Startup Scaleup People

£900K Pipeline From a £20K Bet: Bilal's SaaS GTM Masterclass Most SaaS founders think go-to-market is broken — but the real problem is chasing shiny objects instead of mastering fundamentals. In this episode, Mario Rivas sits down with Bilal, a GTM strategist and operator whose scaleup leadership at UserPilot redefined what modern outreach, ABM, and demand generation look like for B2B SaaS growth.Bilal reveals how a single £20K LinkedIn ABM campaign generated over £900K in qualified pipeline, how his team scaled organic traffic to 300K+ monthly visitors, and why the future of SaaS go-to-market runs on code, not tools. From ICP definition to waterfall email enrichment, from manual outreach experiments to AI-powered context operating systems, this episode is a business transformation masterclass for anyone serious about scaling revenue.Hosted by Mario RivasAbout Startup Scaleup People:Real stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages, we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation.Chapters00:00 Welcome & Bilal's GTM Background02:05 Is SaaS Go-To-Market Really Broken?05:15 How a £20K ABM Campaign Generated £900K in Pipeline11:19 Building Outbound From Scratch: 25K in Wins & 36 Deals16:42 The Layered Channel Strategy That Became the Secret Sauce27:07 Activation Rates, Product-Market Fit vs. Novelty31:39 Scaling Content: 770 Blogs, 14 Languages, 34K Extra Visitors34:59 The Tools Stack to Start With (Claude Code, APIs & MCPs)💬 Key Highlights▸ A £20K LinkedIn ABM pilot targeting 1,417 accounts generated over £900K in qualified pipeline, and is still UserPilot's second best-performing campaign two years later▸ Stop chasing shiny objects: Bilal's core philosophy is test manually, prove it works, then scale ruthlessly, not the other way around▸ ICP definition beats tool selection every time, knowing exactly who you're selling to, where they live online, and what pain they're feeling is the only foundation that scales▸ Waterfall email enrichment, API-driven prospecting, and a self-updating ICP system are replacing Apollo-style manual workflows for lean GTM teams▸ The next competitive moat is a "context OS", an internal AI brain connected to your CRM, docs, and data that generates outreach, landing pages, and sales assets on demand#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신 #gtm #accountbasedmarketing #demandgeneration #b2bsales #saasmarketing #revops #outboundsales #linkedinads #contentmarketing #aitool

What if you could clone yourself, and build an AI team that works for you 24/7?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, Mario sits down with Cien, founder of LaunchLemonade, to break down how AI agents are transforming the way businesses operate, and how anyone can start building them today.From bootstrapping her startup to 10,000 users and 20,000 AI agents, Cien shares the real story behind building an AI company, the future of work, and why most people are still underestimating what’s coming.About Cien:Cien is the founder of LaunchLemonade, an AI platform that enables users to build and deploy AI agents across business workflows. With a background in product and machine learning, she has helped build credit, fraud, and decisioning systems before launching her own AI company. Today, her platform supports thousands of users and tens of thousands of AI agents.Subscribe for more:Real conversations with founders, operators, and investors building the future of tech and AI.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to AI and Entrepreneurship02:09 The Journey of Launch Lemonade04:31 Building AI Agents for Business06:57 Customer Success Stories with AI09:18 Challenges in the AI Market11:40 Future Directions for Launch Lemonade14:01 Concerns About AI and Job Displacement16:36 Essential Skills for the AI Era18:53 Insights on Recent AI Developments21:24 Advice for New AI Entrepreneurs23:22 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook#foundermindset #founderstories #ai #podcast #aiautomation #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #motivation

What’s really happening behind the AI boom?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we sis down with Tim Daines, an enterprise AI expert working across the UK, Europe, and Dubai, to unpack the gap between AI hype and operational reality.From billion-dollar investments to failed implementations, this conversation breaks down why most AI projects don’t deliver ROI, and what companies must do differently.Key insight:AI success isn’t about models—it’s about data, workflows, and operational design.About Tim Daines:Tim works at the intersection of AI strategy and execution, helping organizations move from hype to real production systems. He’s advised companies across healthcare, enterprise, and government, including work with the NHS, and now operates in Dubai’s rapidly growing AI ecosystem.Real conversations with builders, operators, and investors shaping the future of tech.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction01:15 Dubai’s $47B AI market explained04:52 UK vs Dubai AI strategy differences08:18 Government-driven AI adoption11:23 Challenges working in high-AI-hype environments17:38 Why ambition beats compliance23:02 Why AI investments fail27:15 The hidden cost of data debt31:08 How to measure AI ROI36:40 KPIs that actually matter37:20 Lessons learned in AI strategy

In this episode, we dive deep into corporate governance, board dynamics, and the real role of non-executive directors with Kelly Kuhn, an experienced independent board director, chair, and former global C-suite executive with 30+ years of experience.Kelly shares practical insights on what boards actually do, how governance differs from execution, and how to start a board career, including what most people get wrong.If you're a founder, executive, or aspiring board member, this episode is for you.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Kelly Kuhn and what a board does02:20 Board director vs non-executive director05:10 Why boards matter for shareholders, oversight, and governance08:10 Board structure in the UK, US, and different company types11:40 Executive vs board mindset: when governance becomes different15:40 Real board experience and learning in the first board role20:20 How many board roles and what types Kelly has served on25:10 What to look for when interviewing for a board role31:10 Why site visits and employee connection matter for boards38:20 Advice for younger board members and executives considering board service44:10 Charity boards: what to know before joining49:00 Final advice and closing thoughtsHosted by Mario RivasAbout Startup Scaleup People:Real stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages, we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation.New episodes every Monday at 6PM UK time.#CorporateGovernance #BoardOfDirectors #Leadership #StartupGrowth #Scaleups

How Mathilda Strom Is Scaling AI in Healthcare In this new episode, we explore how leadership and AI are transforming the future of healthcare and drug discovery. Mathilda Strom shares how foundation models are reshaping clinical trials, improving patient outcomes, and redefining business strategy in biotech and AI.With $76M raised at Series A and over 1 million model downloads, Bioptimus is at the forefront of AI-driven biology. This episode is a masterclass in scaling deep tech, navigating complex markets, and building high-impact companies across healthcare and AI. Hosted by Mario Rivas.About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages, we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation. New episodes every Monday at 6PM UK time.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Healthcare01:30 The Role of AI in Drug Discovery04:38 User Adoption and Real-World Impact07:23 Key Performance Indicators for AI Models08:53 Revenue Models and Business Strategies10:09 Lessons from Bima: Distribution and Trust15:36 AI's Impact on Scientific Work21:31 The Future of AI: Human and Infrastructure Roles22:57 Control of AI Infrastructure: Private vs Public24:05 The Role of Governments in Innovation26:31 The Future of Virtual Healthcare35:36 Lessons Learned and Simplification in BusinessKey Highlights▸ AI’s biggest opportunity is fixing clinical trial failure rates▸ Founder mindset: simplicity drives adoption and scale▸ Scaling lesson: last-mile adoption is where growth happens▸ Operational insight: track every unit cost to win at scale▸ Governance insight: AI infrastructure needs private innovation + regulationFollow & Subscribehttps://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/startup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, fintech#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

Want to scale your company from $100M to $500M? The secret isn’t just strategy, it’s culture.In this episode of the Startup Scaleup People Podcast, Mario sits down with Sharon Parmar, CEO of Humanity Works Consultancy, to reveal how culture, leadership, and trust drive exponential business growth.Sharon has helped global companies scale revenue, reduce churn, and build high-performance teams, and in this conversation, she breaks down exactly how it works.What you’ll learn:Why 70% of companies fail to scale (and how to avoid it)The real meaning of culture (hint: it’s not values on the wall)How to build a high-trust organization that drives growthWhen you need to let people go to scaleThe #1 KPI to measure culture impact (and how to improve it)How AI is changing hiring, leadership, and team structureWhy the best leaders embrace conflict (and how to do it right)Key insight:Companies with strong trust cultures outperform others with up to 4–5x higher revenue.If you're a founder, CEO, or leader scaling your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.Connect with Sharon Parmar:Website: https://humanityworksconsultancy.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-parmar/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Sharon Parmar01:44 Culture as a growth lever05:28 How culture projects start in scaleups10:52 Metrics that show culture is working15:44 The 100M to 500M scaling challenge18:33 AI, jobs, and the future of work24:44 Leadership, conflict, and trust37:53 Final advice for CEOs and foundersHosted by Mario RivasAbout Startup Scaleup People:Real stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation.New episodes every Monday at 6PM UK time.#StartupGrowth #Leadership #ScalingBusiness #CompanyCulture #Entrepreneurship #AI #BusinessStrategy

How Beth Crosier Helps Startups Become Investor-Ready | Startup Scaleup PeopleStartup and Scaleup founders often struggle with leadership, financial clarity, and funding strategy. In this episode, Beth Crosier explains how strong financial discipline transforms early-stage startups into scalable businesses, and what investors really look for when backing founders in today’s competitive startup ecosystem.From pre-seed to £2M+ raises, this episode breaks down real funding journeys, financial model mistakes, and the reality of raising capital outside major hubs. This is a masterclass from Beth in startup funding, financial storytelling, and scaling strategy. Hosted by Mario Rivas 📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Startup Funding Myths & Founder Mistakes01:14 The Real Funding Gap Outside London03:50 Why Raising Capital Is Harder Today05:56 Fixing Financial Models for Investors09:13 KPIs Investors Actually Care About12:42 Ambition vs Reality in Financial Forecasting18:13 Unit Economics & Profitability Explained23:23 Red Flags That Kill Startup Deals28:55 Scaling from Startup to Scaleup32:36 Founder Mindset & Leadership Lessons💬 Key Highlights▸ Most startups fail fundraising due to weak financial storytelling▸ Founders must shift from intuition to financial discipline▸ Scaling requires repeatable growth, not just traction▸ Strong unit economics matter more than rapid growth▸ Investors evaluate cash, traction, and governance first🔗 Follow & Subscribehttps://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, fintech, financial models, unit economics, fundraising strategy, investor readiness, venture capital funding, startup KPIs, burn rate, runway, SaaS metrics, startup finance, growth strategy, scaling startups, fundraising mistakes🏷️ Hashtags#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

Startup and Scaleup leadership today increasingly intersects with AI transformation, digital strategy, and operational change. In this episode, Rujuta Singh explains how enterprises should actually approach AI adoption, data strategy, and process automation without wasting millions on tools that don’t solve the real problem. With more than 20 years of experience in data and digital transformation, working with Fortune 500 organizations, Rujuta shares why most companies misunderstand AI, and how leaders can implement it correctly through clear business strategy, fast prototyping, and measurable outcomes.This episode is a practical masterclass in AI strategy, digital transformation leadership, and enterprise innovation.Hosted by Mario RivasAbout Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages, we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.00:00 Why Companies Misunderstand AI Transformation02:00 Are Companies Automating Broken Processes With AI?04:30 Data Quality vs Business Processes in AI Adoption07:00 The Biggest Mistake Leaders Make With AI09:00 How to Allocate a $1M AI Transformation Budget12:00 Measuring ROI in AI and Digital Transformation16:00 Why Enterprise Transformations Take Years21:00 Why Only 5% of Companies Are AI Ready🔗 Follow & Subscribehttps://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/https://www.tiktok.com/@startupscaleuppeoplehttps://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/startup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, fintech, AI transformation strategy, enterprise AI adoption, AI implementation for companies, digital transformation leadership, AI strategy consulting, enterprise AI transformation, AI automation business processes, AI ROI strategy, AI adoption enterprise, digital transformation enterprise, AI governance, enterprise automation strategy#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

In episode 21, Mario sits down with Melissa Dewar, founder & CEO of The Modernist, a tech‑enabled membership platform connecting premium venues with “modern members” across cities like London, Paris and New York. ​Melissa explains how she’s building a kind of “ClassPass for private members’ clubs” a global operating system that aggregates social clubs, co‑working and wellness spaces into one platform for members and venues. She shares the origin story, the two‑sided marketplace model, and why post‑COVID demand for curated, in‑person experiences is exploding.​ We talk about growing The Modernist to 1,000+ members and 20+ venues, the challenges of a two‑sided marketplace, using AI to streamline operations and curation, and what it’s really like fundraising as a female founder in today’s market.​About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages, we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.Chapters00:00 The Startup Behind “ClassPass for Private Members Clubs”03:00 The Problem With Multiple Memberships Across Cities06:00 The Modernist Business Model Explained09:00 Building a Curated Community & Application Process12:00 Scaling to 1,000 Members & 20 Venues16:00 Fundraising Challenges for Non-AI Startups20:00 Expanding to New York & Paris24:00 Lessons From Building a Community-Driven Platformhttps://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

How Paul Burnett Built & Exited a £50M Energy Scaleup | Startup Scaleup PeopleStartup and scaleup leadership in the UK energy transition market demands strategy, resilience, and execution. In this episode, Paul Burnett shares how he built Asset Plus into a £37M revenue decarbonisation business before exiting for ~£50M to Johnson Controls. This is a masterclass in energy performance contracting, public sector scaling, and founder leadership. Decarbonising 600+ buildings and delivering 30,000 tons of annual carbon savings, Paul scaled with just 9 employees, leveraging balance sheet strategy, contracted pipeline, and smart market positioning. From managing cash flow pressure to structuring for acquisition, this episode breaks down how to build a high-margin, exit-ready energy scaleup.Hosted by Mario RivasAbout Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages, we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation.New episodes every Friday at 4PM UK time.Chapters00:00 From Construction to Energy Transition Leader03:05 Building Asset Plus from Scratch06:20 Energy Performance Contracting Explained09:45 Scaling to £37M with 9 Employees12:50 Securing Public Sector Contracts15:20 Preparing for Acquisition & Exit Strategy18:30 Why Johnson Controls Acquired Asset Plus21:45 Founder Lessons: Cash Flow & Governance🔗 Follow & Subscribehttps://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/https://www.squarecircle.me#netzero #startupexit #climatetech #proptech #scaleups #johnsoncontrols #decarbonisation #energysavings #founder #ukstartups

How Matias Acosta Is Scaling AI HVAC to Transform Buildings | Startup Scaleup PeopleStartup and scaleup leadership in the AI energy sector requires bold decisions and deep technical vision. In this episode, Matias Acosta shares how he built an AI-driven HVAC optimization startup transforming commercial buildings through intelligent automation, real-time data, and sustainable innovation.This is a masterclass in startup growth, climate tech, and enterprise leadership. CosySense installs plug-and-play AI systems into commercial buildings, charging only a fraction of realized savings. With 120+ air conditioning units already running autonomously and 20,000 in the pipeline, this scaleup is outperforming projections and expanding across the UK, Germany, and Latin America. From Cambridge researcher and UN staff member to venture-backed climate tech founder, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build, fund, and scale a deep tech startup.Hosted by Mario Rivas About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages, we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, governance, AI, fintech, SaaS, and business transformation.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.Chapters00:00 From Cambridge & UN to Climate Tech Founder03:20 What AI HVAC Optimization Actually Means06:40 The 8 Billion Ton CO2 Opportunity09:25 Quitting Academia to Build a Startup13:05 Scaling from 3 to 10 People in Months18:30 Raising VC: Cambridge, BGV & Super Angels23:00 Scaling Hardware + Software Internationally30:40 Building Toward a £300M+ ValuationKey Highlights🔗 Follow & Subscribe https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/https://www.squarecircle.me

How do you scale a healthcare SaaS from Chile to LATAM and beyond? In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we speak with Tomás Maremaa, co-founder and CEO of Encuadrado, a practice management platform now used by over 6,000 healthcare professionals.Tomás shares his journey from Y Combinator and Silicon Valley to launching a tech company in Chile — and how Encuadrado scaled across Latin America with a product-led strategy, high-impact design, and customer obsession. From global compliance to patient prepayments, this episode reveals how to win in regulated industries.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas Real stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.00:00 Welcome & What is Encuadrado? 02:40 The Healthcare SaaS Opportunity in LATAM 06:30 Expansion to Mexico, Colombia, and Spain 10:20 Product-Led Growth in a Regulated Market 14:00 Verifying Healthcare Credentials & Safety 17:00 From YC to Building a Chilean Scaleup 22:00 Leading a 40+ Person Team & Product Vision 30:00 Building for Retention, Not Marketplace Noise 36:00 Key Metrics, GTM Lessons & Founder Advice▸ Built a regional SaaS platform for psychologists, therapists, and clinicians across LATAM▸ 6,000+ healthcare professionals on platform, $100M+ in transactions processed▸ Leveraged product-led growth and public links to scale without paid demand generation▸ Created automated prepayment and reminder systems to eliminate no-shows▸ Navigated healthcare regulations with certification layers & market-specific localization▸ Scaled a 40+ person team and implemented customer-verified roadmap & premium tiersSaaS founders • Healthtech operators • YC & LATAM founders • Product & growth teams • Practice management startups • Investors in regulated markets📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.mestartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, healthcare SaaS, Latin America, YC founders, patient payments, product-led growth#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #technology #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

