Founded & Grounded

Nobody would give Hannah a room. So Hannah decided to control who gets one. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/founded. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. "I cold called all of the landlords I'd ever met at Bristol and got horribly rejected by most. Definitely cried a lot in the first few wee...

Surviving crisis - from a Beirut hostage ordeal to losing every client overnight. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/founded. Application times may vary. Rates may vary.  Dave Mason has survived two crises most people never face: being held hostage in Beirut and every client cancelling in a single aft...

They bought an office in lockdown when nobody else was buying. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/founded. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Two mates met on a rugby pitch, became accountant and client, then bought an office building in the middle of lockdown, when no one else was buying. In...

Is software dead, or just being rebuilt? Ollie spent two weeks obsessing over Claude Cowork and turned 100 episodes of Founded & Grounded into a content engine. Becky spoke alongside the legendary Steve Blank. We break down agentic AI, SaaS valuations, customer development, pricing as conversation, and why human connection is the moat that AI cannot copy. This will leave you wanting to experiment...

How do founders navigate a business landscape shaped by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity? In this live conversation, we speak with Matt Wilde from SWIG Finance about the funding gaps many businesses still face and what it really takes to grow in an unstable global environment. From working capital and supply chains to the role of trusted advisors and stronger ecosystem support, Ma...

7 billion views and counting: the growth secrets of Sidemen's creative mastermind, Jordan Schwarzenberger.  Managing one of the world’s biggest creator collectives is no small feat. We dive deep with the man behind Arcade Media and the Sidemen’s explosive rise, blending sharp self-awareness, cultural intuition, and a bold approach to building in public.  The creator economy is dead. Jordan reveals...

What separates a great podcast from the noise? We uncover the secrets of podcasting success with Gareth Evans , founder of 18Sixty, an agency that helps brands connect with their audience through high-quality audio storytelling. From working with Virgin/Absolute Radio and BBC Radio to launching his own agency, Gareth shares his journey through the evolution of podcasting, revealing what it takes t...

From $0 to $400 Million Valuation: The Incredible Journey of Tim Fung and Airtasker . From humble beginnings to a marketplace giant.  But Tim's journey is much more than just success. Through resilience, identifying mutual benefit, and embracing change, he has created a company that has changed the future of work. Tim delves into his upbringing, the inception of Airtasker, and the company's fundin...

What do Stephen Hawking, AR glasses, and open-source design have in common? Join us as we chat with Bobak Tavangar , co-founder of Brilliant Labs , about his remarkable journey and insights into innovation. From leadership lessons to fundraising advice, this episode is packed with valuable gems for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts. Bobak discusses his career, including a memorable encounter with...

From academia to entrepreneurship: The remarkable story of Nick Tune and the secrets to converting research into commercial success, with his spinout company Optimise AI.  Gain valuable insights on the mindset shifts necessary for transitioning from corporate to startup life, the importance of support networks, and how to embrace failures. Uncover the economic impact of Nick's spinout company Opti...

From performing magic for prime ministers and billionaires to gracing stages on shows like Britain's Got Talent. Alfie Whattam shares his unorthodox journey from entertainment to launching his own recruitment startup, Alfa Technology . Alfa builds software engineering teams for businesses operating in cutting-edge technologies like AI and Web3.    Uncover Alfie's game-changing insights on cultivat...

How this entrepreneur overcame ADHD and dyslexia and used these diagnoses as his superpower to build two businesses worth millions.  Hear the inspiring story of Roei Samuel , who discusses the importance of self-belief, transparency, and resilience in entrepreneurship. Roei got an exit with his first business, Real Sport, and has gone on to build the UK's fastest-growing startup community in Conne...

Meet the power couple who quit their jobs and made Dragons' Den history, by giving away 5% of their business for £5.  Introducing Charlene Mitchell-Hood and Simon Hood , the founders of Sooper Books . Hear their incredible journey, which started as a simple idea to aid their daughter’s bedtime routine, which quickly turned into the world's number one bedtime story streaming service and saw all fiv...

A teaser for Season 5. We deep dive into the minds of early-stage founders, who are only a couple of steps ahead. Our unique podcast format, blending interviews with analysis, brings you closer to the action. Our hosts, Dr Becky Sage and Ollie Tiramuragan Collard unpack the business lessons for you. Join us as we tackle taboo topics and feature a diverse range of guests, with over 1 in 3 being fem...

The untold story of how one woman's mental health crisis led her to create a revolutionary mindset company for women. Meet Kim Palmer founder of Clementine, a company on a mission to free women from unhelpful thoughts, feelings & expectations. Kim's very personal crisis led her to champion mental well-being and create a movement for women. Clementine is reimagining mental health and paving the way...

Get a rare insight into one entrepreneur's remarkable journey to a $1.5B market cap.  Discover John Williams 's insider strategies and personal challenges as he co-founded and scaled Kudan from startup through to IPO. John's next chapter is building SCVC , a deep tech VC he and partner Harry Destecroix wished they had as founders. This episode is a must-listen for every entrepreneur and tech enthu...

Meet Conal Cunningham , a music industry veteran turned pet food innovator, and discover his remarkable business journey of perseverance and innovation. We deep-dive into the origins of Mr Bug , a company redefining pet nutrition through sustainably bred insect protein.  This startup story has everything from kitchen experiments to funding struggles and scaling triumphs.  Whether you're a founder,...

Entrepreneurship is a lot like dancing; both require resilience, adaptability, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone. Find out how one startup, SOS Dance Global , is combining these elements to reach the top of the industry. This is a story of empowerment, resilience, and defying the odds. Bonnie Parsons , shares her remarkable journey from professional dancer to pioneering entrepreneu...

Experiencing the collapse of a startup can be devastating, yet for Vasily Alekseenko , it was the catalyst for change.  After witnessing the dark side of fundraising, Vasily took matters into his own hands. Rare Founders was born with a simple mission to connect founders and investors. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of networking, pitching, investment, and the magi...

The innovator turning forgotten spaces into thriving community hubs. Meet Felix Atkin , founder of tech startup Sharsey - the Airbnb for community spaces. What stemmed from a personal problem of trying to book a local venue for his kids' birthday party has blossomed into a business that has already generated over £1million in bookings. Felix delves deep into his journey, unveils the strategic step...

Meet Kaushal Shah , the impact entrepreneur behind envoPap , who is on a mission to help save the planet while making a profit. He turns agricultural waste into sustainable paper and packaging, and in this conversation, he shares his secrets to success in business and beyond. Key takeaways - Sustainable Innovation: Learn how Kaushal has built out an end-to-end sustainable business model focused on...

The former MD of Gary Vee's Vayner Media left everything behind to pursue his dream, and the results will leave you inspired.  Tune into a thought-provoking journey with Eric Fulwiler , the visionary co-founder behind the growth marketing consultancy Rival . What was the tipping point that compelled him to take the plunge? In reality, there wasn't one... Eric pulls back the glitzy entrepreneurial...

What comes to mind when you think of the future? Flying cars, human-like robots, time travel? But what about quantum computing? Prepare to have your mind blown. Join us for an exhilarating journey into the future with Phasecraft , a groundbreaking startup that is pushing the boundaries of algorithmic innovation in the quantum realm. Get an insider view from Ashley Montanaro - co-founder & CEO - as...

We are currently facing a public health crisis. In this episode, you'll hear the story of Andy Welsh , the ambitious founder of SRSLY Low Carb . After a wake-up call, he left the corporate world to enter the challenging world of health-focused entrepreneurship.  Picture this: You're trying to offer healthier food options in a market that is dominated by six conglomerates producing ultra-processed...

From advising UK Prime Ministers to spearheading green innovation. Mat Ilic takes us from the corridors of Whitehall to the frontlines of green innovation. Discover his journey from Belgrade to becoming a UK visionary. Mat spent his career advising the likes of Boris Johnson and Theresa May. Now, he’s on a mission with Greenworkx to foster environmental change and generate 10 million green jobs Ke...