Campus To Capital · 2026-06-10 · 46 min
What does it take to outpace a wave of well-funded competitors and build one of the fastest-growing AI startups? In Episode 28, we sit down with Dennis May, former Associate at Lakestar and now Chief of Staff at Peec AI, one of Germany’s fastest-growing AI startups. Dennis shares why he left venture capital to join the operator side, what convinced him to bet on Peec, and what the Chief of Staff role looks like inside a company scaling at exceptional speed. We discuss Peec’s journey from zero to €10 million ARR, its expansion into New York, and how the company is helping brands understand and improve their visibility across AI search engines. We also explore the shift from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimization, the defensibility of AI application-layer companies, AI-native workflows, hiring at hypergrowth startups, and the reality behind Peec’s high-intensity culture. Dennis also reflects on what he learned moving from investor to operator and shares his advice for founders trying to build something truly ambitious. Many thanks to Dennis for joining us.
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#24 Yerrie Kim - Executive Director of CSE on Research, Entrepreneurship and Long-Term Impact