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 [http://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/40mmhttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 



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Lessons Of Resilience: Scaling Love Koffee To Exit and Living Through Made.com’s Collapse with Dimple Patel, CEO of Tro [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/lessons-of-resilience-scaling-love-koffee-to-exit-and-living-through-made-coms-collapse-with-dimple-patel-ceo-of-trouva/]

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 Nicky Goulimis and Nico Barawid, the Founders of early-stage FinTech Tunic Pay, the only fraud vendor designed specifically for scams.

Prior to building Tunic Pay, Nicky scaled Nova Credit, the credit infrastructure and analytics company that enables businesses to grow responsibly by harnessing alternative credit data. And Nico built Casai, which was Latin America's largest short-term rental operator. 

With so much experience in building successful FinTech ventures, this episode is a great listen for anyone thinking about starting a FinTech, or for anyone currently in the thick of scaling. 



📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ Entrepreneurial traits from an early age [12:00]

➡️ Why FinTech [16:20] 

➡️ Key lessons from early ventures [18:30]  

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [23:20] 

➡️ Building teams without the vanity metrics [26:00] 

➡️ Flipping the script on ‘failing’ [29:00] 

➡️ The future of Tunic Pay [32:30] 

➡️ Taking the time to find investors [34:40]  

➡️ Using AI in startups [39:00] 



🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with Nicky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickygoulimis?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ Connect with Nico: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicobarawid?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ More about Tunic Pay: https://www.tunicpay.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 [http://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: 

Sho Sugihara: Financial Inclusion & Finding Your Purpose As A Founder [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/series-8-sho-sugihara-pave/]

Avion Gray: Raising the largest pre-seed round as a female Founder in Europe [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/avion-gray-raising-the-largest-pre-seed-round-as-a-female-founder-in-europe/]
Dr Ben Maruthappu: Saving the UK Government £1 million every day by building Cera – the UK’s largest HealthTech [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/dr-ben-maruthappu-saving-the-uk-government-1-million-every-day-by-building-cera-the-uks-largest-healthtech/]



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Nicky Goulimis & Nico Barawid: The serial entrepreneurs stopping scams & building Tunic Pay differently 

In today’s 40 Minute Mentor episode, we’re joined by Dr Ben Maruthappu, Founder and CEO of Cera - the UK’s largest HealthTech and one of the fastest-growing startups in Europe. 



We’ve all come across the headline of increasing pressures on the NHS and especially hospitals. 



Cera is revolutionising Healthcare, using technology and AI to shift care from hospitalisation to patients’ homes, creating a more sustainable model for an ageing population. 



In today’s episode, you’ll hear all about Cera’s origin story, how they have implemented AI so early on and why they’re still just scratching the surface of what’s possible within Healthcare. 



📚 Episode Chapters: 

➡️ From Medicine to Entrepreneur [04:45]

➡️ Innovation within the NHS & common misconceptions [08:30] 

➡️ The personal origin story behind Cera [12:30] 

➡️ Early challenges [17:00]  

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [21:50] 

➡️ Leveraging AI in Healthcare [23:15] 

➡️ Getting more people interested in a career in care [28:30] 

➡️ The importance of getting hiring right [33:00]



🔍 Find out more: 

✨ Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahibenmaruthappu?originalSubdomain=uk 

✨ More about Cera: https://ceracare.co.uk/ 



📣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 [http://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 



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Dr Sonia Szamocki: The Future of Collaborative Healthcare with 32Co [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/the-future-of-collaborative-healthcare-with-dr-sonia-szamocki-founder-ceo-of-32co/]

James Collier: How modern diets are failing us and Huel’s incredible growth journey [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/james-collier-how-modern-diets-are-failing-us-and-huels-incredible-growth-journey/]

Where Are They Now: A Lesson in Resilience & Pivoting with James Lo, Co-Founder of Ethos [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/where-are-they-now-a-lesson-in-resilience-pivoting-with-james-lo-co-founder-of-ethos/]





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Dr Ben Maruthappu: Saving the UK Government £1 million every day by building Cera - the UK’s largest HealthTech

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 [http://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 



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Rhiannon Lambert: The truth about diets & nutrition advice for busy execs  [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/the-truth-about-diets-nutrition-advice-for-busy-execs-with-rhiannon-lambert-founder-of-rhitrition/]

Dr Rupy Aujla: The accidental business that helps millions of people eat healthier every day [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/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 [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/vivien-wong-building-little-moons-from-a-family-business-to-a-viral-global-brand/]



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

James Collier: How modern diets are failing us and Huel’s incredible growth journey 

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://www.askethos.com/ 

✨ 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  [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/series-8-james-lo-mana/]



Vivien Wong: Building Little Moons from a family business to a viral global brand [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/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 [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/investing-in-fintech-crypto-emerging-markets-with-zeynep-yavus-partner-at-general-catalyst/]





Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Bonus: Reinventing expert networks through AI with James Lo & Ethos

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 [http://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/40mmhttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 



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Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/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 [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/from-google-to-building-the-fastest-growing-healthy-meal-subscription-business-with-simmy-dhillon-founder-of-simmer/]



Deirdre O’Neill: Breaking taboos and transforming women’s health with Hertility [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/deirdre-oneill-breaking-taboos-and-transforming-womens-health-with-hertility/]





Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Vivien Wong: Building Little Moons from a family business to a viral global brand 

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 [http://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/40mmhttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 



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Pierre Paslier: Making Packaging Disappear with Earthshot Prize Winners Nopla [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/making-packaging-disappear-with-earthshot-prize-winner-pierre-paslier-co-founder-of-notpla/]

Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/adrienne-adhami-how-to-make-decisions-in-a-world-of-endless-choice/]





Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Rafel Jorda Siquier: Solving the Earth’s biggest challenges from space with Open Cosmos

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 [http://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/40mmhttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 



🎧 You may also enjoy: 



Raj Kaur Khaira: How ethical AI will change the world  [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/how-ethical-ai-will-change-the-world-with-raj-kaur-khaira-co-founder-and-coo-of-autogenai/]



Helen Tupper: Building a squiggly career [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/building-a-squiggly-career-with-helen-tupper/]



Elizabeth Uviebinené: Building the Headspace for Journaling [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/series-8-elizabeth-uviebinene-storia/]



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Adrienne Adhami: How to make decisions in a world of endless choice 

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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Season 13 Trailer

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/40mmhttps://ratethispodcast.com/40mm 



🎧 You may also enjoy: 

Vegard Medbø: Building a portfolio valued at $4.8B with Antler  [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/vegard-medbo-building-a-portfolio-valued-at-4-8b-with-antler/]

George Robson: Becoming a Partner at Sequoia at the age of 25 [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/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 [https://jbmc.co.uk/podcasts/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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Pooja Sikka: Launching the first mental health fund in partnership with the NHS 

Your pocket sized career mentor. 40 Minute Mentor is on a mission to raise aspirations and inspire the next generation of category-defining Founders, through powerful career stories and inspirational mentorship. From purpose-led Founders to Olympic champions; learn first-hand from today’s successful leaders on what it takes to be brilliant, all in just 40 minutes. 40 Minute Mentor is one of the UK’s top Business and Careers podcasts and can be found on all popular podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and Stitcher.

Hannah Urbanek

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