This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.

Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:

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In Part Two of our conversation with Alex Neill, co-founder of Consumer Voice, we dive into the legal battles brewing against AI companies, Big Tech, and Web3 scams.

This episode covers:

- How AI companies are using your data without consent.

- The massive lawsuits that could change the future of AI and Big Tech.

- Why Web3 and crypto scams are still running unchecked.

- How the law is struggling to keep up with fast-moving tech.

- What consumers need to know to protect their rights in a digital world.

- As class actions gain momentum in the UK, this is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand their rights and how to fight back.

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Chapters

00:00 The Rise of AI in Legal Tech

03:11 Consumer Rights and AI Lawsuits

05:54 Navigating the Legal Landscape of AI

08:58 Web3 and Crypto Regulation

11:50 The Ethics of Technology and Consumer Trust

15:07 The Impact of Scams on Mental Health

17:59 Opportunities in a Connected World

33:36 Navigating Career Changes in a New World

34:32 Balancing Optimism and Pessimism for Future Generations

36:09 The Impact of Information Overload on Mental Health

38:04 Reflection and Personal Growth During the Pandemic

40:05 The Journey to Entrepreneurship: Expectations vs. Reality

44:03 The Importance of Co-Founders in Business

49:04 The Unique Challenges of Being an Entrepreneur

52:14 Activism Through Entrepreneurship

57:29 Starting a Business: The Importance of Taking Action

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Follow Alex on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlouiseneill/

Check out Consumer Voice here:

https://consumervoice.uk/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

Like, Comment & Subscribe for More Founder Insights

Turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part 2

#ConsumerRights #ClassActions #LegalClaims #Startups #FoundersUnplugged #BigBusiness #Justice

This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.

Get started today with a free discovery audit + 20% off your first audit.

👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits

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In this episode of Founders Unplugged, Greg Mccallum sits down with Alex Neill, co-founder of Consumer Voice, a startup on a mission to help consumers get back money from rule-breaking companies.

We dive into:

- The £120 billion in unclaimed compensation sitting on the table.

- How big businesses avoid paying consumers what they’re owed.

- Why 74% of people don’t know they can join class actions.

- The rise of US-style class actions in the UK and what it means.

- How Consumer Voice is bridging the gap between consumers and legal action.

- If you’ve ever felt ripped off but didn’t know how to fight back, this one is for you.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Consumer Voice

01:36 Growth and Impact of Consumer Voice

02:51 Understanding Class Actions in the UK

05:33 The Evolution of Group Litigation

08:57 Consumer Awareness and Education

10:55 Balancing Consumer Rights and Business Protections

12:29 The Role of Consumer Advocacy

15:56 Cultural Attitudes Towards Complaints

17:46 Challenges in the Legal Process

19:36 Perceptions of Legal Advertising

22:59 The Need for Transparency in Legal Claims

25:51 Addressing Misinformation in Consumer Claims

29:05 The Diesel Emissions Scandal

31:35 Consumer Confusion and Brand Loyalty

34:09 The Psychological Impact of Advertising

36:47 Car Finance Practices and Consumer Awareness

39:37 Transparency in Financial Transactions

42:34 The Burden of Consumer Advocacy

45:40 Empowering Consumers Through Education

49:41 The Importance of Consumer Rights Awareness

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Follow Alex on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlouiseneill/

Check out Consumer Voice here:

https://consumervoice.uk/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

Like, Comment & Subscribe for More Founder Insights

Turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part 2

#ConsumerRights #ClassActions #LegalClaims #Startups #FoundersUnplugged #BigBusiness #Justice

This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.

Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:

https://2ly.link/1zDIJ

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Inside an Angel Investor’s Playbook

In Part Two of my conversation with Jed, we dive deep into how he spots billion-dollar startups, builds investor networks, and navigates the evolving world of angel investing.

