Ole Scheeren is the award-winning German architect behind some of the world’s most ambitious and unconventional buildings. From tech campuses in Asian megacities to residential apartment blocks in Vancouver, Scheeren’s designs seamlessly bridge opposing aesthetics and functionalities. In this episode he tells us about the power of cross-cultural collaboration and how this can enrich the lives of those who live, work and gather in his spaces.

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We meet the founder of outdoor-adventure emporium Arksen to hear how the lifelong thrill-seeker built a business to share his love of exploration and bring a new approach to the industry.

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Founder and creative director Vania Leles shares the story of how she became a gemologist and launched her brand, Vanleles, an African high-jewellery brand.

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What does it take to grow ambitious start-ups into impactful businesses and foster diverse, inclusive leadership from the start? Roxanne Varza is director of Paris’s Station F, the world’s largest start-up campus. Previously head of Microsoft’s French start-up activity and named by Business Insider as one of tech’s 30 most influential women under 30, she tells Monocle’s Tom Edwards what it takes to be a Station F company and how to champion progressive change in the workplace.

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Adam Brinkworth, founder and CEO, and strategy lead Nick Roberts return to Midori House to discuss the company’s 35th birthday and why human connection remains at the heart of the agency’s vision.

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Alex Wilcox is the founder and CEO of Dallas-based US regional air carrier JSX, which has won customers and plaudits thanks to its distinctive hop-on/hop-off service.

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Balineum founder Sarah Watson discusses the challenges facing Stoke-on-Trent, aka “The Potteries”, the historic heart of the UK’s ceramics industry. Plus: how she’s investing in its revival by supporting future talent and local manufacturing.

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The co-founder and CEO of Wahu Mobility, Valerie Labi, talks about launching Ghana’s first electric-bike manufacturer, scaling the business despite early doubts and her plans to expand into new markets.

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Pure Effect co-founder Linda Rosendahl Nordin explains how the Swedish biotech company uses beneficial microbes to clean fabrics without washing. Plus: Morjas founder, Henrik Berg, talks brand growth, footwear and launching a women’s line.

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Founder Stavros Kois shares how he grew a small optical shop in Syros into a globally recognised brand offering distinctive eyewear and silk scarves inspired by the style and story of the Greek island.

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