In this special edition of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson dive into two recent interviews that couldn't be more different on the surface; but reveal some remarkably similar lessons underneath.

On one side, we have Aqeel Shamsul, founder of cutting-edge space biotech startup Frontier Space, turning microgravity into a drug development advantage.

On the other, Tom Perry and Ella Chapman from Holloway Bond, redefining the approach to business rates recovery through data-led outreach and customer-first practices.

From rocket science to rateable values, this episode is a compelling breakdown of the shared truths behind successful scaleups.

💡 Key Highlights:

✅ Solve a Real Problem, Build the Right Team Whether in outer space or in high-street offices, the guests focused on one key thing: identifying a genuine pain point and assembling the right people to solve it.

✅ From Hustle to Systems Aqeel bootstrapped his first space mission while washing dishes during his PhD. Tom & Ella took on every business function until they hit bottlenecks—then learned to outsource and scale smart.

✅ Proactive Sales Is King Frontier Space invests heavily in Business Development, even in deep-tech. Holloway Bond flips the model by finding clients through data, rather than waiting for them to call.

✅ Culture and Hiring Matter More Than Ever In both businesses, early hires define the culture. Whether it's recruiting for attitude in a niche field or insisting on in-person interviews to gauge culture fit—getting the right people on board is non-negotiable.

✅ Stay Focused on Your Core Tom & Ella are weighing up diversification. Granger's advice? "Stick to the knitting" until systems and leadership layers are strong enough to expand.

🚀 Standout Message:

"Whether you're dealing with the European Space Agency or your local council's valuation office, business always comes down to: Do you solve a real problem? Do you have a team that can deliver? And can you sell it?"

🔑 The One Key Thing:

Proactive, focused execution; not the industry you're in; is what drives scale.

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This episode has been created utilising AI technology