We cover:

The key traits of winning startups (and why most founders fail)

How Jed grew a 1,400+ strong investor network

Why venture capital is overrated and what to do instead

How the future of work is shaping the next big opportunities

The biggest fundraising mistakes founders make (and how to fix them)

The untapped opportunity in startup investing right now

Like, Comment & Subscribe for More Founder Insights

Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes

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Chapters

00:00 Exploring Current Portfolios and Notable Startups

03:05 Innovative Approaches in Speech-to-Text Technology

06:01 The Rise of Remote Work and Turing's Success

09:13 The Future of Work: Trends and Predictions

11:58 Challenges in Remote Work Management

14:52 The Importance of Investor Education

18:06 Building a Balanced Venture Ecosystem

21:08 Cybersecurity in Remote Work Environments

23:50 The Genesis of Angel School and Its Mission

26:56 Fundamentals for Aspiring Angel Investors

36:03 Understanding Venture Capital Dynamics

39:23 The Importance of Education in Investing

41:47 Motivations Behind Angel Investing

44:51 Future Paths for Angel School

49:35 Common Fundraising Mistakes by Founders

58:20 The Misconceptions of Venture Capital

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Follow Jed on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedng/

Check out Angel School here:

https://www.angelschool.vc/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

#Startups #AngelInvesting #VentureCapital #FoundersUnplugged #Fundraising #Investing #BusinessGrowth

This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.

Get started today with a free discovery audit + 20% off your first audit.

👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits

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How Jed Built a 1,400+ Investor Network from Scratch

In this episode of Founders Unplugged, we sit down with Jed, a former startup operator turned angel investor, who built a 1,400+ strong investor network and writes million-dollar checks—without a VC fund.

We dive deep into:

How he built the world’s largest API marketplace (backed by a16z)

His angel investing journey and the mistakes he made early on

How he grew a global investor network from nothing

The problems with traditional VC (and how to fix them)

The right way to evaluate startup investments

What founders must understand about raising money

Like, Comment & Subscribe for More Founder Insights

Turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part 2

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jed and His Journey

02:58 The Path to Entrepreneurship

05:58 Building the API Marketplace

09:07 Angel School: Educating Investors

12:00 The State of Venture Capital

15:08 Due Diligence in Venture Capital

18:07 Investment Committee Dynamics

20:54 Reflections on Exits and IPOs

29:05 Exploring IPOs vs M&As

31:17 Investment Portfolio Insights

35:21 The Importance of Co-Founders

37:31 The Lone Wolf vs Team Dynamics

45:36 Investment Criteria and Non-Negotiables

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Follow Jed on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedng/

Check out Angel School here:

https://www.angelschool.vc/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

#Startups #AngelInvesting #VentureCapital #FoundersUnplugged #Fundraising #Investing #BusinessGrowth

This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.

Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:

https://2ly.link/1zDIJ

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In this conversation, Greg McCallum and Ben Beavers break down the realities of launching and scaling a startup, from raising £140K on Kickstarter to the challenges of hardware development, funding, and growth. Ben shares how data-driven decision-making, customer journey insights, and community engagement played a crucial role in shaping Smarty Plants.

They explore:

How to structure marketing and sales for early-stage startups

The balance between strategy and execution

The financial realities of bootstrapping and raising funds

The emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship

Why prioritization and structured thinking are essential for founders

Ben also reflects on the pressures of being a founder, the importance of support systems, and how finding fulfillment in the work makes the struggles worthwhile.

A must-watch for anyone building or scaling a startup—especially those considering crowdfunding or hardware development.

Chapters

00:00 Data-Driven Decisions in Early Stages

09:52 Understanding the Customer Journey

17:31 Funding Strategies and Financial Insights

29:48 The Art of Prioritization

32:31 Strategic vs Tactical Thinking

36:33 The Importance of Communication

39:52 Finding Structure in Chaos

43:00 Embracing the Journey of Entrepreneurship

49:44 Navigating Vulnerability and Support

Follow Ben on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbeavers/

Check out SmartyPlants here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smartyplants/smartyplants-sensors-to-monitor-your-plants-every-need?ref=bodzie

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

#FoundersUnplugged #StartupJourney #BenBeavers #SmartyPlants #Crowdfunding #Kickstarter #HardwareStartups

This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.

Get started today with a free discovery audit + 20% off your first audit.

👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits

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The Startup Making It Impossible to Kill Your Plants | Founders Unplugged

In this episode, Ben Beavers, founder of Smarty Plants, joins Greg McCallum to share his journey from management consulting to hardware startup founder. He reveals how a personal frustration with dying houseplants led to the creation of a smart sensor that makes plant care effortless.

Ben and Greg dive into:

🌱 The UK’s houseplant crisis—why half of all plant owners are “serial killers”

🛠️ The challenges of launching a hardware startup (and why it’s so different from SaaS)

📊 Why Smarty Plants is really a data business, not just a hardware company

💡 How crowdfunding (Kickstarter) shaped the product & brand strategy

🚀 The importance of understanding risk, confidence, and sales in startup success

🤖 How AI and data-driven insights will transform everyday products

They also discuss the myths of marketing vs. sales, the unexpected challenges of shipping regulations, and how community-driven feedback led to a product redesign.

