The Seed Podcast

Can traditional cinema survive the age of vertical video and generative AI? In this episode of The Seed Podcast, we sit down with award-winning filmmaker and Tattle TV co-founder Philip McGoldrick to discuss his journey from directing gritty, emotional feature films to building the UK’s first vertical entertainment app. Philip shares his perspective on the striking similarities between the creative chaos of film directing and the high-stakes world of tech startups. He dives into how his team is creatively leveraging AI to re-frame classic media properties for modern mobile consumers, the rise of hyper-engaging micro-dramas, and why mastering the art of the hook is the ultimate survival tool in a distraction-heavy digital landscape. Whether you are a cinephile curious about the future of storytelling or an entrepreneur looking to capture human attention, this conversation offers a masterclass in how Hollywood is successfully migrating to the smartphone screen.Philip on LinkedInTattle TV

In this episode of The Seed Podcast, hosts Hassan and Jan sit down with startup consultant, mathematician, and venture capitalist Ruth Cremer to pull back the curtain on Germany's Shark Tank. Drawing from her deep experience coaching candidates behind the scenes of the hit show, Ruth shares the most common pitching blunders that even the most promising founders make on television and in real-world VC meetings. She exposes the reality of what gets cut from the final broadcast, including intense deep dives into regulatory compliance and complex financial models. Beyond the glamorous world of TV pitches, the conversation shifts to a critical analysis of the modern startup ecosystem. Ruth breaks down the hidden traps of growth at all costs venture capital contracts and shares her candid, cautious perspective on the current generative artificial intelligence boom. Whether you are trying to master your company's metrics or trying to determine if your business is truly ready for investor funding, this episode delivers an honest reality check for the modern entrepreneur.Ruth's LinkedInRuth's Website

In this episode of The Seed Podcast, we sit down with Eric McHugh, the co-founder of Dataing, an innovative AI-powered matchmaking platform that is trying to rethink human connection in the age of artificial intelligence. Eric shares his fascinating journey from working on ad algorithms at Snapchat and navigating the highs and lows of the cryptocurrency space to building a platform designed to fix what is broken in modern romance.We dive deep into why legacy dating apps are financially incentivized to keep you single and how utilizing your digital footprint can create fundamentally better, more authentic matches. From the ethics of user data monetization to a surprising conversation about whether AI can ever truly replicate or replace genuine human consciousness, this episode explores the cutting edge of how technology is reshaping our most personal choices. Whether you are a tech enthusiast, a startup founder, or someone tired of the endless swipe cycle, this conversation offers a refreshing and vital look at the future of relationships.Link to Eric's LinkedIn: linkLink to Dataing: link

In this special episode of The Seed Podcast, co-hosts Hassan and Jan step out from behind the interviewer mic to share their own entrepreneurial journeys. The duo dives deep into the realities of launching a startup, exploring the highs and lows of building tech in today's fast-paced world. Hassan breaks down the mission behind Rose, a hybrid couple's therapy platform aimed at breaking relationship stigmas through a blend of human counseling and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Jan shares the origin stories of his own ventures, including a health-tracking app designed to optimize sleep and nutrition. From mastering the perfect pitch to decoding how large language models actually process data, this conversation offers an open, honest look at what it takes to turn student ideas into real-world AI innovations.

What really happens behind the scenes of the world’s biggest blockbuster movies and what happens when a Hollywood insider decides to leave stability behind to bet everything on artificial intelligence?In this episode of The Seed Podcast, hosts Hassan and Jan sit down with Aaron Bhugobaun, a media production veteran who has worked on massive releases for Marvel, Disney, and Universal. From approving world-class VFX on films like Thor: Ragnarok and Spider-Man: No Way Home to managing pipelines for YouTube creators pulling in 9 billion views a month, Aaron has seen the entertainment machine from the inside out.Link to Aaron Bhugobaun

What does it actually take to build a business that someone wants to buy? In this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur and investor Peter Hart to break down the realities of building, scaling, and acquiring companies. Peter shares his journey from funding his first venture with €6,000 of waitering money to surviving the intense pressure of Shark Tank (Die Höhle der Löwen), and eventually pivoting into a private equity firm that has acquired 7 companies.Whether you are just starting out with a laptop and a dream or looking for an exit strategy, Peter’s raw, no-BS insights will change how you look at your business operations.Follow Peter on LinkedInand see all his companies there!

