Best Startupchallenges Podcasts (2025)

1
Jordan Schwarzenberger: The creator economy is a lie, here’s the model that works 2:09:27

2M ago2:09:27

2:09:27

7 billion views and counting: the growth secrets of Sidemen's creative mastermind, Jordan Schwarzenberger. Managing one of the world’s biggest creator collectives is no small feat. We dive deep with the man behind Arcade Media and the Sidemen’s explosive rise, blending sharp self-awareness, cultural intuition, and a bold approach to building in pub…

1
18Sixty: How to create standout podcasts that captivate and keep audiences hooked 1:17:58

2M ago1:17:58

1:17:58

What separates a great podcast from the noise? We uncover the secrets of podcasting success with Gareth Evans, founder of 18Sixty, an agency that helps brands connect with their audience through high-quality audio storytelling. From working with Virgin/Absolute Radio and BBC Radio to launching his own agency, Gareth shares his journey through the e…

1
Airtasker: From hustle to IPO – the truth about scaling a marketplace 1:24:18

3M ago1:24:18

1:24:18

From $0 to $400 Million Valuation: The Incredible Journey of Tim Fung and Airtasker. From humble beginnings to a marketplace giant. But Tim's journey is much more than just success. Through resilience, identifying mutual benefit, and embracing change, he has created a company that has changed the future of work. Tim delves into his upbringing, the …

1
Brilliant Labs: How AI glasses are shaping the future 1:43:00

3M ago1:43:00

1:43:00

What do Stephen Hawking, AR glasses, and open-source design have in common? Join us as we chat with Bobak Tavangar, co-founder of Brilliant Labs, about his remarkable journey and insights into innovation. From leadership lessons to fundraising advice, this episode is packed with valuable gems for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts. Bobak discusses …

1
Optimise AI: Spinout success uncovered, strategies that work! 1:20:44

4M ago1:20:44

1:20:44

From academia to entrepreneurship: The remarkable story of Nick Tune and the secrets to converting research into commercial success, with his spinout company Optimise AI. Gain valuable insights on the mindset shifts necessary for transitioning from corporate to startup life, the importance of support networks, and how to embrace failures. Uncover t…

1
Alfa Technology: From celebrity magician to startup founder 1:13:46

11M ago1:13:46

1:13:46

From performing magic for prime ministers and billionaires to gracing stages on shows like Britain's Got Talent. Alfie Whattam shares his unorthodox journey from entertainment to launching his own recruitment startup, Alfa Technology. Alfa builds software engineering teams for businesses operating in cutting-edge technologies like AI and Web3. Unco…

1
Connectd: Embracing delusion, neurodiversity, and self-awareness in startup success 1:16:14

12M ago1:16:14

1:16:14

How this entrepreneur overcame ADHD and dyslexia and used these diagnoses as his superpower to build two businesses worth millions. Hear the inspiring story of Roei Samuel, who discusses the importance of self-belief, transparency, and resilience in entrepreneurship. Roei got an exit with his first business, Real Sport, and has gone on to build the…

1
Sooper Books: The £5 Dragons’ Den Deal that made history 1:49:24

1y ago1:49:24

1:49:24

Meet the power couple who quit their jobs and made Dragons' Den history, by giving away 5% of their business for £5. Introducing Charlene Mitchell-Hood and Simon Hood, the founders of Sooper Books. Hear their incredible journey, which started as a simple idea to aid their daughter’s bedtime routine, which quickly turned into the world's number one …

1
Season 5 teaser 14:58

1y ago14:58

14:58

A teaser for Season 5. We deep dive into the minds of early-stage founders, who are only a couple of steps ahead. Our unique podcast format, blending interviews with analysis, brings you closer to the action. Our hosts, Dr Becky Sage and Ollie Tiramuragan Collard unpack the business lessons for you. Join us as we tackle taboo topics and feature a d…

1
Clementine: Freeing millions of women to go from I can't to I can 1:19:26

1y ago1:19:26

1:19:26

The untold story of how one woman's mental health crisis led her to create a revolutionary mindset company for women. Meet Kim Palmer founder of Clementine, a company on a mission to free women from unhelpful thoughts, feelings & expectations. Kim's very personal crisis led her to champion mental well-being and create a movement for women. Clementi…

1
SCVC: College dropout to IPO - the journey from cofounder to deeptech investor 1:28:20

1y ago1:28:20

1:28:20

Get a rare insight into one entrepreneur's remarkable journey to a $1.5B market cap. Discover John Williams's insider strategies and personal challenges as he co-founded and scaled Kudan from startup through to IPO. John's next chapter is building SCVC, a deep tech VC he and partner Harry Destecroix wished they had as founders. This episode is a mu…

1
Mr Bug - From music to mealworms 58:14

1y ago58:14

58:14

Meet Conal Cunningham, a music industry veteran turned pet food innovator, and discover his remarkable business journey of perseverance and innovation. We deep-dive into the origins of Mr Bug, a company redefining pet nutrition through sustainably bred insect protein. This startup story has everything from kitchen experiments to funding struggles a…

1
SOS Dance Global: Choreographing change and empowering a generation 1:35:36

1y ago1:35:36

1:35:36

Entrepreneurship is a lot like dancing; both require resilience, adaptability, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone. Find out how one startup, SOS Dance Global, is combining these elements to reach the top of the industry. This is a story of empowerment, resilience, and defying the odds. Bonnie Parsons, shares her remarkable journey fr…

1
Rare Founders: How one entrepreneur turned his failed startup into a community empowering platform 1:17:05

1y ago1:17:05

1:17:05

Experiencing the collapse of a startup can be devastating, yet for Vasily Alekseenko, it was the catalyst for change. After witnessing the dark side of fundraising, Vasily took matters into his own hands. Rare Founders was born with a simple mission to connect founders and investors. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection o…

1
Sharesy - Growing communities one local authority at a time 1:28:24

1y ago1:28:24

1:28:24

The innovator turning forgotten spaces into thriving community hubs. Meet Felix Atkin, founder of tech startup Sharsey - the Airbnb for community spaces. What stemmed from a personal problem of trying to book a local venue for his kids' birthday party has blossomed into a business that has already generated over £1million in bookings. Felix delves …

1
envoPAP: Turning waste into sustainable wealth 1:12:30

1+ y ago1:12:30

1:12:30

Meet Kaushal Shah, the impact entrepreneur behind envoPap, who is on a mission to help save the planet while making a profit. He turns agricultural waste into sustainable paper and packaging, and in this conversation, he shares his secrets to success in business and beyond. Key takeaways - Sustainable Innovation: Learn how Kaushal has built out an …

1
Rival: The man who gave Gary Vee the "jab, jab, jab, right hook" 1:21:54

1+ y ago1:21:54

1:21:54

The former MD of Gary Vee's Vayner Media left everything behind to pursue his dream, and the results will leave you inspired. Tune into a thought-provoking journey with Eric Fulwiler, the visionary co-founder behind the growth marketing consultancy Rival. What was the tipping point that compelled him to take the plunge? In reality, there wasn't one…

1
Phasecraft: Leap into the future with Quantum Algorithms 1:08:00

1+ y ago1:08:00

1:08:00

What comes to mind when you think of the future? Flying cars, human-like robots, time travel? But what about quantum computing? Prepare to have your mind blown. Join us for an exhilarating journey into the future with Phasecraft, a groundbreaking startup that is pushing the boundaries of algorithmic innovation in the quantum realm. Get an insider v…

1
SRSLY Low Carb: why we need to STOP sugar coating the truth 1:34:04

1+ y ago1:34:04

1:34:04

We are currently facing a public health crisis. In this episode, you'll hear the story of Andy Welsh, the ambitious founder of SRSLY Low Carb. After a wake-up call, he left the corporate world to enter the challenging world of health-focused entrepreneurship. Picture this: You're trying to offer healthier food options in a market that is dominated …

