Founders Unplugged
Founders Unplugged is a web series capturing long-form conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world.
The Startup Hiring Mistakes That Cost You Your Best People w/ Alper Yurder - Part Two
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The Truth About Startup Hiring: What Founders Get Wrong w/ Alper Yurder – Part Two
How do startups get hiring so wrong—so often?In Part Two of this brutally honest conversation, Alper Yurder (founder of Forte, ex-Flowla) returns to explore why early-stage hiring fails, when AI hurts more than it helps, and what founders can do to build real sales leadership—without burning bridges.
🎧 In this episode:Why AI can't replace human nuance in...
How to Build Sales Systems That Actually Work w/ Alper Yurder - Part One
Sponsored by FounderCatalyst
If you're raising capital in the UK, don’t do it without them.
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How to Build Sales Systems That Actually Work w/ Alper Yurder – Part One
What makes a sales system actually work for startups?In this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Alper Yurder, co-founder of Flowland and go-to-market advisor, to unpack the mindset and mechanics behind successful early-stage sales. From the power of messaging to the common mistakes founders make in their first sales hires, Alper shares real, tactical advice from helping 100+ startups grow.
...
The Final Chapter: Why Daniya Stewart Closed Her Food Startup - Part Two
Sponsored by FounderCatalyst
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Making the Difficult Decision to Shut Down Your Business w/ Daniya Stewart – Part Two
What does it really feel like to walk away from a business you built from scratch?
In this powerful Part Two episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Daniya Stewart to unpack the emotional, strategic, and financial layers behind closing her food startup, PHOMO. From pitching at Selfridges to managing product recalls, Daniya shares an unfiltered look at the press...
From Banking to Food Startup: The Early Journey of a Founder w/ Daniya Stewart - Part One
Sponsored by FounderCatalyst
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From Banking to Food Startup: The Early Journey of a Founder w/ Daniya Stewart – Part One
What happens when a corporate career collides with a deep craving for Vietnamese food?In this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Daniya Stewart, founder of the food startup PHOMO, to explore her journey from banking and project finance to building a Vietnamese food brand from scratch. From selling out in 90 minutes at a farmer’s market to n...
AI's Impact on Business and Humanity: A Conversation w/ Hector Hughes or Unplugged - Part Two
Sponsored by FounderCatalyst
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Scaling a Wellness Brand in an AI-Dominated World w/ Hector Hughes of Unplugged – Part Two
In this episode, Greg McCallum and Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, explore what it means to protect our mental health, creativity, and sense of connection in a world increasingly shaped by AI and always-on technology.They discuss Hector’s plan to double Unplugged’s off-grid cabin network, the growing demand for digital detox, and how AI may soon reshape...
The Founder's Mental Health Journey: Hector Hughes of Unplugged on Therapy, Business Growth and Digital Wellness - Part One
Sponsored by FounderCatalyst
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Building a Business That Encourages Digital Detox w/ Hector Hughes of Unplugged – Part OneWhat if the key to building a successful brand… was encouraging people to do nothing?
In this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, to unpack the story behind their fast-growing digital detox company—offering 3-day, off-grid cabin breaks without phones, Wi-Fi, or inboxes.But this is more than a startup story.They explore founder identity, mental heal...
Why Big Companies Can't Compete With Focused Startups w/ Vasilis Stoidis - Part Two
Sponsored by FounderCatalyst
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In Part Two of this conversation, Greg McCallum and Vasilis Stoidis, founder of 7L International, go beyond business tactics to explore the philosophy and responsibility of entrepreneurship.From reframing legacy as responsibility to unpacking how startups should approach market targeting and feedback, this is a thoughtful and practical guide to building a business that matters—without losing your edge.
🎧 In this conversation:The balance between self-care and societal contributionWhy focusing on value always beats chas...
The 10X Rule: How Successful Startups Solve Problems w/ Vasilis Stoidis - Part One
Sponsored by FounderCatalyst
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In this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Vasilis Stoidis, serial tech founder and CEO of 7L International, to break down what separates real innovation from noise.From navigating generational shifts to staying relevant in the age of AI, Vasilis brings a clear-eyed, first-principles view to building products that actually solve problems—at scale.
🎧 In this conversation:Why your solution must be 10X better, not just differentHow to build long-term value in fast-changing marketsWhy...
