Simon Franks: The truth behind exiting to Amazon and investing in hyper growth Startups with Redbus Ventures

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Simon Franks, multi-exited entrepreneur, Managing Partner of early-stage firm, Redbus Ventures and the Founder of Franks Family Foundation, the UK-based charitable organisation. Simon’s career has been filled with building and scaling some of the most successful businesses in Europe, including as a Founder and now Investor. Today, he doesn’t just back brilliant businesses like Perkbox and Cleo, but his main focus has been his philanthropic pursuits, through Franks Family Foundation, initiating and developing projects in South East Asia. Tune in to today’s episode to hear Simon’s first-hand experience of building and scaling high-performing teams and hugely successful businesses, plus hear tons of advice on what sets great Founders apart. 📚 Episode Chapters: ➡️ Early career reflections [06:30] ➡️ Building the European Netflix with Lovefilm [09:45] ➡️ The true feelings behind the exit to Amazon [15:20] ➡️ More about today’s sponsors [17:10] ➡️ Transitioning into VC [20:00] ➡️ The pitfalls of generic business advice [24:00] ➡️ Why you need to fail fast [27:00] ➡️ Patterns in successful Founders [29:30] ➡️ Making a real impact [34:50] 🔍 Find out more: ✨ Connect with Simon: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/frankssimon ✨ More about Redbus Ventures: https://redbus.uk/ ✨ More about Franks Family Foundation: https://www.thefff.org/ 📣Learn more about today’s sponsor: Today’s episode is sponsored by Foundation Partners, an Amplified People Group company. Foundation Partners is reinventing how ambitious, early-stage companies access People & Talent support. They offer a fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands-on delivery that starts driving impact in just 2 weeks. As a 40 Minute Mentor listener, you can book a FREE 1-hour advisory call with a Managing Partner. Just head to www.foundationpartners.co.uk/contact and reference 40 Minute Mentor. ⭐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: Nicky Goulimis & Nico Barawid: The serial entrepreneurs stopping scams & building Tunic Pay differently Lessons Of Resilience: Scaling Love Koffee To Exit and Living Through Made.com’s Collapse with Dimple Patel, CEO of Trouva Greg Marsh: A $200m+ exit with onefinestay to helping you save on household bills with Nous Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices