Startup Builders and Backers

Startup Builders and Backers

Startup Builders & Backers is a podcast that takes you inside the minds of the people shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Part of the Tech Talks Network, this series goes beyond headlines and hype to bring you real conversations with startup founders, angel investors, VCs, and seasoned operators who are building, backing, and scaling the next generation of companies.

You might know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a broad spectrum of business technology. But here, the focus narrows to the pulse of the startup ecosystem. From the spark of an idea to the complexities of funding, go-to-market strategies, team building, and exits, this series unpacks what it really takes to create a successful venture in today’s fast-moving environment.

In each episode, we uncover what motivates founders to leave stability behind in pursuit of something bigger. We explore how investors identify promise amid uncertainty, what they’re looking for right now, and how early-stage bets evolve into long-term partnerships. Along the way, we look at the less polished moments—the pivots, the pressures, and the personal lessons that shape both people and products.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor looking for your next big bet, or a startup operator navigating growth, these conversations offer insight, connection, and an honest look at the reality behind the pitch decks.

So what does it take to build something from nothing, and who are the people willing to take that risk? Let’s find out together. And if you’ve got a story to tell or a venture to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Route 101 On Building Resilient Businesses Through Uncertain Times
Startup Builders and BackersMay 31, 202600:28:31

Route 101 On Building Resilient Businesses Through Uncertain Times

Have you ever wondered what separates entrepreneurs who survive economic crises from those who thrive because of them? In this episode of Startup Builders & Backers, I sit down with Russell Attwoo...

HBX Group and What Startup Founders Can Learn From AI’s Transformation of the Travel Industry
Startup Builders and BackersMay 20, 202600:30:16

HBX Group and What Startup Founders Can Learn From AI’s Transformation of the Travel Industry

What does it take to build, scale, sell a company, step away from business, and then return because you believe an entire industry is about to be reinvented by AI? In this episode of Startup Builders ...

Scaling AgTech Across Europe: Lessons From eAgronom CEO Robin Saluoks
Startup Builders and BackersApril 17, 202600:23:29

Scaling AgTech Across Europe: Lessons From eAgronom CEO Robin Saluoks

What does it take to transform one of the world’s oldest industries using some of the newest technologies available today? In this episode of Startup Builders and Backers, I sit down with Robin Saluok...

How Founder-Led Thinking Creates Faster AI Innovation
Startup Builders and BackersMarch 10, 202600:21:55

How Founder-Led Thinking Creates Faster AI Innovation

What happens when the best AI hires are not AI specialists at all, but founders? In this episode of Startup Builders and Backers, I sat down with Fran Loftus, Chief Experience Officer at EliseAI, to t...