Runway

Join us for an insightful conversation with Zoltan Vardy, a seasoned business growth mentor who’s closed over $2 billion in B2B sales. Zoltan shares his journey from major executive roles at NBC Universal to helping startups through his Launch Code framework. Dive deep into B2B sales strategies, startup challenges, and Zoltan’s advice for founders navigating enterprise sales for the first time.

Zoltan will launch a book with real life examples of applying the Launch Code. It's coming out in February 2025 and you can sign up here or through the link below to receive the first chapter of the book before it is published. Exciting!

https://zoltanvardy.com/book


The podcast episode goes through:

1.Introduction to Zoltan Vardy and His $2 Billion Sales Journey

2.Most Memorable Deals: From Corporate Giants to Startup Partnerships

3.Transition to Startups: Why Zoltan Moved from Corporate to Mentoring Founders

4.Sales Foundations for Founders: Where to Begin with No Experience

5.Building Trust and Creating the Problem-Solution Connection

6.Networking Tips: The Role of Events and Finding Warm Leads

7.The Launch Code Framework: Structuring Sales for Scalability

8.Delegation and Team Building: When to Hire Sales Support

9.Closing the Deal: Steps to Onboarding and Maintaining Momentum

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

In this episode of The Runway Podcast, we’re joined by Alex Gibb, an investor, founder, and connector of people, who shares his incredible journey from the corporate world and NGOs to startups and venture capital.

Alex is a Brit who fell in love with Lithuania, helped it join the EU and then became one of the country's most well-known angel investors. With a focus on Triple Top Line startups—People, Planet, and Prosperity—Alex is a true catalyst for positive change.

Here’s what you’ll find in this episode:

•How Alex transitioned from government work and NGOs into the startup world

•His involvement in Lithuania’s EU accession and his personal connection to the country 🇪🇺

•The founding and growth of Tinggly, Katalista Ventures, and Paysolut (acquired by SumUp)

•The fascinating story behind Paysolut’s exit and his fastest-ever startup exit to a US company

•Key lessons from his startup failures and how they shaped his investing mindset

•Advice for founders looking to secure funding from angel investors

•Insights for aspiring angel investors on how to get started

Whether you’re a startup founder, an aspiring angel investor, or someone curious about the entrepreneurial journey, Alex has stories and advice that can help more than just a bit.

Tune in for this jam-packed episode full of insights and actionable takeaways!

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

In this episode of the Runway Podcast, hosts JJ and Mauro are joined by Zane Bojare, a seasoned pitch coach and former Head of Brand at Startup Wise Guys. Zane shares her journey from branding expert to pitch coach, revealing what drew her to help founders refine their investor pitches.

With experience training over 500 founders, Zane discusses the essential elements of a winning pitch, from storytelling and balancing data with narrative to managing stage fright and showcasing company culture.

She also breaks down the common mistakes startups make when pitching and offers practical tips for founders looking to boost their confidence.

Tune in to discover how to captivate your audience, avoid the “expert pitch” trap, and tailor your presentation to any audience, from clients to investors.

Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, Zane’s insights have something for everyone!

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

Mastering PR in Venture Capital: A Conversation with Elisheva Marcus, VP of Comms at Earlybird VC

In this episode, we’re joined by Elisheva Marcus, VP of Communications at Earlybird VC, for an insightful conversation on the role of PR and comms in the world of venture capital. Elisheva shares her unique experiences in helping Earlybird and advising its portfolio startups in crafting compelling narratives, building trust, and navigating the complexities of PR.

From managing proactive and reactive communications to supporting startups through funding announcements, Elisheva offers expert tips on how to effectively leverage PR, both in-house and externally. Whether you’re a startup founder or part of a VC firm, this episode is packed with actionable insights on how PR can drive success in the ever-evolving startup ecosystem.

Tune in to discover:

•How PR for VCs differs from startups

•The essential role of storytelling in building trust

•Practical tips for creating effective funding announcements

•Why having a dedicated comms team is a game-changer for VC firms

Don’t miss this episode—full of lessons from one of the leading voices in PR for VCs!

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Thompson, Director of Sales Development for EMEA at Deel, the world’s leading global HR solution. Matt has played a pivotal role in scaling Deel’s sales development team from 4 to 150+ people, representing 40% of all opportunities created by the whole organisation and helping the company become the fastest-growing SaaS business in history.

Join Mauro  as he and Matt dive into the intricacies of inbound sales, inside sales strategies, and scaling teams. 

Whether you’re looking to grow your own sales organization or just want to fine-tune your sales skills, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you. From team motivation to effective prospecting and the power of personalization, Matt shares his hands-on experience and advice on building a successful sales team.