AI Agents vs. Human Sales Teams: Finding the Balance w/ Frank Sondors - Part Two
Sponsored by FounderCatalyst
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In Part Two, Greg McCallum sits down again with Frank Sondors, CEO of Salesforge, to explore the next phase of AI in sales—and the looming question: Where do humans still fit?From the rise of autonomous agents to the loss of nuance in hyper-efficient systems, this episode explores the delicate balance between scale and soul in the modern sales stack.
🎧 In this conversation:
How AI agents are changing the shape of sales team...
Building a $3M Business in 4 Months with AI Sales Agents w/ Frank Sondors - Part One
Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don't do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJ
What happens when you apply ruthless efficiency, strategic delegation, and AI-powered SDRs to a broken sales model?You get Salesforge.ai—and a startup that scaled to $3M ARR in four months.
In this episode, Greg McCallum sits down with Frank Sondors, CEO of Salesforge, to unpack how he’s building a smarter, leaner sales machine—and how founders can apply the same thinking to their teams, tech stack, and time management.
🎧 In this conversation:
Why sales i...
Why Understanding 'Why' Matters More Than 'How' in the AI Era w/ Olivier Soucy - Part Two
Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don't do it without them. 🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJ
Why Understanding 'Why' Matters More Than 'How' in the AI Era w/ Olivier Soucy – Part TwoIn Part Two, Greg McCallum and Olivier Soucy, founder of Okube, explore the evolving role of developers in a world dominated by AI tools and LLMs.This episode isn’t just about new technology—it’s about a shift in mindset. From over-reliance on automation to the quiet erosion of creativity in software, Olivier breaks down what’s really happening under the surface of toda...
From Building Flight Simulators to Data Engineering w/ Olivier Soucy - Part One
Sponsored by FounderCatalystIf you're raising capital in the UK, don't do it without them.🎯 Get 5% off their services → https://2ly.link/1zDIJ
Olivier Soucy went from building helicopter flight simulators to designing open-source data tools that engineers actually want to use.
Now the founder of Okube and creator of Lactory (an open-source ETL framework), Olivier joins Greg McCallum to share his transition from specialist to product builder—and why he values community, clarity, and clean documentation over rapid monetization.
From crypto trading failures to open-source culture, this episode dives deep into the real-world decisions behind technical product develop...
How PodPlay Reached $1.5M ARR with No Sales Team w/ Ben Borton - Part Two
Sponsored by FounderCatalystGet 5% off their services via this link:https://2ly.link/1zDIJ
In Part Two, Greg McCallum sits down again with Ben Borton—Co-Founder of PodPlay—to unpack how a content-first go-to-market strategy helped them grow to $1.5M in ARR without a sales team. Ben shares how PodPlay’s user-initiated video replay feature created viral momentum, the role fun plays in both product design and mission, and why franchising is their next big bet.
🎧 In this conversation:
How replay tech became part of the club culture
Turning short-form video into inbound demand
Why PodPlay chose con...
How Autonomous Technology Is Changing Sports Venues Forever w/ Ben Borton - Part One
Sponsored by FounderCatalystGet 5% off their services via this link:https://2ly.link/1zDIJ
In this episode, Greg McCallum is joined by Ben Borton—Co-Founder of PodPlay Technologies—to explore how autonomous, tech-driven venues are reshaping the way people play and connect through sports. Ben shares his unexpected journey from cultural criticism and hedge funds to building a vertically integrated SaaS platform powering venues like PingPod, Sharks, and more.
They dive into the origin story behind PodPlay, the explosion of pickleball, and why removing staff from sports clubs isn’t a drawback—it’s a strategic advantage. From self-service models to...
Finding Product Market Fit Across Borders with Esteban Quintero - Part Two
Sponsored by FounderCatalystGet 5% off their services via this link:https://2ly.link/1zDIJ
In Part Two, Esteban Quintero returns to share the tough lessons behind his entrepreneurial journey—building a ticketing platform that scaled fast but collapsed during the pandemic, navigating legal and compliance issues, and learning how to start again stronger. That reset led to his latest venture, Abroad—a payment solution designed for travellers facing cashless systems abroad.
From crypto payments to QR-code challenges in Latin America and Southeast Asia, Esteban explains why some problems haunt you until you solve them—and why many founders walk away f...
Spotting Market Gaps: How Esteban Quintero Built a $1M Business at Age 20 - Part One
Sponsored by FounderCatalystGet 5% off their services via this link:https://2ly.link/1zDIJ
In this episode, Esteban Quintero—serial entrepreneur and founder of Abroad—shares how he turned a curiosity for tech and a passion for travel into a $1M smartphone business while still at university. From selling toys as a child in Colombia to launching global ventures across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, Esteban breaks down how he finds market gaps, builds fast-moving businesses, and navigates the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
🎧 In this conversation:
How Esteban started selling ice cream and electronics as a kid
What...
Leadership, AI, and the Future of Work with Matt Copley - Part Two
Sponsored by FounderCatalystGet 5% off their services via this link:https://2ly.link/1zDIJ
In Part Two of Greg’s conversation with Matt Copley—Co-Founder and CRO of HRIZN—the discussion shifts from startup origin stories to the often-ignored but mission-critical topic of management. Together, they explore why most founders struggle with people leadership, how AI is transforming roles, and why culture, execution, and curiosity are now more important than ever. The episode then shifts into a thoughtful look at parenting in a hyper-digital world, raising kids with critical thinking, and how gaming and media shape young minds today.
🎧 In this e...
The Founder Journey: Matt Copley on Bootstrapping an AI Startup - Part One
This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:https://2ly.link/1zDIJ-------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Copley—Co-Founder and CRO of HRIZN (Horizon)—joins Greg McCallum to share the highs, lows, and aha moments of building a generative AI platform in the automotive industry. From growing up rebellious to navigating career pivots, Matt opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, why asking for help matters, and how execution always trumps ideas.
🎧 In this episode:
The evolution of vehicle acquisition platforms
Navigating burnout, layoffs, and reinvention
Boots...
I Replaced My Team With These 5 AI Tools (Tech CEO Secret Workflows Revealed) w/ Jordan Schlipf - Part Two
This episode is proudly sponsored by AppUnite.
The right dev partner can make or break your product. AppUnite embeds with your team to build apps that scale. Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/3FCHQlm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is Part Two of the conversation with Jordan. Check out Part One here: https://youtu.be/QwTAVariPKA--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Part 2, Greg McCallum and Jordan Schlipf dive into the realities of career transitions, energy management, and the future of work. Jordan shares the lessons learned after stepping back from Rainmaking, highlighting why taking real time off was critical for recharging, finding direction, and reassessing priorities.The...
The Entrepreneurship Style That Creates the Most Wealth (It's Not What You Think) w/ Jordan Schlipf - Part One
This episode is proudly sponsored by AppUnite.
The right dev partner can make or break your product. AppUnite embeds with your team to build apps that scale. Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/3FCHQlm
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In this episode, Jordan Schlipf shares the raw lessons from building 15+ startups, leading a venture studio, and working with major corporates.He reveals why most startup studios fail, how corporate partnerships can kill great ventures, and why many founders struggle to scale with their businesses.Greg McCallum and Jordan also unpack the three types of founders, how personal identity can sabotage success, and why...
The Truth About Crowdfunding No One Tells You w/ Jonathan Keeling - (Part 2)
This episode is proudly sponsored by AppUnite.
The right dev partner can make or break your product. AppUnite embeds with your team to build apps that scale.
Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/3FCHQlm
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In this dynamic conversation, Greg McCallum and Jonathan Keeling (JK) dive deep into the unique founder-centric approach of Haatch investment fund and explore the misunderstood world of crowdfunding. JK reveals how Haatch differentiates itself through tactical support and meaningful portfolio engagement, while debunking common misconceptions about crowdfunding—from the m...
From CrowdCube to Venture Capital: A Journey Through the UK Startup Scene w/ Jonathan Keeling - P1
This episode is proudly sponsored by AppUnite.
The right dev partner can make or break your product. AppUnite embeds with your team to build apps that scale.
Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/3FCHQlm
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In this insightful conversation with Jonathan Keeling (JK), we explore his journey from CrowdCube executive to partner at Haatch and founder of Edge. JK shares his experience scaling CrowdCube to ÂŁ14M revenue before venturing into entrepreneurship, where he worked with startups like Winefy as fractional CCO. He reveals the...
