Nothing Ventured

By Aarish Shah - EmergeONEBusiness Entrepreneurship

Nothing Ventured episodes

March 19 From Council Estate to £47M Portfolio | Timothy Armoo
In this episode of Nothing Ventured, Aarish sits down with entrepreneur Timothy to unpack the real mechanics behind building successful companies.
From pitching for £15,000 at age 21 to building a portfolio generating £47M annually, Timo shares the frameworks he now uses to analyse opportunities, scale companies and avoid the mistakes most founders make.
They discuss why the best businesses are built around the “expertise gap,” why founders shouldn’t obsess over passion, and the fundamental laws — or “physics” — of business that every entrepreneur must understand.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction – From council estate to £47M portfolio
02:00 Interview begins
03:00 Hiring mistakes founders make
04:00 The “How I Work” document for new hires
07:00 Why shared goals matter more than shared backgrounds
08:00 Why great employees aren’t passionate about your business
11:00 The Expertise Gap explained
13:00 Why influencer agencies are harder to build today
14:00 The AI opportunity founders are missing
18:00 How AI could save companies millions
19:00 Turning down an £80M valuation
20:00 Stop building businesses for investors
23:00 Why systems make entrepreneurship easier
24:00 Building businesses like Lego
29:00 Why hard work is overrated
31:00 The worst phrase founders say
33:00 Why founders build things customers don’t want
35:00 Understanding the business behind the business
36:00 Why fundraising can be the real business
Find Timothy Armoo online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyarmoo/
Twitter: https://x.com/TimArmoo
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.
56 min
March 12 What3Word's 57 trillion 3m squares | Chris Sheldrick
In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah sits down with Chris Sheldrick, co-founder and CEO of What3Words the global addressing system that assigns three unique words to every 3-metre square on Earth.
Originally inspired by the challenges of organising live music events and directing crews to remote locations, What3Words has grown into a global platform used by businesses, delivery companies, emergency services, and major partners like Intel and Mercedes.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Chris Sheldrick & What3Words
00:46 The problem with traditional addresses
02:23 Addressing challenges around the world
04:09 The origin story: from music events to What3Words
07:59 Preventing location mistakes with word combinations
10:19 Building network effects for global adoption
12:07 How AI fits into What3Words
14:34 Why postcodes don’t work for navigation
18:33 The maths behind 64 trillion locations
22:40 The psychology of adoption
25:18 How delivery companies are using What3Words
28:58 Solving addressing problems in developing countries
33:24 Is What3Words a utility?
34:42 The vision for global adoption
36:40 Chris’s contrarian view on hiring globally
41:22 What moves Chris emotionally: music 🎵
FindChris Sheldrick online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissheldrick1/
Twitter:https://x.com/ChrisSheldrick
What3Words: https://what3words.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.
47 min
March 05 Deeptech Demystified | Felix Neubeck
In this episode, Felix Neubeck (Playfair) breaks down why most VCs get deep tech wrong, how commoditisation curves kill “breakthrough” startups, and why policy not venture decides industrial winners.
From quantum and fusion to defence and manufacturing, this is a sharp, no-BS look at where the West is heading next.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Why Deep Tech Is Back
02:45 Generalists vs Specialists: Who Wins in Deep Tech?
06:30 The Myth: “There Isn’t Enough Capital”
10:15 Why Technology Picking Is So Hard
14:20 One Shot at Goal: Selling to Concentrated Markets
17:05 The Danger of Ignoring Commoditisation Curves
20:10 How to Actually Diligence Deep Tech
24:00 Backing Teams vs Backing Technology
27:50 Venture vs Policy: Who Should Fund Sovereignty?
31:30 Defence, Government & VC Alignment
34:00 Europe’s Manufacturing Identity Crisis
38:45 Has China Overtaken the West?
46:20 Contrarian Conviction: Life Is Endless Struggles
49:15 What Truly Moves Felix Emotionally
Find Felix Neubeck online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fneubeck/
Twitter: https://x.com/FelixNeubeck
Playfair: http://www.playfair.vc
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.
53 min
