Disruptors cover image

Disruptors

Richard Farleigh | How to Survive Modern Business

Feb 21, 2025
Richard Farleigh, a former Dragons' Den investor and successful entrepreneur with over 120 businesses, shares his inspiring journey from an Australian orphanage to the heights of UK entrepreneurship. He discusses the unique challenges facing UK startups, including funding issues and high taxes. Richard also reveals how even seasoned entrepreneurs contend with imposter syndrome. He emphasizes the importance of treating the first year of business as a research phase and reflects on the evolving role of AI in enhancing productivity and innovation.
01:30:26

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Richard Farleigh emphasizes the increasing challenges for UK startups due to a negative funding landscape and reduced investor interest.
  • The shift in employee priorities towards work-life balance over career growth has made talent recruitment more difficult for entrepreneurs in the UK.

Deep dives

Challenges in Startup Funding in the UK

Starting a business in the UK has become increasingly challenging due to a lack of available funding. Entrepreneurs often face hurdles when trying to raise capital, particularly for technology-focused ventures requiring substantial investment. While in the US, billionaires regularly finance startups with significant checks, UK investors tend to prioritize profitability and can lose interest in businesses not showing returns within three to four years. This negative funding landscape has led to a decline in startup growth, particularly for medium-sized firms, which has fallen to a six-year low.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode