The Difference Engine | B2B Category Design | Private Equity | Venture Capital

What happens if you fail to adapt to the age of AI? Intel's decline offers us a compelling insight into this question. They failed to keep up with the pack in 2024 and on the first of December CEO Pat Gelsinger was forced into an early resignation.

So, what does 2025 hold for Intel? Is there a pathway back to industry leadership, or will this former giant be chipped away into obscurity?

Also in today’s episode, we ask if our obsession with AI is distracting us from developing critical tech, and what has happened to the category plays of the past? Are they losing, schmoozing or simply snoozing? 

What to look forward to:

00:37 Something had to give at Intel

07:33 AI’s Category cloak

15:45 Losers, Snoozers, and Schmoozers

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

The world of tech never stands still.

2024 has been another year of breakthroughs, challenges, and trends. In this episode, we reflect on the most significant tech stories of the year, from AI's rapid evolution to blockchain's unprecedented expansion. Looking ahead, we share our predictions for 2025, highlighting the areas of tech that will redefine industries and reshape society.

What to look forward to:

00:40 The magnificent seven that defined the IT industry in 2024/2025

20:11 Lynch’s legacy

26:47 The state of EMEA startup categories

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we’re talking to Ben Marrel, co-founder of Breega, a fast-growing European VC firm that is on a mission to lead categories with its mission driven investments.

Based in London, with offices in Paris and Barcelona, Breega has supported high-potential companies like Curve, Cuvva, Exotech, and Moneybox - recently valued at £550 million. 

In this conversation, we’ll explore Ben’s insights on the European startup ecosystem, the data driven link between diversity and profitability, and why he believes Africa will emerge as the next major hub for opportunity in the global economy.

What to look forward to:

00:10 Ben Marrel introduction

01:18 Breega and the state of early stage start-ups in Europe

22:02 Diversity as a differentiator

31:26 Will Africa be the next tech hub?

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Ding, ding! The bell has rung for the showdown of the century as the Department of Justice steps into the ring against Google. The DOJ throws a hefty hook in the form of a 23 page document which aims to chip and chisel away at Google’s monopoly. 

Could this blow crush Google’s category lead? Will Chrome be dislodged like a loose tooth? Or are we in for a gruelling twelve round slugfest?

Also in today’s episode, we react to that Jaguar advert and ask if Stablecoin could be the category leader that crypto currency has been searching for.

What to look forward to:

00:35 Google - Breaking up is hard to do

09:49 Jaguar - breakdown of a brand blunder

26:34 The Stablecoin Revolut-ion

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we have the privilege of speaking with someone who has a proven track record of founding and exiting category-defining companies.

Nigel Verdon, born in Germany, began his journey studying Mechanical Engineering at Warwick University. After a brief stint in the automotive industry with EBS, he transitioned into financial services, carving out an impressive career. His roles include working at Swiss Bank Corporation, serving on the board of LCJ, and holding a director position at Dresdner Kleinwort Investment Bank.

Nigel has made a particularly significant impact on the world of Fintech, founding three companies, including Currency Cloud - a unicorn that has revolutionised the way businesses manage international payments.

 In this discussion, we’ll dive into Nigel’s unique path to tech leadership, explore the future of Fintech, and uncover why the next wave of technological innovation feels decidedly artisanal.

What to look forward to:

00:16 Introduction to Nigel Verdon 

01:45 Nigel’s unique path to tech leadership

25:48 Where does Fintech go from here?

35:26 Tech’s artisanal future

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Europe's favourite unicorn, Stripe, has announced that it is picking up crypto Stablecoin player, Bridge, for $1.1 billion. But why is the fintech powerhouse spending nearly two percent of its valuation on the roll of a crypto dice?

Could it be an ingenious category play?

Also in today’s episode, we’ll be flicking through the history books to try and predict Apple’s future, and tackle the age-old question; what is the right amount of tech branding?

What to look forward to:

00:35 Can Europe’s biggest unicorn change its Stripes?

07:20 Is Europe’s home of tech now struggling? 

11:18 History repeats itself - Is Apple becoming the new Sony? 

27:51 What’s the right amount of tech branding?

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

Today, we explore the remarkable career of Sumir Karayi, whose journey took him from one of the UK's worst schools to becoming one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs.

As the founder and CEO of 1E, Karayi grew his company organically over 20 years, serving 1,700 organisations across 42 countries with 26 million licenses deployed. 1E is now ranked in the Sunday Times International Track 100 league of top private companies and is recognised as one of the top 20 companies for CIOs.

In this discussion, we’ll cover how Karayi developed the world’s first green software, why regulations can be a positive force in tech, and why he believes you shouldn’t start a start-up.

What to look forward to:

00:09 Sumir Karayi introduction

01:45 The green challenge for tech

08:20 The Crowdstrike debacle

18:44 Why is Government not liked in tech

25:43 Sumir’s path to success & founder advice

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

The Labour Party is about to unveil its first budget in over 14 years. This is a huge moment for the country as the foundations for its economic future are put in place. But the budget doesn’t only affect the UK’s bank balance, it also influences the behaviour and values of its citizens.

So, will the red briefcase promote entrepreneurship and the category leaders of tomorrow or will it suffocate the UK’s promising tech scene? 

Also in today’s episode, we bring you the lessons from two of the UK’s most fascinating meetings of minds; DigiGov and the Sifted Summit

What to look forward to:

00:42 The UK budget. Are we killing the golden goose

13:24 DigiGov Expo review

26:34 Sifted Summit review

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

How did Microsoft’s controversial ‘partnership’ with UK AI firm Inflection slip through the CMA's (Competition and Markets Authority) net, while Adobe’s multi-billion-dollar Figma acquisition got blocked? In this episode, we dive deep into the paperwork to uncover the methods and motivations behind the CMA’s puzzling ruling on the Inflection deal. 

Is the regulator inconsistent, misunderstood, or simply out of its depth?

Also in today’s episode, we share the intellectual spoils from this year's Boardwave event and discuss Intel’s uncertain future. 

What to look forward to:

00:30 Is the CSA’s clearing of the Inflection deal an inflection point or just a mistake

09:27 Intel’s crossroad

22:42 Broadwave review

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.

In this episode of The Difference Engine, we sit down with a major figure in the global software industry - Phill Robinson. With a career spanning multiple continents and as the CEO of Velocix, IRIS, and Exact, Phil's contributions to the tech world has been monumental. 

Today, he’ll share what he learnt from working in the heart of industry giants including Oracle, Sybase, Siebel, and Salesforce. 

We’ll also delve into his latest venture: Boardwave. A unique community aimed at helping Europe compete with Silicon Valley and create the next generation of tech category leaders.

What to look forward to:

00:10 Phill Robinson introduction

01:22 Boardwave: addressing Europe’s category creation deficit

18:28 The lessons of serial category leadership

29:37 Grinds my gears - unicorns

33:33 Why authenticity matters if you want to be different

There is more information on how to design your category on our blog

Follow us on LinkedIn:

Paul Maher

Jonathan Simnett

Want to create a podcast for your business or brand? Contact Flamingo Media to make it happen.