Founder Mindset Secrets from a $75M IPO Survivor

Jan de Vries · 2026-09-17

When the market turns ugly and funding dries up, what separates founders who survive from those who fold? Marco Marlia has some answers. The co-founder and President of MotorK is bringing his hard-won perspective to the EU-Startups Summit 2027, happening May 13-14 in Malta. His keynote? "Weathering the Storm: The right founder mindset and actions for difficult times." That title isn't just marketing. Marco has lived through the chaos of building, scaling, and taking a company public. He knows what it feels like when the ground shifts beneath you. ### From Bocconi to Building MotorK Marco's path started at Università Bocconi, where he studied Economics, Institutions and Financial Markets. But the classroom wasn't enough. Before MotorK, he co-founded several tech and digital-services businesses, cutting his teeth in web development, digital marketing, and lead generation. Then came 2010. Marco co-founded MotorK, which grew into a major European SaaS provider for the automotive retail industry. The company hit a massive milestone in 2021 when it listed on Euronext Amsterdam. The IPO raised €75 million (about $81 million USD) and implied a market cap of €261 million (roughly $282 million USD). An additional €2.5 million (around $2.7 million USD) in post-IPO equity followed in April. Today, MotorK employs over 300 people across 8 countries, serving more than 6,000 dealer groups. Not bad for a company that started with a simple idea. ### What He'll Share on Stage Marco's keynote will dig into the messy reality of leading through tough times. He's not interested in platitudes. Drawing from MotorK's journey through growth stages, international expansion, fundraising, and public markets, he'll explore: - How to make difficult decisions when every option feels wrong - Maintaining the right mindset when conditions are far from ideal - Practical actions that keep momentum alive during downturns If you've ever wondered how founders keep going when the pressure mounts, this session is for you. ### A Summit Built for Connection The EU-Startups Summit 2027 expects around 2,500 founders, investors, and ecosystem players. Over two packed days, attendees will hear from some of Europe's most successful entrepreneurs, join workshops, and explore a buzzing exhibition hall. As Marco puts it, the goal is to help founders "keep moving forward when conditions are far from ideal." That's a lesson worth hearing, no matter where you are in your journey. > "The right founder mindset isn't about optimism. It's about clarity when everything around you is noise." — Marco Marlia ### Beyond the Boardroom Marco isn't just an operator. He's also an author, sharing frameworks from his experience in the digital automotive sector. His books include *The DealerK Method* and *The MotorK Strategy: How to Build an AI-First Automotive Retailer*. So if you're heading to Malta, carve out time for Marco's keynote. It might just change how you approach your next crisis. And let's be honest: every founder faces one eventually. Ready to join? Secure your ticket to the EU-Startups Summit 2027 and be part of the conversation.