In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah interviews entrepreneur and mentor Henry Joseph Grant, who shares insights from his extensive experience in scaling startups and driving innovation. The discussion delves into the transformative impact of the iPhone on business, particularly in launching Just Eat, a brand that grew from startup to a $2.44 billion IPO. Henry emphasises the importance of comfort, convenience, and choice in technology, while also highlighting the delicate balance of asking for money versus advice. The conversation explores themes of product-led growth, strategic decision-making in times of cuts, and the unique cross-pollination opportunities at the Web Summit, connecting startups with Fortune 500 companies and investors. Additionally, Henry reflects on the challenges faced by the West in venture capital and economic growth. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion filled with practical advice for entrepreneurs and innovators alike.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Henry Joseph Grant

00:00:32 - Leveraging the iPhone for Just Eat's Success

00:01:36 - The Cost of Comfort, Convenience, and Choice in Tech

00:02:01 - Host Introduction and Podcast Promotion

00:02:50 - Henry's Return to Podcasting

00:03:43 - Early Days at Just Eat

00:05:17 - Funding Just Eat Through Restaurant Fees

00:05:57 - Guerrilla Marketing at Freshers' Fairs

00:08:22 - The Importance of Doing Things That Don't Scale

00:09:57 - Educating the Market and Overcoming Challenges

00:12:07 - Internal Politics and Leadership at Just Eat

00:14:02 - Owning the Marketplace and Handling Competitors

00:16:42 - Evolution of the Food Delivery Industry

00:18:41 - The Future of Food Delivery: Dark Kitchens and Innovation

00:19:47 - Henry's Diverse Career and Industry Adaptability

00:21:21 - The Impact of Marketplaces and Adding Value

00:23:32 - Legacy and Impact Beyond Monetary Value

00:26:11 - Joining Talixo and Relocating to Berlin

00:28:57 - Overhauling Sales and Partnerships at Talixo

00:30:24 - Achieving Near Profitability and the Impact of COVID-19

00:33:11 - The Importance of Making Cuts the Right Way

00:35:05 - Different Approaches to Handling Cuts During the Pandemic

00:37:43 - Founding Sendoff After a Personal Tragedy

Find Henry Joseph Grant online at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryjosephgrant/

Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryjosephgrant/

Company: https://www.henryjosephgrant.com/

This episode is sponsored by EmergeOne, fractional CFOs for venture backed tech startups from Seed to Series B.

Get in touch at https://emergeone.co.uk/contact-us/ or join the CFO team at https://emergeone.co.uk/join-the-cfo-team/

Sign up for EmergeOne’s weekly newsletter, Off Balance at https://off-balance.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.