February 26 AI Money Isn’t Slowing Down
AI is still vacuuming up capital but investors aren’t clapping for demos anymore.
Public markets are questioning AI ROI. Mega-rounds are clustering into fewer “category kings.” Exit volume is rising, but valuations are shrinking. And secondaries are becoming the pressure valve for LP liquidity.
In this episode we break down:
• Why mega AI rounds are still happening but scrutiny is intense
• The “Great Unlocking” in exits (more deals, smaller values)
• Why secondaries are exploding
• Where capital is actually landing: robotics, autonomy, logistics, cyber
• The UK & Europe infrastructure software export story
• EU & UK regulatory changes that could reshape VC fundraising
The shift isn’t about less money.
It’s about higher standards.
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.
15 min
February 19 Intelligence is not a predictor of success | Amrit Sami
People obsess over IQ scores and dominance tests. But success especially in venture it is about understanding people. I believe anyone can achieve greatness. With the right skills, even the NBA isn’t impossible. The limit is mindset.
Timestamps:
00:00 – We Tested My Dominance & IQ
01:12 – 172 IQ… What Does That Actually Mean?
02:45 – Why IQ Is Overrated in Venture
04:10 – Emotional Intelligence or Raw Intelligence
06:30 – Reading Founders & Managing Ego
08:05 – Skill Stacking: How Anyone Can Compete
10:20 – “I Could Play in the NBA Next Year” (Mindset Explained)
12:00 – The Real Limit: Belief vs Capability
14:15 – Final Takeaway: Anything Is Learnable
Find Amrit Sami online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrit-sami-4a1baaa4/
Twitter: https://x.com/amrit_sami
Mercia: http://www.mercia.co.uk
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.
1 hr 24 min
February 12 On finding 100 rabid fans the Hustle Fund way | Elizabeth Yin
In this episode of Nothing Ventured, we’re joined by Elizabeth Yin, Co-Founder & GP at Hustle Fund, to break down what actually matters at pre-seed.
We talk about why finding 100 rabid fans beats chasing TAM, why distribution is the last real moat, and how founders should think about product-market fit in 2026.
Elizabeth shares:
– Why most founders misunderstand PMF
– The fastest way to validate demand at pre-seed
– How to build distribution before product is perfect
– Why niche markets win early
– The biggest VC advice that hurts founders
If you’re an early-stage founder, operator, or angel, this is a must-watch.
Timestamps:
00:00 Why pre-seed is about speed, not polish
03:45 Finding your first 100 rabid fans
07:50 Why distribution is the real moat
14:30 PMF is not a moment
22:10 Bad VC advice founders should ignore
Find [guest name] online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethyin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dunkhippo33
Hustle Fund: https://www.hustlefund.vc/
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.
40 min
February 05 What's With Web3?
Web3 didn’t disappear — it just stopped shouting.
In this live anniversary episode of Nothing Ventured, we go inside Web3 Demo Day in London, where founders, investors, and operators come together to pitch, debate, and build what’s next — without the hype.
You’ll hear directly from:
- Early-stage Web3 and blockchain founders
- Angel investors and VCs backing the next wave
- Ecosystem leaders working across crypto, AI, and emerging tech
We talk fundraising realities, why Web3 lost the narrative, how blockchain is quietly powering real use cases, and what founders actually need to focus on in 2026.
This isn’t a studio podcast it’s live conversations, real energy, and honest insights from the floor.
Timestamps:
00:00 Live at Web3 Demo Day (Intro)
01:48 Why Web3 Demo Day exists
06:26 Solana & Superteam UK
13:19 Is crypto back? Investor perspective
20:44 Investing in Africa & global scale
30:01 Founder failures, timing & sales
38:04 Building a Web3 operating system
42:26 On-chain savings & the future of DeFi
Guests:
Lorae Knight
Cap
Solana Superteam UK
Samir Ceric
Ceric & Co.
Afzaal Mauthoor
BridgCapital
Dan Ballin
Ideas Crucible
Kristian Poliszczuk
Volta
Ravi Shah
Blueprint
Arsim Shillov
Libraro
Ronald Loh
Wirex
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.
55 min
January 29 Venture Isn’t Back It’s Adjusted
January 2026 didn’t bring a reset it brought confirmation.
Venture feels calmer. Capital is deploying. Deals are getting done. IPOs and exits are being discussed out loud again.
But calm doesn’t mean normal and it definitely doesn’t mean safe.
