FT Start-Up Stories

In this engaging conversation, Alex Klein, Co-founder of Kano, discusses his mission to make computing approachable for everyone. He shares how a child's request for a Lego-like computer sparked the idea for his innovative kits. Alex reveals the process of turning a pet project into a scalable product through crowdfunding and community engagement. He highlights the importance of user feedback in shaping design and product features. With ambitious goals, he also talks about preserving Kano's unique culture as the company grows and reaches a global audience.

Geoff Watts and Julia Fowler co-founded EDITED, an innovative tech company that brings data analysis to the retail industry, nearly a decade ago. They tell Jonathan Moules that the toughest problem they've faced was when they hired someone who wasn't a team player. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chetan Dube, founder of IPsoft and creator of AI 'Amelia,' shares his journey from academia to business, driven by a desire for real-world impact. He discusses the intriguing development of Amelia, emphasizing her ability to blur the lines between human and machine interaction. Chetan details how Amelia enhances business functions across industries, and he highlights the significant investment behind this innovation. Alongside academic commentator Philipp Silberzain, they explore the complexities of AI's role in society, including the responsibility for retraining displaced workers.

Michelle You, co-founder of the music ticketing and concert discovery platform Songkick, tells Jonathan Moules about the fun of creating a business, and the sense of failure she felt after the company was acquired by Time Warner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Peter Mühlmann’s mum had some bad experiences making her first purchases online in 2007, he decided there must be a way to guide consumers to businesses they could trust. The result was Trustpilot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Sarah Murray, founder of Buddi, shares her journey from setbacks to success after losing a crucial government contract. She reflects on the challenges of selling to large institutions and the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship. John Mullins, a London Business School professor, highlights the significance of customer-driven product development. Together, they explore the pivot to international markets and the lessons learned in resilience, innovation, and the need to persevere in business ventures.

Marcin Kleczynski, the Founder and CEO of Malwarebytes, shares his journey from battling a computer virus at age 14 to leading a global cybersecurity firm. He discusses how the freemium business model transformed from a volunteer effort into a lucrative company. Marcin reveals insights on adapting from remediation to prevention, scaling the business while in university, and fostering a strong remote culture. He emphasizes the importance of recruiting from the security community and maintaining a no-nonsense company ethos to innovate and succeed.

Julie Deane, founder of the Cambridge Satchel Company, shares her journey from a £600 startup to a global brand. Initially driven by her children's education, she faced challenges after attracting venture capital. Julie opens up about losing confidence due to cultural shifts within the company, coping with crises, and ultimately regaining control by starting a UK factory. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to your original purpose and offers valuable lessons on navigating rapid growth while keeping ego in check.

Jacob de Geer, Founder and CEO of iZettle, shares his journey from identifying a market gap to revolutionizing payments for small businesses. He discusses the challenges of disrupting a conservative industry and how initial skepticism fueled his persistence. With no financial background, he capitalized on a cashless opportunity unveiled through his ex-wife’s experiences. Jacob highlights the importance of product-market fit, innovative marketing tactics, and the role of luck in iZettle's rapid expansion across markets like Mexico and Brazil.

Dale Murray co-founded Omega Logic, which provided an electronic solution for mobile phone top-ups just as mobile phone use in the UK was becoming widespread. Timing played a big role in the success of the company, but it was ultimately her networking skills that saved the business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.