FT Start-Up Stories

William Sargent founded his visual effects company over 30 years ago in London’s Soho district, and tells Jonathan Moules that the location was key to the early success of the business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lopo Champalimold, a seasoned entrepreneur, shares the ups and downs of pivoting his platform business and highlights the importance of hiring the right talent. Tristram Mayhew, co-founder of Go Ape, recounts his transition from military life to adventure entrepreneurship, focusing on the significance of site exclusivity and family values. Both guests discuss resilience, the necessity of honest feedback in teams, and the sacrifices required for independence and long-term success, revealing their unique strategies for thriving in competitive markets.

Al Shariat, founder of a business selling ethically sourced coconut products, shares how a taste test ignited his entrepreneurial spirit after his work with the UNDP. He highlights the importance of partnering directly with farmers for fair pay and community development. Alex Nichols, a social entrepreneurship academic, contrasts fair trade and ethical sourcing, discussing their impacts on supply chains. Both delve into balancing commercial success with social missions, sharing stories of empowerment for farmers and innovative product development.

Nikhil Shah, co-founder of Mixcloud, shares the journey of building a profitable music streaming platform without external funding. He discusses how he pivoted from grand ideas to tackle real problems, living lean, and leveraging sweat equity to assemble a team. Daniel Eisenberg, an entrepreneurship educator, contrasts bootstrapping with VC funding, emphasizing the importance of profitability over rapid growth. Together, they explore strategies for surviving in the competitive music industry while staying independent.

Phil Davidson, founder of Mother, shares his inspiring journey of creating innovative fresh-food vending machines. He discusses the tech behind the smart machines, including real-time monitoring and automated support features. Davidson reveals the challenges faced during development, from software hurdles to vendor partnerships. He also outlines Mother's unique leasing model, its deployments in corporate settings, and plans for expansion beyond London. With insights on competing with giants and advice for budding entrepreneurs, this chat is both enlightening and motivating.

Tugce Bulut, Founder of Streetbees, shares her insights on innovating market research through mobile technology. She discusses identifying data gaps in emerging markets like Nigeria and India, and how her platform gathers real-time consumer insights from paid volunteers. Tugce explains the challenges of rapid expansion and the importance of reliable, multi-country data. She also highlights effective strategies for building a global presence on a budget and ensuring data quality while preventing fraud, all using grassroots technology.

Paul Roberts, engineer and co-founder of Cambridge Medical Robotics, discusses the groundbreaking work behind a biomimetic wrist for surgical robots. He highlights gaps in keyhole surgery accessibility and the challenges of recruiting skilled talent for his mission-driven team. With insights on integrating technologies from aviation and mobile phones, Paul reveals the innovative design's potential. He also shares experiences with securing funding and the impact of Brexit on high-tech manufacturing in the UK.

Nuno Sebastiao, Co-founder of Feedzai, shares his journey in raising funds for his cutting-edge fraud detection startup. He explores the challenges of securing European backers versus the eagerness of U.S. investors to embrace innovation. Nuno recounts a pivotal pitch meeting with Capital One that opened the doors to the U.S. market. He also discusses how the team's diverse roles support their global operations and the importance of trust in client relationships. Tune in for insights on navigating startup fundraising and building a tech-driven service.

Gary Grant, the founder of The Entertainer toy shop chain, shares his journey from the skateboard boom to a thriving toy empire. He reveals how acquiring closed competitors' locations allowed for rapid expansion. Grant emphasizes that ethical, people-first management is the core of his success, fostering strong relationships with employees, suppliers, and landlords. He also reflects on surviving the 2008 financial crisis and how a focus on creating joyful customer experiences has been central to his rise. Discover how ethics can fuel long-term business success!

Daniel Reilly, a tech entrepreneur with a background at Groupon and Cardlytics, shares insights from his journey of launching a marketing-tech marketplace. He reveals the challenges of failing to validate market demand before launch and the emotional impact of closing the business. Reilly stresses the importance of early testing and reflects on the lessons learned before taking on a leadership role at Be My Eye. He also discusses plans to leverage technology for social resource allocation, aiming to make a positive impact beyond mere profit.