The Entrepreneur Experiment

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox sits down with Sean Blanchfield, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Demonware, PageFair, and Jentic, to unpack his journey from student entrepreneur to scaling and selling tech companies. Sean shares candid insights into the early days of launching startups in Ireland, how Demonware became a critical player in multiplayer gaming, and the bold pivots that led to success. He also dives into his later ventures, PageFair, which tackled ad blocking in the digital advertising space, and Jentic, his latest project at the forefront of AI-driven market insights. From fundraising struggles to navigating acquisitions, Sean reflects on the lessons he’s learned across multiple ventures. If you’re a founder working on product-market fit, considering an exit, or fascinated by the business behind gaming and ad tech, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 🎧 Show Notes: In this episode, we cover: 🔥 The origins of Demonware and its role in multiplayer gaming 🚀 How Sean and his co-founders pivoted their product four times before finding the right fit 💡 Fundraising challenges in Ireland and how they bootstrapped early growth 🎮 The rise of online gaming and how Demonware powered global hits like Call of Duty 📈 Selling to Activision – why it was the right move and how the deal unfolded 🛑 PageFair & ad-blocking – the problem it solved and how it changed the digital ad space 🤖 Jentic – Sean’s latest AI-driven insights company and the future of market intelligence 💼 The emotional and strategic aspects of selling a business 🤔 Lessons from failed ventures and why iteration is key to startup success 💬 "We were in existential crisis for the first 18 months. Then suddenly, we had product-market fit, and everything changed." – Sean Blanchfield     Visit my Partners Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostraee   --- 📌 Resources & Links: 🔗 Enterprise Ireland – Support for Startups: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/ 🎮 Demonware – Behind Activision’s Multiplayer Gaming: https://www.demonware.net/ 📢 PageFair – Ad-Blocking Analytics & Solutions: https://www.pagefair.com/ 📊 Jentic – AI-Powered Market Intelligence: https://www.jentic.com/ 📱 Follow Sean Blanchfield on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanblanchfield 📖 The Lean Startup – Eric Ries (A book Sean references in his startup journey)

Aimee Connolly, founder of Sculpted by Aimee, shares her inspiring journey from working makeup counters at 16 to creating a multimillion-euro beauty empire. She discusses the bold moves that defined her success, like cold emailing manufacturers and self-funding her initial product. Aimee emphasizes the significance of community and authenticity in brand building. She also reflects on balancing personal well-being with business growth, and the emotional challenges she faced in her innovative industry. Her insights are a treasure trove for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Two of our all-time favourite guests return to the pod to announce their $36 million fundraising round! In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox sits down with Dan Hobbs & Ciarán O’Mara, the co-founders of Protex AI, a startup using computer vision to prevent workplace accidents before they happen. They first appeared on the podcast in 2023 after raising $18M. One year later, per Gary’s prediction about how their 2024 would go, they’ve just closed a $36M Series B, expanded from 4 to 22 countries, and are working with Fortune 500 giants like DHL. Show notes: In this episode we cover: 🔥 The brutal reality of raising capital & how they secured $54M 🚀 How they attracted inbound investors and flipped the script 💡 How AI is transforming workplace safety & why enterprises are buying in 💰 The difference between raising a Seed, Series A & Series B 📈 What it REALLY takes to scale from startup to enterprise 🔑 Why building relationships—not just products—matters in B2B sales 🏋️‍♂️ The mindset shifts they had to make as leaders If you’re a founder looking to raise capital, scale a startup, or break into enterprise sales, this episode is packed with raw, real-world insights.  🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Entrepreneur Experiment for more deep-dive conversations with world-class entrepreneurs. Resources & Links: 📖 The Founder’s Survival Guide by Rachel Turner 📩 Learn more about Protex AI: protex.ai📱 Follow Dan Hobbs & Ciarán O’Meara on LinkedIn: Dan Hobbs | Ciarán O'Mara🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Entrepreneur Experiment for more deep-dive conversations with world-class entrepreneurs.  --- Visit my partners Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE  Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostraee

Sahil Bloom, an influential investor and entrepreneur, shares his remarkable journey from private equity to becoming a creator. He discusses the misconceptions about wealth, emphasizing that money alone doesn’t equate to happiness. Imposter syndrome is tackled, with Sahil offering insights on reframing self-doubt as a catalyst for growth. The conversation shifts to personal fulfillment, redefining success to prioritize relationships and purpose over financial achievement. Sahil also highlights the importance of embracing uncertainty and wellness in the entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, we sit down with Colin Harmon, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed Ireland’s coffee culture. From starting as a barista to building 3fe, one of Ireland's most respected coffee brands, Colin shares his journey of entrepreneurship, branding, and the shifting landscape of social spaces. We explore: Why traditional social spaces like banks, pubs, and churches are declining The power of community in business How Colin built 3fe from a single café to an industry leader The business lessons he learned through scaling and adapting The future of coffee culture and entrepreneurship If you’re an aspiring founder or someone fascinated by how businesses shape culture, this episode is a must-listen! -- Visit my partners Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE  Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostraee   -- Show Notes: Guest: Colin Harmon, Founder of 3fe Coffee Topics Covered: The Evolution of Social Spaces Why traditional meeting points are disappearing How coffee shops have replaced banks and pubs as social hubs Colin’s Entrepreneurial Journey How he transitioned from a finance job to coffee The early struggles of starting a coffee business Scaling from one café to a respected brand The Business of Coffee The challenges of running a specialty coffee company How branding and storytelling played a key role in growth Why community-driven businesses thrive Lessons in Leadership & Growth The mindset shifts needed to scale a business Why customer experience is the most valuable asset Future trends in coffee and hospitality Resources Mentioned: 3fe Coffee Website Colin Harmon’s Book: What I Know About Running Coffee Shops Follow Colin on Instagram

With 400 episodes under my belt, I'm turning the mic on myself to share the origins of this passion project that started as a side experiment and grew into a full-fledged business. This is an AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode where I answer all the questions you sent in over the last few weeks. How does the pod make money? What do I look for in a guest?  Discover the pivot from property management to podcasting and the invaluable lessons learned along this unpredictable entrepreneurial path. From the nuances of guest selection to cultivating a unique storytelling approach, I share my blueprint for creating compelling content that resonates with audiences. Chapter Timestamps (00:01) - Gary Fox Celebrates 400 Episodes (10:25) - Podcast Sponsorship and Business Strategies (22:40) - Gary Fox's Guest Selection Process (28:00) - Podcasting, Investing, and Self-Reflection (35:41) - Podcast Preparation and Mindset Development (47:28) - Entrepreneurial Success and Life Lessons (56:40) - Family Business and Time Management -- Visit my partners Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE  Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostraee

Join Gary as we sit down with Mary Sadlier, the powerhouse behind Coole Swan, the premium Irish cream brand taking the world by storm. From navigating challenges to owning 3% of the U.S. market, Mary shares her journey of resilience, innovation, and growth. In this episode, you'll discover: How Mary overcame setbacks to scale Coole Swan globally. The art of balancing quality and profitability in a competitive market. The entrepreneurial mindset that turns challenges into opportunities. Lessons in leadership and staying true to your brand ethos. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, Mary’s insights will inspire and challenge you to think bigger.   -- Visit my partners Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE  Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostraee

In this brain special of The Entrepreneur Experiment, we dive deep into the world of mental mastery with renowned brain hacker Keith Barry. Known for his groundbreaking work in hacking the human mind, Keith helps individuals and corporations achieve sustainable, meaningful change at a neurological level. In this episode, Keith shares: The art and science of hacking your own brain to unlock peak mental performance. Strategies to overcome mental barriers and build resilience. The surprising ways the brain influences decision-making in business and life. Practical tips for cultivating a sharp, focused, and creative mind. Whether you're looking to sharpen your mental edge or understand the secrets of the mind, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to think like a true founder. -- Visit my partners Enterprise Ireland: https://bit.ly/EIreland Azure Communications: https://bit.ly/azureEE  Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostraee 

Welcome to the final podcast of 2024.  In this special episode recorded live at the first-ever guests reunion in Dublin, I sit down with two of my most popular guests, Nadia Adan and Michael Corcoran. We look back on the highs and lows of 2024 sharing the lessons, wins and learnings from the year. With over 70 founders in the audience, we also delved into the trends and predictions that will shape the next 12 months.  Shot live with a studio audience at Baseline in Dublin City. --- Thanks to my season title partner Local Enterprise Office: https://bit.ly/leodigital21  Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.   *Music by Andrew Applepie. 

What does it take to create a unicorn startup? Jack Pierse, co-founder of Wayflyer, and now co-founder of HappyStack joins us to discuss the thrilling journey of building one of the most successful startups in recent years. From securing millions in funding to scaling operations across the globe, Jack shares invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial highs and lows, including the pivotal moments that shaped Wayflyer’s meteoric rise. Jack opens up about his life before and after Wayflyer, including his working for Liam Casey and how he’s now channelling his expertise into new ventures. Whether it’s advising other startups, investing, or exploring new industries, Jack’s approach to entrepreneurship continues to evolve. His latest venture, Bold Golf has also just launched and counts Shane Lowry among the investors.  --- Thanks to my season title partner Local Enterprise Office: https://bit.ly/leodigital21  Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.