The Difference Engine | B2B Category Design | Private Equity | Venture Capital

This week, we’re joined by one of Britain’s most innovative entrepreneurs, Husayn Kassai. Born in Iran, Husayn moved to Manchester at the age of 10, where his occupied with playing video games and selling Iranian music CDs online.Husayn later attended Oxford University, where he secured £12,000 in funding to launch his AI start-up, Onfido. What started as a bold idea became a groundbreaking company, culminating in the UK’s largest AI exit to date with a $650M deal. Rather than stepping away after this milestone, Husayn has returned to the industry with fresh perspectives, renewed ambition and a new company called Quench.A key to Husayn’s success has been his ability to anticipate the societies and demands of the future. In this episode, we explore his journey up to now and discuss where he and the wider tech industry are heading next.https://quench.ai/https://www.londonaihub.co.uk/There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

NVIDIA's groundbreaking Personal AI Supercomputer has shaken the PC industry, leaving giants like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo scrambling to find their footing. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Los Angeles, these manufacturers seized the opportunity to prove they belong in the emerging AI PC market. So, let's see what they’ve got to offer.Also in today’s episode, we’ll be asking if the EU’s tech police are losing control of the streets and be giving you a hands on guide on how to carve out your own category nicheWhat to look forward to:00:29 Desktop AI category wars hot up 09:11 How to carve out a sub-category from an established niche27:09 Is it all over for the EU as tech’s police?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

In tech, it often feels like innovation is reserved for the big players - those with the money and means to lead the way. But this can change in an instant. Just look at cloud computing, 3D printing, and the internet. These technologies democratised the ability for people to explore and push the cutting edge. Now, it seems the wall around AI is poised to be shattered with NVIDIA’s personal AI supercomputer.So what happens when the full power of AI is placed in the hands of the masses?Also in today’s episode, we’ll dive into the history books to extract valuable lessons from past category blunders and analyse Europe’s prospects for tech success.What to look forward to:00:23 Personal AI supercomputer - A new era of innovation09:08 Category clangers 34:59 Which way for EMEA’s Category leaders?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

What happens if you fail to adapt to the age of AI? Intel's decline offers us a compelling insight into this question. They failed to keep up with the pack in 2024 and on the first of December CEO Pat Gelsinger was forced into an early resignation.So, what does 2025 hold for Intel? Is there a pathway back to industry leadership, or will this former giant be chipped away into obscurity?Also in today’s episode, we ask if our obsession with AI is distracting us from developing critical tech, and what has happened to the category plays of the past? Are they losing, schmoozing or simply snoozing? What to look forward to:00:37 Something had to give at Intel07:33 AI’s Category cloak15:45 Losers, Snoozers, and Schmoozers There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

The world of tech never stands still.2024 has been another year of breakthroughs, challenges, and trends. In this episode, we reflect on the most significant tech stories of the year, from AI's rapid evolution to blockchain's unprecedented expansion. Looking ahead, we share our predictions for 2025, highlighting the areas of tech that will redefine industries and reshape society.What to look forward to:00:40 The magnificent seven that defined the IT industry in 2024/202520:11 Lynch’s legacy26:47 The state of EMEA startup categoriesThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we’re talking to Ben Marrel, co-founder of Breega, a fast-growing European VC firm that is on a mission to lead categories with its mission driven investments.Based in London, with offices in Paris and Barcelona, Breega has supported high-potential companies like Curve, Cuvva, Exotech, and Moneybox - recently valued at £550 million. In this conversation, we’ll explore Ben’s insights on the European startup ecosystem, the data driven link between diversity and profitability, and why he believes Africa will emerge as the next major hub for opportunity in the global economy.What to look forward to:00:10 Ben Marrel introduction01:18 Breega and the state of early stage start-ups in Europe22:02 Diversity as a differentiator31:26 Will Africa be the next tech hub?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Ding, ding! The bell has rung for the showdown of the century as the Department of Justice steps into the ring against Google. The DOJ throws a hefty hook in the form of a 23 page document which aims to chip and chisel away at Google’s monopoly. Could this blow crush Google’s category lead? Will Chrome be dislodged like a loose tooth? Or are we in for a gruelling twelve round slugfest?Also in today’s episode, we react to that Jaguar advert and ask if Stablecoin could be the category leader that crypto currency has been searching for.What to look forward to:00:35 Google - Breaking up is hard to do09:49 Jaguar - breakdown of a brand blunder26:34 The Stablecoin Revolut-ionThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we have the privilege of speaking with someone who has a proven track record of founding and exiting category-defining companies.Nigel Verdon, born in Germany, began his journey studying Mechanical Engineering at Warwick University. After a brief stint in the automotive industry with EBS, he transitioned into financial services, carving out an impressive career. His roles include working at Swiss Bank Corporation, serving on the board of LCJ, and holding a director position at Dresdner Kleinwort Investment Bank.Nigel has made a particularly significant impact on the world of Fintech, founding three companies, including Currency Cloud - a unicorn that has revolutionised the way businesses manage international payments. In this discussion, we’ll dive into Nigel’s unique path to tech leadership, explore the future of Fintech, and uncover why the next wave of technological innovation feels decidedly artisanal.What to look forward to:00:16 Introduction to Nigel Verdon 01:45 Nigel’s unique path to tech leadership25:48 Where does Fintech go from here?35:26 Tech’s artisanal futureThere is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Europe's favourite unicorn, Stripe, has announced that it is picking up crypto Stablecoin player, Bridge, for $1.1 billion. But why is the fintech powerhouse spending nearly two percent of its valuation on the roll of a crypto dice?Could it be an ingenious category play?Also in today’s episode, we’ll be flicking through the history books to try and predict Apple’s future, and tackle the age-old question; what is the right amount of tech branding?What to look forward to:00:35 Can Europe’s biggest unicorn change its Stripes?07:20 Is Europe’s home of tech now struggling? 11:18 History repeats itself - Is Apple becoming the new Sony? 27:51 What’s the right amount of tech branding?There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we explore the remarkable career of Sumir Karayi, whose journey took him from one of the UK's worst schools to becoming one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs.As the founder and CEO of 1E, Karayi grew his company organically over 20 years, serving 1,700 organisations across 42 countries with 26 million licenses deployed. 1E is now ranked in the Sunday Times International Track 100 league of top private companies and is recognised as one of the top 20 companies for CIOs.In this discussion, we’ll cover how Karayi developed the world’s first green software, why regulations can be a positive force in tech, and why he believes you shouldn’t start a start-up.What to look forward to:00:09 Sumir Karayi introduction01:45 The green challenge for tech08:20 The Crowdstrike debacle18:44 Why is Government not liked in tech25:43 Sumir’s path to success & founder advice There is more information on how to design your category on our blogFollow us on LinkedIn:Paul Maher Jonathan Simnett Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.