1
Greenworkx: Small Steps, Big Impact: Building 10 Million Green Jobs 1:21:24

1+ y ago1:21:24

1:21:24

From advising UK Prime Ministers to spearheading green innovation. Mat Ilic takes us from the corridors of Whitehall to the frontlines of green innovation. Discover his journey from Belgrade to becoming a UK visionary. Mat spent his career advising the likes of Boris Johnson and Theresa May. Now, he’s on a mission with Greenworkx to foster environm…

1
Hexa Finance: Breaking Stereotypes & Reimagining Finance for Startups 1:26:09

1+ y ago1:26:09

1:26:09

The incredible journey of Hexa Finance is not just a tale of success; it's a true story of how being bold and true to yourself can pay dividends. From a simple idea in 2016 to launching amidst the global lockdown, co-founders Ben Davies and Stu Mason have navigated it all. They dive deep into their journey, sharing the sacrifices made, the critical…

1
Yuup: Turning Experiences into Businesses 1:12:26

1+ y ago1:12:26

1:12:26

As an early-stage founder, the decision to bootstrap or raise capital can make or break your business. But don't worry, serial entrepreneur Dominic Mills has been there and has the answers you need to succeed. We uncover the power of community, localism, and entrepreneurship as we follow Dominic's journey from exit to founding his latest startup, Y…

1
More Happi: Overcoming Fear and Burnout: Unveiling the Power of Coaching 1:05:04

1+ y ago1:05:04

1:05:04

Unlock the secrets to overcoming fear, addressing burnout, and finding happiness with the power of coaching. Meet Ashleigh Tennent, founder of More Happi - a platform making coaching affordable for all. Discover how she conquered her fears, recognised burnout, and built a successful coaching business that's changing lives. Key Takeaways - Overcomin…

1
Flow Neuroscience: Pioneering a Drug-Free Pathway for Depression (season finale) 53:45

2y ago53:45

53:45

Depression affects 1 in 6 adults in the UK, with medication being the most common treatment. But what if there was a drug-free approach that actually works? The CEO of Flow Neuroscience, Erin Lee, reveals how their innovative headset is changing the game in mental health treatment. Key Takeaways - Embracing uncertainty is part of the startup journe…

1
Unyoked: Tapping into mother nature 1:03:12

2y ago1:03:12

1:03:12

Twin brothers. A unique vision. And a determination to create a global nature brand against all odds. This is the remarkable story of Unyoked: hear from co-founder Cam about his unstoppable startup that has overcome bushfires, floods, and a pandemic to bring sustainable off-grid cabins to the world. Key Takeaways - Creating a category is a bold mov…

1
Johnny Palmer: The Power of Personal Responsibility to unleash your Inner Entrepreneur 50:17

2y ago50:17

50:17

Join us on board a real Boeing 727 as we dive deep into the mind of a passionate business leader, entrepreneur, and activist, Johnny Palmer. From software to hospitality to renewable energy, he has built multiple successful ventures and now shares his blueprint for success with you. Are you ready to join the ride? We discuss his core values of disr…

1
MAGIC: Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fittest of them all? 1:06:16

2y ago1:06:16

1:06:16

Imagine seeing all your fitness progress in a Magic mirror, powered by AI. That's exactly what entrepreneur Varun has created with his tech-first personal training solution after his personal battles with unhealthy habits. Discover how he overcame investor rejection and built an MVP, plus the sacrifices he made along the way. Key Takeaways - How to…

1
Heights: From Burnout to Braincare, how Dan Murray-Serter built a £500k+ MRR business in public 1:13:41

2y ago1:13:41

1:13:41

How one entrepreneur turned his struggles into a thriving business. We speak with serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Heights and host of the Secret Leaders podcast, Dan Murray-Serter. Hear how Dan went from struggling with insomnia and anxiety to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the world of nutrition and wellbeing. Discover Dan's insights on …

1
Angel Investing School: Talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t 53:47

2y ago53:47

53:47

Do you dream of being an angel investor but don't know where to begin? Learn from the co-founder of The Angel Investing School, Andy Ayim , about how he is democratising the world of angel investing and why being a non-conformist can lead to great leaps in learning. Find out how Andy's backpacking trip at 21 sparked personal and professional growth…

1
Moblox: Making money with Piers Linney - ex-Dragons’ Den Investor and C4 Secret Millionaire 1:06:23

2y ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Get an inside look at the mind of a successful serial entrepreneur and investor. Former Dragon, Piers Linney shares his upbringing, mistakes, and what really drives him in business. In this interview, he shares his personal story and key insights on starting and growing businesses that will fascinate and motivate any founder or aspiring entrepreneu…

1
El Rayo: Tequila - it makes me happy 59:45

2y ago59:45

59:45

Some say the best ideas come over a drink, and for these lifelong friends, tequila sparked their entrepreneurial journey. But there’s more to tequila than 3am shooters, sucking a lemon and licking salt. They went all in, quit their day jobs, and went on a wild Mexican adventure. Here's the inspiring story of how they turned a simple idea into a suc…

1
By Sarah London: Live life as if everything is rigged in your favour 52:19

2y ago52:19

52:19

From tragedy to triumph. How a sister's life-saving transplant led to the creation of a natural skincare business. By Sarah London, stands for something much larger, their deeply personal story has sparked a strong sense of mission and purpose when it comes to business - which shines through in this conversation. Key Takeaways - Learn how to shake …

1
Responsible: Failure is only feedback 59:57

2+ y ago59:57

59:57

From losing millions to founding a sustainable fashion brand, Responsible. Hear from Mark Dowds about how to bounce back and find success. Mark is a serial founder and super angel investor who knows the entrepreneurial rollercoaster like the back of his hand. Mark shares his insights on investing in early-stage startups, overcoming entrepreneurial …

1
Nova Blue: Decoding the secrets to startup success from former GCHQ Technical Director 1:03:57

2+ y ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Discover the secret to business success straight from a former intelligence expert. Meet Steve Mason, former Technical Director at GCHQ. Having defended the UK from cyber attacks, he now runs Nova Blue, helping businesses stay safe. But this isn’t a tech conversation - in this episode, Steve shares the key ingredients that help him make business de…

1
Tally Workspace - From side hustle to seed funded 56:25

2+ y ago56:25

56:25

Unlocking the future of work: How Tally Workspace is revolutionising the way we work. Since Covid, hybrid working has become the norm and workplaces have evolved Laura Beales and her co-founder Jules Robertson, saw the potential to create a platform that makes finding a workspace easy, wherever, whenever. Laura also delves into her biggest failures…

1
Belgrove - distilling startup success 1:05:16

2+ y ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Rum entrepreneur Edmund Wood quit his job to pursue his dream of starting his own business. He didn’t have a clue what it would be, but he decided he had to ‘leap and look’ for an idea he was passionate about— rum. Belgrove was born. It’s a story about being bold, quick to adapt when plans go pear-shaped and learning you have to be kind to yourself…

1
Entreprenora: Your biggest, boldest self - from CIA to CEO 1:04:46

2+ y ago1:04:46

1:04:46

Rupal Patel, former agent, now serial entrepreneur, shares her honest and personal journey of the challenges she faced and how she kept going in high stakes, high-pressurised environments in the field and in the boardroom. Rupal reveals how the CIA mindset teaches you to be resilient and persistent to achieve your goals. She also shares some great …

1
Simpleweb - If you fail, make it quick 57:08

2+ y ago57:08

57:08

Hear from Mark Panay - Co-founder and MD of one of Bristol’s most prolific software agencies , Simpleweb. Learn Mark's highs and lows of running a business, and how his natural curiosity and fascination for learning has shaped his career. Discover what Mark thinks makes a good start-up investment, and what he sees as the biggest challenges of being…

1
The Purposeful Project: Teaching startups for free 58:05

2+ y ago58:05

58:05

Meet Simon Squibb, serial entrepreneur, investor and founder of The Purposeful Project. Simon’s mission is to help and inspire 10,000,000 people to startup and scale a business for free. He believes there should be a Start Up Centre to replace the Job Centre - and as an angel investor and entrepreneur, Simon’s got the credentials to make this a rea…

1
xigxag: Spotting a gap and going for it 41:55

2+ y ago41:55

41:55

Meet Kelli Fairbrother, co-founder and CEO of xigxag. She has the vision to make audiobooks more engaging. xigxgag has taken on a big global player and forged ahead developing a listen-and-read book, called the x-book. Kelli started in the US army, a place she credits with teaching her the grit and determination required to be an entrepreneur and w…

1
Forth: A business fit for the future 35:56

3y ago35:56

35:56

In an age where we have a constant stream of personal data on our wrists, and home testing has become second nature, one UK company is nicely poised to ride the crest of a wellbeing wave. Forth is a digital health business pioneering personalised biomarker profiling. Its founder and CEO, Sarah Bolt, caught up with Founded & Grounded to talk about h…

1
CloudFM: The Power of Vulnerability 49:04

3y ago49:04

49:04

“If you do what you don't love, that's stress. If you do what you love, that's passion.” Author, Podcaster, Motivational Speaker...and for good reason. Jeff Dewing has a story to tell. He's seen it all in the world of Facilities Management - good and bad. Restless, and far from content with maintaining the status quo, Jeff founded Cloudfm to disrup…

1
S'wheat: Drink to the Planet 45:58

3y ago45:58

45:58

They started out in 2018 with no business qualifications, marketing experience, or entrepreneurial background - simply a shared passion and a big idea. 4 years on, they're the pioneering start-up taking drinks bottles to a new and truly sustainable level. Through their company S'wheat, Jake Elliott-Hook and Amee Ritchie have created the world's fir…

1
Balderton Capital: In search of the "Unusually Driven" 40:11

3y ago40:11

40:11

What are Venture Capitalists? How do they operate? And what can founders learn from them in the pursuit of backing for their big idea? In this episode, we enter the real dragons' den and put a human face to this influential but little-understood world - in this case, Rob Moffat from Balderton. In a revealing conversation with Ollie, Rob gives us th…

1
Lost & Grounded: Culture in a Can 43:37

3y ago43:37

43:37

"You can't buy culture". In this episode, Founded & Grounded visit the Lost & Grounded brewery and their co-founder Alex Troncoso, as we return to the world of craft beer. With new breweries and their tap rooms popping up on virtually every street corner, it's impossible to ignore the rise in popularity of craft beer. Equally apparent has been the …

1
Freedom Services: A Valid Claim to Disrupt Insurance 48:54

3y ago48:54

48:54

The world of insurance is a grey area for many people in more ways than one, so allow Sam White to inject some colour to the proceedings... Setting up in business following a chain of life-changing events, Sam now presides over two successful insurance companies in the UK and Australia who are explicitly putting the consumer at the heart of their p…

1
Matter: Microplastics - Macro Visions 37:37

3y ago37:37

37:37

Besides climate change, the issue of microplastics is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing society. Passionate to put his engineering talent to use, but unable to find a business that matched the scale of his ambitions, Adam Root founded Matter - a company built on the principle of capturing, harvesting and recycling microplastics. In…

1
Wisdom - Riding the Social Audio Revolution 40:35

3y ago40:35

40:35

"Information is abundant... wisdom less so." It's no secret that access to knowledge and mentorship is fundamental to success in many aspects of life, not least business. But, on a Diverse Founders Programme, it became apparent to Dayo Akinrinade that these all-important connections were held within privileged circles - so she decided to set up Wis…

1
The Trademark Helpline: Brands in safe hands 36:49

3+ y ago36:49

36:49

Meet Steve Neil... 'Brand Protector' and director of The Trademark Helpline. Steve's mission is to ensure that business owners look after their intellectual property and the brands they've started from scratch. But he had to balance that with the challenges of becoming a business owner himself - a tale worthy of a reality TV series. It's '2-for-1' …

1
The Washing Machine Project: Empowering Entrepreneurship 40:34

3+ y ago40:34

40:34

There are lots of reasons why people become entrepreneurs. Nav Sawhney had three, instilled within him from a young age, and these inspired him to develop a product that would enhance everyday life for the consumers of tomorrow. As our latest guest entrepreneur, Nav explains to Founded & Grounded how the plight of refugees, the central role of wome…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Startupchallenges Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen