The Rollercoaster Ride to Scaling a Unicorn, with Nicolas Brusson, Co-Founder and CEO of BlaBlaCar

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by James Collier, a registered Nutritionist, Co-Founder of Huel and author of his brand new book, ‘Well Fed: How modern diets are failing us (and what we can do about it)’’. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about Huel’s growth journey, James’ new book and plenty of simple nutrition advice for you to implement in your day-to-day, no matter how busy you are.  📚 Episode Chapters:  ➡️ From bodybuilding to nutrition [03:30] ➡️ Starting & growing Huel [09:00]  ➡️ Health challenges & bouncing back [18:00]  ➡️ More about today’s sponsors [24:20]  ➡️ Five pillars of nutrition & the benefits of eating together [25:00]  ➡️ Debunking diet myths [34:00]  🔍 Find out more:  ✨ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescollierrnutr/?originalSubdomain=uk  ✨ More about Huel: https://huel.com/  ✨ Grab your copy of ‘Well Fed’: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/well-fed-how-modern-diets-are-failing-us-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-james-collier?variant=53486729855355  📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:  Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.  Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.  If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  🎧 You may also enjoy:  Rhiannon Lambert: The truth about diets & nutrition advice for busy execs  Dr Rupy Aujla: The accidental business that helps millions of people eat healthier every day Vivien Wong: Building Little Moons from a family business to a viral global brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Huhti 45min

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor bonus episode, we’re introducing our brand new partnership with Ethos, the next-generation expert network using AI to match industry leaders with earning opportunities.  Tune in to find out why we decided to partner with Ethos and more about what James Lo is building, who it is for and why this is such an exciting opportunity for experts.  Plus, there’s a special offer up for grabs for you, so you really don’t want to miss it!  🔍 Find out more:  ✨ More about Ethos: https://app.askethos.com/refer/s0k23bl401cb ✨ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yfjameslo?originalSubdomain=uk  🎧 You may also enjoy:  James Lo: From protesting on the streets of Hong Kong to raising £1.5m pre-seed for Mana  Vivien Wong: Building Little Moons from a family business to a viral global brand Zeynep Yavuz: Investing in FinTech, Crypto & Emerging Markets with General Catalyst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

28 Huhti 12min

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Vivien Wong, Co-Founder of Little Moons, the popular mochi ice cream brand.  Vivien started her career in banking before spotting an opportunity in 2010 to bring mochi ice cream to Europe with her brother Howard.  Fast-forward to today: Little Moons is a viral brand which launched in big retail brands in the UK and internationally, and has a team of over 200.  Tune into this episode to learn about Vivien’s journey from the early days of building Little Moons at the family kitchen table to the global brand it has become today.  📚 Episode Chapters:  ➡️ The origin of Little Moons [08:00] ➡️ Launching into retail [15:00]  ➡️ Tips for entering international markets [19:40]  ➡️ Find out more about today’s sponsor [21:00]  ➡️ Going viral on TikTok [22:00]  ➡️ The biggest leadership lessons [28:30]  ➡️ Hiring advice [32:00]  🔍 Find out more:  ✨ Connect with Vivien: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivien-wong-07804123?originalSubdomain=uk  ✨ More about Little Moons: https://littlemoons.com/  📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:  Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.  Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.  If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  🎧 You may also enjoy:  Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice Simmy Dhillon: From Google to building the fastest growing healthy meal subscription business with Simmer Deirdre O’Neill: Breaking taboos and transforming women’s health with Hertility Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Huhti 41min

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Rafel Jorda Siquier, Founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, the UK-based satellite company on a mission to monitor and combat climate change.  Founded in 2015, Open Cosmos delivered its first satellite in record time with a team of just five people. Since then, the business has scaled to over €100 million in satellite contracts, a team of over 130 employees in Spain, Portugal, Greece and the UK, and $50 million in Series B funding from leading Investors.  In today’s episode, you’ll find out more about Rafel’s journey into entrepreneurship, lessons from scaling such a successful business and the important role of satellites in combatting climate change.  📚 Episode Chapters:  ➡️ A surprising route into aerospace engineering [03:15]  ➡️ The origin story of Open Cosmos [07:30]  ➡️ The huge impact of data [11:30]  ➡️ The decision not to fundraise straight away [14:15]  ➡️ More about today’s episode sponsors [18:30]  ➡️ Scaling the team & attracting high-performers [23:40]   ➡️ Spotting great talent & Rafel’s secret weapon [31:30]  ➡️ Using data to tackle climate change [39:50]  🔍 Find out more:  ✨ Connect with Rafel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaeljorda?originalSubdomain=uk  ✨ More about Open Cosmos: https://www.open-cosmos.com/  📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:  Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.  Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.  If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  🎧 You may also enjoy:  Steve Etherton: Building the NASA of the Ocean with DEEP Pierre Paslier: Making Packaging Disappear with Earthshot Prize Winners Nopla Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Huhti 43min

To kick off 40 Minute Mentor’s Season 13, we’re joined by Adrienne Adhami, leading wellbeing coach, podcast host and author.  Listed as one of the ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to watch’ by HSBC and UKBBS, Adrienne is a trailblazer inspiring individuals and organisations to reach their full potential.  In today’s episode, we won’t just explore Adrienne’s incredible career to date but also discuss her latest book ‘Decision That Matter’ in detail.  📚 Episode Chapters:  ➡️ The power of storytelling [04:50]  ➡️ Career milestones and pivots [12:00]  ➡️ Her new book: Decisions That Matter [21:20]  ➡️ Find out more about today’s sponsor [24:40]  ➡️ Understanding & unblocking analysis paralysis [25:40]   ➡️ Intentional decision making [27:30]  ➡️ Overcoming procrastination [34:15]  ➡️ Redefining success for every season [41:20]  🔍 Find out more:  ✨ More about Adrienne: https://adrienneadhami.com/  ✨ Get a copy of “Decisions That Matter”: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460246/decisions-that-matter-by-adhami-adrienne/9781529925494  📣Learn more about today’s sponsor:  Today’s episode is sponsored by Capsule, the neo-broker powered by cutting-edge API technology, redefining insurance for high-growth scaling businesses.  Capsule streamlines the insurance process, removing manual hassle and delivering tailored solutions that evolve with your business.  If you’re a venture-backed startup looking to outsource the buying and management of your insurance, head over to www.capsulecover.com to find out more.  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  🎧 You may also enjoy:  Raj Kaur Khaira: How ethical AI will change the world  Helen Tupper: Building a squiggly career Elizabeth Uviebinené: Building the Headspace for Journaling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Huhti 49min

Ahead of launching Season 13 of 40 Minute Mentor next week, we thought we'd give you a preview of some of the pocket-sized mentorship you have to look forward to. Haven't subscribed yet? Make sure you do so now to be the first to hear about our next episode launching! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Huhti 6min

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, our final episode of our VC feature series, we’re joined by Pooja Sikka, General Partner at KHP Ventures.  KHP Ventures is a collaboration between King’s College London, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The fund offers equity investments with Healthcare expertise for groundbreaking MedTech and digital startups.  In today’s episode, you’ll find out more about Pooja’s squiggly career into Venture, and KHP’s brand new mental health immersion programme.  📚 Episode Chapters:  ➡️ A career in Healthcare  [04:00] ➡️ Pooja’s squiggly journey into Venture [08:30]  ➡️ Opportunities in Healthcare [14:35]  ➡️ Building strong relationships with Founders [20:00]  ➡️ The crucial skill of spotting talent [25:00]  ➡️ Launching a new Mental Health fund [30:00]  ➡️ Advice for Mental Health startup Founders [38:00]  ➡️ The importance of authenticity in pitching [44:00]  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  🎧 You may also enjoy:  Vegard Medbø: Building a portfolio valued at $4.8B with Antler  George Robson: Becoming a Partner at Sequoia at the age of 25 Molly Alter: Starting early in VC & building a transatlantic focus in vertical AI with Northzone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Maalis 48min

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Vegard Medbø, Co-Founder and COO at Antler, the global early-stage fund helping entrepreneurs go from zero to one.  Before founding Antler, Vegard spent his early career in the Coastal Ranger Command of the Norwegian Armed Forces and at McKinsey, where he worked with the world’s top energy companies, helping them apply machine learning to renewable and non-renewable energy. Since founding Antler, the team have invested in over 1,000 companies addressing meaningful challenges and opportunities across six continents. 📚 Episode Chapters:  ➡️ Lessons from the Military  [04:00] ➡️ The beginnings of Antler [09:00]  ➡️ More about Antler’s successful portfolio [12:00]  ➡️ Lessons from the beginning of Antler that still hold true today [15:00]  ➡️ The perfect Founder for Antler [18:00]  ➡️ International expansions [20:00]  ➡️ Why you need optimism as a Founder [25:00]  ➡️ Predictions for the next decade in Tech [31:30]  ⭐Enjoyed this episode?⭐️ Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/40mm  🎧 You may also enjoy:  Bonus: Corinne Thompson on preparing for your fundraise George Robson: Becoming a Partner at Sequoia at the age of 25 Molly Alter: Starting early in VC & building a transatlantic focus in vertical AI with Northzone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Maalis 38min