If you're interested in startups, crowdfunding, or smart home tech, this one’s for you!

📌 Subscribe & turn on notifications for Part Two!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Smarty Plants and the Problem

03:07 The Solution: Smart Plant Sensor and App

05:54 Journey from Concept to Prototype

08:51 Navigating Regulations and Competitive Edge

11:57 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Risk and Fulfillment

14:49 Building Confidence Through Experience

17:57 The Importance of Team and Delegation

21:00 Crowdfunding and Future Plans

24:01 The Challenges of Crowdfunding

25:15 Data-Driven Business Models

29:21 The Value of Data in Startups

37:50 Kickstarter: A Launchpad for Hardware Products

43:51 Engaging with the Community for Feedback

51:05 Sales Before Marketing: A New Perspective

Follow Ben on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbeavers/

Check out SmartyPlants here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smartyplants/smartyplants-sensors-to-monitor-your-plants-every-need?ref=bodzie

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

#FoundersUnplugged #StartupJourney #BenBeavers #SmartyPlants #Crowdfunding #Kickstarter #HardwareStartups

This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.

Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:

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Nick Telson-Sillett on Trumpet, Angel Investing, and Finding Purpose | Founders Unplugged

After exiting DesignMyNight, Nick Telson-Sillett found himself at a crossroads—what comes next after a successful startup exit? In this episode, he sits down with Greg McCallum to discuss the journey from selling his first company to building Trumpet, a SaaS tool reshaping sales engagement.

Nick shares his real take on life after an exit, the unexpected challenges of finding purpose, and why angel investing wasn’t as fulfilling as he first thought. He also breaks down:

🔹 The strategic process behind Trumpet’s ideation (and how it almost had a terrible name)

🔹 Why branding & user experience matter more than most founders think

🔹 The truth about raising VC funding and managing investor expectations

🔹 How hiring a non-founder CEO changed everything

🔹 His biggest lessons from investing in 50+ startups

This is a must-watch for founders, investors, and anyone scaling a business. If you enjoyed Part One, you won’t want to miss this!

Chapters

00:00 The Transition from Design My Night to Trumpet

02:46 Finding Purpose After Success

06:07 The Ideation Process for Trumpet

09:12 Branding and Positioning Trumpet

11:52 Creating a Unique User Experience

14:59 Feedback and Iteration in Product Development

18:01 The Evolution of Trumpet's Concept

21:08 Fundraising Strategies and Lessons Learned

23:59 Navigating the Challenges of Rapid Growth

30:08 Building Internal Structures for Growth

31:44 Navigating the Pressure of VC Expectations

35:06 Long-Term Vision vs. Short-Term Metrics

38:12 Finding the Right CEO: The Hiring Process

39:54 The Journey into Angel Investing

44:47 Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Success

Follow Nick on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicktelson/

Check out Trumpet here:

https://www.sendtrumpet.com/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

#FoundersUnplugged #NickTelson #StartupLessons #AngelInvesting #ScalingStartups #VCFunding

This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.

Get started today with a free discovery audit + 20% off your first audit.

👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits

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From Side Hustle to Multi-Million Exit: Nick Telson-Sillett’s Startup Story

In this episode of Founders Unplugged, Nick Telson-Sillett joins Greg McCallum to break down his entrepreneurial journey—from selling a football magazine in school to building DesignMyNight, scaling it into a thriving business, and eventually making a successful exit.

Nick shares raw insights into the challenges of startup life, the power of mentorship and investment, and why confidence, sales skills, and strategic pivots are crucial for founders. He also reveals how he transitioned from a media business to SaaS, the pressures of being the industry leader, and what ultimately led him to sell.

🚀 Topics Covered:

✅ The reality of startup scaling & pivots

✅ Why mentorship & networking can change everything

✅ The underestimated power of selling as a founder

✅ Knowing when to double down or walk away

✅ The myth of "hustle culture" vs. real work ethic

✅ What founders get wrong about exits & investment

If you’re a founder, investor, or startup enthusiast, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons you won’t want to miss!

