40 Minute Mentor

JBM, James Mitra

40 Minute Mentor is on a mission to raise aspirations and inspire the next generation of category-defining Founders, through powerful career stories and inspirational mentorship. From purpose-led Founders to Olympic champions; learn first-hand from today’s successful leaders on what it takes to be brilliant, all in just 40 minutes. 40 Minute Mentor is one of the UK’s top Business and Careers podcasts and can be found on all popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and Stitcher. read less
BusinessBusiness
CareersCareers
EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship

Episodes

Charlotte Van Reyk (Lightspeed) & Leah Sutton (Balderton Capital): The Impact & Value of VC Platform Roles
3d ago
Charlotte Van Reyk (Lightspeed) & Leah Sutton (Balderton Capital): The Impact & Value of VC Platform Roles
“People think VC is about chasing the next big thing…but actually, it’s not about making quick money. It’s about the long game and deep relationships.”  We often talk to Investors on 40 Minute Mentor, but today we’re taking a deep dive into an increasingly important role within VC, the Platform role.  To help us explore what a Platform role can look like, why it’s so important and how you can get into the role, we’re joined by Leah Sutton, Chief Portfolio Talent Officer at Balderton and Charlotte Van Reyk, VP of Platform at Lightspeed.  On top of taking a deep dive into Platform, we also discuss Charlotte and Leah’s incredible careers before VC and their predictions for 2025.  Episode Chapters: ➡️ From Google to VC [08:30]  ➡️ Act like an owner and think like an entrepreneur [12:00]  ➡️ Building businesses through People roles [13:20]  ➡️ Lessons from scaling high-growth businesses & navigating Covid [18:40]  ➡️ More about today’s sponsors [21:45]  ➡️ Learning resilience from parenthood [23:30]  ➡️ Squiggly routes into VC [26:30]  ➡️ Biggest misconceptions about VC [31:30]   ➡️ Relationships vs Networks [34:30]  ➡️ Day-to-Day of a Platform Leader [36:40]  ➡️ Advice for moving into VC and Platform roles [41:20]  ➡️ Trends & predictions for 2025 [51:00]  ➡️ A podcast recommendation [56:30]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Connect with Charlotte: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-van-reyk-8a4481b5  ➡️ Connect with Leah: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/leahsutton  ➡️ Find out more about Lightspeed: https://lsvp.com/  ➡️ Find out more about Balderton Capital: https://www.balderton.com/  🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors  Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group business.  Growing technology companies don’t have the financial resources, capacity or experience to tackle the challenges of scaling a business and driving performance.  A world-class People, Culture & HR operation is instrumental for this. Foundation Partners have built a blended service, so companies get the experience and support - both strategically and day-to-day - they need to build an exceptional business.  Find out more: https://www.foundationpartners.co.uk/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Eshita Kabra-Davies: Building By Rotation, the Instagram for Fashion Rental saving textile waste from landfill
30-10-2024
Eshita Kabra-Davies: Building By Rotation, the Instagram for Fashion Rental saving textile waste from landfill
“I have more than 70% of equity in the business. Unfortunately, female Founders are actually encouraged to give up more equity in the early stages, which I would have never agreed with…”  The fashion industry is the third most polluting industry in the world.  Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is on a mission to change that.  We are joined by Eshita Kabra, Forbes 30 Under 30 and Founder and CEO of By Rotation.  Often dubbed as the Instagram for fashion rental, By Rotation has achieved amazing milestones to date, including building a community of over half a million like-minded Rotators, saving over 100k meters of textile waste from going to landfill in 2023, and raising £2.55 million in seed funding.  We cover all the highs and lows along the way and Eshita’s exciting plans for the future.  Episode Chapters: ➡️ Growing up as a third culture kid [03:40]  ➡️ Why the leap into entrepreneurship [09:00]  ➡️ Finding the right people & navigating Covid [12:45]  ➡️ More about how By Rotation works [18:00]  ➡️ Learn more about today’s sponsor [20:00]  ➡️ Purpose vs Profit & By Rotation’s environmental impact [21:30]  ➡️ Prioritising equity over huge fundraises [22:55]  ➡️ Fundraising advice [28:00]  ➡️ Landing big partnerships & famous ambassadors [33:00]  ➡️ Hiring traps to avoid [35:45]  ➡️ Expanding into the US market [38:20]  ➡️ A podcast recommendation [41:45]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Connect with Eshita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshitakabra  ➡️ Find out more about By Rotation: https://byrotation.com/  🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors  Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group business.  Growing technology companies don’t have the financial resources, capacity or experience to tackle the challenges of scaling a business and driving performance.  A world-class People, Culture & HR operation is instrumental for this. Foundation Partners have built a blended service, so companies get the experience and support - both strategically and day-to-day - they need to build an exceptional business.  Find out more: https://www.foundationpartners.co.uk/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen: From the verge of bankruptcy to Forbes 30 Under 30 with Female Invest
23-10-2024
Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen: From the verge of bankruptcy to Forbes 30 Under 30 with Female Invest
“Something that’s often quite misunderstood in mission-driven companies is that you don’t change the world between 9 and 5.”  Today’s 40-Minute Mentor is Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen, a Sunday Times Best-Selling Author, the first Nordic woman named a Forbes 30 Under 30, and Co-Founder of Female Invest.  Female Invest is a global edTech platform on a mission to close the financial gender gap and smash glass ceilings.  To date, Female Invest has raised $23m in funding and is serving over 450,000 paying members in over 120 countries.  The Co-Founders also acquired Nordic FinTech company Gaia Investments and have written a global bestseller in ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Funds’.  We dive into all of these milestones in today’s episode, plus so much more…  Episode Chapters: ➡️ Failing to prioritise health [03:00]  ➡️ Growing up in Denmark and developing an interest in finance [04:20]  ➡️ From a social group at University to Female Invest [06:30]  ➡️ Scrappy beginnings & facing bankruptcy [11:15]  ➡️ Facing doubters and negative comments online [15:50]  ➡️ More about today’s sponsors, Unleashed [19:00]  ➡️ Anna’s hiring approach [20:15]  ➡️ Plans for the future [23:15]  ➡️ Fundraising experience & advice for Founders [24:45]  ➡️ VC vs crowdfunding [29:15]  ➡️ The financial gender gap & Anna’s Call To Action [31:30]  ➡️ Getting started with investing [35:45]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Connect with Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-sophie-hartvigsen-46352611a/  ➡️ Find out more about Female Invest: https://www.femaleinvest.com/  🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors  Unleashed, an Amplified Group business, is the people and culture expert for leaders who do business differently.  Trusted by the most progressive businesses, the Leadership Institute-accredited Unleashed Development Programmes harness the power of community learning, helping leaders develop the skills, behaviours and relationships they need to cultivate high performance across organisations. Find out more about Unleashed here or get in touch at sayhello@unleashed.company.  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mary Bekhait: Breaking down barriers as CEO of YMU & working with stars like Simon Cowell & Davina McCall
16-10-2024
Mary Bekhait: Breaking down barriers as CEO of YMU & working with stars like Simon Cowell & Davina McCall
“There are so many limitations put on women in this industry and you have to adopt a mindset where you’re going to challenge that as you move forward.”  Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is the brilliant Mary Bekhait, Group CEO of YMU.  YMU is a global talent agency representing some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry and beyond, including Fearne Cotton, Clare Balding, Davina McCall, Graham Norton and Simon Cowell, to name a few.  Mary has had an amazing career and has risen through the ranks at YMU, since joining in 2012.  Since taking over as Group CEO in January 2021, Mary has overseen a radical rebrand of YMU, transforming the agency into a progressive business, spearheaded by women.  