillars, one of which was creating an exceptional company culture. “We wanted people with fire in their eyes—those who joined not just for a CV boost but to build something extraordinary,” she explained.

From the beginning, Podimo’s co-founders committed to cultivating a culture free of internal politics and bureaucracy. They aimed to foster collaboration and shared accountability, embedding these principles into hiring and decision-making processes.

Navigating Hyper-Growth

However, Eva acknowledged that rapid scaling can dilute even the strongest cultures. “As we doubled our team year over year, I noticed the culture we worked so hard to build was starting to weaken,” she shared. Recognising the need for dedicated leadership, Eva stepped into the role of Chief People and Culture Officer, ensuring culture remained a strategic priority at Podimo.


Lessons from STATION F: Hiring and Co-Founder Dynamics

Founders: Lay the Groundwork Early

Roxanne emphasised that culture begins with the founding team. “Many early-stage teams rush into partnerships without truly understanding each other’s vision or work style,” she said. She urged founders to take their time, conduct trial periods, and document shared values to avoid conflicts later.

Hiring the Right People

Roxanne highlighted the critical role of hiring in shaping culture. “Take your time to onboard the right people,” she advised. “Let go quickly if someone isn’t a fit—it’s better for the team and the company.” STATION F’s proximity to early-stage startups has shown her that thoughtful hiring and onboarding can set the tone for long-term success.


Scaling Culture Across Borders

Co-Creating Values

Eva shared her approach to articulating Podimo’s values through a collaborative process. “We co-created our values with the team, not to hang them on a wall but to establish a common language,” she explained. This process involved workshops across Podimo’s global offices, ensuring cultural relevance in every market.

Adapting Without Losing Identity

Podimo’s culture has remained intact even as the company navigates new markets, acquisitions, and pivots. “We haven’t changed our core values, but we’ve adapted behaviours to match our team’s needs,” Eva said. This flexibility has been key to maintaining alignment while growing globally.


Spotting and Sustaining a Strong Culture

Signs of a Great Culture

When asked how to identify strong cultures, Roxanne pointed to three key indicators:

  1. Work Ethic: Teams that take pride in their work.
  2. Ownership: Employees who rise to challenges and take responsibility.
  3. Well-Being: A balance of high performance and employee satisfaction.

“A great culture is one you can feel—it’s palpable when you walk into a room,” Eva added.


Innovation in HR Practices

Tools for Modern Workplaces

Roxanne highlighted emerging innovations in HR tech, including AI-driven candidate screening tools and platforms designed for remote team engagement. Companies like Figures HR and Blueco are leading the charge, helping startups manage pay transparency, candidate outreach, and employee well-being.

Intro Days: A Culture Injection

Eva also stressed the importance of onboarding new hires through immersive intro days. “It’s a culture injection,” she explained. “New employees experience the vibe and take it back to their local offices, strengthening our shared identity.”


Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode

The discussion touched on the concept of “founder mode,” popularised by Airbnb’s Brian Chesky. Roxanne explained, “As companies scale, leaders often shift to manager mode, losing touch with the day-to-day operations. Founder mode is about staying engaged at all levels, ensuring relevance and agility.”

Eva echoed this sentiment, noting that Podimo’s CEO embodies this hands-on approach. “It’s about being in the details and staying connected to the team,” she said.


Final Takeaways: Building Cultures That Last

  1. Prioritise Culture Early: Be intentional about your culture from day one.
  2. Hire for Fit Over CV: Skills can be taught, but a cultural mismatch can derail progress.
  3. Collaborate on Values: Create values together with your team to ensure they feel authentic.
  4. Embrace Agility: Avoid over-processing and keep decision-making nimble.
  5. Stay Close to the Ground: Maintain founder-level engagement, even as you scale.

As Eva and Roxanne wrapped up their discussion, they reflected on the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. “Culture isn’t static,” Eva noted. “It evolves with your team, and that’s what makes it exciting.”


Closing Thoughts

This fireside chat underscored that company culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a foundational element of long-term success. Whether you’re a founder building a team from scratch or a leader scaling across borders, the insights shared by Eva Lægdsgaard and Roxanne Varza offer a roadmap for creating workplaces where employees thrive.