👉 Subscribe & hit the bell 🔔 for Part Two!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nick Telson-Sillett

02:54 The Journey to Design My Night

05:53 The Birth of an Idea

09:07 Building the Foundation

12:02 Navigating Early Challenges

15:07 Understanding the Market

17:55 Raising Investment and Mentorship

21:12 The Importance of Selling

24:04 Confidence vs. Arrogance in Entrepreneurship

26:56 Finding Product-Market Fit

30:10 The Dangers of Celebrity Founders

32:21 B2B vs B2C: The Founder Landscape

34:15 The Shift in Public Perception of Founders

36:12 Navigating Investor Relationships

40:09 The Challenges of Legacy Industries

42:21 The Strategic Pivot to Software

45:59 Planning for an Exit: A Strategic Approach

50:15 The Exhaustion of Entrepreneurship

54:08 The Evolving Work Culture for Founders

Follow Nick on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicktelson/

Check out Trumpet here:

https://www.sendtrumpet.com/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

#FoundersUnplugged #NickTelson #StartupLessons #Entrepreneurship #ScalingUp #BusinessGrowth

This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.AI is reshaping industries, and the biggest risk for businesses isn’t adopting AI—it’s not having the right data to power it. Workforce skills are a black box for most organisations, making it impossible to train AI models or automate decision-making confidently.PeerAudits solves this by transforming human-to-human skills assessments into structured, AI-ready data. Fully remote and far more cost-effective than traditional consultants, we help businesses future-proof their workforce and eliminate hiring risks.Get started today with a free discovery session and 20% off your first audit. Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits----------------------------------------------------🚀 From Tech CEO to War Zone 🚀After selling his startup for millions, Igor did something unexpected—he volunteered to fight on the front lines in Ukraine.In Part Two of our conversation, Igor opens up about:🔥 The life-changing lessons from war🔥 How it reshaped his view on risk, purpose & leadership🔥 Why he walked away from his post-exit corporate role🔥 His next big move—a new startup & a book on founder struggles💡 Would you fight for your home country? Would you leave everything behind? Let us know in the comments!🎧 Watch Part One (Igor’s Startup Exit Story) → https://youtu.be/F_ghC8O5G0U📌 Subscribe for more raw founder stories🔔 Like & share if you found this conversation valuable!Chapters00:00 Reflections on War and Life's Fragility24:44 Navigating Entrepreneurship: Insights from Experience32:37 Rethinking Business Direction35:09 Navigating Pivots and Leadership37:10 The Balance of Communication46:16 Self-Assessment and Growth as a Founder49:20 The Ethics of Entrepreneurship55:48 Intellectual Confidence vs. Real-World ChallengesFollow Igor on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivolzhanin/Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum? 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd#startups #entrepreneurship #war #leadership #founderstory #military

This episode is proudly sponsored by PeerAudits.

AI is reshaping industries, and the biggest risk for businesses isn’t adopting AI—it’s not having the right data to power it. Workforce skills are a black box for most organisations, making it impossible to train AI models or automate decision-making confidently.

PeerAudits solves this by transforming human-to-human skills assessments into structured, AI-ready data. Fully remote and far more cost-effective than traditional consultants, we help businesses future-proof their workforce and eliminate hiring risks.

Get started today with a free discovery session and 20% off your first audit. Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits

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From a broke PhD student with no business experience to selling his startup for millions—Igor's journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, he shares the raw, inside story of building, pivoting, and ultimately exiting his AI-driven startup. We dive into the unexpected twists, the burnout, the acquisition process with Shutterstock, and what happens after the deal is done. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to sell a company, this one's for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:32 Transition from Psychology to Entrepreneurship

07:06 Embracing Freedom and Risk in Youth

12:50 Philosophical Views on Fate and Free Will

13:54 Founding Datasign and Its Mission

21:52 The Acquisition Experience

31:36 Life After Acquisition and Employment Challenges

39:16 Burnout and Identity Post-Acquisition

46:33 Volunteering for the Ukrainian Armed Forces

51:34 Comparing Military and Startup Cultures

57:53 Reflections on Courage and Future Plans

Follow Igor on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivolzhanin/

Want a 1-hour free advisory session with our host, Greg McCallum?

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/meetings/gmccallum?uuid=c8f5cecd-0222-4c6e-92d1-ea9f224a60fd

#entrepreneurship #design #startups #societalimpact #changemakers #collaboration #venturecapitalfirm #capital #userexperience #productdesign #businessmodel #innovation #productmarketfit #entrepreneurship #leadership #ai