Santiago Sanchez, co-founder of Scammy Company, discusses their unique clothing brand that incorporates customizable QR codes. The QR codes lead to a link tree where customers can add their own photos, social media profiles, and contact information. The company targets university students, particularly men, who may struggle with socializing. They have had success stories of people connecting and even dating through the QR codes on their clothes. The company is focused on improving their link tree functionality and the quality of their garments. They are considering expanding to markets like Miami in the United States. They also explore the idea of using their QR codes as digital menus in restaurants.

Takeaways

• Scammy Company is a clothing brand that incorporates customizable QR codes on their garments, allowing customers to add their own photos, social media profiles, and contact information.
• The company targets university students, particularly men, who may struggle with socializing and want a unique way to connect with others.
• Customers have had success stories of meeting and dating through the QR codes on their clothes.
• Scammy Company is focused on improving their link tree functionality and the quality of their garments.
• They are considering expanding to markets like Miami in the United States and exploring the idea of using their QR codes as digital menus in restaurants.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Scammy Company

03:41Customizable QR Codes on Clothing

11:44Connecting and Dating through QR Codes

16:24Improving Link Tree Functionality and Garment Quality

23:33QR Codes as Digital Menus in Restaurants

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, Ricardo interviews Laura Iriarte, Head of PR and Communications at Zero 100 Conferences. They discuss the importance of ESG and impact investing in the venture capital industry. Laura shares her journey from working in sustainability to joining the investors world. They also explore the challenges of fundraising, the role of family offices, and the startup ecosystems in Europe and Latin America. The conversation covers topics related to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and impact investing. The guests discuss the importance of ESG reporting and the challenges companies face in gathering and delivering data. They also touch on the issue of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the need for more flexible policies to support working parents. The conversation highlights the role of ESG and impact investing in creating a more balanced and sustainable world.

• ESG and impact investing are becoming increasingly important in the venture capital industry, driven by regulatory requirements and investor demand.
• Fundraising is challenging, and founders need to do their homework and tailor their pitches to the specific interests and requirements of investors.
• Family offices play a significant role in investing in alternative assets, including venture capital and private equity.
• The Spanish startup ecosystem is growing, and there is a strong connection between Spain and Latin America in terms of investments and knowledge sharing.
• Different countries in Latin America, such as Chile, Mexico, and Colombia, have vibrant startup ecosystems with attractive opportunities for entrepreneurs. ESG reporting is important for companies to track their progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are crucial for creating a balanced and equitable environment.
• Flexible policies are needed to support working parents and ensure a healthy work-life balance.
• ESG and impact investing play a role in creating a more sustainable and balanced world.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

02:07The Rise of ESG and Impact Investing

04:54The Importance of ESG for Investors

08:19Tailoring Pitches to Investor Requirements

13:30Navigating the Challenges of Fundraising

21:42The Hardships of Being a VC

24:43The Role of Family Offices

26:01The Spanish Startup Ecosystem and Latin America

28:25Startup Ecosystems in Latin America

29:22The Importance of ESG Reporting and Data Gathering

36:18Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

39:01Supporting Working Parents with Flexible Policies

50:31ESG and Impact Investing for a Sustainable World

SummaryJulia and Brendan from MyCena discuss their innovative cybersecurity solution that eliminates the need for employees to create, type, remember, forget, or reset passwords. They explain the layered security system, the impact on IT help desk costs, and the relevance of MyCena to all sectors and enterprises.

Keywordscybersecurity, password management, encrypted access, IT help desk, enterprise security, cybersecurity solution

Takeaways

• MyCena's innovative cybersecurity solution eliminates the need for employees to create, type, remember, forget, or reset passwords.
• The impact on IT help desk costs can be significant, with potential savings of up to 50%.
• MyCena's solution is relevant to all sectors and enterprises, offering a comprehensive and industry-agnostic approach to cybersecurity.