Listen as we cover:

•Matt’s journey from managing inside sales teams to growing an inbound sales powerhouse (from 3 to 100+ team) at Deel

•Best practices for structuring inbound and outbound sales teams

•The critical role of collaboration and gamification in driving sales success

•Tips for motivating and developing SDRs and account executives

•The power of personalization in modern sales outreach

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

In this episode of Runway, hosts Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini engage in a captivating conversation with Eric Melchor, the founder of B2B PodPros and host of Innovators Can Laugh. Eric shares his unique journey from being a startup founder in Romania to becoming a trailblazer in the podcasting community. Discover how Eric leveraged his passion for connecting with people to create a thriving B2B podcast network and advertising model that benefits both brands and podcasters.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

•The Inspiration Behind Innovators Can Laugh and its butterfly effect: How a casual suggestion during  work led Eric to start his first podcast.

•Building a Podcast Community: Insights into creating and nurturing a successful B2B podcast network with over 30 members. Since the podcasts on their own are rather small, Eric created an innovative approach to group sponsorships (the first ever of this kind!) and how it helps smaller podcasts monetise effectively.

•Technical and Marketing Tips: Essential tools, strategies, and techniques for producing good podcast content and engaging audiences -- whether starting out or already podcasting.

•The Power of Relationship Building: Why podcasts are a powerful medium for connecting with industry leaders and building valuable relationships.

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

Unlocking the Power of LinkedIn with Kotryna Kurt

In this episode of Runway, we are thrilled to welcome Kotryna Kurt, a LinkedIn influencer, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Linkedist. Kotryna joins us to share her wealth of knowledge on how to effectively use LinkedIn for personal branding, marketing, and sales.

Discover the evolution of LinkedIn from a simple job-seeking platform to a comprehensive professional network. Kotryna discusses practical strategies for optimizing profiles, creating engaging content, and leveraging LinkedIn’s features to drive business growth. Whether you’re a startup founder, CEO, marketer, or sales professional, Kotryna’s insights will help you navigate LinkedIn more effectively.

Tune in to learn:

•How to set up and optimize your LinkedIn profile

•The importance of content creation and how to get started

•The role of LinkedIn in a B2B marketing strategy

•Tips for social selling and relationship building on LinkedIn

•The do’s and don’ts of using LinkedIn for personal branding

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry. Listen now and start maximising your LinkedIn potential!

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

Exploring Affiliate Marketing with Vik Ratomske, co-founder & CEO of Partnergap

In this episode, we sit down with Vik Ratomske, the CEO of Partnergap, to demystify the world of affiliate marketing. With over 12 years of experience, Vik shares her journey from accountancy to becoming a leading expert in affiliate marketing.

We discuss the basics and complexities of affiliate marketing, including its applications in both B2B and B2C markets, the importance of using the right tools and platforms, and how to measure success through key performance indicators. Vik also sheds light on the latest trends in affiliate marketing for 2024 and provides actionable advice for businesses of all sizes looking to harness the power of this marketing channel.

Whether you’re new to affiliate marketing or looking to enhance your current strategies, this episode is filled with valuable insights and practical tips. Tune in to learn how affiliate marketing can drive growth and success for your business.

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

Adam Jennings is the founder of design agency Made By Contour and a branding expert.  He's the man behind Black Unicorn's brand, website, logos and more. Proof that his work is great? Our logo got 'stolen' multiple times by a number of companies.

Whether you're building your company's brand for the first time, are considering an upgrade or evolution, or just want a branding refresher -- after listening to this episode, all things branding should be clearer. 

Check it out!

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog

Gregory Kennedy is the founder of BrandZen, a marketing strategy and content creation agency. With extensive experience as a Silicon Valley marketer, Gregory has a proven track record of driving significant growth and engagement for B2B clients.

In just over a year, BrandZen has generated over 10 million organic impressions, created 1,000s upon 1,000s of leads, increased follower counts by over 300%, written multiple viral organic posts with more than 500,000 views each, and increased ARR by as much as 40%.

In this episode, Gregory shares his invaluable insights of 20 years in marketing in Silicon Valley, including on authenticity in marketing, the importance of consistency, leveraging social media platforms and adapting to changes in SEO.

Check it out!

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Thanks for listening! For more, follow us on LinkedIn.

Runway is a podcast started by Black Unicorn PR co-founders Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini to help startup founders, company builders and business leaders with insights, tools and advice from specialists in sales, marketing, PR and more.

Black Unicorn PR is a London-based tech PR agency focused on startups, scaleups and VC.

For more information visit: https://www.blackunicornpr.com/

For even more advice, especially on PR, visit the Black Unicorn PR blog