Welcome to Crown Castê, your financial literacy podcast for small businesses. We publish inspiring, insightful conversations with investors and stewards of capital.

In this episode of Crown Castê, we explore the transformative impact of accelerators and incubators on startups and scale-ups, focusing on the "Three Cs"—Capital, Capacity Building, and Connections—key pillars for entrepreneurial growth and success.

Capital is the foundational element, providing startups with essential funding that can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of pounds. This financial support, often sourced from program partners or internal balance sheets, equips businesses to take critical steps in scaling and development (1:35).

Capacity Building is where accelerators and incubators truly shine, offering tailored programs to address the unique needs of each startup. These programs focus on areas like investment readiness, HR strategy, go-to-market planning, and technology optimization, all led by experienced industry experts (4:15).

Connections amplify opportunities by linking participants to alumni, industry professionals, and public sector programs. From trade missions and corporate partnerships to introductions to capital allocators, these networks are invaluable. Many programs even pave the way for startups to secure their first clients as corporate vendors (8:40).

Throughout the episode, we debunk myths about eligibility, emphasize the inclusivity of many programs, and showcase the global reach of accelerators and incubators. Examples include well-known initiatives like Y Combinator and TechStars, as well as government-backed programs that cater to startups at all stages (10:25).

The episode wraps up with actionable advice for founders: choose programs aligned with your goals, maximize their resources, and fully engage with offered networks to drive growth (12:00).

Whether you're an early-stage entrepreneur or scaling your venture, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate and leverage the power of accelerators and incubators.

Welcome to Crown Castê, your financial literacy podcast for small businesses. We publish inspiring, insightful conversations with investors and stewards of capital.

In this episode of Crown Castê, we sit down with Victoria, Head of Finance and Portfolio at Wayra UK, to uncover the unique ways that corporate venture capital (CVC) can drive strategic growth and innovation. Victoria shares her journey and reveals why Wayra, Telefonica’s venture arm, goes far beyond traditional VC approaches to build partnerships that truly impact startups (2:46).

Victoria explains how Wayra scouts for companies that fit Telefonica’s strategic goals, investing between €50,000 and €5 million in startups that align with their vision. She delves into their streamlined process for smaller investments. Wayra actively seeks solutions that enhance connectivity, network infrastructure, and fraud prevention, bringing true value to both the startup and the corporate world (5:31). Through scouting sprints, they’re building partnerships with some of the most innovative minds in tech (12:13).

Once in the portfolio, Wayra provides extensive resources to help founders navigate Telefonica’s corporate landscape, including internal expertise, marketing support, and access to a network of industry experts (18:55). Victoria describes their portfolio management approach, with regular metrics and reporting, so startups are tracking well and have access to any support they need (21:13). Her advice to founders?

Tap into the full value of your investor relationships, leaning into the resources and guidance that a strategic partner like Wayra can offer (21:33).

This episode is a game-changer for anyone interested in how CVCs like Wayra UK are blending capital with strategic alignment to fuel innovation, growth, and success.

Where to Connect:

• Wayra UK website

• Victoria on LinkedIn.

Welcome to Crown Castê, your financial literacy podcast for small businesses. We publish inspiring, insightful conversations with investors and stewards of capital.

In this episode of Crown Castê, we chat with Nick Button-Brown, award-winning angel investor and gaming industry veteran, about how building a community-centred approach to investing can transform the startup experience. Nick, recently named UKBAA Angel Investor of the Year, shares insights into his journey from game development to creating Games Angels—a network of industry veterans supporting early-stage startups in gaming (1:05).

Nick describes how Games Angels came together organically, with over 160 members invested in 29 companies, providing both capital and a unique camaraderie that goes beyond traditional investment structures. He explains the value of having an angel group rooted in shared interests and a desire to help startups succeed, fostering connections that make a difference for founders facing the highs and lows of startup life (4:42). Games Angels doesn’t operate as a formal syndicate; instead, they thrive on the individual contributions and informal networks of each member (6:00).

