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!
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Right Channels
1w ago00:33:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns reconnects with Paul Barnes, founder and CEO of Overe.io, to explore the realities of scaling a cybersecurity startup over the last year.The conversation covers:Building revenue foundations after early tractionThe challenges of scaling through channel partnershipsWhy saying yes to every opportunity can become dangerousRefining ICPs and customer qualificationInternational growth across the UK, US, Japan, and EuropeHow AI is helping lean startup teams operate more efficientlyPaul also shares honest insights into startup focus, operational discipline, and the balance between pursuing growth while staying aligned to the company’s long-term strategy.
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Beyond the Tech
2w ago00:24:00Tap to summarizeWhat happens when an AI recruitment platform evolves into something much bigger?In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Dr Ali Raza, founder and CEO of ByteSpark.ai, about the realities of building an AI startup over the last 12 months.The conversation explores:The challenges of product-market fit and pricing perceptionWhy founders must protect themselves in business partnershipsHow ByteSpark.ai pivoted from SaaS into a service-led modelThe development of Persona, an AI-driven decision intelligence platformWhy recruitment needs more human intelligence, not lessDr Ali Raza also shares honest reflections on resilience, trust, leadership, and building through uncertainty while navigating both startup growth and regional instability.
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Doing Good
3w ago00:27:50Tap to summarizeWhat if saving money felt as natural as spending it?In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Richa Gupta, founder of GoodBreach, a fintech startup helping young adults reduce impulse spending and build healthier financial habits.Richa shares how a personal experience with her younger sister led to the idea behind the company, and how behavioural psychology, user research, and fintech innovation became the foundation of the platform.They discuss:The emotional side of spending behaviourBuilding a fintech product from scratchUser research and product iterationNavigating FCA compliance and banking infrastructureWhy behavioural design matters in financial technologyThe future of “Save Now, Buy Later”This is a thoughtful conversation about startup building, financial wellbeing, and designing technology around real human behaviour.
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Cutting Through Noise
Jun 1700:37:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Burak Karakan, co-founder and CEO of Bruin, about building a data and AI platform shaped by real operational frustration.Burak shares how years of working with complex data workflows led to the creation of Bruin, a product designed to simplify how organisations access, manage, and act on their data. The conversation explores how early experimentation, repeated failure, and close customer collaboration helped refine the product into something businesses are willing to pay for.The episode also examines what it takes to build in a crowded AI market, where trust, reliability, and long-term value matter more than visibility. Burak reflects on hiring, co-founder alignment, and the importance of focusing on real problems rather than building in isolation.For founders, data teams, and product builders, this episode offers practical insight into product-market fit, scaling with intention, and building resilient technology companies.
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Funding Fun
Jun 1000:30:32Tap to summarizeHow do you simplify one of the most complex areas in technology?In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Kevin Callahan, founder of Uniblock, about building a platform designed to make Web3 infrastructure easier to use.Kevin shares how Uniblock brings together multiple blockchain providers into a single interface, helping developers reduce complexity and focus on building. He also discusses the realities of operating in a fast-changing market, where adoption and sentiment can shift quickly.They explore developer experience, product iteration, and what it takes to build in an emerging space where clarity is often limited.If you’re building in Web3 or interested in developer tools, this episode offers a practical and grounded perspective.
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Patents, Pressure, and Persistence
Jun 300:31:38Tap to summarizeHow do you build a cybersecurity company in a world where AI is changing the rules?In this episode, Natalie Binns speaks with Sandy Kronenberg, founder of Netarx, about how deepfakes, avatars, and AI-driven threats are reshaping the security landscape.Sandy explains why the human layer is now the biggest vulnerability, how identity verification needs to evolve, and what organisations must do to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated attacks.They also discuss the rise of non-human identities, the role of compliance in driving adoption, and what it feels like to build a company in a category that is still emerging.If you’re a founder, operator, or working in cybersecurity, this episode offers a practical and forward-looking perspective.YouTube DescriptionAI is changing cybersecurity faster than most organisations can keep up.In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns interviews Sandy Kronenberg, founder of Netarx, to explore the rise of deepfakes, avatars, and AI-driven cyber threats.
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Creating a Legacy
May 2700:26:24Tap 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
May 2000:29:02Tap 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
May 1300:30:43Tap 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
May 600:35:11Tap 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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