Why do so many startup founders feel lost or burned out after reaching success?In this episode, we uncover why some startup companies feel "flat" or emotionally collapsed after major milestones like scaling or exit. We explore the hidden startup struggles that emerge when momentum slows — and how founders can avoid spiraling.You’ll learn powerful startup tips and the Realignment System designed to foster sustainable business growth, inner clarity, and strategic decision-making during high-pressure transitions.What really happens after scaling fast or exiting big? Many founders hit emotional walls — burnout, loss of purpose, or mental fatigue. In this episode, psychiatrist-turned-performance coach Dr. Anne-Marie King shares her Realignment System — a 90-day mental performance framework for high-growth founders.Hosted by Mario Rivas 📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Welcome & Why Founders Struggle After Success02:30 Symptoms of Misalignment While Scaling06:40 How Mental Performance Drives Growth10:20 From Psychiatry to Coaching Founders15:00 What Happens Post Exit (and Why 70% Crash)20:45 The Realignment System & Operating Rhythm26:00 Identity, Recovery & Finding Purpose Again30:00 Key Advice for Any High-Performance Leader💬 Key Highlights▸ 70% of exited founders experience post-exit emotional collapse ▸ Common symptoms: burnout, overwhelm, second-guessing, scattered focu ▸ The real reason momentum stalls at scaling stage: internal constraints ▸ Dr. King’s 90-day operating system for mental performance & founder alignment▸ Why identity loss is so common post-liquidity and how to rebuild▸ How to decode founder signals and map hidden bottlenecks to outcomes👥 Who Should ListenStartup & scaleup founders • Investors • Executive coaches • Wellness-focused leaders • Board members • Exited entrepreneurs • Founders feeling stuck🔗 Follow & SubscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/Community Website: https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, mental fitness, founder psychology, exited founders, performance coaching, founder burnout, alignment, identity work#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #technology #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento

How do you go from zero to 20,000 founders, investors & builders in just 2 years — without raising a cent? In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we speak with Vasily Alekseenko, founder of Rare Founders — one of London’s largest and most consistent in-person startup and investor communities.From Christmas parties with 1,500+ people to demo days where 40+ startups raised funds, Vasily shares how he scaled by creating real value, staying consistent, saying no to distractions, and building deep partnerships that actually work.He also opens up about the challenge of moving from investment banking into entrepreneurship, the broken investor-founder dynamic, building a tech platform to surface overlooked founders, and why failure is the best teacher.Hosted by Mario RivasReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between. New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.00:00 Welcome & Founder Intro01:50 How Rare Founders Began (By Accident)05:00 Staying Focused & Avoiding Shiny Objects08:00 Breaking the Transactional Culture in VC14:00 Building from Community > Raising Capital19:00 Leaving Investment Banking22:00 Hosting London’s Largest Startup Events30:00 Building a Tool to Identify Founder Outliers40:00 Final Advice: Learn How to Fail▸ Built a 20,000+ member founder/investor community in London ▸ Hosted 1,500+ attendee Christmas party & 2,000+ person demo days ▸ Created open mic formats with water guns & zero chairs to rebel against corporate stuffiness ▸ Shares behind-the-scenes of startup fundraising bias and platform inefficiencies ▸ Building tech to identify "founder outliers" and level the playing field in early-stage investing ▸ Left a lucrative investment banking career to build community-led ventures ▸ Real talk on sponsorships, partnerships & surviving risky callsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416LinkedIn (Page): https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/LinkedIn (Mario): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/startup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, community building, investor-founder dynamics, tech platform, VC culture, inclusive innovation#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #technology #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정심

What does it really take to evolve from COO to CEO? Or from startup founder to strategic enterprise leader?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we sit down with Simon Stibbs, an executive coach who has advised 1,000+ CEOs and coached over 30 leaders into top roles across Australia and beyond.From working with first-time founders to enterprise CEOs managing thousands, Simon reveals the real inner work required to shift mindsets, lead boards, navigate politics, and position yourself for the next big leap.Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Chown.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Welcome & Intro01:50 Why Simon coaches COOs into CEOs06:00 Top barriers that block CEO transitions09:20 Coaching women to reframe their strategic value13:10 What young CEOs need to focus on16:30 Managing boards and internal politics24:30 Leading teams across 14 countries30:00 Building the right network for CEO transitions💬 Key Highlights▸ Why COO-to-CEO is one of the hardest transitions ▸ The key blind spots even high-performing leaders face ▸ How language, perception & framing shape career growth ▸ What separates a strategist from a "troubleshooter" ▸ Why board relationships can make or break your influence ▸ Lessons from working with CEOs managing 15,000+ people ▸ The importance of developing a board portfolio early👥 Who Should ListenAspiring CEOs • COOs & C-suite leaders • First-time founders • Board advisors • Leadership coaches • Investors & executive recruiters🔗 Follow & SubscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416LinkedIn (Page): https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/LinkedIn (Mario): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/Community Website: https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, coaching, board politics, COO to CEO, career growth, high-performance leadership#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #technology #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정심

