Fireside with Founders & Leaders

Summary: In this podcast episode, Dawn Bebe shares her journey from a successful media career to founding Crowdfunder, a platform that has revolutionized the way entrepreneurs raise funds. She discusses the evolution of media, the impact of the pandemic on crowdfunding, and the importance of community support. Dawn highlights the unique advantages of crowdfunding, especially for women and diverse...

Summary In this podcast episode, Matthew Collings, head of product at Krotos, shares his unique journey into product management from a background in sound and music. He discusses the evolution of Krotos as an audio technology company, its mission to innovate sound design, and the importance of user experience. Matt also explores the role of AI in sound design, the dynamics of remote work, and offe...

Summary: In this conversation, Rupert discusses the intricacies of influencer marketing with Georgia, the founder of Digital Voices. They explore the evolution of influencer marketing, the importance of data-driven strategies, and the role of empathy in leadership. Georgia shares her journey from traditional advertising to leading an independent agency, emphasizing the need for authenticity in inf...

Summary: In this podcast episode, Rupert hosts Ioannis Brilakis and Kyriakos Kantarakias, discussing their startup Didimi, which aims to solve interoperability issues in the construction industry. They share their backgrounds, the inspiration behind Didimi, and the challenges they faced in building a collaborative platform for engineers. The conversation covers their growth journey, funding strate...

Summary: In this episode, Harriet Bridgeman CBE shares her journey in the art publishing industry, detailing the evolution of Bridgeman Images since its inception in 1972. She discusses the impact of the digital revolution on image licensing and copyright challenges, the importance of building a strong team, and how AI is reshaping the art industry. Harriet emphasizes the significance of passion i...

Summary: In this engaging conversation, Jeremy Basset shares his journey from a dairy farm in Australia to becoming the founder of Super Benji, a sales automation platform. He discusses his extensive experience at Unilever, the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship, and the innovative solutions his company has developed to enhance sales processes through automation and personalization. J...

Summary: In this conversation, Matt shares his journey from a tech industry veteran to the founder of Arwen AI, an AI-driven platform aimed at moderating social media content to create a safer online environment. He discusses the challenges of toxicity on social media, the balance between freedom of speech and online safety, and the importance of educating the next generation about media literacy....

Summary: Zvezdin shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early curiosity in technology to founding Outdid.io, a company focused on combating online fraud through innovative cryptographic solutions. He discusses the challenges of securing funding, the pivotal moments that shaped his business, and the importance of mindset in investor relations. Zvezdin emphasizes the need for a new approach to...

Summary: In this episode, Tim shares his unique career journey from a localised Coast Guard to becoming the CEO of Spark Commodities, a company focused on transparency in the energy market. He discusses the importance of problem-solving, the value of being a generalist in leadership, and the significance of building a strong team culture. Tim emphasizes the need for transparency in the energy sect...

Summary: In this podcast episode, Rupert interviews Oliver King-Smith, the founder of SmartR AI, discussing his journey from consultancy to creating a product-driven business. They explore the capabilities of SCOTi an AI tool designed to simplify data management, and how AI can enhance operational efficiency and create new job opportunities. Oliver emphasizes the importance of understanding busine...

Summary: Matias Szarfer, co-founder and CTO of Trialing, shares his journey from a creative child in Barcelona to a tech entrepreneur in the healthcare sector. He discusses the origins of Trialing, a platform designed to connect patients with clinical trials. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating regulations in healthcare, the collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, and th...

Summary: In this episode, Rupert interviews Hero Brown, the founder of Muddy Stilettos, a local lifestyle platform that connects communities with the best local experiences. Hero shares her journey from journalism to creating a successful brand that emphasizes community engagement and authenticity. The conversation explores the challenges of growing a business, the impact of COVID-19, the role of...

Summary: Matt Loveday shares his journey from a technical project manager to Chief Product Officer at Zinc Systems. He discusses the company's transition from a digital agency to a product-focused organisation, the challenges faced during this shift, and the importance of leveraging data for risk management. Matt emphasizes the significance of client communication, agile practices, and continuous...

Summary: In this insightful conversation, Carlos discusses his journey in the AI field, starting from his academic background to the founding of Malted AI. He shares experiences from the Alexa Challenge, the importance of data in AI, the risks and ethical considerations surrounding AI technologies, and the disruption AI is causing across various industries. Carlos also elaborates on building and s...

Summary: In this conversation, Marcus Seoighe shares his journey from working at Shopify to becoming the CEO of Clean Canvas, a company specializing in Shopify themes. He discusses the evolution of Clean Canvas from a multi-service agency to a niche specialist, emphasizing the importance of focusing on a specific area to achieve success. The discussion also touches on the significance of market tr...

Summary: In this episode, George Frodsham, founder and CEO of MediSieve, shares his journey in creating a deep tech company focused on innovative blood filtration technology. He discusses the personal experiences that inspired him, the complexities of developing new medical technologies, the challenges of securing funding, and the importance of building a dedicated team. George also emphasizes the...

Summary: In this conversation, Jules discusses the evolution of workspaces during COVID and the strategies for building a tech-focused team at Tally Workspace. The discussion also covers the future of hybrid work models, the importance of sustainability in workspace solutions, and the anticipated growth of co-working spaces. Jules emphasizes the need for flexibility in work arrangements and the in...

Summary: Greg discusses his journey from sales engineering to product management at Sprout AI, highlighting the importance of understanding customer needs while balancing innovation. He shares insights from his experience in a rapidly growing startup and the challenges faced in the insurance industry, particularly in implementing AI solutions. He also touches on cultural differences in business op...

Summary: Chris Jefferson, CTO and co-founder of Advai, discusses the founding of his company, which focuses on validating AI systems. He shares insights on the importance of having trustworthy co-founders, the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic, and the significance of understanding AI's limitations. Chris emphasizes the need for organizations to validate their AI systems, espe...

Summary: In this episode, Paul Lehair, a partner at AlbionVC, shares insights into his journey from tech and finance to venture capital. He discusses the unique structure of Albion's evergreen fund, the current market trends in early-stage investments, and strategies for startups looking to expand globally. Paul also provides valuable advice for founders aiming to transition from seed funding to S...

Summary: In this conversation, Richard Rutter, co-founder of Clearleft, discusses the evolution of UX design, the importance of typography, and how design can influence business strategy. He emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of user experience and the role of research in effective design. Richard also shares insights on building a successful design consultancy and integrating design thi...

Summary: Kristin Dorsett, Chief Product Officer at Viator, shares her journey from managing call center agents to leading product and engineering teams. She discusses Viator's growth post-COVID, the challenges and benefits of remote work, and the importance of building a diverse and dispersed team. Kristin emphasizes the need for a customer-centric approach in product development and the significa...

Summary: Tom shares his journey from a corporate recruitment background to launching his tech startup, Koios. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from large organisations to a startup environment, the intricacies of global recruitment, and the innovative use of psychometrics in understanding human behavior. Tom emphasizes the importance of building a lean team, navigatin...

Summary: Alan shares his journey from starting in IT to becoming the CTO of LeftBrain, a workplace technology consultancy. He discusses the importance of empathy in technology, the evolving role of AI in business, and how LeftBrain aims to be a strategic partner for its clients. Alan also opens up about his experiences with imposter syndrome and the culture at LeftBrain that fosters growth and ada...

Summary: Dan Roberts, founder of Nayms, shares his unique journey from starting consumer goods businesses to creating a blockchain-based insurance platform. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in transitioning industries, the importance of building a strong team culture in a remote work environment, and the evolving landscape of fundraising. Dan also highlights the future of blockchain t...