In this episode of The Seed Podcast, we are joined by Juan Prim, a two-time author and mentor who has navigated the high-stakes world of international corporate business and successful tech exits. Juan dives deep into the realities of the "Brutal Sales" mindset, explaining why traditional business schools often miss the mark on teaching the grit required to scale a company from scratch.We explore the evolving landscape of work, where Juan argues that while AI is rapidly transforming white-collar professions, the role of the entrepreneur remains the one position that cannot be automated. He shares his personal journey from cold-calling at a Spanish startup to managing massive investment rounds and eventually moving into the "acquisition CEO" space. Whether you are a student looking to break into the AI hub of Barcelona or a founder trying to understand what investors truly want beyond a pitch deck, this conversation offers a raw, unfiltered guide to surviving and thriving in the modern business ecosystem.--------Follow Juan on LinkedInCheck out his books: "The Lean Funding" and "Metodología Brutal Sales"

In this episode of The Seed Podcast, we sit down with Jérémie Benhamou, a French entrepreneur who has spent the last eight years transforming the technological landscape of Barcelona. Jérémie shares his fascinating journey from building the Spanish subsidiary of Extia - growing a team to 150 people in the middle of a global lockdown - to his latest ventures, TheTechNation.We dive deep into Jérémie's "intrapreneurial" spirit and his transition into the world of Generative AI. He explains why he believes Barcelona has surpassed other European cities to become a premier tech hub and shares behind-the-scenes insights into organizing the AI Summit Barcelona, a massive event bringing together 10,000 innovators.Key topics we cover:The Pivot to AI: Why Jérémie shifted from traditional consulting to an AI-first agency modelThe "Crouly" Vision: How AI agents and human "dream teams" are revolutionizing tech servicesSurvival Skills: Why curiosity is the only soft skill that matters in the age of AGIThe Future of Work: Jérémie’s bold take on why manual emails will soon be a thing of the past and how we are moving toward a "dev-less" worldLinkedIn: Jérémie BenhamouWebsites: AI Summit Barcelona | TheTechNation

Can a single month in Silicon Valley teach you more than a four-year degree? In this episode of The Seed Podcast, we sit down with Victoria Clotet, the powerhouse CPO of Twintual, to discuss her rapid ascent from a CS student at the University of Virginia to the heart of the tech world. Victoria shares how she bypassed the traditional "Big Tech" route to dive into Founders Inc, an intense one-month accelerator known as the "Pre-YC" for hardware and high-stakes software. We explore the "insane" mentality required to build a unicorn and why the Valley remains the ultimate proving ground for ambitious builders.Victoria pulls back the curtain on her latest venture, Twintual, an AI-driven "second self" designed to manage and respond to your messages across email, Slack, and Discord. She breaks down the critical role of a Chief Product Officer, emphasizing why founders must prioritize user feedback and "ship" their first version before they feel ready. Whether you are a student wondering how to leverage your professors' industry experience or an aspiring entrepreneur looking for the right visa strategy to enter the US, Victoria’s "no-nonsense" advice on networking and relentless iteration is essential listening.Connect with our Guest:LinkedIn: Victoria Clotet Twintual Website: twintual.com

In this episode of the Seed Podcast, hosts Hassan and Jan sit down with Leo Bradshaw, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Upcap. Leo shares his remarkable transition from a decade in private equity and deal advisory to becoming a repeat startup operator and entrepreneur.Leo delves into his experience scaling Peckwater Brands, where he successfully raised over £30 million and navigated the complexities of internationalization across 11 countries. He offers invaluable insights into:The critical importance of market timing and recognizing opportunitiesThe challenges of fundraising and how to effectively engage investorsThe role of AI in streamlining the fundraising process for high-growth foundersThe necessity for founders to embrace ambiguity and build a strong company cultureWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, Leo's advice on strategic outreach, financial modeling, and the accelerator experience is a must-listen.Connect with Leo and Upcap:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/leobradshaw/Upcap: ⁠https://upcap.ai