Riding Unicorns: Venture Capital | Entrepreneurship | Technology

Subscribe to the Reading Unicorns newsletter here.Follow Riding Unicorns on LinkedIn here.Subscribe to the Riding Unicorns YouTube channel here.This episode sees James Pringle and Hector Mason sit down with Staffan Helgesson, General Partner of Creandum. Creandum is one of Europe's top early stage investors focused on Seed and Series A across a range of sectors from fintech to SaaS to devtools to climate tech, consumer tech and, of course, AI. Breakthrough companies that Creandum backed early include Spotify, Depop, iZettle, Klarna, Bolt and Trade Republic. n this wide-ranging conversation, Staffan shares the incredible story of Creandum’s origin, starting in the Nordics over 20 years ago, and how it became one of Europe’s most successful and respected venture franchises. From early challenges to establishing a long-term vision, we explore what it takes to build an enduring VC brand.In this episode:🇺🇸 How a trip to Stanford in 1999 inspired Staffan to build a VC firm in Europe🎵 The early days of Creandum and backing Spotify pre-hype💰 The strategy behind holding long and building funds for 17+ years🧠 Advice for emerging managers on picking LPs and thinking long-term🏦 Building a venture franchise vs. just a firm⭐ Brand-building in VC and leveraging the power of the portfolio🤖 The inside story on investing in Lovable, Europe’s hottest new startup🇪🇺 Why Staffan remains bullish on European innovation despite structural challengesA masterclass in longevity, strategy, and humility in venture capital—this is one for fund managers, founders, and startup ecosystem nerds alike.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Riding Unicorns podcast on your favourite platform and stay connected with us on social media for more inspiring episodes! 🎙️🦄

Subscribe to our newsletter here. Follow us on LinkedIn here.Subscribe to our YouTube channel here.Joseph Pizzolato is the Founder & General Partner at Defiant VC, a newly launched venture fund bringing a tech-first approach to investing.Joseph shares his journey from engineering to venture capital, his experiences at Vitruvian Partners and Felix Capital, and what led him to take the leap and launch Defiant. He explains how the fund is using data-driven insights, deep thematic research, and proprietary software to build a new model for venture investing.We also discuss:The future of venture capital and why it needs to evolveThe role of proprietary technology in sourcing, selecting, and supporting startupsHow to structure a portfolio thoughtfully and avoid ‘groupthink’ in VCJoseph’s views on AI investing and why it may be overhypedLessons from raising a first-time fund in one of the toughest VC marketsThis is a must-listen for VCs, LPs, and founders interested in the future of venture capital and how emerging funds can differentiate in a crowded market.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Riding Unicorns podcast on your favourite platform and stay connected with us on social media for more inspiring episodes! 🎙️🦄

Subscribe to our newsletter here.Follow us on LinkedIn here.Subscribe to our YouTube channel here. In this episode of Riding Unicorns, we’re joined by Aidan Rushby, Founder & CEO of Carmoola, a fintech company reinventing the way people buy used cars through a seamless, mobile-first car finance experience.Aidan shares his journey from running a property rental marketplace to identifying a massive opportunity in car finance, how he validated his business model before launching, and the lessons he learned from raising over £250m in debt and equity funding.We also dive into:How Carmoola is leveraging automation and behavioral economics to create a superior lending experienceThe challenges of building a high-growth, capital-intensive fintechWhat it takes to scale a fully automated lending platformThe importance of validating key business assumptions before committingThe future of car finance and Carmoola’s expansion plansThis is an insightful conversation for fintech founders, investors, and anyone interested in disrupting traditional industries with technology.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Riding Unicorns podcast on your favourite platform and stay connected with us on social media for more inspiring episodes! 🎙️🦄