From scaling SaaS to multiple private equity exits and now building AI-powered cybersecurity, David Rajakovich shares what it takes to lead, exit, and build again.This episode features his journey from the US Army to leading Acuity Risk Management and Skill Dynamics, scaling ARR past $10M and navigating two major exits before launching a new AI platform tackling enterprise threat intelligence.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Chown📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Intro & Army to SaaS04:12 Scaling Skill Dynamics09:03 Private Equity Exit Lessons13:20 Building Acuity Risk Management17:55 Identifying Big Cyber Threats22:10 Launching New AI Venture26:30 Founders vs. Risk Tolerance30:00 Advice on Exits & Leadership💬 Key Highlights▸ Led ARR from $1M to $10M+▸ Built and sold two companies to PE firms▸ New startup using AI to predict cyber threats▸ Lessons on board governance and risk▸ Balancing resilience and fast decision-making👥 Who Should ListenCybersecurity leaders • SaaS founders • PE-backed execs • Risk & compliance professionals • Tech investors🔗 Follow & SubscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/Mario Rivas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/Community: https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, cybersecurity, SaaS, private equity, ARR, exits, threat intelligence, AI platform#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

Can idle savings be reimagined as a global growth engine?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we speak with Mike Saraswat, co-founder and CEO of Stoa, a fintech platform unlocking trillions in idle cash and turning it into lifestyle perks, SaaS credits, and value for consumers and businesses.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this episode explores saving behavior, global cash inertia, regulatory pivots, the US vs UK fundraising mindsets, and Mike’s journey from ad agency founder to mission-driven fintech disruptor.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Intro to Mike Saraswat and the Idle Cash Problem03:00 From Blockchain to Fintech: Pivoting Beyond Regulation07:00 The $600B+ Opportunity in UK Idle Cash Alone10:00 Building Stoa Pots: Get Netflix, SaaS & Perks Instead of Interest14:00 Going Global: Expansion in the US and B2B Strategy18:00 Fundraising Realities: UK vs US Investors23:00 Lessons in Setbacks, Startups & Human Behavior27:00 What Makes an Idea “Big Enough” to Scare You (and Investors)💬 Key Highlights▸ $600B+ in UK household idle cash, $50T+ globally▸ Pivoted from blockchain + stablecoins to regulated savings▸ Users “park” up to £1M and get lifestyle perks like Netflix, Strava, Coachella▸ New B2B features for SMBs to optimize unused cash▸ 5-7 minute full KYC/onboarding using Griffin + Yappily👥 Who Should ListenFintech founders • Wealth managers • Banking execs • Investors • SaaS product teams • Consumer behavior researchers🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, fintech, savings, deposits, perks, idle cash, SMB finance#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

Can AI and WhatsApp save lives by helping people actually show up for care?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we speak with Neill Dunwoody, COO & Co-Founder of SPRYT, a healthtech startup that helps health systems reduce missed appointments and increase cancer screenings through conversational AI.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas, this episode goes deep on AI healthcare orchestration, no-show prediction, regulatory barriers, health tech scaling, and building a high-trust, award-winning startup across the UK, Ireland, and now the US.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Intro to SPRYT and Healthcare Problem03:00 NHS Success: Cervical Screening +160%06:30 Pivot from Sports App to MedTech Innovation10:00 Building a Global Health Orchestration Platform15:00 Cancer Prevention, HPV & Vaccine Education20:00 U.S. Expansion, Mayo Clinic & New Partnerships25:00 Scaling Leadership and Strategic Growth30:00 Hard Lessons in Healthtech, Funding & Mission-Driven Work💬 Key Highlights▸ AI + WhatsApp engagement boosted cancer screening rates by 160%▸ First company to deploy conversational AI in UK’s NHS▸ Saved 8+ admin hours/week and 30%+ in SMS costs▸ Strategic partnerships with MediDrive & Mayo Clinic Accelerate▸ Vision: 50B+ patient engagements/year by 2035, global health orchestration👥 Who Should ListenHealthtech founders • NHS innovators • AI ops teams • US payers & providers • Seed-stage operators • Cancer & screening advocates🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, healthtech, cancer screening, NHS innovation, AI orchestration, WhatsApp AI#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

From mission-critical systems at Ford to scaling AI-powered identity verification at Onfido, Lyubomira Dimitrova has helped lead one of Europe’s largest tech exits.In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we speak with Lyubomira Dimitrova, co-founder, fractional CPTO, and former SVP of Engineering at Onfido, a RegTech company acquired for $650M. She reflects on her transition from enterprise to startup, scaling a team through hypergrowth, and building a new AI venture.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this episode explores building psychological safety, technical debt, scaling leadership, and why not all models (like the Spotify one) fit every company.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 From Ford to Founders: Lyubomira’s Global Journey03:50 Lessons from Mission-Critical Enterprise IT06:30 Joining Onfido: From Process Gaps to Hypergrowth11:00 Scaling to $100M ARR and a $650M Exit15:00 Technical Debt, Product Risk & Communication20:00 Building AI Ops & Cross-Functional Teams25:00 Psychological Safety vs. Pressure to Perform30:00 CTO + CPO Roles & Starting a New AI Venture💬 Key Highlights▸ Led Onfido’s technical teams through $100M+ ARR & $650M acquisition▸ Former enterprise leader at Ford, now co-founder in RegTech AI▸ Expert in scaling systems, eliminating tech debt & aligning GTM▸ Advocates for women in leadership and product-tech hybrids▸ Now building again in stealth-mode with focus on financial services👥 Who Should ListenTech founders • Enterprise engineers • Product/Eng leaders • RegTech and AI builders • Fractional CPTOs • Women in Tech🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, fintech, RegTech, AI, CPTO, product strategy, women in tech#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