Chapters

00:00Introducing MyCena.co and Their Cybersecurity Solution

03:03The Inspiration Behind MyCena's Solution

04:22MyCena's Industry-Agnostic Solution and Customer Base

06:29Market Reception and Adoption Challenges

08:11The Impact on IT Help Desk Costs and Enterprise Security

12:11MyCena's Solution in the Face of AI and Quantum Computing Threats

16:19Fundraising and Growth Plans for MyCena

24:56Personal Inspiration and Advice for Startup Founders

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, James and Gajan from RCK.Partners discuss R&D tax incentives, eligibility, application process, success stories, and industry-specific considerations. They provide insights into the R&D tax scheme, its benefits, and the role of specialists in the process. The conversation covers success stories in software and gambling industries, as well as the eligibility of industries like food tech and restaurants for R&D claims. The conversation covers the eligibility criteria for R&D tax relief, the types of activities that qualify, limitations on what's considered science and technology, and the impact of government policy changes on R&D claims. It also delves into the unique selling points of RCK Partners and how businesses can reach out to them for R&D advice.

https://www.rck.partners

Takeaways

• R&D tax incentives aim to incentivize innovation by utilizing R&D-related costs to reduce tax liabilities of companies.
• The R&D tax scheme is designed to attract more investment into the UK and stimulate the tech base, making the UK more competitive globally.
• Specialists play a crucial role in the R&D tax claim process, ensuring technical expertise and compliance with HMRC guidelines.
• Success stories in software and gambling industries demonstrate the impact of R&D tax credits in supporting innovation and business growth.
• Industry-specific considerations are important in determining the eligibility of companies for R&D tax claims, with a focus on scientific and technological advancements. Eligibility for R&D tax relief is based on conducting or leading R&D activities with competent professionals.
• The fields of science and technology for R&D tax relief are technical-based and exclude social sciences.
• Government policy changes have impacted the rates and eligibility for R&D claims, with a focus on self-regulatory methods for compliance.
• RCK Partners' unique selling point is their self-regulatory approach, backed by a compliance team, to ensure a lower inquiry rate for R&D claims.
• Businesses can reach out to RCK Partners through their website or LinkedIn for R&D advice and support.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to RCK Partners and R&D Tax Incentives

05:39Application Process and Benefits of R&D Tax Claims

09:45Success Stories: Impact of R&D Tax Credits

15:34Industry-Specific Considerations for R&D Tax Claims

27:24Understanding the Fields of Science and Technology for R&D

30:33Impact of Government Policy on R&D Claims

36:39Unique Selling Points of RCK Partners

39:23Reaching Out to RCK Partners for R&D Advice

Chris Sayer shares his experience as a founder and investor, discussing his journey from startup to exit and offering insights into the key lessons he learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, surrounding yourself with talented individuals, and understanding the market opportunity. Chris also provides advice on finding the right talent and approaching investors. He highlights two of the companies he is currently involved with: HiBooks, an AI-enabled online accounting software, and Kapeta, a platform that leverages AI and automation to streamline software development.

00:00Introduction and Background

03:02From Investor to Founder: The Story of Dexter.io

08:39Lessons Learned from the Journey

14:13Low Points and Overcoming Challenges

18:37Investing in People and Assessing Opportunities

21:21The Current Startup Market

23:33Post-Exit and Current Ventures

27:37Approaching Investors and Finding Talent

31:13HiBooks: AI-Enabled Accounting Software

33:48Kapeta: Streamlining Software Development

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, we are thrilled to welcome Stefano Calvetti, a distinguished leader with over 30 years of experience in the military, intelligence, and IT fields. Stefano has successfully led and advised teams, projects, and organizations across various levels and regions, from tactical to strategic.

With advanced skills and credentials in cybersecurity, intelligence, and coaching, Stefano is adept at helping leaders navigate the complex and dynamic challenges of the digital age. As a certified professional co-active coach and an International Coaching Federation member, he offers evidence-based and holistic coaching approaches that empower clients to enhance their self-confidence, influence, and positive impact.

Stefano is also the host of the podcast When Leaders Talk, where he interviews leaders from diverse backgrounds and sectors, sharing their valuable insights and stories. Additionally, he co-founded Besage.ai, a pioneering company leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to foster deeper human understanding and societal growth.

Join us as we delve into Stefano's vast experience and innovative approaches to leadership development and social impact, and learn how his strategic vision and coaching solutions are shaping the future. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the Innovation Conversation!

Tomas Blacjak from Leadspicker.com shares the journey of the company and the challenges they faced in transforming their business model. He emphasizes the importance of taking care of one's health and finding a balance amidst the stress of running a startup. He also highlights the significance of surrounding oneself with a supportive circle of people and the need to remove toxic individuals from the team. The future plans for Leadspicker.com r include scaling up their user base, expanding to the US market, and implementing AI agents for automated sales processes.

