x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase

John Radford - Building Better Products, Teams & Tech

Launchbase is the go-to podcast for startup founders and tech leaders building and scaling software products. Hosted by John Radford (software expert with $50M+ in funding success), each 30-minute episode brings practical insights on AI adoption, product strategy, and scaling high-performing teams. Hear from real founders, investors, and CTOs as they unpack the challenges of building tech, raising funds, and navigating digital transformation.

technology entrepreneurship

All Episodes

35:27

UK vs US Tech: Inside the Mind of a Modern VC with...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2025/05/14

In this episode, John Radford sits down with Alistair Russell, investor at Venrex, to unpack the realities of startup fundraising, the evolving nature of venture capital, and the key differences between the UK and US tech ecosystems. Alistair shares his personal journey into VC, lessons learned from early bets, and what separates average startups from exceptional ones.From the importance of product-market fit and customer feedback, to why technology alone isn’t enough—this conversation is packed

en

25:56

The Art of Storytelling in Startups

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2025/04/30

In this episode of Launch Base, host John Radford speaks with Phil McSweeney, an advisor and author, about the challenges founders face in scaling their businesses. They discuss the importance of storytelling, the reasons behind founder failures, and the key traits that make exceptional founders. Phil shares insights on angel investing, the significance of brand positioning, and the impact of no-code solutions on startups. The conversation culminates with a discussion of Phil's book, 'Angel Think',

en

28:18

Building the Future: AI Forge's Mission

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2025/04/02

In this episode of LaunchBase, John Radford sits down with Kevin Jackson, Chairman of AI Forge, to explore what it takes to build and scale AI startups. Kevin shares his journey from advertising to AI, the mission of AI Forge, and the rigorous selection process founders must go through. They dive into the challenges and opportunities in AI, the role of resilience in entrepreneurship, and why AI is becoming as fundamental as electricity.If you're an aspiring AI founder or curious about where AI is

en

29:40

From Banking to Angel Investing: Katie Dunn's Journey

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2025/03/26

In this episode of Launch Base, host John Radford is joined by Katie Dunn, an angel investor and startup advisor, to discuss her journey from corporate banking to the world of angel investing. They dive into the critical role of personal branding on LinkedIn, the key qualities that make a successful founder, and the evolving startup ecosystem. Katie shares valuable insights on navigating investor relationships, the significance of founder-market fit, and the growing impact of AI in investment

en

28:07

Crowdfunding Chronicles: Startup Success with...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2025/02/12

Jonathan Keeling has seen fundraising from all angles—helping CrowdCube raise over £1B for 1,000 startups and now scaling Haatch from £50M to £250M AUM.In this episode, we dive into the realities of startup fundraising, crowdfunding do’s and don’ts, and what investors really look for. We also explore how UK investors differ from their US counterparts, the rise of AI-powered startups, and why recycled capital is key to a thriving ecosystem. If you’re raising or investing, this one’s for you!

en

26:22

Disrupting the Status Quo with Gabriela Hersham,...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/04/07

This week, we end off Season 1 with a bang as we sit down with Gabriela Hersham, Co-Founder and CEO of Huckletree. Huckletree is the home of conscious entrepreneurship across the UK and Ireland, providing a network of mentors, talent, investors and experts, along with the right services to help their members grow.We discuss what the future of work may look like in a post-pandemic world, the role of community in facilitating growth and avoiding the founder trap of approaching the startup as a

en

27:21

Don't Stop Retrieving with Rikke Rosenlund, Founder...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/03/31

With the dog days of lockdown slowly lifting, there are businesses that have built and maintained communities that have kept the world a happier place and our guests this week are one of them. BorrowMyDoggy is a digital platform that connects dog owners with trusted local people who would love to look after their dog and make it easy to arrange walks, playtime, overnight stays or holidays. Grab a coffee and sit back as we discuss all things funding and launch, the importance of building a community

en

27:09

It Takes A Village with Rachael Box, Founder of Local...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/03/24

When it comes to developing digital products, it takes a village. And when it comes to building product for companies that strive to do good in the world, it makes the journey that much sweeter. This week at Launch Base HQ, we are joined by Rachael Box, Founder of Local Village Network (LVN). LVN are a charity dedicated to tackling network poverty and social inequality. Our sponsor Borne Agency partnered with LVN in delivering a native mobile application, connecting young people to volunteers and a

en

28:27

Growing Pains with Roy Shelton, Managing Partner at...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/03/17