From COO of PolyAI to investor at Point72, Yan Zhang reveals what it really takes to scale AI startups globally — and why he’s building again.In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we sit down with Yan Zhang, former Chief Operating Officer at PolyAI, now an angel investor, mentor at Cambridge Founders and Deep Tech Labs, and Principal at Point72 Ventures.Yan unpacks how PolyAI scaled voice AI across 20+ countries and how he now supports founders with funding and operational insight.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas this conversation explores scaling enterprise AI, operating under constraints, go-to-market in the U.S. vs Europe, sales hiring, founder resilience, and why Yan still wants to build.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup, and enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Yan’s Global Career Journey04:00 Corporate Development, Random House & China Expansion08:00 Joining PolyAI & Focus on Voice Modality11:00 Understanding Constraints and Business Strategy15:00 Scaling to $50M ARR & Global Teams20:00 Sales Hiring Challenges & Expansion into the U.S.24:00 From Operator to Investor: 400+ AI Startups Reviewed28:00 What He’ll Build Next & Advice for Founders💬 Key Highlights▸ COO at PolyAI: Scaled enterprise AI voice to $50M revenue▸ Led expansion into 20+ countries and U.S. GTM▸ Principal at Point72 Ventures, investing in applied AI startups▸ 15+ angel investments across Europe & Silicon Valley▸ Mentor at Cambridge Founders & Deep Tech Labs▸ Practical insights on sales hiring, constraints, resilience, and exits👥 Who Should ListenAI founders, B2B operators, enterprise sales leaders, investors, and founders scaling internationally.🔗 Follow & SubscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlUApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416LinkedIn (Community): https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/LinkedIn (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/Website: https://www.squarecircle.me🏷️ startupleadership, businessgrowth, scaleups, enterprise, venturecapital, startup, founderstories, innovation, businesspodcast, leadership, startupstrategy, funding, exits, techfounders, saas, ai, investing, resilience

How do you lead product through hypergrowth, scale to IPO, and now advise the next generation of startups? In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we sit down with Adriana Landaverde, a seasoned Chief Product Officer with 3 successful exits, including Trulia (IPO) and Nutmeg (acquired by JPMorgan). From El Salvador to Silicon Valley to London, Adriana shares what it takes to scale product teams, build retention strategies, and become a trusted advisor to early-stage founders.📢 About Startup Scaleup People: Real stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Intro & Adriana's Background02:00 What IPO Teaches You That Books Don’t07:00 From El Salvador to Stanford to Silicon Valley10:30 Trulia, Nutmeg & Product Leadership Across Stages14:00 Balancing Customer Needs with Strategy17:00 Aligning Sales, Product & Go-To-Market Teams22:00 Nutmeg Launch Failure: Lessons in Execution26:00 What Makes a Good Founder-Advisor Fit?33:00 Clarity, Team Roles & Strategy for Scaling Startups💬 Key Highlights▸ Led product at Trulia (IPO $450M+), Nutmeg (acquired by JPMorgan), JamesEdition and more▸ Scaled B2B & B2C product orgs across UK, US & EU▸ Deep insights on retention, churn, and cross-functional product teams▸ Advisor to Series A/B startups as fractional CPO▸ Built product strategy with customer empathy + commercial focus▸ Evangelist for sales + product collaboration👥 Who Should ListenProduct leaders • Founders • CPOs • B2B/B2C Operators • Fractionals • Investors • Go-to-market teams🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise strategy, enterprise leadership, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, fintech, product leadership, retention, advisor#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

How do you build a global, high-impact healthtech business bootstrapped and profitable from day one?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we speak with Jonathan Larbey, CEO & Founder of T-Pro, an AI-powered clinical documentation platform trusted by over 130,000 clinicians globally.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas this conversation dives into building a healthcare SaaS business from zero to $30M ARR through acquisitions, product innovation, global expansion, and governance.Real stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Jonathan’s Journey: From Rugby to Tech CEO04:00 Solving Clinical Documentation at Scale08:00 Global Expansion: UK, ANZ, India & More12:00 Impact on Clinicians & Healthcare Systems17:00 Reaching $30M ARR with Strategic Acquisitions23:00 Governance, Boards & Private Equity Partners29:00 Lessons in Due Diligence & Integration36:00 Founder Advice & Leadership Lessons💬 Key Highlights▸ 130K+ active users, tens of millions of documents processed annually▸ Bootstrapped and profitable from the start — now private equity-backed▸ Strategic acquisitions in Ireland, UK, Australia, India & New Zealand▸ Built M&A playbook and acquisition runway for future growth▸ Solving clinician burnout & documentation inefficiencies with AI▸ Active board with PE firm Livingbridge and top-tier chair▸ Insights on scaling in highly regulated global markets👥 Who Should ListenHealthtech founders • SaaS leaders • PE-backed executives • Board directors • Clinicians • Global operators • Investors🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, healthtech, SaaS, M&A, private equity, clinician productivity#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