The episode explores Nick’s investment criteria: he looks for balanced teams, meaningful market impact, and business opportunities that offer both financial returns and personal fulfillment. He emphasizes that angel investing isn’t just about providing funds—it’s about being a coach, a confidant, and a guide for founders, especially when things get tough (10:23).

Nick and Nzube discuss trends in the gaming industry, including the evolving roles of augmented reality, multiplayer gaming as a social connector, and the impact of AI. Nick highlights the importance of monetization strategies, particularly in mobile and social media gaming, and shares his belief in the long-term potential of the metaverse, despite its recent scepticism (17:48).

For aspiring founders, Nick’s advice is to focus on building emotional connections with investors, as successful pitches often hinge on a genuine, long-term partnership (22:35). He encourages founders to approach investors openly and thoughtfully, as they will be partners for five to ten years—far beyond a simple transaction (24:04).

This episode is an insightful dive into how community-based angel investing can provide both strategic value and personal support, creating a collaborative ecosystem where startups are better equipped to succeed.

Where to Connect:

Nick Button Brown Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbuttonbrown/

Games Angles Website - https://thegamesangels.com/

Welcome to Crown Castê, your financial literacy podcast for small businesses. We publish inspiring, insightful conversations with investors and stewards of capital.

In this episode, we sit down with Ken Thomas, partner at BackFuture Ventures, who shares insights from the frontlines of venture capital and investment. From the bustling tech scene in New York to his experiences in London, Ken offers insights into early-stage investing and a view on what it takes to spot the next big thing. He also dives deep into what sets great founders apart, how storytelling plays a crucial role in winning investors, and the trends shaping the future of tech, including the rise of AI.

Ken reflects on his journey into VC, the challenges of navigating different ecosystems, and how he finds and nurtures relationships with founders. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for funding or curious about how the VC world works, this episode provides a treasure trove of actionable insights and real-world examples.

Timestamps

• Introduction and Ken’s Story (0:00 – 1:13)

• Investing in B2B SaaS and What VCs Look For (1:13 – 3:46)

• How Ken Finds Deals and Maintains Relationships (3:46 – 4:38)

• Comparing the VC Ecosystems: UK vs. US (5:35 – 7:15)

• Emerging Trends: AI and the Application Layer (7:40 – 8:58)

• The Importance of Storytelling for Founders (10:09 – 11:19)

• The Investment Process Explained (11:38 – 13:51)

• The Value Add of VCs (14:14 – 15:43)

• Community and Pitch Competitions (16:02 – 18:23)

• Closing Thoughts & Advice for Founders (18:38 – 19:24)

• BackFuture Ventures Website: https://www.backfuture.vc/

• Ken’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethkashifthomas/

Welcome to Crown Castê, your financial literacy podcast for small businesses. We publish inspiring, insightful conversations with investors and stewards of capital.

In today's episode, our host Nzube Ufodike interviews Amardeep, an angel investor and founder of the British-Asian entrepreneur platform, Bae HQ. They discuss Amardeep's journey from working at the Bank of England to becoming an angel investor, his angel investment thesis, and his investment strategy. Amardeep also shares tips for founders on how to stand out when reaching out to investors and the importance of building relationships before raising funds. They also talk about Bae HQ and its mission to support and empower British-Asian entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• Angel investors should have a clear investment thesis and consider factors such as the potential for good in the world, founder-product fit, and the founder's resilience and ability to build a team.
• When reaching out to investors, founders should personalize their messages and highlight why they believe the investor would be a good fit for their startup.
• Building relationships with investors before raising funds is important, as it allows for a more authentic connection and understanding of each other's perspectives.
• Amardeep also discusses Bae HQ, a platform he founded to support and empower British-Asian entrepreneurs through media, events, mentorship, and investment opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:12 Amardeep's Journey and Technical Background

03:24 Amardeep's Angel Investment Thesis

07:23 Tips for Founders: Standing Out and Building Relationships

14:10 Amardeep's Investment Strategy and LP in Funds

20:51 Bay HQ: Supporting British Asian Entrepreneurs

Bae HQ Website: https://www.thebaehq.com/

Amardeep’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amardeepsparmar/