In this 20-minute Nothing Ventured monthly review, we break down what January actually revealed about how venture will behave in 2026 — not how people hope it will.
We cover:
-Why this calm feels more like resignation than relief
-How capital has adapted after 2022–25 — and where the scars still show
--AI’s real January story: violent concentration at the top, pressure everywhere else
-What xAI, Humans& and Emergent tell us about where value is really forming
-Why the Brex–Capital One deal is one of the most honest exits we’ve seen in years
-What early-stage funding looks like now that the market is functional again
-Europe’s ambition problem and the question no one wants to answer
January didn’t restart the venture flywheel.
But it did make one thing clear: this is a narrower market, with bigger rewards at the top and far less tolerance everywhere else.
I’m Aarish. This is Nothing Ventured News.
And as always stay liquid.
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.
13 min
January 22 The Decision That Made DocuSign Inevitable | Court Lorenzini
There are fewer than 400 public tech companies worth over $10 billion. DocuSign is one of them — but its success wasn’t driven by flashy tech or perfect timing.
In this episode, DocuSign founder Court Lorenzini breaks down the non-obvious decisions that actually bent the curve:
• Why pricing and packaging mattered more than product features
• How competing with FedEx and fax machines shaped DocuSign’s business model
• The legal roadblock that almost stopped adoption — and the unconventional solution
• Why focus beats scale in the early days
• The real reason most venture-scale companies fail (hint: it’s the founders)
We also dive into Founder Nexus — Tom’s answer to repeat founder failure modes — and why shared experience, not advice, is the real unlock for building enduring companies.
This is a masterclass in decision-making, positioning, and surviving the brutal realities of venture-scale entrepreneurship.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why DocuSign Matters
05:20 – The Decision That Bent the Curve
11:00 – Competing With Fax & FedEx
17:40 – The Legal Problem That Almost Killed Adoption
24:30 – The Microsoft Moment
29:10 – Why Real Estate Was the Beachhead
35:45 – Why Most Startups Actually Fail
41:50 – The Success Equation
48:30 – Founder Nexus & Shared Scar Tissue
54:40 – The Contrarian Take on Education & AI
Find Court Lorenzini online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/court-lorenzini-333447/
Twitter: https://x.com/FounderNexus
FounderNexus: https://foundernexus.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.
1 hr 1 min
January 15 We Need More Mafias in European Tech | Florian Gottschaller
One of the biggest mistakes in investing isn’t bad judgment — it’s outdated thinking.
Early on, many didn’t understand platform businesses. They underestimated how fast they scale, how powerful networks become, and how value compounds.
From passing on Facebook…
to becoming Uber’s biggest investor.
The lesson?
Before you invest in the future, you have to unlearn the past.
Don’t underestimate platform business models — they change everything.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & episode overview
02:27 – How Super Angels thinks about quality control
03:48 – Why great early-stage decisions still fail
05:06 – Escaping your own investment “bubble”
06:22 – Power laws, probability & why volume matters in VC
09:22 – Handling competing deals & replacing angels
11:12 – Why there are fewer than 100 real super angels in Germany
15:37 – How tax incentives distort investment decisions
19:37 – What “top 10%” really means for Fund II
22:25 – Why doubling down on winners beats diversification dogma
25:31 – Timing follow-on investments & conviction building
30:21 – Europe’s real bottleneck isn’t regulation — it’s culture
33:15 – Why Europe loses its best companies to the US
35:42 – Risk aversion, civil servants & economic stagnation
45:49 – Contrarian opinion: why “more is more”
49:54 – What moves Florian emotionally
53:24 – Where to find Florian & Super Angels
Find Florian Gottschaller online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-gottschaller/
Twitter: https://x.com/MetroF
Superangels: https://super-angels.eu
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.
55 min

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In conversation with the people who make the start-up world go round. Join Aarish Shah as he talks to founders, investors, and operators across the tech and venture ecosystem exploring some of the…

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