What does it take to scale a regulated fintech across eight countries and build toward a $1B valuation — profitably?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we talk to Benjamin Wong, CEO & co-founder of Transwap, a cross-border payments and FX platform licensed in 6+ countries, supporting 24 currencies and over 180 markets.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this conversation covers embedded finance, building payment infrastructure, managing a global team, profitability vs. valuation, and what it really takes to become a unicorn.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Intro & Founding Transwap04:00 The 3 Pain Points Solved by Transwap08:00 Resilience, Mistakes & Lessons from 3 Startups12:00 Building a Global Org with Local Compliance17:00 Embedded Payments & Real-Time Infrastructure22:00 Fraud Prevention, Speed & Stablecoin Plans26:00 Fundraising, IPO Strategy & Unicorn Path31:00 Advice for Founders & Entrepreneurial Mindset💬 Key Highlights▸ Operating in 180+ countries with embedded payment rails▸ Built a profitable fintech with 100+ employees, 24-currency business accounts▸ Connecting 11,000+ banks and enabling peer-to-peer + fiat payments▸ Preparing for IPO with strong board & regulatory focus▸ Insights on fintech compliance, founder mindset & hiring globally👥 Who Should ListenFintech founders • Global operators • Scaleup teams • Banking & payment leaders • Board advisors • Investors🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, fintech, payments, cross-border, compliance🏷️ Hashtags#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

Can science help women extend their reproductive window to menopause and reduce IVF failure?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we speak with Jordan Abdi, physician-founder and CEO of U-Ploid, a biotech startup aiming to dramatically improve egg quality for older mothers and revolutionize fertility treatment.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this conversation explores fertility innovation, biotech funding, reproductive stigma, and how Jordan’s team is working to redefine what’s possible in maternal health.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Intro & Jordan's Medical & Biotech Journey05:00 How U-Ploid Is Tackling IVF Failure & Egg Quality10:00 The IVF Market, Unmet Needs, and Awareness Gaps15:00 Biotech Risks, Safety, and Clinical Milestones20:00 Stigma, Male Fertility & Fertility Education25:00 Building U-Ploid: Board, Fundraising & Strategy30:00 Navigating Regulation & Global Clinical Pathways35:00 Lessons for Biotech Founders & Hope for the Future💬 Key Highlights▸ CEO of U-Ploid, a biotech startup tackling maternal age-related infertility▸ Lead product Livanta shows 84% reduction in egg chromosome errors in lab studies▸ IVF failure rate is 70%; most caused by egg quality decline▸ Vision to extend fertility window up to menopause with advanced therapeutics▸ Funded, with global board and clinical trial preparation underway👥 Who Should ListenCouples • IVF patients • Biotech founders • Women's health leaders • Fertility doctors • Healthcare investors🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, biotech, fertility, IVF, women's health🏷️ Hashtags#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

What does it take to build Latin America's modern venture capital landscape from scratch?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we talk to Andres Meirovich, Managing Partner at Genesis Ventures, who has helped grow one of Chile’s most influential VC funds from $24M to $600M—with a bold vision to scale toward $2B–$3B.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this conversation explores Andres' unique journey building venture capital in Latin America, the global capital flows shaping the region, and why LATAM might be the next great tech corridor.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:38 Andres' Origins and First Fund in Chile04:25 MIT, Scaling Globally, and Raising $600M09:00 Investing in LATAM Through Chile13:58 LATAM + Europe VC Collaboration Outlook17:01 Smart Capital Strategy & LATAM Expansion24:00 Board Roles: Funding, Clients, Tough Calls30:00 Lessons in Trust, Team, and Transparency36:11 Family, Balance & The Long Game💬 Key Highlights▸ Built Genesis Ventures from $24M to $600M—now scaling to $2B+▸ Opened LATAM's first UK-backed VC fund, inspired by Singapore's model▸ Funded 50+ startups, from cleantech to fintech to digital innovation▸ Advises boards across LATAM, Europe & the US▸ Advocates for transparency, founder partnership, and long-term vision👥 Who Should ListenFounders • Investors • LPs • Board advisors • Policy makers • LATAM growth leaders🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, fractional leadership, NEDs, startup scaleup people, fintech, AI🏷️ Hashtags#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

What does it take to build one of the UK’s most regulated, capital-intensive fintech startups from scratch?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we sit down with David Jarvis, founder and CEO of Griffin — the UK’s first full-stack banking-as-a-service platform, purpose-built for fintechs and embedded finance platforms. With over $100M raised, Griffin is redefining the future of fintech infrastructure.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this conversation explores what it really takes to build a licensed bank from the ground up, scale responsibly, manage investor expectations, and lead with resilience through uncertainty and crisis.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Intro & David’s Background02:00 Entrepreneurial Spirit & Energy Drink Hustle05:00 From Airbnb & Silicon Valley to Fintech08:00 Building Griffin: Pain Points & Regulatory Opportunity13:35 Surviving SVB, Crisis Planning & Execution18:47 Product-Market Fit, Backlog & Growth in 202527:05 Managing Board Dynamics & Scaling a Bank34:00 Founder Leadership, Lessons & Advice💬 Key Highlights▸ Raised $100M+ to launch a licensed UK bank for fintechs▸ Scaled Griffin from 3 to 80+ people▸ Pivoted during Brexit & SVB’s collapse▸ Managed investor politics and difficult down rounds▸ Leadership evolution: from servant style to founder mode👥 Who Should ListenFintech founders • Regtech leaders • Scaleup execs • Board advisors • VC partners • Banking innovators🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, fintech🏷️#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

