Podcast
Tech Startup Stories
Hosted by Natalie Binns · EN
For anyone that is building a B2B Tech Startup or has dreams of building their on business in this space, this podcast series explores the unique and bumpy journey of building a business from the ground up. We talk with CEOs and Founders at various stages of their startup journeys, from inception to funding, to there first $1m! It's not always smooth sailing but it would be boring if it was!
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Creating a Legacy
1w ago00:26:24Tap to summarizeHow do you build an AI company in a market full of noise?In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Ashu Dubey, founder of Alhena, about what it takes to stand out in a crowded AI space.Ashu shares his journey from his first startup to building Alhena, including lessons on monetisation, pivots, and finding product-market fit. He explains how the company evolved into an e-commerce AI platform focused on driving revenue, not just efficiency.They also discuss the challenges of differentiation, why customers are becoming more selective, and how founders can stay focused on solving real problems.If you’re building in AI or SaaS, this episode offers a practical and honest perspective.
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The Strategic Pivot
2w ago00:29:02Tap to summarizeHow do you bring structure to something as complex and human as partnerships?In this episode, our host, Natalie Binns speaks with Mick Gosset, founder of JointFlows, about building a platform designed to simplify and scale B2B partnerships.Mick shares the realities of building in a space that is still evolving, where workflows are often fragmented and difficult to manage. He talks about the importance of iteration, learning from users, and creating a product that fits how people actually work.They also discuss the challenges of early-stage growth, balancing startup life with personal responsibilities, and what it really takes to keep moving forward when things are still taking shape.If you’re building a startup or working in partnerships, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical perspective.
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Darkest before the Dawn
3w ago00:30:43Tap to summarizeHow do you build a product that enhances creativity without replacing it?In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Polina Sali, co-founder of First Concepts, about her journey from architecture to building an AI-powered platform for creatives.Polina shares how global events reshaped her path, why creativity and technical thinking are more connected than we think, and what it takes to build a product in a fast-changing space.They also discuss co-founder alignment, navigating uncertainty, and how AI can support creative workflows rather than disrupt them.If you’re a founder, designer, or building in AI, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical perspective.
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Reflecting for Growth
4w ago00:35:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns reconnects with Mike Adams, founder of IntroStars, to explore how the business has evolved over the past 12 months and what it takes to scale a platform built on human connection.Mike shares how IntroStars is transforming the way business introductions are made, tracked, and rewarded, creating a structured ecosystem where relationships drive measurable outcomes. From growing a global community of “super connectors” to expanding into key markets such as New York and Silicon Valley, this episode dives into the realities of building a network-driven platform in a digital-first world.The conversation also explores the challenges of changing user behaviour, the importance of reducing friction in product design, and how consistent experimentation led to the development of IntroStars’ recommendation engine. Alongside this, Mike reflects on the role of serendipity in business growth, including how a chance meeting led to securing investment.For founders, operators, and anyone interested in community-led growth, referral platforms, and B2B networking strategies, this episode offers practical insight into scaling through trust, partnerships, and meaningful connections.
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Don't Underestimate the Power of Time
Apr 2900:29:11Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to build a startup in the age of generative AI?In this episode, Sophie Carr, founder of GAIO Tech, joins Natalie Binns to share her journey from failed startup attempts to building a platform focused on generative AI optimisation.They talk about:Learning to fail (and why it matters)Pivoting when the market says noBuilding a product from real-world experimentsFinding the right co-founderAnd why fewer clients can actually mean better growthThis is a candid conversation about resilience, timing, and what it actually looks like to build something from scratch.
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Learning What Works
Apr 2200:32:44Tap to summarizeWhat really changes after you raise funding, and what doesn’t?In this episode, Natalie Binns is joined again by Tom Rudnai, co-founder of Demand Genius, one year after his first appearance on Tech Startup Stories.Tom shares what the last 12 months have actually looked like, from raising a pre-seed round to navigating the pressures that come with it. He opens up about the reality of startup experimentation, why most things don’t work at first, and how his team eventually found a way to stand out in a crowded AI search market.They also discuss hiring in early-stage startups, the shift from experimentation to execution, and what it means to build a business in a space where everything is constantly changing.If you’re building a startup or scaling a SaaS product, this episode offers a grounded and honest look at what it really takes.
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No Clear Path
Apr 1500:17:58Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to build a biotech startup from scratch?In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Georgia Witchel, founder of Mantis Biotech, about her journey from early programming to launching a company focused on biomedical infrastructure.Georgia shares how she identified a gap in the biotech space, why she prioritised sales from day one, and how cold outreach helped her secure early customers. She also breaks down the reality of startup execution, why everything takes longer than expected and why growth is rarely linear.They discuss her experience with Y Combinator, building as a solo founder, and the mindset required to keep moving forward in a demanding and competitive space.If you’re building a startup or considering it, this episode offers a grounded and practical perspective on what it really takes.
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From Scrappy to Scalable
Apr 800:27:55Tap to summarizeHow do you build a successful ad tech company in one of the most fragmented industries in marketing?In this episode, Natalie Binns sits down with Mike Hauptman, founder of AdLib, to explore how he’s spent over a decade simplifying programmatic advertising for agencies and brands.From early experimentation and late-night building sessions to surviving a sudden platform collapse, Mike shares the realities of growing a startup without external funding and why those challenges ultimately shaped a stronger, more resilient business.They also unpack the growing complexity of programmatic marketing, the role of AI in the space, and what it really takes to create technology that delivers meaningful value.If you’re a founder, marketer, or working in SaaS, this episode offers a grounded perspective on growth, resilience, and building with intention.
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12 months Stronger
Apr 100:26:47Tap to summarizeA year on from Season 1, Tom Bright returns to Tech Startup Stories to reflect on how Bright Evolve has evolved over the past twelve months.The conversation explores what happens as a business moves beyond early momentum, where growth starts to depend on structure, clarity, and the ability to step back from day-to-day delivery. It covers the shift from doing everything personally to building a team, the role of ego in sales and client relationships, and the decisions that shape the next phase of growth.In this episode, we cover:Why founder-led delivery can limit long-term growthHow stepping back changes the way a business operates What happens when product development loses momentum How to rebuild focus across services and product How to create a more scalable commercial modelIf you are building a business and balancing delivery with growth, this episode offers a clear and practical perspective.
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Fighting Founder Fires
Feb 400:30:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Hudson Liao, founder of AI go-to-market platform The Hog. Hudson shares his unique journey from being a student firefighter to working in finance, then biotech, and eventually becoming a startup founder. He explains how these experiences taught him to think in frameworks, adapt quickly, and always ask the right questions, lessons that now guide how he builds companies and approaches growth.Hudson dives into the challenges of product-led growth, explaining why speed, testing, and real user feedback are essential. He talks about The Hog’s PLG-first strategy, how the team uses social intent to identify and connect with the right customers, and how they differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded AI martech market. He also shares insights on scaling a product while keeping it human, relatable, and easy to use.
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