

The Entrepreneurs
Monocle
Monocle Radio’s weekly tour of the most inspiring people, companies and ideas in global business, from startups to heritage brands, covering the best in hospitality, design, fashion and retail.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 25, 2025 • 9min
Eureka 437: The Matisse Collection by East Fork Pottery
East Fork Pottery founder and CEO Alex Matisse shares the story behind launching his Asheville-based pottery company and its new collection, a collaboration with Les Héritiers Matisse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 23, 2025 • 28min
Fit for a monarch
We discuss the crowning achievements of two leaders behind brands with royal seals of approval: the president of a 500-year-old Japanese confectionery company and the CEO of a Swedish haircare brand beloved by the country’s royal family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 18, 2025 • 9min
Eureka 436: The world’s first autonomous tennis assistant
We meet the founder of Tennibot, an Auburn-based company making autonomous robots for racket sports. Haitham Eletrabi talks about the global demand for their products and the company’s latest launch: Partner, a smart ball machine that mimics human shots and moves around the court, creating a realistic playing experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 16, 2025 • 30min
Creativity at work
Carolyn Dailey, author of ‘The Creative Entrepreneur’, shares lessons from industry leaders, such as Grammy-winner Nile Rodgers and restaurateur Ruthie Rogers, on building purpose-driven businesses. Plus: Mark Roberts talks about ‘The Entrepreneur Within’, his guide for driving innovation from inside any organisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 11, 2025 • 16min
Eureka 435: The Kreuger100
We meet Jens Holzapfel, business director at Nordic Air Defence, a Stockholm-based start-up developing compact, non-explosive drone interceptors. Holzapfel talks about the company’s flagship product, the Kreuger100, and why Europe needs more homegrown defense technology to address quickly evolving security challenges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 9, 2025 • 30min
Are turbulence-free flights closer than we think?
Turbulence makes flying unbearable for some and uncomfortable for all. As bumpy skies become more common, we meet the CEO of an aviation company that’s focused on making flights smoother with groundbreaking turbulence-cancelling technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 4, 2025 • 9min
Eureka 434: Vishen Lakhiani, founder of Mindvalley
Mindvalley founder, Vishen Lakhiani, discusses whether AI has the potential to transform our approach to work and enhance overall wellbeing by eliminating unnecessary tasks, and allowing us to dedicate more time to building meaningful, real-life connections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 2, 2025 • 28min
Can Europe’s tech sector catch up?
Europe’s tech scene is often seen as trailing the US and China but startups across the continent are challenging that perspective. We meet two founders that are shaking up the industry and proving that ambition, collaboration and smart risks can make Europe competitive again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 28, 2025 • 5min
Eureka 433: Checkmate and the city
Ian Flood shares how a late-night chess game with his then-flatmate and fellow architect Chris Prosser sparked the idea to design sets inspired by city skylines, with pieces shaped like famous landmarks. He discusses how they founded Skyline Chess and grew it into a thriving business, now featuring 12 cities and a growing portfolio of custom sets for developers, architects and corporate clients.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 26, 2025 • 29min
Canva co-founder Cameron Adams
Canva co-founder and chief product officer, Cameron Adams, shares how the company’s culture of simplicity and positive social impact drives its success. Plus: what’s next for the company and its two-step plan to balance profitability with global good. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.