In this episode, we dig into Mary’s career to date, what it’s been like to rise through the ranks in a male-dominated industry and what it’s really like to work with some of the biggest names in entertainment.  Episode Chapters: ➡️ Growing up in central London and nurturing a creative mind [06:00]  ➡️ Learnings from her first jobs [07:30]  ➡️ Why talent management & how to get into the industry [09:40]  ➡️ Being the only woman in the room & not becoming complacent [11:50]   ➡️ Leadership inspiration [16:40]  ➡️ More about today’s sponsor [20:50] ➡️ Rising through the ranks in talent management [22:00]  ➡️ Focusing on Diversity in Hiring [27:00]  ➡️ What it’s like to work with the most famous names in the industry [33:00]  ➡️ Mary’s vision of the future of the industry [38:30]  ➡️ A podcast recommendation from James [43:25]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Connect with Mary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-bekhait-35524512/  ➡️ Find out more about YMU: https://www.ymugroup.com/  🔔Find out more about today’s sponsors  Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group business.  Growing technology companies don’t have the financial resources, capacity or experience to tackle the challenges of scaling a business and driving performance.  A world-class People, Culture & HR operation is instrumental for this. Foundation Partners have built a blended service, so companies get the experience and support - both strategically and day-to-day - they need to build an exceptional business.  Find out more: https://www.foundationpartners.co.uk/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clare Jones: From scaling what3words to Series C and taking over as CEO at TravelTech, Polarsteps
09-10-2024
Clare Jones: From scaling what3words to Series C and taking over as CEO at TravelTech, Polarsteps
“It’s easy to look from the outside in and think ‘wow, what an adventure’ and it is an adventure, but if you’re thinking about going on a startup joinery you need to ask yourself: am I okay if this fails?”  For episode 1 in our brand new 40 Minute Mentor season, we’re joined by Clare Jones, ex CCO of what3words and CEO of Polarsteps.  Clare has had an impressive career so far, including joining what3words in its very early days as a startup and helping them scale to post-Series C in 8 years.  Earlier in the summer, Clare joined Polarsteps, a rapidly growing team building the essential tool for modern day explorers - before, during and after their trips.  In today’s episode we discuss the leadership skills that helped her through her tenure as CCO and now CEO, what makes a successful CCO and what it’s been like to join as the first CEO hire, as a succession hire from the Founders.  Episode Chapters: ➡️ Her upbringing in an activist household [04:30]  ➡️ Early NGO experiences & transferable skills [06:15]  ➡️ Joining what3words as a scrappy startup [09:50]  ➡️ Lessons from scaling the what3words team [13:45]  ➡️ More about today’s sponsors [20:55]  ➡️ Becoming comfortable with failure [22:00]  ➡️ Deep dive into the CCO role [26:15]  ➡️ Why the move to Polarsteps & the origin story [28:30]  ➡️ When it’s time for Founders to step back [31:55]  ➡️ Making Founder succession work [43:00]  ➡️ Learning to be patient [47:25]   ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Connect with Clare: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-jones-/  ➡️ Find out more about Polarsteps: https://www.polarsteps.com/  🔔 Find out more about today’s sponsors  Today’s episode was sponsored by Amplified Group - the People services group that supports technology companies from inception to IPO.  Together, the Group combines the leading brands in the People, Talent, Culture and HR space to provide the services Founders and Leadership teams need to build high-performing teams and businesses.  Find out more at www.amplifiedgroup.com or drop the team a note on people@amplifiedgroup.com  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Replay: LIVE at Sifted Summit with Nikki Wicks (The Body Coach), Emma Steele (Ascension) and Amali De Alwis (ex Subak)
02-10-2024
Replay: LIVE at Sifted Summit with Nikki Wicks (The Body Coach), Emma Steele (Ascension) and Amali De Alwis (ex Subak)