How SFC Capital Picks Winners: The Real Early-Stage VC Playbook w/ Joseph Zipfel - Part Two
This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.
Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:
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How does the UK’s most active pre-seed investor actually evaluate startups?
In Part Two of this conversation, Joseph Zipfel, Chief Investment Officer at SFC Capital, lifts the lid on the principles, processes, and red flags that shape their investment decisions.
He and Greg McCallum dive into:
How psychometric tools ar...
Why SFC Capital Went All-In on SEIS w/ CIO Joseph Zipfel - Part One
This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.
Get started today with a free discovery audit + 20% off your first audit.
👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits
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In this episode, Greg sits down with Joseph Zipfel, Chief Investment Officer at SFC Capital — the UK’s most active pre-seed investor — to unpack the realities of early-stage investing. Joseph shares the thinking behind SFC’s bold decision to specialise in SEIS, and what founders often misunderstand about raising that crucial fir...
From Immigrant Founder to Raising Investment – w/ Yuru Guo - Part Two
This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.
Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:
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In Part Two of our conversation with Yuru, founder of Hey! Food Is Ready, we dive into the realities of building a startup alone—from the struggles of fundraising to the emotional toll of entrepreneurship.
This episode covers:
- The hardest parts of being a solo founder and how to navigate them.
...The Platform Helping Immigrant Chefs Earn a Living w/Yuru Guo - Part One
This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.
Get started today with a free discovery audit + 20% off your first audit.
👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits
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In this episode of Founders Unplugged, we sit down with Yuru, founder of Hey! Food Is Ready, a platform connecting independent chefs—many from immigrant and refugee backgrounds—with companies looking for diverse, authentic catering options.
We dive into:
- How Hey...
Big Tech’s Next Legal Battle w/ Co-Founder & CEO of Consumer Voice Alex Neill - Part Two
This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.
Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:
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In Part Two of our conversation with Alex Neill, co-founder of Consumer Voice, we dive into the legal battles brewing against AI companies, Big Tech, and Web3 scams.
This episode covers:
- How AI companies are using your data without consent.
- The massive lawsuits that could change the future...
Consumer Voice: The Startup Fighting for Your Rights w/ Alex Neill - Part One
This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.
Get started today with a free discovery audit + 20% off your first audit.
👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits
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In this episode of Founders Unplugged, Greg Mccallum sits down with Alex Neill, co-founder of Consumer Voice, a startup on a mission to help consumers get back money from rule-breaking companies.
We dive into:
- The ÂŁ120 billion in unclaimed compensation sitt...
Inside an Angel Investor’s Playbook w/ Jed Ng - Part Two
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Inside an Angel Investor’s Playbook
In Part Two of my conversation with Jed, we dive deep into how he spots billion-dollar startups, builds investor networks, and navigates the evolving world of angel investing.
We cover:
The key traits of winning startups (and why most founders fail)
How Je...
How Jed Built a 1,400+ Investor Network from Scratch w/ Jed Ng - Part One
This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.
Get started today with a free discovery audit + 20% off your first audit.
👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits
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How Jed Built a 1,400+ Investor Network from Scratch
In this episode of Founders Unplugged, we sit down with Jed, a former startup operator turned angel investor, who built a 1,400+ strong investor network and writes million-dollar checks—without a VC fund.
We di...
How I Raised ÂŁ140K on Kickstarter for my startup w/ Ben Beavers - Part Two
This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.
Get 5% off their services by clicking this link:
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In this conversation, Greg McCallum and Ben Beavers break down the realities of launching and scaling a startup, from raising ÂŁ140K on Kickstarter to the challenges of hardware development, funding, and growth. Ben shares how data-driven decision-making, customer journey insights, and community engagement played a crucial role in shaping Smarty Plants.
They explore:
The Startup Making It Impossible to Kill Your Plants w/ Ben Beaver - Part One
This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.
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The Startup Making It Impossible to Kill Your Plants | Founders Unplugged
In this episode, Ben Beavers, founder of Smarty Plants, joins Greg McCallum to share his journey from management consulting to hardware startup founder. He reveals how a personal frustration with dying houseplants led to the...
Nick Telson-Sillett on Trumpet, Angel Investing, and Finding Purpose - Part 2
This episode is proudly sponsored by FounderCatalyst.
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Nick Telson-Sillett on Trumpet, Angel Investing, and Finding Purpose | Founders Unplugged
After exiting DesignMyNight, Nick Telson-Sillett found himself at a crossroads—what comes next after a successful startup exit? In this episode, he sits down with Greg McCallum to discuss the journey from selling his first company to building Trumpet, a SaaS tool reshaping sales engagement.
...
Nick Telson-Sillett (DesignMyNight) on Scaling, Pivoting, and Selling a Startup - Part 1
This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.
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👉 Click the link to secure your offer: https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/peeraudits
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From Side Hustle to Multi-Million Exit: Nick Telson-Sillett’s Startup Story
In this episode of Founders Unplugged, Nick Telson-Sillett joins Greg McCallum to break down his entrepreneurial journey—from selling a football magazine in school to buildin...
From Tech CEO to War Zone w/ Igor Volzhanin - Part Two
This episode is proudly sponsored by Peer.AI is reshaping industries, and the biggest risk for businesses isn’t adopting AI—it’s not having the right data to power it. Workforce skills are a black box for most organisations, making it impossible to train AI models or automate decision-making confidently.PeerAudits solves this by transforming human-to-human skills assessments into structured, AI-ready data. Fully remote and far more cost-effective than traditional consultants, we help businesses future-proof their workforce and eliminate hiring risks.Get started today with a free discovery session and 20% off your first audit. Click the link to secure...
The Inside Story of a Multi-Million Dollar Startup Exit w/ Igor Volzhanin - Part One
This episode is proudly sponsored by PeerAudits.
AI is reshaping industries, and the biggest risk for businesses isn’t adopting AI—it’s not having the right data to power it. Workforce skills are a black box for most organisations, making it impossible to train AI models or automate decision-making confidently.
PeerAudits solves this by transforming human-to-human skills assessments into structured, AI-ready data. Fully remote and far more cost-effective than traditional consultants, we help businesses future-proof their workforce and eliminate hiring risks.
...
Why is the UK is Losing Founders? w/ Callum Woodcock - Founder & CEO of WineFi - Part 2
This episode is proudly sponsored by Block Dojo:
Block Dojo is a Web3 and AI-focused venture builder in London, offering a 12-week intensive program that transforms raw ideas into investor-ready startups—acting as the first funder and co-founder—while providing expert support, resources like Google Cloud and Vestd, and a proven structure for success.
Apply for the next Cohort starting May 2025 to have your MVP ready by Summer 2025:https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/blockdojo
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In Part 2, Callum Woodcock and Greg McCallum dive into the challenges facing UK startups, from founders leaving the...
Turning Wine Into Wealth: Inside WineFi’s Growth Story w/ Callum Woodcock - Part 1
This episode is proudly sponsored by Block Dojo:
Block Dojo is a Web3 and AI-focused venture builder in London, offering a 12-week intensive program that transforms raw ideas into investor-ready startups—acting as the first funder and co-founder—while providing expert support, resources like Google Cloud and Vestd, and a proven structure for success. Apply for the next Cohort starting May 2025 to have your MVP ready by Summer 2025:https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/blockdojo
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In this episode Host, Greg McCallum, and Callum Woodcock, Founder & CEO of WineFi, dive into the realities of startup grow...
The Future of AI & Privacy: What Businesses Must Know w/ Dr Isoni - Part 2
This episode is proudly sponsored by Block Dojo:
Block Dojo is a Web3 and AI-focused venture builder in London, offering a 12-week intensive program that transforms raw ideas into investor-ready startups—acting as the first funder and co-founder—while providing expert support, resources like Google Cloud and Vestd, and a proven structure for success.
Apply for the next Cohort starting May 2025 to have your MVP ready by Summer 2025:
https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/blockdojo
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In P...
How to Harness AI for Business Success: Interview with Dr. Isoni - Part 1
This episode is proudly sponsored by Block Dojo:
Block Dojo is a Web3 and AI-focused venture builder in London, offering a 12-week intensive program that transforms raw ideas into investor-ready startups—acting as the first funder and co-founder—while providing expert support, resources like Google Cloud and Vestd, and a proven structure for success.
Apply for the next Cohort starting May 2025 to have your MVP ready by Summer 2025:
https://link.foundersunpluggedpodcast.com/blockdojo
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Join Dr. Andrea Ison...