Subscribe to our newsletter here.Follow us on LinkedIn here.Subscribe to our YouTube channel here. Mike Smeed, Managing Director at InMotion Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s corporate venture capital arm.Mike shares his journey from a career in finance to leading one of the most active CVCs in the UK. He provides unique insights into the role of corporate venture capital in driving strategic innovation, supporting startups, and helping transform legacy industries like automotive.In this episode, we cover:The vision behind InMotion Ventures and its focus on climate, industrial, and enterprise techBalancing strategic goals with financial returns as a CVCHow InMotion Ventures partners with startups to accelerate innovation at Jaguar Land RoverThe evolving landscape of driverless cars and the future of autonomous vehiclesThe importance of longevity and integration for CVC successMike also offers a fascinating perspective on the value of collaboration between CVCs and startups, as well as what it takes to build a sustainable and impactful venture arm.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Riding Unicorns podcast on your favourite platform and stay connected with us on social media for more inspiring episodes! 🎙️🦄

Subscribe to our newsletter here.Follow us on LinkedIn here.Subscribe to our YouTube channel here.This week on Riding Unicorns, we’re joined by Adam Norris, Founder & CEO of Pure Electric, one of the leading premium electric scooter brands. Adam is also well known for playing a key role in managing the career of his son, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 driver.From building the UK’s largest pension business at Hargreaves Lansdown to investing in 30+ startups through Horatio Investments, Adam has a fascinating entrepreneurial journey that has spanned multiple industries. Now, he’s on a mission to revolutionise urban mobility with Pure Electric, creating world-class electric scooters designed for global markets.In this episode, we discuss:🔹 Early struggles & drive – How Adam overcame dyslexia, academic setbacks & early career challenges🔹 Building Hargreaves Lansdown’s pensions empire – Spotting trends early & scaling a market-defining business🔹 Angel investing & lessons learned – Why he backed 30+ startups & how it shaped his entrepreneurial approach🔹 Scaling Pure Electric – The global opportunity in micro-mobility & how he’s competing with industry giants🔹 Lando Norris’s journey to F1 – The untold story of the dedication, investment & sacrifices behind his success🔹 Big ambitions – Why Adam believes Pure Electric could become the “Apple of scooters”Adam also shares his unique approach to work ethic, his zero-distraction mindset, and how he thinks about long-term, category-defining businesses.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Riding Unicorns podcast on your favourite platform and stay connected with us on social media for more inspiring episodes! 🎙️🦄

Stefano Vaccino is the Founder and CEO of Yapily, a leading open banking infrastructure provider.Stefano shares his unique journey from a career in nanotransistor research and investment banking to discovering his passion for technology and founding Yapily. We explore how open banking regulations like PSD2 inspired him to create a mission-driven company and the challenges he faced as a solo founder building one of the leading players in this competitive space.In this episode, we discuss:Stefano’s career transition from corporate life at Goldman Sachs to becoming a tech founderKey insights on when to take the entrepreneurial leap and how to manage the risksThe evolution of open banking, its global potential, and the massive opportunities it unlocks in payments, lending, and identity verificationLessons on building credibility as a solo founder, raising funding from top VCs and fintech leaders, and navigating a competitive landscapeThe importance of resilience, family support, and maintaining balance as a founderStefano’s insights into open banking’s future and the role Yapily plays in transforming financial services are invaluable for founders, operators, and anyone curious about fintech innovation.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Riding Unicorns podcast on your favourite platform and stay connected with us on social media for more inspiring episodes! 🎙️🦄

Mandeep Singh is an angel investor and co-founder and former CEO of Trouva, a marketplace for independent boutiques that was acquired by Made.com.Mandeep takes us through his journey from founding Trouva, navigating its growth, and the eventual exit, to his current role as an active angel investor with a portfolio of over 80 companies.In this episode, we dive into:The story behind Trouva’s evolution, including the pivots and lessons learned from building both B2B and consumer propositionsThe challenges of building a marketplace, balancing stakeholders, and achieving product-market fitReflections on fundraising, scaling, and navigating acquisitionsMandeep’s approach to angel investing, what he looks for in founders, and his perspective on valuation at the earliest stagesLessons on resilience, grit, and determination, drawn from his entrepreneurial journeyMandeep also shares unique insights into the European startup ecosystem, including the challenges of scaling marketplaces and the capital landscape for ambitious founders.Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of startup life, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Riding Unicorns podcast on your favourite platform and stay connected with us on social media for more inspiring episodes! 🎙️🦄

Tim Chong is the Co-Founder and CEO of Yonder, a modern lifestyle rewards credit card designed for young city adventurers.Tim shares his journey from growing up in Australia and a career in consulting to working at ClearScore and ultimately founding Yonder. We delve into the evolution of the Yonder product and brand, from solving credit challenges for expats to becoming a lifestyle companion for urban explorers.In this episode, we explore:The pivotal insights that shaped Yonder’s unique proposition and its focus on restaurant and travel rewardsLessons on customer discovery, why it’s crucial for founders, and how to execute it effectivelyBuilding a high-frequency, habit-forming product that becomes a primary card for usersThe importance of organisational design, culture, and language in scaling startupsInsights into raising funding through challenging market conditions and the importance of patience in building a generational companyTim also reflects on his role as a first-time founder, the art of adapting as a CEO, and why building great companies takes time, vision, and conviction.Whether you’re a founder, operator, or just curious about building products and brands, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. 🎙️

This week on Riding Unicorns, we’re joined by Romina Savova, Founder & CEO of PensionBee, the platform transforming how people manage their pensions. With over 260,000 customers and £5.5 billion in assets under management, PensionBee has become a household name in the UK. Romina shares the journey of building a public company that empowers consumers to take control of their retirement savings.In this episode, we explore: 🎙️ Romina's career shift from investment banking to founding PensionBee🔍 How PensionBee approached the complexities of trust-building in the pensions industry🏟️ Their thoughtful brand partnerships, including sponsorship of Brentford FC and National Geographic💡 The decision to go public, raising £55 million and the benefits of transparency and simplified ownership structures🇺🇸 The exciting expansion into the US market and the parallels between UK and US pension landscapes👩‍💼 Hiring strategies that prioritise internal progression and a deep understanding of customer needsRomina also shares insights into navigating the political landscape surrounding pensions, the importance of long-term thinking, and how PensionBee stays focused amidst external noise. Plus, don’t miss her Future Unicorn prediction and a fascinating dinner party guest list that blends business and politics!Tune in to hear how Romina and her team have built PensionBee into a trusted brand and what’s next for the company as they continue their mission to give consumers “extra time” in retirement. 🚀Enjoying Riding Unicorns? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share on your favourite podcast platform! 🎧

This week on Riding Unicorns, we're joined by Dom Hallas, Executive Director at the Startup Coalition, the policy voice for UK tech startups and scaleups. Dom brings a wealth of insight into the intersection of tech, venture, and public policy, offering a fascinating look into the state of the UK ecosystem during a time of governmental and economic change.Dom discusses the Startup Coalition's mission to advocate for startups and investors by addressing key challenges such as access to talent, funding, and regulatory clarity. He also shares valuable perspectives on how policy can shape the future of startups across areas like AI, climate tech, and FinTech.In this episode, we explore: 🎙️ The impact of the new UK government and Autumn Budget on startups and investors📊 The state of venture funding, including changes to tax incentives, capital gains, and carried interest📍 Regional disparities in startup funding and the Coalition's "Funding the Underfunded" project tackling inequalities across gender, race, class, and geography🤖 The future of AI regulation and how the UK can become a global leader in building and applying AI technologies💡 Opportunities for the UK to leverage its strengths in sectors like finance and healthcare to remain competitive on the global stageDom also shares his personal passion for football and sports, offering a light-hearted end to an episode packed with actionable insights for founders, investors, and policymakers alike.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Riding Unicorns podcast on your favourite platform and stay connected with us on social media for more inspiring episodes! 🎙️🦄