Now We Build

What separates fintech ideas that become billion-dollar businesses from the ones that quietly disappear? In this special episode, Sam brings together two of the most experienced fintech builders in the UK to answer that exact question. Paul Staples built one of the internet's first B2B marketplaces in 1999, launched one of the world's earliest carbon credit platforms, and has spent the last decade...

What does it take to build great products across DTC subscriptions, quick commerce, and omnichannel retail - all while navigating corporate structures, IPOs and the unique demands of MENA markets? In this episode of Now We Build, Sam Marchant sits down with Valentin Klein, Head of Product for Customer Experience at Eyewa, to unpack his career journey from Berlin startups to HelloFresh's new ventur...

How do you scale a startup from zero to $80M ARR without a playbook? In this episode, Sam sits down with Stephane Boghossian, former growth lead at Lovable, to break down the exact strategies behind one of AI's fastest-growing products, and what he's building next in legal tech. Stephane shares what it was really like inside Lovable during hyper-growth: handling 1,000 support tickets per minute, w...

Most B2B SaaS founders set their pricing at Series A - and never revisit it. In this episode, Sam sits down with Roee Hartuv, Senior Pricing Advisor and Head of GTM Expertise at WillingnessToPay.com , to unpack why broken pricing is quietly leaking revenue across your entire funnel - and what to do about it. Roee shares how 20+ years in B2B SaaS revenue roles, advising over 100 companies, taught h...

Loneliness is one of the defining crises of our time and Maxime Barbier is building the infrastructure to fight it. In this episode, we sit down with the Co-Founder and CEO of Timeleft, the world's fastest-growing IRL-tech company, to explore how a simple dinner with strangers became a global movement. What you'll learn in this episode: Maxime walks us through his entrepreneurial journey – from fo...

In this episode, Meri shares his journey from VC to founder, the evolution of Lindus, and the transformative role of AI in clinical trials and drug development. Discover key patterns in team building, fundraising strategies, and the future of AI-powered healthcare innovations.  Meri Beckwith is Co-CEO at Lindus, an Accountable Research Organisation (ARO) designed to give biotech and pharma sp...

In this episode, Jamie Mitchell shares his entrepreneurial journey from corporate life at BT to founding LOW6, a pioneering sports engagement and gaming platform. Discover how strategic pivots, international expansion, and relentless determination fueled his success, along with practical lessons on scaling, product development, and navigating investor challenges. Sam and Jamie also discuss: Entrep...

In this episode, Francesco De Stefano shares his journey from consultancy to deep tech entrepreneurship, focusing on additive manufacturing, team building, product development, and international expansion. Gain insights into scaling hardware startups, navigating investor relations, and leveraging AI in manufacturing. Sam and Francesco also discuss: Journey from consultancy to entrepreneurship Team...

What does it actually take to build a financial business in a market most people overlook? In this special episode, we've brought together three of the most experienced builders in global fintech to answer exactly that. You'll hear from: Oliver Hughes, who scaled Visa in Russia, built Tinkoff into a $25 billion digital bank, and is now scaling TBC in Uzbekistan. Tommy Mermelshtayn, Chief Strategy...

In this episode, Jamie shares insights from being on the founding team of Moonpig, evolving marketing strategies, and adapting to digital transformation across industries.  Jamie Malcolm is Managing Director of Retail Trust, and has previously lead the marketing at Moonpig, Pizza Express, Nectar Loyalty (Sainsburys) and Samsung. He’s the founder of CAHOOT, Co-Founder of Shoots, and Partner at...

In this episode, Andrew shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding Idio to leading innovation at Paddle. He discusses pivots, fundraising, acquisition strategies, and the future of AI in SaaS, offering valuable insights for founders and marketers. Andrew is Chief Innovation Officer at Paddle, a Merchant of Record providing secure payment infrastructure for over 6,000 software companies aroun...

In this special episode, we bring together three of the sharpest product minds we've had on the show. Serial entrepreneur Heikki Haldre, former Intercom and Shopify product director Mark Ryan, and product leader Naomi Fitzpatrick, discuss with Sam: The importance of starting with the problem before building the product Staying close to your customers Never mistaking the technology for the point Wh...

