FT Start-Up Stories

Andre Kaur, a representative from Asta, shares crucial insights on safeguarding assets in both physical and digital realms. He emphasizes that protecting information is as vital as ensuring physical security. Listeners will gain a fresh perspective on the challenges entrepreneurs face in maintaining asset safety. The host also teases exciting upcoming guests and discussions in the new series, promising a wealth of entrepreneurial wisdom on the way.

Philipp Bock, founder of Alpago, seeks to revolutionize cross-border payments in Latin America. He reflects on his journey from Brazil to Berlin, and how early career experiences shaped his vision. The need for a localized payments infrastructure became evident during a merchant roadshow. Philipp details Alpago's unique two-layer strategy and the challenges of securing their first big client, McAfee. He emphasizes the power of local partnerships and cultural understanding, sharing transformative moments and valuable advice for aspiring founders.

Glenn Keys and Andrew Walker, former army pals and co-founders of a global healthcare firm, share their inspiring journey from military service to innovative healthcare solutions. They discuss transforming NHS waiting lists and securing critical contracts in conflict zones like the Solomons. Expert Bernd Vogel weighs in on their patient-centered leadership, while the duo reveals how they prioritized staff safety during operations, particularly during their Ebola response. Their story highlights the impact of resilience, trust, and a commitment to people over profit.

Jeff Raider is an entrepreneur and co-founder of successful consumer brands like Warby Parker and Harry's. He discusses how a personal frustration with overpriced glasses inspired Warby Parker’s one-for-one model. Jeff shares insights on building a high-quality, low-cost shaving brand and details the rigorous product development process. Heidi Knack, an expert in entrepreneurial studies, explains how startups can outmaneuver giant incumbents by leveraging simplicity and direct sales strategies. Together, they reveal critical lessons on commitment and effective team building.

Katie Hill-Gottesman, the founder of Commuter Ads, shares how a packed train ride inspired her transit advertising venture focused on low-capital solutions. She recounts pitching to transit authorities and navigating a memorable pilot mishap in Dayton. Simon Stockley from Cambridge Judge Business School discusses investor biases, particularly the gender dynamics in venture capital. Katie also highlights her experiences as a female founder, from fundraising challenges to defining work-life boundaries while collaborating with her husband.

Bernard Liautaud, a trailblazing serial entrepreneur, founded Business Objects, the first French software firm to go public in the U.S. He shares insights on launching his startup, overcoming cultural hurdles for international expansion, and the journey to a successful IPO with Goldman Sachs. Bernard dives into the challenges of rapid growth, including a painful product rewrite and market cap collapse, before detailing the turnaround that led to a $5bn valuation. Now an investor, he offers valuable advice for budding European entrepreneurs.

Cal Henderson, co-founder of Slack and former creator of Flickr, shares his entrepreneurial journey from a failed video game to the transformative tool Slack. He discusses the pivot from gaming to photo sharing and the rapid success of Flickr. Cal highlights the challenges faced while building Glitch and how internal tools evolved into Slack. He reflects on hiring strategies, the importance of passion in entrepreneurship, and lessons learned from failure, emphasizing that building what you enjoy leads to meaningful products.

Emily Brooke wanted to help solve the worst problem faced by urban cyclists - safety. She tells Jonathan Moules how she went about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Dean, a former counter-terrorism officer and founder of Tough Mudder, shares his journey in the extreme sports world. He reveals how a legal challenge unexpectedly fueled the growth of his business. Dean discusses the emotional hurdles of being a founder-CEO, the importance of a strong company culture, and the complexities of intellectual property. He also highlights the role of branding and incremental improvements in navigating competitive markets, blending personal passion with strategic vision.

Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh, founder of Sugru, shares her journey from an art student to a product designer dedicated to combating the throwaway culture. She reveals how she transformed a quirky idea into a critical repair material through hands-on chemistry and community-driven support. Jane discusses overcoming economic hurdles, utilizing guerrilla marketing strategies like a donkey stunt, and how viral media propelled Sugru's success. Her passion for building a community of 'fixers' shines through as she emphasizes creativity in leadership and the role of crowdfunding in scaling her brand.