Alfa Technology: From celebrity magician to startup founder

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game-changing insights on cultivating a bulletproof mindset, building effective content strategies, and disrupting outdated industries ripe for innovation. The recruitment industry is broken. Hear how Alfie is challenging the status quo, taking on the incumbent ‘dinosaurs’, questioning unethical practices, and doing things differently.

Connectd: Embracing delusion, neurodiversity, and self-awareness in startup success

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 Connectd. The platform has shaken the early-stage investment landscape by utilising data to ensure transparency, trust, and better connectivity in the investment process. By the end of the episode, you'll be encouraged to think bigger, embrace bold decisions, and navigate the entrepreneurial landscape with more confidence and resilience.

Sooper Books: The £5 Dragons’ Den Deal that made history

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 five Dragons invest. Their journey will inspire you and arm you with valuable insights for your own startup. Sooper Books is a storybook streaming service offering hundreds of world-class stories and audiobooks to millions of families around the world, completely free of charge.

Season 5 teaser

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 female founders and 1 in 4 being from an ethnic minority background since the podcast was launched in 2019. In this teaser episode, we delve into Ashleigh Tennent's journey in the coaching industry. We also hear about Andy Welsh's financial struggles. Eric Fulwiler shares his career journey, marketing insights, and experiences with Gary Vaynerchuk.

Clementine: Freeing millions of women to go from I can't to I can

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 for digital therapeutics. Kim risked it all as the main breadwinner, giving up her well-paid job in strategy to follow her dreams.

SCVC: College dropout to IPO - the journey from founder to deeptech investor

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 enthusiast. Hear how John hopes to leave a legacy and go beyond his massive IPO milestone, by backing the best technical founders who are creating the fourth industrial revolution.

Mr Bug - From music to mealworms

Meet Conal Cunningham, a music industry veteran turned pet food innovator, and discover his remarkable journey of perseverance and innovation. We deep dive into the origins of Mr Bug, a company redefining pet nutrition, through sustainably grown insect protein. This startup story has it all from kitchen experiments, funding struggles, and scaling triumphs. Whether you're a founder, an eco-conscious individual, or simply curious about the intersection of sustainability and business, this episode is a must-listen.

SOS Dance Global: Choreographing change and empowering a generation

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 entrepreneur, and how she's empowering a generation of women through the universal language of dance.

Rare Founders: How one entrepreneur turned his failed startup into a community empowering platform

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 magic that happens when founders come together to uplift one another. We discuss the importance of diversity in the investment landscape, the significance of community, and the future of early-stage funding.

Sharesy - Growing communities one local authority at a time

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 steps behind Sharesy's considered growth, and shares invaluable insights on coping with the demands of startup leadership.

envoPAP: Turning waste into sustainable wealth

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.

Rival: The man who gave Gary Vee the "jab, jab, jab, right hook"

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 curtain and reveals the unfiltered realities of day-to-day startup life.

Phasecraft: Leap into the future with Quantum Algorithms

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 he unravels the mysteries of quantum computing.

SRSLY Low Carb: why we need to STOP sugar coating the truth

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 food. Quite a challenge, right? What's his secret weapon? It's listening to his customers. Their feedback and loyalty have been his guide and his driving force, reinforcing the power of customer-centric businesses.

Greenworkx: Small Steps, Big Impact: Building 10 Million Green Jobs

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

Hexa Finance: Breaking Stereotypes & Reimagining Finance for Startups

The incredible journey of Hexa Finance is not just a tale of success; it's a true story of how being bold and true to yourself can pay dividends. From a simple idea in 2016 to launching amidst the global lockdown, co-founders Ben Davies and Stu Mason have navigated it all. They dive deep into their journey, sharing the sacrifices made, the critical role of timing, and the essence of trust and understanding in their partnership.

Yuup: Turning Experiences into Businesses

As an early-stage founder, the decision to bootstrap or raise capital can make or break your business. But don't worry, serial entrepreneur Dominic Mills has been there and has the answers you need to succeed. We uncover the power of community, localism, and entrepreneurship as we follow Dominic's journey from exit to founding his latest startup, Yuup - a marketplace that connects people with local experiences.

More Happi: Overcoming Fear and Burnout: Unveiling the Power of Coaching

Unlock the secrets to overcoming fear, addressing burnout, and finding happiness with the power of coaching. Meet Ashleigh Tennent, founder of More Happi - a platform making coaching affordable for all. Discover how she conquered her fears, recognised burnout, and built a successful coaching business that's changing lives.

Flow Neuroscience: Pioneering a Drug-Free Pathway for Depression (season finale)

Depression affects 1 in 6 adults in the UK, with medication being the most common treatment. But what if there was a drug-free approach that actually works? The CEO of Flow Neuroscience, Erin Lee, reveals how their innovative headset is changing the game in mental health treatment.

Unyoked: Tapping into mother nature

Twin brothers. A unique vision. And a determination to create a global nature brand against all odds. This is the remarkable story of Unyoked: hear from co-founder Cam about his unstoppable startup that has overcome bushfires, floods, and a pandemic to bring sustainable off-grid cabins to the world.