“Everyone needs different things, but if we’re going to spend so much time going to work, at least do something where you feel that you matter and that you make a difference here.”  As we’re approaching this year’s Sifted Summit in London, we thought we’d use our final Replay episode as a throwback to our live podcast recording at the Summit two years ago.  In this episode, we’re joined by Nikki Wicks (The Body Coach), Emma Steele (Ascension) and Amali De Alwis (ex Subak), to discuss putting purpose over profit and accelerating impact.  Gone are the days in which top talent are looking to go into Banking, Consulting or Investing.  Now the best of the best are on a mission to find companies and Founders with a strong purpose, to really make a difference in the world…  Episode chapters: ➡️ What is purpose and why does it matter [03:00]  ➡️ Measuring impact [08:40]  ➡️ Accidentally building a purpose driven business [10:45]  ➡️ When you should and shouldn’t raise from VCs [16:50]  ➡️ Profit vs Purpose - defining what matters [22:00]  ➡️ Turning down million pound partnerships [24:55]  ➡️ Purpose & Talent attraction [31:20]  ➡️ Sacrificing big salaries for purpose [33:20]  ➡️ Hiring challenges [37:30]  ➡️ Purpose driven investment thesis & fundraising advice [40:00]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Watch the full recording at Sifted Summit: https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/live-at-sifted-summit-purpose-v-profit-with-nikki-wicks-the-body-coach-emma-steele-ascension-amali-de-alwis-subak/  ➡️ Connect with Nikki Wicks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-wicks-15065661/  ➡️ Connect with Emma Steele: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-steele-b7a98832/  ➡️ Connect with Amali De Alwis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amali/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Replay: Claire Valoti on becoming one of Business Insider’s most powerful women in Tech
25-09-2024
Replay: Claire Valoti on becoming one of Business Insider’s most powerful women in Tech
“Being a mum is my superpower. If a company doesn’t want my superpower, then I don’t want to be in that company.”  Whether you’re an aspiring GM, leader in Tech or are navigating the workplace after becoming a parent - you won’t want to miss today’s 40 Minute Mentor.  In today’s Replay episode, we’re revisiting our conversation with the brilliant Claire Valoti, prolific angel investor and Founding Partner of Haylo Ventures.  When we had Claire on the podcast, she was VP at Snapchat, where she grew Snap’s EMEA region to over 1 billion in revenue with 20x headcount growth and a 5x productivity boost.  In today’s episode, you’ll hear more about…  Episode chapters: ➡️ Claire’s brilliant career from media and advertising into Tech [01:25]  ➡️ The lessons she learned from her parents owning a Hotel [03:50]  ➡️ The importance of public speaking in any career [08:55]  ➡️ What an early career in agency land taught her [11:00]  ➡️ Progression does not mean leaving the company you’re with [15:40]  ➡️ Highlights from working at Facebook [18:00]  ➡️ Moving to Snapchat & being hired while pregnant [19:50]  ➡️ Advice for aspiring GM’s [22:00]  ➡️ A typical day at Snapchat [25:50]  ➡️ Challenges of scaling a team [28:15]  ➡️ Collaborating across different countries and timezones [31:25]  ➡️ Driving DE&I from the top down [35:15]  ➡️ What Claire looks for when assessing talent [39:30]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Claire on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairevaloti/?originalSubdomain=uk  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Replay: Levelling the playing field - a social mobility special
18-09-2024
Replay: Levelling the playing field - a social mobility special
“Ability is equally distributed but opportunity isn’t. It’s about giving people the freedom to fail and the right and opportunity to fully participate in all levels of the society we live in today.”  Social Mobility has always been an important topic for us on 40 Minute Mentor.  Not just as a topic to openly discuss on the podcast, but as a production team to continue to find underrepresented stories to share with you every week.  Although a lot of progress has been made across industries in the last 4 years since we initially recorded this roundtable episode, a lot of what our guests have shared is (sadly) still relevant.  In this Roundtable episode, you’ll hear from:  ✨ Mandy Nyarko MBE, Co-Founder of Startup Discovery School ✨ Lucy McCarthy-Christofides, Fractional Commercial Product Marketing, ex Tails.com ✨ Ezechi Britton MBE, Co-Founder & CEO of Code Untapped, Founding Member of Impact X and CEO of Centre of Finance, Innovation and Technology ✨ Euan Blair, Co-Founder and CEO of Multiverse ✨ Ruth Penfold, Founder & Creator of Bloom, ex Launchpad and Onfido  Together, they discuss….  