FT Start-Up Stories

Lopo Champalimaud, wanted to expand his online marketplace for health treatments rapidly across Europe. He chose the unusual route of recruiting other entrepreneurs who provided both local knowledge, an existing customer base - and a new name for the business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shakil Khan and his co-founder kept their student accommodation website out of the media spotlight during its early years while they tested the market and its global potential. He tells Jonathan Moules why he thinks this was the right strategy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Stapleton co-founded a successful food business in the UK and then sold the business with the idea of setting up a similar venture in the US. As he tells Jonathan Moules, things didn't quite go to plan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Walton moved from London to Costa Rica to take up surfing and run his business remotely from there after a health scare prompted him to rethink his work-life balance. He tells Jonathan Moules how it worked out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ismael Ahmed, founder of WorldRemit, shares his transformative journey from whistleblower to entrepreneur. He reveals how he used compensation from UN corruption investigations to launch his groundbreaking remittance service. The conversation dives into the socio-economic impact of remittances on Somaliland, the technological revolution in money transfers, and the importance of sustainable revenue models for startups. Ismael also discusses the challenges and successes he faced in scaling his business globally, shedding light on the evolving startup funding landscape.

John Lynch, a dynamic entrepreneur who relocated from Connecticut to Krakow in 1991, shares his incredible journey of establishing a corporate clothing company in the challenging post-communist landscape. He discusses the cultural nuances of hiring in Central Eastern Europe and the importance of fostering a supportive workplace. John reveals the power of employee loyalty during a hostile takeover, illustrating how solidarity can empower businesses. Additionally, he emphasizes the critical role of ongoing education and team investment in achieving success.

Alicia Navarro, known as the 'queen of the pivots' and founder of Skimlinks, shares her inspiring journey of transforming a failing social shopping platform into a successful B2B ad tech company. She discusses the strategic shifts made during the 2008 financial crisis, emphasizing the importance of agility and embracing change. Alicia dives into the emotional challenges of product failures and highlights the necessity of focusing on customer needs. Her insights shed light on navigating uncertainty and fostering innovation within startups.

Jamie Waller, founder and CEO of JBW Group, discusses his journey from car sales to debt collection, emphasizing the importance of ethics in a typically skeptical industry. He shares personal experiences in instilling ethical values and confronting dilemmas faced by vulnerable individuals. David de Kramer, a business ethics expert from Judge Business School, joins the conversation to explore how a strong organizational culture can promote proactive ethical thinking. Together, they advocate for a values-driven approach that prioritizes well-being over mere compliance.

Siete Hamminge, a Dutch entrepreneur and founder of Robin Radar, shares his journey from developing bird detection technology to addressing drone threats. He discusses the challenges of lengthy procurement processes with large companies and how he pivoted his business model to save it. Hamminge emphasizes the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship and the need for maintaining focus amid various opportunities. He also highlights strategies for small businesses to build credibility and thrive in competitive markets.

Diane Young, Chief Executive of The Drum, shares her inspiring journey of revitalizing a struggling marketing business by emphasizing collaboration and idea-sharing. She discusses the emotional toll of financial challenges and her transformation through mentorship and continuous learning. Young delves into innovative scalable marketing solutions and highlights the lean startup approach, promoting the importance of testing ideas and adapting based on real-time feedback. Her insights reveal how connecting with other entrepreneurs can lead to impactful business success.