Founded & Grounded

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. Key Takeaways- Insider IPO Strategies: from leading Kudan through to a historic IPO, John shares his untold story of the strategic manoeuvres and personal challenges of scaling a company to achieve a billion-dollar-plus valuation. - Venture Capital Reimagined: discover SCVC's unique approach as a deep tech VC firm that supports early-stage founders, focused on transforming academic research into commercial spinouts. - Technology product fit, learn how a deep understanding of your technology can guide you to the right product and market.Investor mindset -  hear how SCVC is helping early-stage founders navigate the complex and long journey from academic research to spinout success. 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. Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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, an eco-conscious individual, or simply curious about the intersection of sustainability and business, this episode is a must-listen. Key Takeaways:- Understand how starting small and bootstrapping can be leveraged as a strategic advantage for learning, evolving, and growing your business- How to engage with your customers early on and how this can lead to immediate sales and traction when you launch your startup- The framework for building a stand-out brand in a crowded marketplace- The potential of insect protein to contribute to food security and the circular economy.Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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.Key Takeaways- How to confront challenges head-on. Hear the harsh truths behind the obstacles facing female founders and the keys to success in balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. - Empowerment as strategy. For Bonnie, she's clear on her mission to positively impact lives globally, providing strength and confidence to women. - Scaling up requires a transformative mindset, implementing systems, and spreading culture and processes for business growth- Persistence pays off. Building a startup is a long game where patience, strategic planning, and understanding your worth are essential ingredients for success.Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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.Key Takeaways- How to be more resourceful and do more with less. Focus on creative solutions and confidence in your vision - How to overcome your insecurities and pitch with confidence- Fun as a foundation. How to inject fun into your startup and gamify life as a founderHave questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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.Key Takeaways- Self-Care Is Paramount. Amidst the drive for success, remember that personal well-being is crucial for sustaining long-term ambition.- Resilience in Fundraising. Embrace rejections as learning opportunities. Maintain transparency with your investors and lean on your support network during challenging times.- Learn the secret of how to context switch  between high-level strategic planning and the nitty-gritty of day-to-day operations in your business- How to win at founder-led salesHave questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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 both community development and economic growth- Smart scaling: We peel back the layers to unpick how Kaushal achieves economic growth whilst successfully diversifying the business- Grounded Mindset: How does Kaushal deal with cultural differences and large supply chain issues? By staying grounded through self-care practices like meditation Finally, hear why falling in love with the problem, not just the solution, is vital to entrepreneurial successHave questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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. Key Takeaways- Define Your Own Success Metrics: It’s not just about growth; in Eric's case, it's about building a business that is so strong that someone else would want to purchase it. Learn his philosophy: don't challenge the market; change it. - Prepare for the Marathon: Entrepreneurship is a journey of endurance. Eric's advice? Build emotional and psychological resilience. It’s about ensuring the longevity of both your mental health and your business. Take care of yourself, your team, and truly understand your customers' needs.- More Than Just Profit: Eric sees Rival, and business in general, as a vehicle for positive change. Aim for a social and environmental impact; embody the challenger brand mindset, and drive innovation that matters. Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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 computingKey Takeaways- Explore the Infinite: Discover the transformative potential of quantum algorithms and witness how Phasecraft will help create breakthroughs in battery development and material science.- Inspiration: Hear the unvarnished accounts of the co-founders' personal lives that blend life and work, whilst raising young families. - Shape the Future: Uncover the impact of quantum computing on future technologies and industriesHave questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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. Key Takeaways- Resilience is at the Heart of Entrepreneurship: Andy's experience reminds us that overcoming obstacles, such as personal financial risk and market resistance, requires a strong support system and an ability to adapt under pressure.- The Power of Quality and Customer Loyalty: Prioritising product integrity and building close customer relationships can lead to organic growth and brand trust, often reducing the need for heavy marketing investment.- Financial Literacy is Fundamental: The conversations underscore the essential need for entrepreneurs to understand their financials deeply. Money problems in business can't be ignored and must be managed proactively to ensure stability and growth.Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat nowSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now

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 Key Takeaways- How can small steps lead to massive impact? This conversation holds the answers. - Bridging the Green Gap: There's a pressing need to address the skills gap in the green sector. Greenworkx's mission is to empower 10 million individuals with green jobs, fostering a low-carbon, sustainable world.- Step by Step Innovation: Mat Ilic champions the iterative approach in business, reminding us that significant progress comes from small, consistent steps.- Diversity Fuels Change: Inclusivity isn't just a buzzword; it's crucial for progression. By aiming to recruit from underserved communities, Greenworkx addresses workforce diversity head-on, ensuring that the transition to a greener economy is wide-reaching.Join us for an insightful conversation where passion meets purpose, and innovation creates a greener world.Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websiteSupport the showProudly sponsored by our wonderful partners:National Protective Security Authority - NSPA: The Secure Innovation campaign helps you take steps to protect your business from hostile threats. Don’t leave it too late. Use the link to download the quick-start guide now:NPSA.gov.uk/innovation Hexa Finance: Hexa provides business finance to help you grow from start-up to success. To access your free consultation, simply go to:hexafinance.co.uk/contact Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat now