Join SDS as they give their perspective on the entrepreneurship landscape for 2022. They discuss creative ways to raise money, exits happening a lot earlier than in the past, the rise of the digital creator, emerging markets, African based startups and the rise in diverse founders, in more technical roles.If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review here, which will help us to convince hard to reach guests, to join our podcast and if there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast, email us at [email protected] for the SDS newsletter here.SocialsFacebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchoolWebsite - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/ 

How would you summarise the entrepreneurial ecosystem in 2021?As we wind down for the holiday season, we wanted to take this time to reflect on some of the amazing guests we have spoken to this year, what have we learned, that can help founders grow their business.If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review here, which will help us to convince hard to reach guests, to join our podcast and if there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast, email us on; [email protected]. Sign-up to the SDS newsletter here. SocialsFacebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchoolWebsite - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/

Episode Description; We are joined by Frances Odera Matthews, founder of The Notion Bar and Notion Consultant. She explains the potential of Notion for businesses and creators, when she knew she was ready to leave her 9-5 to focus on her Notion consultancy and spreading the wealth through NFTs and digital assets. Frances Odera Matthews is founder of The Notion Bar, where she's a certified Notion Consultant, coach and template builder, helping people and small businesses level-up through her services and products. Frances has become a thought leader in the Notion community, giving talks and building a large following based on her unique style, committed to aesthetics, usability and infusion of pop-culture into Notion projects. If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review here, which will help us to convince hard to reach guests, to join our podcast and if there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast, email us on [email protected]. Sign-up to the SDS newsletter here. SocialsFacebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchoolWebsite - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/

We are joined by Principle at Oxx VC, Philip Edmondson-Jones. Phil walks us through the world of Venture Capitalists, what they do, what they are looking for in business and the importance of crisis management after working for a business that went bankrupt.After starting his career in financial services and strategy consulting, Phil has spent over five years as a specialist SaaS venture capital investor, and has become an expert in SaaS Go-To-Market strategies.Phil is passionate about diversity and inclusion in venture capital. He’s acted as mentor with Diversity VC’s ‘Future VC’ since the programme’s inception, as well as mentoring young entrepreneurs with the Prince’s Trust. He has previously participated in mentorship projects for aspiring VCs from the LGBTQ+ community, and has been a visiting course leader for the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School.If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review here, which will help us to convince hard to reach guests, to join our podcast and if there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast, email us on [email protected]. Sign-up to the SDS newsletter here. SocialsFacebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchoolWebsite - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/

we are joined by Principal at Anthemis Group, Farhan Lalji. Farhan talks us through, the art of building a company, but also how to exit a business, he gives us a history lesson on Watsapp, Flickr, Yahoo, Slack, Shazam, Linkedin, the importance of understanding the customer and why your idea is worthless until you’ve got a proof-point. Farhan is a Principal at Anthemis, where he leads the BBVA & Anthemis Venture Creation Partnership. He works with companies that are focused on evolving the digital finance and banking experience for consumers and companies. Previously, Farhan was a Partner at Rokk3r Labs, a global venture builder. He was also an executive at PeerIndex, a social media analytics platform that was acquired by Brandwatch in 2014, Yahoo! and various other startups and later-stage private companies. When he is not geeking out on technology trends and their impact on society he’s listening to old school hip hop and watching or reading about NBA basketball. If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review here, which will help us to convince hard to reach guests, to join our podcast and if there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast, email us on [email protected]. Sign-up to the SDS newsletter here. Socials Facebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchoolWebsite - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/

We are joined by Partner at Bethnal Green Ventures, Dama Sathianathan talking all things Impact Investing. What’s the difference between impact investing and ‘normal investing’. What are the main misconceptions about impact investors and when should companies consider impact investments. Dama Sathianathan (she/her) is a partner at Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV), Europe’s leading early-stage tech for good VC, backing ambitious founders using technology to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges at scale. At BGV, she leads on community and networks, driving BGV's efforts to act with integrity on diversity, equity and inclusion and fuel the wider tech for good movement across the UK.  Dama previously worked for international NGOs using digital and data for good and has a background in international relations and global development. She's also a Trustee at Chayn, a non-profit building open-source products and services for survivors of gender-based violence and domestic abuse.If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review here, which will help us to convince hard to reach guests, to join our podcast and if there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast, email us on [email protected] to the SDS newsletter here.SocialsFacebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchoolWebsite - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/

We are joined by the CEO of Merch Masters Ltd, Kieza Silveira De Sousa. Kieza talks to us about how he started his business, why six figures is not a lot of money in business, the challenges with finding and nurturing the right talent, team, partners, supply chain, and how he started his business without raising equity.Kieza Silveira De Sousa is an entrepreneur with over 12 years experience in the apparel and textiles industry working with creators, designers, and the entertainment industry. He has worked with clients such as Printworks London, Ghetts, WSTRN, Mr. Eazi, Warner Music, Claudius Vertesi, 18 Feet and Rising, Amplify, Accenture, Growth Tribe, Kwesi Arthur, Elmo Films, Red Velvet Music Group, and many more.If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review, which will help us convince hard-to-reach guests to join our podcast. If there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast, email us [email protected] to the SDS newsletter here.SocialsFacebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchoolWebsite - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/

We are joined by an investor at Founders Factory, Saloni Bhojwani, discussing the challenges female entrepreneurs face when raising capital and why not all businesses need external funding or give away equity in their business. Saloni Bhojwani grew up in Singapore. She worked as a management consultant at Deloitte for four years before moving to London to complete an MBA, where you interned for Luminous Ventures, Uber and Expedia. She is currently an investor at Founders Factory, where she leads investments across both consumer and B2B and angel investors focusing on predominantly female-founded businesses or start-ups that address the female data gap. We hope you enjoy the episode! ----------- If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review, which will help us convince hard-to-reach guests to join our podcast. If there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast, email us [email protected]. Sign-up for the SDS newsletter here. Socials Facebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchool Website - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/

For our launch episode, we are joined by co-founder of Aceleron Energy Carlton Cummins, discussing the challenges of building a business, selling physical products, building a team, and learning how to absorb USEFUL criticism while putting USELESS criticism.Carlton Cummins is Chief Technical Officer & Co-founder of Aceleron Energy. Born in Barbados Carlton is an entrepreneur and design engineer focused on solutions for global energy and waste challenges. Carlton’s career spans from electric motorsport to renewable energy and has worked in the Caribbean, the UK, and Africa. Currently, Carlton operates his own company, Aceleron, in the UK which develops technology to make batteries more sustainable. To date, Aceleron has developed over 5 battery products and 4 technology patents.He's achieved international recognition for his work, with awards like Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2017, Shell Global Innovator 2017, and Shell Entrepreneur of the Year 2016.We hope you enjoy the episode!----If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, please consider leaving a review. This will help us to convince hard to reach guests to join our podcast, and if there is anyone you would like featured on the podcast email us on [email protected]. Sign-up to the SDS newsletter here. Socials Facebook - facebook.com/startupdiscoveryschoolInstagram - instagram.com/startupdiscoveryschoolLinkedin – linkedin.com/company/startupdiscoveryschoolTwitter - twitter.com/StartupDSchool Website - https://startupdiscoveryschool.com/