Newcastle University Careers Service

Enterprising Futures Podcast: Start-up stories

Business EN ↓ 6 episodes

This podcast exists to find potential, inspire ambition and support young people to success. Through honest conversations with CEOs, founders and members of the Newcastle University start-up community, each episode shares real journeys and advice for life beyond education. Hosted by a student from Newcastle University, the podcast creates space for open, relatable conversations that connect young people directly with those shaping their industries.

Author

Newcastle University Careers Service

Episodes

The Truth About Starting a Business at University 13.04.2026 23:56

In this episode, Eric Tchalikian sits down with Johnny Coates, founder of Listy, a software platform designed to simplify the home-selling process by removing the need for estate agents. Johnny shares how he launched the business during his summer break, teaching himself to code through YouTube and turning an idea he had on holiday into a real product. Despite losing momentum as he prepared for u...

Why Leaving a Secure Job to Bet on Yourself is a Risk Worth Taking 06.04.2026 32:46

In this episode, host Eric Tchalikian sits down with Catherine Devaney, founder of Curious Health, to discuss her journey from a successful career in employment to launching her own health communications agency. With a background in psychology, sociology, and PR, Catherine found her path through working in health charities and developed a passion for improving how people understand health conditi...

How to Go from Athlete to Entrepreneur 30.03.2026 28:27

In this episode, Eric Tchalikian sits with Daniel Delsol-Lowry, a professional basketball player and founder of Dlowcamp, to explore his journey from South Jamaica, Queens to building a business in the UK. After a career-threatening knee injury in college, Daniel turned adversity into opportunity by creating a basketball development platform rooted in discipline, community, and high-level traini...

How to Build a Business Without Quitting Your 9-5 23.03.2026 32:02

In this episode, Eric Tchalikian speaks with Michael Durante, founder of theInterna, a platform connecting UK students with start-up opportunities across Europe. After completing internships in Paris, Rome and London during his year abroad at Durham University, Michael turned his struggle to access international experience into a business. He built theInterna alongside roles at London Stock Excha...

This 19-year-old became a CEO whilst doing her A levels. 16.03.2026 31:42

In this episode, host Eric Tchalikian speaks with engineering student and founder Henrietta Newble about building AnfiTest, a veterinary diagnostics company. From working in university labs and securing grant funding to preparing for her first pre seed round, Henrietta shares what it really takes to turn an idea into a start-up. From attending Cambridge lectures at 13 to sacrificing her summers t...

Lessons a $120M Founder Learned the Hard Way 16.03.2026 28:33

In this episode, Eric Tchalikian speaks with entrepreneur and investor Rob Wood about his journey from selling shoes in Gateshead to building and exiting a £120 million company. He shares the key lessons from founding STEM Healthcare, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and breaks down his Five Drivers of Start-up Success, offering practical insight into the habits behin...