In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, Lina Gallagher joins us to share her inspiring journey from a career at Deloitte to becoming a pioneering entrepreneur and e-commerce consultant in Dubai. Lina reflects on the early days of e-commerce in the Middle East, her transition into entrepreneurship, and how adaptability and resilience have been key to her success.

She dives into the evolving e-commerce landscape, particularly the growing role of AI, and offers a candid comparison between the entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Middle East and Europe. Lina highlights Dubai’s digital-forward environment, while also addressing the realities of setting up a business, such as banking and regulatory hurdles.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into overcoming entrepreneurial challenges, the importance of having a multi-plan strategy, and the significant role family offices play in Middle Eastern investment landscapes. Lina also shares her personal motivations, the lessons she's learned, and her commitment to continuous learning and staying curious.

🌟 Don't forget — join us at the Startup Summit in Lisbon this September, where leading entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from around the world will gather. Secure your ticket today and be part of the future of entrepreneurship! 🚀

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Lina Gallagher and Her Ventures 02:14 — Lina's Entrepreneurial Journey and Transition to Dubai 11:39 — Challenges and Motivations in E-commerce 17:21 — The Evolution of E-commerce and AI Integration 24:30 — Business Landscape in the Middle East vs. Europe 25:49 — Entrepreneurship in Dubai: A Digital Oasis 32:02 — Investment Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities 41:08 — Navigating Struggles: The Power of Planning 46:41 — Connecting with Lina: The Best Ways to Reach Out

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, host Ricardo Pascual speaks with Oli Johnson, a three-time startup founder, about his journey from burnout in the high-pressure world of finance to creating a health tech startup focused on human resilience. They discuss the importance of mental health, the innovative use of DNA and biomarker data in preventative health, and the economic impact of burnout. Oli shares insights on building a human resilience platform that leverages AI to provide personalized health recommendations and the significance of data privacy in health tech. He also offers advice for young entrepreneurs on prioritizing health and wellbeing while navigating the challenges of startup life.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Oli Johnson and His Journey

03:04From Burnout to Health Tech: A Personal Transformation

05:56Building a Human Resilience Platform

08:55Innovative Health Solutions: DNA and Biomarker Insights

11:51The Economic Impact of Burnout and Mental Health

14:56Preventative Health: A New Approach to Wellbeing

17:54Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: Prioritizing Health

20:46Market Response and Future Plans

24:03The Importance of Data Privacy in Health Tech

27:00Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, Ricardo Pascual interviews Anmol Goel, who shares insights about his journey as a young fund manager and the launch of https://www.gacsymventures.com/

The conversation explores the success of Indian origin founders, the impact of AI on startups, and the shifting landscape of entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

Anmol discusses the importance of adaptability in startups, the factors contributing to the success of the Indian diaspora, and the challenges of risk management in entrepreneurship. The episode concludes with reflections on the changing pathways to wealth and opportunity in today's economy.

In this conversation, Ricardo Pascual discusses the essential qualities of successful founders, emphasizing the importance of self-belief, grit, and commitment. He shares insights on the investment landscape, highlighting the need for founders to demonstrate their dedication through self-investment and validation of their ideas. The discussion also touches on the differences between the US and UK startup ecosystems, the importance of promoting entrepreneurship in education, and the need for better capital access and incentives for startups in the UK.

Ricardo concludes by addressing the potential of emerging markets like India and the Middle East for startup growth.

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, Dr. Georgia Fleet and Carla Southworth, co-founders of Zonova, discuss their journey in developing a novel antimicrobial technology aimed at reducing hospital-acquired infections.

They share insights into the importance of addressing antimicrobial resistance, and the feedback they have received from the healthcare market. The conversation also touches on regulatory hurdles, investor relations, and the broader applications of their technology beyond medical devices. Finally, they offer advice for aspiring entrepreneurs based on their experiences.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Zonova and Its Founders

03:02The Problem of Hospital-Acquired Infections

05:52Founding Journey

09:01Market Feedback and Antimicrobial Resistance

12:14Regulatory Challenges and Manufacturing Plans

15:00Investor Relations and Startup Challenges

18:03Broader Applications of Antimicrobial Technology

21:02Personal Experiences and Advice for Entrepreneurs

Takeaways

• Zonova aims to reduce hospital-acquired infections with antimicrobial technology.
• 75% of catheterized patients experience urinary tract infections.
• The Founding journey is challenging but rewarding.
• Market feedback indicates a strong need for effective infection control solutions.
• Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health crisis.
• Regulatory pathways vary by region and sector, complicating market entry.
• Investor relations require resilience and adaptability to rejection.
• Surrounding oneself with experienced advisors is crucial for success.
• The potential applications of antimicrobial technology extend beyond medical devices.
• Entrepreneurship requires patience and a long-term vision.

🎙️ Innotion Conversation: The Authentic Entrepreneur — Building Bold FMCG Brands with John Stapleton

In this episode of Innotion Conversation, host Ricardo Pascual sits down with John Stapleton, known as the Authentic Entrepreneur, to explore his remarkable 30+ year journey building pioneering consumer brands in the UK and US.

John shares the inside story behind the creation of The New Covent Garden Soup Co., which introduced fresh soup to the UK market, and reflects on the operational hurdles of expanding to the US with Glencoe Foods Inc. He also dives into launching Little Dish, a brand that redefined toddler meals, scaling it to £15M in revenue before its successful exit.

This conversation covers:

• Real-world challenges of innovation and scaling new categories.
• The role of resilience and risk management in entrepreneurship.
• The importance of mentorship, advice, and learning from setbacks.
• Key traits that define successful entrepreneurs.

Today, John mentors startups, serves as an investor and NED, and supports emerging brands through accelerators like Mission Ventures and Redesdale.

Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling a brand, John’s insights are not to be missed.

Brought to you by Startup Summit 2025 — Europe’s leading startup and investor summit, happening September 18–19, 2025, in Lisbon.

🎟️ Learn more and secure your spot at www.startupsummit.io

🕒 Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to John Stapleton 03:54 — The Journey of New Covent Garden Soup Company 07:12 — The Concept of Fresh Soup and Market Challenges 11:44 — Investment and Growth Strategies 16:51 — Overcoming Operational Challenges 21:35 — Expanding to the US Market 26:30 — Reflections on Success and Failure 29:50 — The Journey of Entrepreneurship 34:00 — Navigating Challenges and Resilience 39:45 — Understanding Risk and Uncertainty 41:11 — Key Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs 47:04 — The Importance of Seeking Advice 52:13 — The Motivation Behind Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, Sara Landi Tortoli shares her journey from being a product manager in AI and machine learning to becoming a solopreneur. She discusses the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship, the importance of having a solid distribution strategy, and the critical role of co-founders.

Sara also delves into her startup idea of creating an AI companion to combat loneliness and reflects on her experiences in podcasting, emphasizing the need to communicate technology effectively to a broader audience. In this engaging conversation,

Ricardo Pascual and Sara Landi Tortoli explore various themes surrounding Berlin's vibrant culture, the startup ecosystem, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They discuss the importance of resilience, motivation, and the role of AI in enhancing critical thinking. The dialogue flows seamlessly from nightlife tips to startup support comparisons between Berlin and London, emphasizing the need for adaptability and the courage to embrace uncertainty in the entrepreneurial journey.

Chapters

00:00From Product Manager to Solopreneur

02:57Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship

05:58The Importance of Co-Founders

09:03The Birth of an AI Companion Startup

12:03Navigating Startup Challenges

15:00The Podcast Journey

18:09Communicating Technology to the Masses

25:12Navigating Berlin's Nightlife and Culture

26:52The Startup Ecosystem in Berlin

28:41Comparing Startup Support: Berlin vs. London

32:40Resilience and Motivation in Entrepreneurship

36:06The Importance of Stubbornness and Flexibility

40:20Embracing Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship

43:40The Role of AI in Critical Thinking

49:44Connecting with Sara Landi Tortoli

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, Diana Florescu, founder of Media for Growth, shares her journey from tech to media capital investment. She discusses the cultural differences in business practices between the US and Europe, the challenges of entering the US market, and the importance of a growth mindset.

Diana also emphasizes the need for startups to adapt their strategies when moving to the US and the evolving landscape of media investments. The conversation highlights the resilience required in entrepreneurship and the future of media capital investments

Takeaways

• Diana founded Media for Growth to support emerging consumer brands.
• Cultural differences impact business practices between the US and Europe.
• The US market has a faster pace and higher valuations.
• Investors in the US are more open to innovative models.
• Startups should approach the US market strategically, market by market.
• European companies often need to relocate to attract US investors.
• The UK has beneficial investment schemes like SEIS and EIS.
• Resilience is crucial for entrepreneurs facing challenges.
• Media capital investments are evolving with new technologies.
• Optimizing marketing spend is essential for startup growth.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Media for Growth

03:01Diana's Journey and Background

05:52Cultural Differences in Business

09:11Challenges of Moving to the US

12:07Growth Mindset in the US vs. UK

14:53Advice for Startups Entering the US Market

17:52Investor Perspectives on European Companies

20:52The Need for Change in European Investment Culture

24:00Personal Resilience in Entrepreneurship

26:59The Future of Media Capital Investments

30:03Optimizing Marketing Spend

32:56Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Innovation Conversation, host Ricardo Pascual speaks with Prakriti Garb, a second-year management student at LSE and managing director of Kickstart Global, the UK's largest student incubator. They discuss Prakriti's journey into entrepreneurship, the mission of Kickstart Global to support young founders, the challenges faced by student entrepreneurs, and the importance of community and mentorship.

Prakriti shares insights on the investor landscape for young founders, common mistakes made by entrepreneurs, and the need for more female representation in the startup ecosystem. The conversation emphasizes the role of universities in fostering entrepreneurship and offers advice for young entrepreneurs navigating their journeys.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Prakriti Garb and Kickstart Global

02:10The Mission and Impact of Kickstart Global

04:51Challenges Faced by Student Founders

06:13Investor Perspectives on Young Founders

09:18Common Mistakes Made by Young Entrepreneurs

10:58Support Structures for Student Founders

14:01Addressing Gender Disparities in Entrepreneurship

17:03Motivation and Community in Entrepreneurship

19:46The Role of Universities in Fostering Entrepreneurship

21:52Recommended Resources for Young Entrepreneurs

23:05Advice for Overcoming Bad Days as a Founder