Innovation Conversation: Entrepreneurship, AI, and Building Strong Teams with Simon Penson

In this episode of Innovation Conversation, host Ricardo Pascual sits down with Simon Penson, successful entrepreneur, investor, and business advisor, to explore lessons from building and selling multiple businesses. Simon shares real-world insights on what it takes to launch, grow, and exit a startup successfully.

They dive into:

• The key traits of entrepreneurial success — determination, honesty, and self-awareness.
• Why building a strong, complementary team is essential.
• How mentorship and experienced advice accelerate growth.
• The strategic use of AI in business — beyond the hype.
• How to craft an effective pitch deck that tells a story and sells your vision.
• The importance of coachability and adaptability for founders.

Tune in for practical strategies blending traditional business wisdom with modern innovation — perfect for founders and entrepreneurs aiming to build sustainable companies.

Brought to you by Startup Summit 2025 — Europe’s leading startup and investor summit, happening September 18–19, 2025, in Lisbon.

🎟️ Learn more and secure your spot at www.startupsummit.io

🕒 Chapters 00:00 — Introduction and Background 01:27 — Traits for Entrepreneurial Success 09:00 — Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Mistakes 12:56 — Investing in Startups and Providing Business Advice 23:34 — The Role of AI in Business 26:31 — Crafting an Effective Pitch Deck 31:41 — The Importance of Coachability 33:18 — Contact Information