What does it take to build a global telecom company, raise $100M+, and transition from CEO to board leadership?In this episode of Startup Scaleup People, we sit down with Percy Grundy — Bolivian-born tech founder, board director, and investor — to explore his journey from developer to executive, including leading FlowLive, a global telecom platform now backed by over $100M in funding.🎧 Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this episode dives deep into telecom innovation, scaling across continents, board dynamics, investor politics, and the leadership shifts required to go from startup to enterprise.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Welcome & Percy’s Background01:40 From Bolivia to London: Early Journey05:00 Starting FlowLive: Building from Zero08:00 Raising $100M: Rounds & Pivots11:00 Transitioning from CEO to Board14:00 Navigating Investor Dynamics20:00 Global Telecom Footprint & Tech Strategy25:00 Leadership, Delegation, and Advice for Founders33:00 Learning, Speed, and What’s Next💬 Key Highlights▸ From self-taught coding in Bolivia to building international telcos▸ Founded FlowLive and raised $100M+ across Series A-C rounds▸ Pivoted into global IoT telecom infrastructure▸ Transitioned to board role after 9 years as CEO▸ Launched new AI telecom venture while continuing as board director👥 Who Should ListenFounders • Investors • Board members • Scaleup operators • Telecom leaders • AI entrepreneurs🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, enterprise strategy, business transformation, board of directors, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, fintech🏷️#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

What does it take to grow a company from scratch to 500 people across Europe during a pandemic?In this powerful episode of Startup Scaleup People, we sit down with Simona Todoroska, Managing Director of IWConnect Netherlands, who shares her remarkable story of entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience.🎙️ Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this conversation explores how Simona launched and scaled a tech consultancy during COVID with no outside investment — and built a thriving, culture-first team of 500 in under five years.From 16-hour days to managing high-performing teams across borders, she opens up about leading by example, data-driven scaling, and the future of AI in enterprise transformation.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction01:15 Simona's Entrepreneurial Spark03:30 From Tech Lead to CEO06:00 Launching in a New Country During COVID09:00 Building Trust, Teams, and Culture from Scratch13:00 When to Scale and How to Delegate17:30 The Power of Data and Readiness for AI24:00 Leading with Empathy, Grit, and Strategy32:30 Lessons, Books, and Wisdom from the Journey💬 Key Highlights▸ Built a 500-person business in 5 years with no outside funding▸ Scaled operations during the pandemic across the Netherlands and Europe▸ Transitioned from coder to visionary CEO▸ Emphasizes AI readiness through data foundations▸ Advocates for leadership through example and emotional connection👥 Who Should ListenTech founders • Executives • Business leaders • Investors • Board advisors • Fractionals • HR & culture professionals🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, board of directors, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, fintech🏷️#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신

How do you scale a business across 25+ countries, lead thousands, and still stay hands-on with every detail?In this global episode of Startup Scaleup People, we sit down with international executive Matt Bate, a civil engineer turned entrepreneur and CEO, who has built, led, and scaled businesses across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.🎙️ Hosted by Mario Rivas and Tiffany Shown, this episode dives deep into Matt's remarkable journey — from Avalon Beach in Australia to building scalable ventures in Dubai, Istanbul, Sochi, and more.He opens up about what it really takes to expand globally, lead diverse teams, navigate cultures, survive near-impossible regulatory challenges, and build trust when everything’s on the line.📢 About Startup Scaleup PeopleReal stories from startup, scaleup & enterprise leaders. From boardrooms to founder garages — we bring you insights on growth, leadership, funding, exits, and everything in between.New episodes every Sunday at 4PM UK time.🧭 Chapters00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:15 From Avalon Beach to Global Vision04:00 Building Sustainable Waterfront Ventures06:00 Landing in Dubai and Early Global Deals10:00 Learning the Hard Way: Lessons from Ownership14:30 The Opportunity and Culture of Dubai20:00 Leadership Styles and Going Global27:00 Managing Cross-Cultural Talent and Strategy34:00 Final Lessons: Trust, Overcommitment, and Clarity💬 Key Highlights▸ How Matt went from marina management to global CEO roles ▸ Working for ultra high-net-worth families and sovereign wealth groups ▸ Building systems that scale across borders and cultures ▸ Real talk on board dynamics, risk, and growth ▸ Why Dubai is a launchpad for entrepreneurs👥 Who Should ListenFounders • Global executives • Investors • Advisors • Board members • Fractionals • Scaleup builders🔗 Follow & Subscribe📌 https://www.instagram.com/startupscaleuppeople/📌 https://www.tiktok.com/@square.circle.podcast📌 https://open.spotify.com/show/3804Om0XrGG1gNRsev6DlU📌 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/startup-scaleup-people/id1847157416📌 https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarecirclecommunity/📌 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorivassanchez/📌 https://www.squarecircle.me🧠 Keywordsstartup, scaleup, entrepreneurship, business podcast, leadership, business growth, founder mindset, startup stories, scaleup journey, entrepreneur advice, business strategy, innovation, venture capital, startup founders, startup funding, executive leadership, enterprise leadership, board of directors, NEDs, startup scaleup people, AI, fintech🏷️#startupleadership #businessgrowth #scaleups #enterprise #boardleadership #venturecapital #startup #founderstories #innovation #businesspodcast #careergrowth #operationalexcellence #leadershipdevelopment #startupstrategy #funding #exitstrategies #teambuilding #corporategovernance #techfounders #startupscaleuppeople #startupfunding #vc #podcast #shorts #leadership #fintech #entrepreneurship #investing #governance #peoplestories #experience #leadershipskills #leadershiplessons #businessleadership #businessstrategy #businessideas #businesssuccessstories #businesssuccess #biotech #saas #failure #fail #entrepreneur #howtoinvest #hiring #digitaltransformation #expansion #businessexpansion #energy #technology #techstartup #techfounders #successmindset #motivation #mindset #perseverance #resilience #Emprendimiento #Empreendedorismo #Entrepreneuriat #Unternehmertum #Imprenditorialità #Ondernemerschap #उद्यमिता #ريادة_الأعمال #Girişimcilik #Kewirausahaan #Pagnenegosyo #创业 #起業家精神 #기업가정신