Now We Build

In this conversation, Oliver Hughes shares his remarkable journey from scaling Visa's operations in Russia to leading Tinkoff Bank and now TBC Bank in Georgia. He discusses the challenges of building a digital bank, the importance of fundraising, and the strategic decisions that have shaped his career. Oliver emphasizes the significance of company culture, the role of technology in banking, and th...

In this conversation, Darren Goode shares his extensive experience in marketing, particularly at L'Oreal and in startups like Elvie and Zumper. He discusses the importance of innovation, understanding consumer needs, and building trust in marketplace businesses. The conversation highlights the transition from corporate marketing strategies to more agile and empathetic approaches in startups, espec...

In this conversation, Rory shares his journey through the marketing landscape, focusing on his experiences with disruptive brands like Gymbox and Gymnation. He discusses the importance of community engagement, the art of creating memorable campaigns, and the challenges of measuring success beyond financial metrics. Rory emphasises the need for creativity, especially when working with tight budgets...

In this conversation, Alex Dirdin shares his journey from launching the e-commerce vertical at GeoPost to his role at AmmanPost. He discusses the challenges of navigating corporate politics, the importance of stakeholder management, and the differences between startup and corporate environments. Alex emphasizes the need for alignment among stakeholders, the significance of a unifying purpose, and...

In this conversation, Yuri Misnik shares his extensive career journey from Microsoft to AWS and then to HSBC, discussing the evolution of technology, project management best practices, and the cultural differences between major tech companies. He emphasizes the importance of communication, leadership, and customer obsession in driving successful technology initiatives. Keywords Yuri Misnik, Micros...

In this conversation, Santi Rasanayagam shares his journey from CFO to CEO of the Sahara Group, discussing the challenges and insights gained along the way. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to change, understanding client needs, and the strategic role of acquisitions in business growth. Santi reflects on the differences between his roles as CFO and CEO, highlighting the importance of minds...

In this conversation, Jing Ouyang shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his first business, Podlearn, which aimed to democratize medical education. He discusses the challenges faced in transitioning to a social enterprise with Healthy Future and the lessons learned from both ventures. The discussion then shifts to the founding of Patchwork, inspired by the inefficiencies in healthcare...

In this conversation, Eli shares his unique journey from a high school tragedy that sparked his entrepreneurial spirit to his experiences in the music industry and the Web3 space. He discusses the transition from being a founder to a chief of staff, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. Eli reflects on the skills gained from working in the C-suite and the challenges o...

In this conversation, Denis Konoplev shares his experiences navigating different startup ecosystems, particularly contrasting the UK, UAE, and US markets. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in each region, emphasizing the importance of customer validation and the need for startups to adapt to local market dynamics. Denis also highlights his journey with Moonin, the significance o...

In this conversation, Nelio shares his journey from corporate life at L'Oreal to the startup ecosystem with Careem. He discusses the insights gained from understanding consumer behavior in emerging markets, the challenges of building a brand in a new market, and the innovative strategies that led to Careem's growth. Nelio emphasizes the importance of a culture that allows for experimentation and l...

In this conversation, Tara Sakhuja shares her insights on the differences in business culture between the US and UK, the transition from corporate roles at Facebook and Bumble to founding her own startup, Data Dumpling. She discusses the importance of customer feedback in product development, the often underestimated role of sales in a startup, and how to evolve product strategy in a rapidly chang...

In this conversation, Sam Marchant interviews Steve, a prominent figure in e-commerce and marketing, discussing his journey from EE to GiffGaff. Steve shares insights on online transformation, customer acquisition strategies, and the importance of behavioral marketing. He emphasizes the significance of creating a strong customer relationship and the innovative approaches taken at GiffGaff to enhan...

In this conversation, Dhruv Ghulati shares his unique journey from finance to the tech startup world, detailing his experiences at various companies, including Import IO and Weave AI. He discusses the cultural shift he experienced, the importance of data in startups, and how his background in finance shaped his understanding of technology. Dhruv reflects on the evolution of AI and the necessity fo...

In this conversation, Sammy Ennebt shares his experiences building in the Australian banking ecosystem before 2008, the rise of digital banking, and his journey with Revolut and WIO in the GCC. He discusses the transformation of the banking sector, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the regulatory landscape that supports innovation. Sammy also highlights the exciting opportunities...

In this conversation, Hubert Behaghel shares his journey from a young coder to a prominent tech leader, discussing his experiences at Sky, Marks and Spencer, and Typeform. He emphasizes the importance of innovation in corporate environments, the often-overlooked value of internal tech optimization, and the challenges of leadership in tech. Hubert also reflects on his transition to a startup enviro...

In this conversation, Ziyaad Ahmed shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the founding of Spotii, a FinTech company in the UAE, and the challenges faced in building a startup in a developing ecosystem. He discusses the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior, the fundraising landscape in the UAE, and the unique dynamics of being co-founders with his sister. Ziyaad also reflects on the acqui...

In this conversation, Sam Marchant interviews Paul, exploring his journey from launching his first business in the oil and gas sector in 1999 to creating one of the world's first carbon credit platforms. They discuss the challenges of navigating industry skepticism, the investment landscape during the dot-com boom, and how Paul maintained his entrepreneurial spirit while working in large corporate...

Andy and Sam discuss the founding journey of Andy's meat alternative brand and the flash of insight that led to its creation. They explore the process of developing the product and the challenges of finding a manufacturer. Andy shares his controversial views on consumer testing and the importance of familiarity in product development. They also discuss the branding strategy and the educational asp...

In this conversation, Sam Marchant and Naomi Fitzpatrick delve into the intricacies of product management, particularly focusing on the integration of AI in product development. Naomi shares her experiences at Intercom and Typeform, discussing the evolution of AI, the importance of customer-centric solutions, and the challenges of product retention. They explore the significance of collaboration w...

In this conversation, Adam Spector shares his extensive experience as a four-time founder and angel investor, discussing the evolution of AI and machine learning, the challenges of building startups, and the importance of focus and delegation. He emphasizes the need for founders to measure the value they provide, control their narrative, and recognize when to pivot or move on. Adam also highlights...

In this conversation, Chris Wickson shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with the launch of his first business, RMP, during university. He discusses the challenges and successes of scaling the business, the transition to a new venture, Akkroo, and the lessons learned along the way. Chris emphasizes the importance of focus, iteration, and leveraging experience as a repeat founder. He also i...

Mike Soutar discusses the challenges of building a founding team and the importance of complementary skills. He shares his experience as the CEO of the Evening Standard, a business that was losing 30 million pounds a year, and explains why he took on the challenge. Soutar emphasizes the need for clear strategy and purpose when leading a company through change. He also discusses the ability of larg...

Mark, the former head of growth at Eventbrite, shares insights on his experience and strategies for driving growth. He emphasizes the importance of building a great product as the ultimate moat and believes that distribution alone is not enough. Mark highlights the need for resonant content that is relevant, valuable, timely, consistent, and actionable. He advises founders to have a point of view,...

Mark Ryan, co-founder of Pavlov, shares insights on being a founder and the importance of curiosity in product development. He discusses his experiences at Intercom and Shopify, highlighting the emphasis on customer-centricity and the power of direct communication with customers. Mark also emphasizes the value of aligning the team around a common goal and the challenges of product messaging. He co...

Tamara McMillen shares her journey into sales roles and discusses whether salespeople are born or trained. She highlights the importance of continuous learning, curiosity, collaboration, and a growth mindset in successful salespeople. Tamara also discusses the challenges and strategies for building a go-to-market strategy, aligning sales teams, and scaling from 10 to 100 million in revenue. She em...