Takeaways

• Take care of your health and find a balance to manage stress in the startup journey.
• Surround yourself with a supportive circle of people and remove toxic individuals from the team.
• Invest in sleep and avoid shortcuts that may lead to burnout.
• Find activities outside of work that bring you joy and maintain a positive mindset.
• Plan for scaling up, expanding to new markets, and implementing AI for automated sales processes.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Company Background

08:05Dealing with Stress and Maintaining Balance

13:01Building a Supportive Team and Removing Toxicity

21:05Lessons Learned and Personal Well-being

27:53Future Plans for Leadspicker.com

Roman Zomko, founder and CEO of Impressit.io, shares his journey of starting and growing his software innovation company. He discusses how he got started in the tech industry, the challenges he faced in the early years, and the importance of shared values and teamwork. Roman also talks about the impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing war in Ukraine on his company and how they managed to adapt and continue delivering results. He highlights the resilience and innovation of the Ukrainian startup ecosystem and introduces their new AI product, AssistMe AI, which automates workflows in customer support companies.

Takeaways

• Shared values and teamwork are crucial for building a strong company culture.
• Starting a new business is challenging, but perseverance and dedication are key.
• Adapting to unexpected challenges, such as COVID-19 and war, requires resilience and quick decision-making.
• The Ukrainian startup ecosystem is thriving despite difficult circumstances.
• AssistMe AI, a new AI product by Impressit.io, automates workflows in customer support companies.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

07:27Challenges of Starting a New Business

15:16Impact of COVID-19 and the War in Ukraine

37:18The Ukrainian Startup Ecosystem and the Future

Summary

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, Trevor Koverko, the founder and CEO of Sapien.ai, discusses his journey in the world of Web3 and the challenges and opportunities of launching a company in the blockchain ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences and nuances of building a Web3 startup compared to a traditional venture-backed startup.

Trevor also shares insights on fundraising in the crypto space and the potential of AI in the Web3 industry. He highlights the need for human input in AI data sets and the role of data labeling in improving the performance of AI models.

Takeaways

Launching a Web3 startup requires understanding the differences and nuances compared to traditional venture-backed startups.

Fundraising in the crypto space is different and there are unique challenges and opportunities.

Human input is crucial in AI data sets, and data labeling plays a significant role in improving AI model performance.

Building a global team requires careful hiring, effective communication, and fostering a strong company culture.

Being a founder requires resilience, perseverance, and surrounding yourself with the right people.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

09:42 Sapien and the Role of Humans in AI

23:11 The Importance of Location

27:17 Building a Global Team

37:41 The Magic Wand

Summary

Hattie Willis is the founder of three different companies: Guessworks, If We Raise, and Not My First Guest Podcast Guessworks teaches early-stage innovation skills, If We Raise helps founders determine if fundraising is the right path for their business, and Angel Syndicate focuses on creating more groups of angel investors. Hattie emphasizes the importance of having a growth mindset and being willing to learn new skills. She also discusses the criteria she uses to decide whether to say yes or no to opportunities, including impact, financial sustainability, and personal enjoyment. Hattie shares how she got started in the startup world by kicking a man out of a bar and eventually being hired by his startup. Hattie shares her journey in the startup world, from working with different startups to joining an entrepreneurship education company and eventually starting her own businesses. She emphasizes the importance of testing demand and not assuming that everyone shares the same demand for your product or service. Hattie also discusses the importance of having a supportive network of co-founders and mentors who can provide emotional support and guidance. She advises first-time founders to be clear on the risks and to prioritize testing demand early on.

• Hattie Wheelys is the founder of three companies: Guessbox, If We Raise, and Angel Syndicate.
• She emphasizes the importance of having a growth mindset and being willing to learn new skills.
• Hattie uses a criteria-based approach to decide whether to say yes or no to opportunities.
• She values impact, financial sustainability, and personal enjoyment in her decision-making process.
• Hattie got started in the startup world by kicking a man out of a bar and eventually being hired by his startup. Test demand for your product or service early on and don't assume that everyone shares the same demand as you.
• Build a supportive network of co-founders and mentors who can provide emotional support and guidance.
• Be clear on the risks involved in your idea and prioritize testing demand to avoid building the wrong thing.
• Seek out resources and communities that can help you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.Chapters00:00Introduction and Background07:44The Power of a Growth Mindset14:07From Kicking a Man Out of a Bar to Startup Success30:38Dealing with Doubts and Seeking Support40:41Advice for First-time Founders