Different founders make different kinds of mistakes. This is where DropJaw comes in. DropJaw Ventures are a specialist business advisory firm and provide access to capital, interim management and advisory services to scale up businesses and companies in need of a turnaround.This week, we have an insightful discussion with Roy Shelton, Managing Partner at DropJaw Ventures on the challenges faced by young, emerging, scale-ups and more established companies who are driving for greater efficiency and

en

32:13

Pivot Your Product Market Fit with Lydia Jones,...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/03/10

Execution is everything. This morning, our host is joined by Lydia Jones, Founder and CEO of Housemates. Housemates is a marketplace to discover and book student accommodation in minutes. Lydia has been featured in TechRound’s 29 under 29 for 2020 and BusinessCloud’s 35 under 35 to watch in the UK.We discuss staying curious when solving a problem through product and building a product your users didn’t know they needed. We chat about the importance of shame when it comes to your first MVP and

en

24:33

Let’s Iterate It with Andy Skipper, Founder and Chief...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/03/03

This week, we decode the role of CTO with our guest Andy Skipper, Founder and Chief CTO Coach at CTO Craft. CTO Craft’s community brings together technology leaders from across the world, from small startups to global organisations. They offer an easily digestible range of deep-dive courses and programmes to help technology leaders of all experience levels. We discuss the role of a CTO, what that entails, how CTO's can recognise how to make the transition from engineer to team leader and all the

en

26:47

'Will AI and Machine Learning Terminate Us?' with...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/02/24

The terms 'Artificial Intelligence', 'Machine Learning' and 'Big Data' have been in the limelight throughout 2020 and 2021 has been no exception. Our guest this week saw this potential and their portfolio demonstrates this. This week, our host has a catch up with Mads Jensen, Managing Partner at SuperSeed. SuperSeed accelerates B2B startups in launching great AI-focused products. John picks Mad's brain on all things: Big Data and AI, what characteristics do VC's look for in a founder, the role of

en

28:51

Just F****ing Launch It with Dr Charles Armitage,...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/02/17

When it comes to scaling a business from the ground up, you want to build a category-defining company that owns the entire space and adds value for your users. This week, John dives in with Dr Charles Armitage, Co-Founder and CEO of Florence, an online marketplace that connects independent nurses and carers for freelance shifts.Re-inventing your startup at every opportunity is key whilst scaling to pivot your business with your user’s changing needs. We discuss building products that are

en

34:29

Getting Curious with Wills Hapworth - Managing...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/02/10

Passion, Resilience, Coachable, Curiosity.These are the qualities that seed/pre-seed investment firms like TIA Ventures look for in entrepreneurs and bringing 'Thought Into Action'. This week, John grabs a virtual coffee with Wills Hapworth, Managing General Partner at TIA Ventures, a seed-stage venture capital fund that partners with companies building emotional and visceral connections with their consumers.We discuss identifying your “North Star” as an entrepreneur and recognising your visceral

en

29:26

Launching It Lean with Nick Miller- UK Country...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/02/03

Execution is everything. When launching your digital product, you should always have the “why” and the “how” and sell your product in just one sentence. This week, we sit down with Nick Miller, UK Country Manager for Payfit on launching your product lean and focusing on the “less is more” mantra. Understanding your user and what problem you are solving for them through your MVP will save you money in the long-run.We dive into pinpointing what is essential when it comes to launching an agile product:

en

36:52

The Agile Entrepreneur with Lex Deak - Founder of Basket

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/01/27

For those of us starting the journey towards launching our own business or startup, taking those first steps may seem daunting. This week, we have a chat with Lex Deak, Founder of Basket, on delving into the vast and multi-faceted world of entrepreneurship and starting a business from the ground up: the good, the bad and the funny.

en

26:34

Launching A Product During a Pandemic with Molly...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/01/20

To say that 2020 was a rollercoaster ride is the understatement of the century. In times of chaos, however, comes opportunity. This week, we sit down with Molly Johnson-Jones, Co-Founder of flexa, to discuss launching your product during a pandemic and the challenges and opportunities that come with keeping your product and startup thriving in the chaos.

en

26:06

Sowing The Seed and Getting Funded with Robert Walsh...

Building Tech Products & Scaling Startups: Launchbase ·

2021/01/07

We're in a business climate transformed by a global pandemic and tech founders need help figuring out how to navigate the seed round and impress investors and stand out from the crowd. This week, we sit down with Robert Walsh, the Managing Partner at Q Ventures. Robert answers our burning questions: What key qualities do investors look for in your business? What is your idea disrupting? Is it necessary to have a working MVP when approaching an investment company?

en

18 results

Similar Podcasts

Lead With AI

Tamara Nall

Linux in the Ham Shack

Black Sparrow Media

Data Engineering Podcast

Tobias Macey

Eye On A.I.

Craig S. Smith

Reflections

Livewire Labs