Three of the best marketing minds we’ve had on the show, brought together in one special episode. Darren, Rory, and Steve on why story comes before spend, why constraints make you more creative, and why truly understanding your customer is the most underused growth lever in business. Darren Goode has led marketing at L’Oréal, Apple, and Paramount and was formerly CMO at Elvie and Zumper.  Ror...

Discover insights on building high-performance teams, navigating cultural differences, and leveraging AI for customer relationships. Jimmy Fitzgerald shares his extensive experience in scaling global tech companies, highlighting strategies for international expansion, customer success, and product innovation.  Jimmy is CEO at Paddle, a Merchant of Record providing secure payment infrastructur...

In this conversation, Mahmoud shares his journey from being a product manager at Careem to co-founding Speakol and launching Cartona. He discusses the lessons learned from his experiences, the importance of focus and empathy in product development, and the challenges of scaling startups in different markets. Mahmoud emphasizes the need for genuine relationships with suppliers and the significance...

In this conversation, Miha shares the journey of founding Bloq.it, a startup focused on smart lockers, detailing the challenges faced in the early stages, the importance of location, and the lessons learned from mistakes. He discusses the pivot from a direct-to-consumer model to a B2B approach, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the company scaled rapidly. Miha emphasizes the signifi...

In this conversation, Ahmad shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days in Canada with his first startup, Attendee, to his transition into product management at Canva. He discusses the integration of AI into Canva's product suite, particularly the development of Magic Write, and his recent role leading Canva's expansion in the Middle East. Ahmad emphasizes the importance of lo...

In this episode, Sam Marchant interviews Georg Rute, an entrepreneur who has transitioned from the Estonian startup ecosystem to launching GridRaven in the U.S. Georg shares his journey from his early days as a sea kayaking instructor to founding his first startup, Sympower, which focused on sustainable energy solutions. He discusses the cultural differences he experienced moving from Estonia to T...

In this conversation, Joe Wilson shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, discussing the lessons learned from founding multiple companies, transitioning to a corporate role at Microsoft, and ultimately joining Bunq. He emphasizes the importance of dreaming big, operational excellence, and the significance of hiring the right people. Joe's insights provide valuable guidance for aspiring entrepr...

In this conversation, Fabio Bin, co-founder of WeRoad, shares the journey of building a travel community focused on connecting solo travelers. He discusses the importance of targeting the right audience, validating the concept through social media, and the unique role of travel coordinators in enhancing the travel experience. As the business scaled, maintaining customer connection and adapting mar...

In this conversation, Paul White shares the journey of launching The Modern Milkman, a business that emerged from a desire to address environmental issues and support local farmers. He discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of operational efficiency, and the transition to full-time commitment. Paul emphasizes the significance of finding the right co-founder, th...

In this conversation, Sam speaks with Olly Markeson, a seasoned brand strategist with experience at Virgin and Fallon London. They discuss Olly’s journey in brand strategy, the importance of balancing brand personality with business propositions, and the significance of cultural relevance in branding. Olly shares insights on launching Skoda's first electric vehicle, the challenges of brand ownersh...

In this conversation, Sophie Halliot shares her journey from banking to leading marketing strategies in the fintech space. She discusses the challenges of marketing a personal finance tool, the importance of relatable content, and the evolution of marketing channels. Sophie emphasizes the significance of data-driven decisions in product development and the transition from B2C to B2B marketing with...

In this conversation, Xaver Lehmann shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his initial foray into the startup world with E-Bot 7, a customer service automation platform, to his experiences with team building, product-market fit, and navigating the challenges of early AI technology. He discusses the importance of hiring for attitude, the strategies used for customer acquisition, and the...

In this conversation, Leo shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from the ideation phase of his first startup, AcceloWeb, through its acquisition, to launching CloudEndure and now Verax AI. He discusses the importance of frugality, structure, and building a positive company culture. Leo emphasizes the significance of partnerships and navigating the complexities of enterprise sales, especiall...