Episode chapters: ➡️ Why social mobility is important [02:15]  ➡️ The role of education [09:50]  ➡️ Continuous learning and reskilling [15:10]  ➡️ Improving social mobility as an employer  [25:20]  ➡️ Social Mobility in hiring [30:00]  ➡️ Building a truly diverse and inclusive team [42:20]  ➡️ Social Mobility in VC [52:50]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Mandy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-nyarko  ➡️ Follow Ezechi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezechi-britton-452a893/  ➡️ Follow Lucy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarthytails  ➡️ Follow Ruth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthpenfold/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Replay: Will Greenwood MBE on building a World Cup winning team culture
11-09-2024
Replay: Will Greenwood MBE on building a World Cup winning team culture
“The great differentiator of that England team was our ability to never allow ourselves to be consigned to fate. We always believed it was in our hands.”  Over the years, we’ve had some absolute legends of the sporting world on 40 Minute Mentor.  One of them is England Rugby legend, Broadcaster and Journalist, Will Greenwood MBE.  Will is one of the greatest English Rugby players of all time, playing 55 times for his country, representing the British and Irish Lions on multiple tours and including playing a fundamental role in England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup winning team.  Not only do we unpack Will’s impressive Rugby career in this episode, but you’ll also hear about…  Episode chapters: ➡️ Will’s upbringing and his parents influence [02:00]  ➡️ The route to professional Rugby [04:30]  ➡️ Making big sacrifices [13:40]  ➡️ Winning the World Cup [16:30]  ➡️ Removing luck to succeed [18:50]  ➡️ What made this team so special [19:55]  ➡️ From Rugby to Broadcasting [26:50]  ➡️ Facing failure and taking risks [32:00]  ➡️ Why we should all be paying it forward [35:30]  ➡️ Making Rugby more diverse and inclusive [37:50]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willgreenwood/?originalSubdomain=uk  ➡️ Check out Will’s book ‘World Class’: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/443223/world-class-by-greenwood-ben-fennell-and-will/9780753558782  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Replay: Helen Tupper on building a Squiggly Career
04-09-2024
Replay: Helen Tupper on building a Squiggly Career
“We are not expected to all develop in the same direction. Success isn’t the same for all of us and we can’t plan our way to some kind of predictable future.”  40 Minute Mentor is fast approaching its 12th season.  With over 250 episodes published, we know that not every single one of our listeners will have been around from the beginning.  To share some of our earlier mentorship with you, we’re running another one of our Replay feature seasons.  In today’s Replay episode, we’re revisiting our 40 minutes of pocket-sized mentorship with the brilliant Helen Tupper.  Helen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Amazing If, a bestselling Author and Co-Host of the popular Squiggly Careers podcast.  In these 40 minutes, you’ll find out…  Episode chapters: ➡️ Joining for the company, not the job [03:25]   ➡️ Working for big brands [04:30]  ➡️ Defining your career values [08:30]  ➡️ Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship [10:20]  ➡️ Building a business with your friend [15:15]  ➡️ Defining a Squiggly Career [20:45]  ➡️ Building your confidence [26:45]  ➡️ Starting the Squiggly Careers podcast [30:35]  ➡️ The secret to community building [35:20]  ➡️ Advice on career pivots [35:45]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Helen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helentupper?originalSubdomain=uk  ➡️ Find out more about Amazing If: https://www.amazingif.com/  ➡️ Listen to the Squiggly Careers podcast: https://www.amazingif.com/listen/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ruari Bell: Building the UK's first athlete led VC firm with The Players Fund
28-08-2024
Ruari Bell: Building the UK's first athlete led VC firm with The Players Fund
“There’s a competitive drive and edge that you see in sport that is really important in business. And Teamwork. Dealing with individuals, knowing what helps make an individual tick is really important.”  For the final episode in this season of our VC feature, we’re joined by Ruari Bell, Founding Partner at The Players Fund, the UK’s first athlete-led firm, founded to empower the athlete community as investors.  The Players Fund brings together a collective of renowned athlete investors, including Ben Stokes, former 40 Minute Mentor guest Jessica Ennis-Hill, Jos Butler, Allyson Felix, Serge Gnabry and many more top athletes.  Ruari has had a fantastic career in entrepreneurship and investing and we’ll dig into every part of it and his journey with The Players Fund in detail, in today’s episode.  In these 40 minutes, you’ll hear about... Episode chapters:  ➡️ Increasing diversity and inclusion in VC [03:00]  ➡️ Growing up in the Northeast of England [03:50]  ➡️ A love for sport [05:45]  ➡️ Transitioning out of professional sport [07:55]  ➡️ An entrepreneurial journey [10:50]  ➡️ Transferable skills from sport to business [17:40]  ➡️ The origin story of The Players Fund [20:15]  ➡️ What makes Founders stand out to him [28:00]  ➡️ Openness to feedback [29:30]  ➡️ Vision for the future [35:15]  ➡️ Building a business with family [38:00]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Ruari on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruaribell/  ➡️ Find out more about The Players fund: https://www.playersfund.vc/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fundraising Advice from Seed to Unicorn Founders
21-08-2024
Fundraising Advice from Seed to Unicorn Founders
“When a VC gives you a low valuation, it isn’t the fact that your company is worth that much, it might just be because you didn’t pitch it in the right way.”  Fundraising can be a lonely process at times. And an endless emotional rollercoaster throughout.  In today’s episode, we collated some of the best fundraising advice from Founders who have been in your position and raised some impressive rounds over the years.  You’ll hear from:  🌟 Avion Gray, Co-Founder & CEO of Belong 🌟 Alice Pelton, Co-Founder & CEO of The Lowdown 🌟 Christian Facey, Founder & CEO of Audiomob 🌟 Ham Serunjogi, Co-Founder & CEO of Chipper Cash 🌟 Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympian & Co-Founder of FemTech, Jennis 🌟 Molly Johnson-Jones, Co-Founder & CEO of Flexa 🌟 Exited Founder Nicolas D’Audiffret of Ankorstore 🌟 Simone Maini, CEO at Elliptic 🌟 Tim Chong, Co-Founder & CEO of Yonder ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Find all of the full episodes used in today’s roundup in the 40 Minute Mentor archives, or by searching ‘Name + 40 Minute Mentor’ on Google: https://jbmc.co.uk/40-minute-mentor/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A VC Roundup - Raising from VCs & getting into the industry
14-08-2024
A VC Roundup - Raising from VCs & getting into the industry
“This is a long partnership. We’re here to return money to our investors, but we are also here to experience a very unique journey together. So, trust is very important, on both sides.”  We’ve been so lucky to have some of the best VCs in the industry, come on 40 Minute Mentor over the years.  For today’s episode, we thought we’d collate some of the best VC advice we received on the podcast to date.  You’ll hear from:  🌟 Leila Rastegar-Zegna, Founding General Partner of Kindred Capital  🌟 Hannah Seal, Partner at Index Ventures 🌟 Pippa Lamb, Partner at Sweet Capital  🌟 Ian Hogarth, Partner at Plural  🌟 Antoine Nussenbaum, Co-Founder of Felix Capital  🌟 Cleo Sham, ex-Partner at Stride.VC  🌟 Check Warner, Co-Founder of Ada Ventures  Episode chapters:  ➡️ Hardest part of being a VC [01:30]  ➡️ Investing at Seed stage [04:09]  ➡️ Mission first VCs [04:40]  ➡️ Backing exceptional Founders [08:30]  ➡️ Being strategic in choosing your fund [16:20]  ➡️ DE&I in VC [22:45]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Find all of the full episodes used in today’s roundup in the 40 Minute Mentor archives, or by searching ‘Name + 40 Minute Mentor’ on Google: https://jbmc.co.uk/40-minute-mentor/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gideon Valkin: From ClearScore & Monzo to building a $12m solo GP fund
07-08-2024
Gideon Valkin: From ClearScore & Monzo to building a $12m solo GP fund
“Founders deserve Investors that have relevant operating experience, time to help them and can be impartial and objective in the advice they give.”  Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Gideon Valkin, former Monzo and ClearScore Commercial Leader, Investor and Entrepreneur.  Following 15 years as a Founder, Operator and Investor, Gideon is now combining being a Founder and Investor in the launch of Andrena Ventures - a $12m solo GP fund.  Andrena is investing $100k-$400k tickets at pre-seed and seed into teams coming from the UK and European ecosystem, focusing on backing the most talented FinTech alumni. In these 40 minutes, you’ll find out…  Episode chapters:  ➡️ The Investors Founders deserve [03:00]  ➡️ Upbringing & values that shape Gideon today [04:00]  ➡️ Learning fundamental lessons from Tennis [10:30]   ➡️ From Founder to Operator [14:15]  ➡️ Overcoming the most challenging times [17:45]   ➡️ Working alongside Tom Blomfield and Justin Basini [20:50]  ➡️ Raising a solo GP fund [27:30]   ➡️ A solo GP approach to working with Founders [29:00]  ➡️ Important qualities in a Founder [32:15]  ➡️ A look into the future [39:30]        ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Gideon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gideon-valkin-05a44823?originalSubdomain=uk  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ash Arora: Investing in Web3 as the youngest Partner at LocalGlobe
31-07-2024
Ash Arora: Investing in Web3 as the youngest Partner at LocalGlobe
“If you eventually want to do investing, become an Operator or Founder, don’t go into banking.”  We are back with another season of our popular VC Feature series, where we hear from some of the best Investors in the space.  Today, we’re joined by Ash Arora, the youngest Partner at LocalGlobe.  Before joining LocalGlobe in 2022, Ash was the Investment Lead for Crypto Unicorn, Polygon’s venture arm, with LPs such as Sequoia, Lightspeed, Softbank, Tiger, etc.  In this episode, we discuss Ash’s career journey, her transition from banking to VC and her focus on Blockchain and AI investments.   Episode Chapters:  ➡️ Upbringing & early career aspirations [03:10]  ➡️ Career foundations in banking [05:00]  ➡️ Reflections on her time at Polygon [07:30]  ➡️ The value of an Ops background as a VC [10:30]  ➡️ Joining LocalGlobe [13:20]  ➡️ Why Blockchain & Web3 [16:00]  ➡️ What makes Founders stand out to Ash [18:15]  ➡️ What to avoid when pitching to VCs [22:25]  ➡️ Raising in a challenging climate [26:50]  ➡️ Embracing Failure [29:00]  ➡️ The importance of mentorship & becoming a mentor [32:20]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Ash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aashima-arora?originalSubdomain=uk  ➡️ Find out more about LocalGlobe: https://localglobe.vc/  ➡️ Read about Ash’s parameters for finding your next role: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aashima-arora_how-do-you-find-your-next-job-half-the-activity-7136378080742318081-E6PV?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Onyinye Udokporo - From starting a business at the age of 12 to being a neurodiversity consultant for Google
24-07-2024
Onyinye Udokporo - From starting a business at the age of 12 to being a neurodiversity consultant for Google
“Dyslexia is a learning difference. There’s nothing difficult about it. You have challenges, but you’re not a difficult individual.”  In our final episode in this specialist advice series, we’re joined by Onyinye Udokporo, one of the UK’s youngest education experts, entrepreneur, dyslexic author, neurodiversity consultant and content creator.  Onyinye’s entrepreneurial journey started when she was only 12 years old, when she began tutoring children and young people from her local community in her parent’s living room.  Following her own diagnosis with Dyslexia, she became an author of ‘Dyslexia and Me: How to survive and thrive if you’re neurodivergent’ and started her own Neurodiversity Consulting firm in 2022, where she delivers training and workshops as well as consulting services to businesses including Google and the BBC.  Today we’ll dive into her entrepreneurial journey, from day one in her parent’s living room to using AI for good, and everything in between.  Episode Chapters:  ➡️ Learning from setbacks [02:15]  ➡️ Upbringing & starting a business at the age of 12 [04:10]  ➡️ Quitting big 4 consulting on Day 1 [09:10]  ➡️ Early entrepreneurial inspirations [18:30]  ➡️ Being diagnosed with dyslexia [21:15]  ➡️ Making businesses more neuro inclusive [27:50]  ➡️ Advice for neurodivergent Founders [30:40]  ➡️ Hiring & retaining neurodiverse talent [36:30]  ➡️ Education & AI [41:30]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Onyinye on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onyinyeudokporo?originalSubdomain=uk  ➡️ Find out more about her work: https://www.onyinyeudokporo.com/ ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Do’s & Don’ts of Public Relations for Startups
17-07-2024
The Do’s & Don’ts of Public Relations for Startups
“It very often feels uncomfortable for Founders to put themselves out there in that way. But the more you do it, the easier it will get.”  In this 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re covering a topic critical for every early-stage Founder - the power of Public Relations.  To help us discover the do’s and don’ts and share some of the biggest advice for Founders and Communication teams, we’re joined by Rhiannon Evans-Young, Founder & Director of Crest, Isabella Cookson, Director at Milltown Partners and Hannah Urbanek, Fractional Head of Marketing and 40 Minute Mentor Producer.  Episode chapters:  ➡️ The Do’s & Dont’s of PR [01:10]  ➡️ Building your Founder brand [05:00]  ➡️ Common PR mistakes [10:30]  ➡️ Navigating a communications crisis [15:00]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Rhiannon on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-evans-young-0179885b  ➡️ Follow Isabella on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/isabella-cookson-03218280  ➡️ Follow Hannah on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/hannahurbanek  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The power of networking & changing lives through careers - James Mitra in conversation with Alembic Strategy
10-07-2024
The power of networking & changing lives through careers - James Mitra in conversation with Alembic Strategy
“Make networking a daily occurrence. It’s everyday interactions. It’s making a good impression early doors and really taking the time to build meaningful relationships and connections.”  In today’s episode, we’ve put our host, James Mitra, into the interviewee seat.  James was recently invited on Alembic Strategy’s Strategy Café, hosted by Founder and MD, Nick Mayhew.  If you haven’t heard of Alembic before, they’re a team of facilitators and coaches working at board level with family businesses, founder-led businesses, private equity and with developing leaders, in the UK and internationally.  Nick and James discuss the unique journey JBM has been on and the key lessons James has learned over the last 11 years of leading JBM.  Episode chapters:  ➡️ Introductions [01:08]  ➡️ The power of networking [04:45]  ➡️ Bringing networking into your day to day [08:20]  ➡️ Starting JBM at age 25 [14:20]  ➡️ Disrupting traditional recruitment [17:40]  ➡️ Dealing with competition [20:15]  ➡️ Changing lives through recruitment [24:50]  ➡️ The mistakes along the way [28:30]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayhewnick/  ➡️ Follow James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmitra-jbm/?originalSubdomain=uk  ➡️ Find out more about Alembic Strategy: https://www.alembicstrategy.com/  ➡️ Find out more about JBM: https://jbmc.co.uk/  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Scarlett McCabe & Lewis Iwu: The power of debating & disagreeing
03-07-2024
Scarlett McCabe & Lewis Iwu: The power of debating & disagreeing
“[Debating] teaches you to listen, to challenge well, and it teaches you all the skills that you need to be able to be in any room at any time, with anyone.”  The world seems more divided than ever before.  But is it actually or are we simply shying away from debating and leaning into disagreeing with each other?  This is exactly what we’ll explore in today’s episode - the power of debating and the benefits of disagreeing, in business and beyond.  To help us unpack this important topic, we’re joined by Scarlett McCabe, Co-Founder and CEO of Debate Mate and Lewis Iwu, debate champion, author of ‘Words that Win’ and Co-Founder and CEO of Purpose Union.  Episode chapters:  ➡️ 60 second CVs [04:55]  ➡️ Finding the right people [13:05]  ➡️ Writing your own playbook [16:50]  ➡️ Introduction to debating [18:30]  ➡️ What debating teaches you [22:25]  ➡️ Skills needed to be good at debating [27:50]  ➡️ Benefits of debating in business [30:30]  ➡️ Getting into debating now [35:00]  ➡️ Communicating better [37:50]  ➡️ The power of disagreeing [41:30]  ⛳ Helpful links: ➡️ Follow Scarlett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scarlettmccabe/  ➡️ Follow Lewis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-iwu-b3125024/  ➡️ Find out more about Debate Mate: https://debatemate.com/  ➡️ Find out more about Purpose Union: https://www.purposeunion.com/    ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review on https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices