Listen Now

Wondering just how to create a concise and impactful pitch deck? In this episode I walk you through a five step template I come back to, every time I review someone's pitch deck. Now it's yours! Let me know how you get on - maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com Also, if you're enjoying the show, we would LOVE it if you could leave us a little review 💕. Thanks!

This is a long episode, but worth every minute. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and join me and Doone Roisin as we talk through her remarkable journey. Doone Roisin is the founder and host of the popular podcast show, Female Startup Club, ranking in the Top 50 charts for Entrepreneurship. As a digital marketing expert, Doone has worked for global brands such as Snapchat, IMG and The Iconic – Australia’s largest online retailer. As an entrepreneur, she has launched her own companies, including the renowned direct-to-consumer jewellery brand, Kincs, the Female Startup private network and her soon to be launched new venture; a non alcoholic wine company. Since 2020, she has interviewed over 200 successful businesswomen, in a mission to educate and elevate female entrepreneurs around the world. She is actively supporting the Malala Fund in an effort to fight for girls' rights around the world and provide every girl the access to 12 years of safe, free education. More from Doone and FSC: Female Startup Club Linkedin @dooneroisin on IG, Twitter, and TikTok

Today I talk with Philip Eliot, Operating Partner at Orchid Black, and someone who has tremendous experience in Venture Capital (20+ years!). I ask what makes startups and founders resilient though economic downturns, and what might be contributing to this abysmal statistic we keep hearing about: how female founded teams receive only 2.3% of venture capital out there. I'd love to hear your thoughts, too! What do you think? Is there a pipeline issue? How have you navigated entering the tech industry? Email me on maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com - I'd love to feature you on the show! Philip has been a venture capital investor for the last 20+ years, primarily in the enterprise software sector and more recently in the social impact sector as well (environmental sustainability, health, and economic mobility). After working as a strategy consultant at Dean and Company, with a focus on the telecommunications and utilities sectors, he began his venture capital career in 2000 at FBR Technology Venture Partners (FBRTVP). That was the height of the Internet bubble, and FBRTVP was one of the leading firms on the East Coast, ultimately producing a return of almost 10x to its investors. In 2018, he launched his own investment and advisory firm, Reflection Ventures, which focuses on early stage companies with positive social impact, in areas such as environmental sustainability, healthcare, and improving upward socio-economic mobility for lower-income Americans. He is currently an operating partner at Orchid Black where he has been advising cleantech and enterprise software companies. Philip holds an undergraduate degree in Physics from Harvard University. Learn more about Philip and Orchid Black here: Orchid Black Linkedin

On this episode I'm joined by Mara Larson-Richard, co-CEO of Ada's List. We discuss her views on ethics and AI, the definition of a "woman in tech" and why it's often misunderstood, what female founders need more of, and finally, how to cultivate great networks. If you're interested in the Ada's List conference, you can get tickets here: Ada's List Annual Conf 2021 (onlive.events) and become a part of the community here: http://www.adaslist.co Mara Larson-Richard brings experience from politics, education and technology to her role in leading Ada’s List. Mara started her career working for Hillary Clinton, founded and successfully exited her own business, and most recently founded and grew the International business for Civitas Learning, an AI company serving more than 400 educational institutions globally. Mara is a frequent speaker on AI, data and ethics, including providing testimony in the British Parliament at the Technology and Data Ethics Inquiry. Along with her work at Ada’s List, Mara is currently attending the INSEAD GEMBA programme and is an active research contributor on the project lead by Northumbria University on using predictive analytics to improve student wellbeing as part of the Office for Students Mental Health Challenge Call. Mara lives in London where she loves pilates, unique experiences and spicy food. Find more of Mara: https://www.twitter.com/MaraRichard https://www.instagram.com/MaraLarsonRichard LinkedIn: Mara Larson-Richard Follow Ada's List: https://www.twitter.com/adaslist  https://www.instagram.com/adas_list LinkedIn: Ada's List

Today, I look back at coaching and mentoring students. While they face many a same startup challenge, their outlook on the journey can be inspiring for us all. Join the conversation on: maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com https://www.mennenia.com

If you are in business because you’re looking to make a huge impact in the world, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Sofia Queiroz and Henry Wigan from Mustard Seed MAZE, a VC firm who believe social good and profitable businesses go hand in hand. Among others, their portfolio houses companies such as Olio, where Saasha and Tessa usher in the food sharing revolution and Beulah where founders Lavinia and Natasha empower survivors of human trafficking. We discuss What might be contributing to the lack of funding of women entrepreneurs How MSM have a pipeline and portfolio of 30% female founders What contributes to a great founder worth investing in The one thing their female founders have in common Learn more about MSM on their website, twitter and linkedin. Connect with Henry on linkedin and Sofia on linkedin. Henry co-founded Mustard Seed, and is a Board Member of MAZE. He was formerly a Director and Portfolio Manager at BlackRock in London, having started his career at Goldman Sachs. Henry was the recipient of the GSGL academic scholarship for social entrepreneurship and holds a First Class Honours degree from London School of Economics in Economics and Economic History. Henry serves on the boards of Winnow, Goodclub, Outmind, Student Finance and Knok Healthcare. Sofia is part of the investment team at MSM. Sofia's main focus is to identify the great businesses of the future, build the impact case of the ventures we partner with and help them scale while growing their social and environmental outcomes. Previously a Financial Services Consultant at Deloitte. MSc in ESCP Europe, BSc in Management from Catolica Lisbon School of Business.

Sehaam is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), founder of Better Conversations, and creator of the online course for leaders, CPD Certified Leaders Who Coach™. A seasoned entrepreneur and business owner, her coaching, consulting and teaching focuses drawing out the human in us to deepen our understanding of one another and strengthen our relationships. Because it’s our ability to reach across the divide and build inviting bridges, emotional connections, that earn us permission to influence for good. Sehaam is also the host of Better Conversations Podcast, giving her the privilege of exploring the minds of many diverse and wonderful humans, and holding disarmingly intimate conversations about conversations. Of Arab-English heritage, she is a single mum to 3 teenagers, a Fox Red Labrador and a long-haired ginger cat to match. Every morning is feeding time at the zoo. Find more of Sehaam here: Better Conversations Sehaam's courses and programs Sehaam's Podcast

Harvard Business Review and Crunchbase have reported that in 2020 only 2.3% of VC capital went to women owned businesses. (see here: Women-Led Startups Received Just 2.3% of VC Funding in 2020 (hbr.org)) This is outrageously low. In this episode I introduce our Investment Impact Series, a long time in the making, where I team up with fantastic people — angel investors, founders, VC firms — people with years of experience in this field to share their thoughts on why this is and what we could be doing differently. Learn more at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/lets-talk-about-the-2-3-percent

Many women I speak with have considered starting a tech company, when really, their unique value centers around their content. In this case, technology is just an efficient delivery vehicle. A few years ago, Eleanor found herself asking the same question as she continued to expand her growing coaching business. By honing in on what made her 7-figure business untouchable, she was able to set a very clear strategy that has skyrocketed her business even further. Listen as she walks us through it all in EP28 of Cutting Through Tech. Want to hear more from women’s business and leadership expert, Eleanor? You can find her at: eleanorbeaton.com powerpresenceposition.com incubatormastermind.com Eleanor Beaton is the founder of SafiMedia, an education & coaching company for women entrepreneurs. SafiMedia is committed to advancing global gender equity one woman-owned business at a time. Together with her colleagues, Eleanor is on a mission is to double the number of women entrepreneurs who scale past $1M in revenue by 2030.  Eleanor hosts the Power + Presence + Position podcast, a top-ranked podcast for female founders with over 1.5 million downloads to date. The former chair of the Visiting Women’s Executive Exchange Program at the Yale School of Management, Eleanor has been featured in publications including The Globe & Mail, The Atlantic, CBC, Chatelaine and more.

You want to launch a tech business. You’re already familiar with popular methodologies, like The Lean Startup. You’re ready up for the race that is entrepreneurship. But now you encounter barriers, stopping you in your tracks and jeopardising your dream. Let’s look at how to beat those odds. Read the article at www.startupsmagazine.co.uk. Hit us up on Twitter (@mennenia) or email in on maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com.

Are you developing a product you’re looking to sell direct to consumer, at the hand of technology? Have you always wondered how to set up a product-based subscription business? Are you looking for serious inspiration from a serial entrepreneur who’s been there before? Today we have Marcia Kilgore on the show, founder of 5 successful global businesses, talking tech.  You can use MARCIASENTME to get extra £50 credit at beautypie.com. Hit us up on Twitter (@mennenia) or email in on maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com.

Do you have a pitching event coming up? Have you written and re-written your slides countless times? Are you wondering how the successful founders structure their pitch? Stay tuned, because on this episode I give you 3 tips to tighten and polish up your winning pitch.  Hit us up on Twitter (@mennenia) or email in on maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com.

Are you convinced that the only next available option to you is to go out and fundraise? Do you find yourself routinely posting on forums and mailing lists, trying to find a CTO? Does the idea of bootstrapping your tech business seem impossible? Today we hear from Caroline Hughes, who successfully bootstrapped her business before raising a quarter million pounds in crowdfunding. Find Caroline on: www.lifetise.com www.twitter.com/caz_lifetise

Are you working away on an app, investing TONS of cash, forecasting ALL this revenue down the line? Are you aware that Apple and Google can take as much as 30% from that? Epic Games recently filed a lawsuit AGAINST Apple for this exact reason. If you are working on monetising an app, you need to know all about the App Store pricing models. Get in touch through maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com.

As expected, Apple released their own chips, and of course all that's new in each of their software updates, from iOS, to the iPad, Watch, and Mac. But why is the transition to Apple Silicon so interesting? What does it mean for the direction of Apple and for you, if you're in the business of developing apps? Tune in to find out more. Want to get personalised advice? You can sign up for a free strategy session on mennenia.com or get in touch on maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com.

Today’s episode is the first in a two part special all about WWDC, Apple’s yearly conference for developers. But what happens at WWDC actually does actually have quite the ripple effect into the rest of the industry, and perhaps your business too. Tune in to find out more about the event, and what to expect when it happens next week. Looking to create an app? Join me at my masterclass all about successful apps. https://successfulapps.mennenia.com/ In one hour, you will learn which businesses can benefit from an app, the tried and tested way of creating great ones, what your next step should be. We'll also look at common pitfalls in the app development process and just how to avoid those. These are the things that women entrepreneurs have told me they wish they knew when they started.

In this episode I'm joined by Philippa Sturt, managing partner at Joelson Law and expert in the legal intricacies of startups. We discuss ways of funding your business, the effect of COVID on investment opportunities, and the UK’s Future Fund scheme. Philippa also shares some stories from clients that you will want hear, so you are better prepared when raising capital for your startup. Get in touch with Philippa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippa-sturt-a5b0402b/ Email: philippa.s@joelsonlaw.com Website: https://joelsonlaw.com More about the Future Fund: https://joelsonlaw.com/insights/future-fund/ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/future-fund

In today's episode we talk about finding that important co-founder in your startup. Most founders are desperate for a CTO. Why may that be a bad idea and what to do instead? What does a CTO even do? We look at all that and more. Want to get personalised advice? You can sign up for a free strategy session on mennenia.com or get in touch on maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com.

In today's episode we’re talking about testing your app through beta programs. What is a beta program, and should you have one? Tune in to find out all about this and more, like, how to avoid becoming one of the 79% of apps that is abandoned after day one. Eh, not you, of course. Don't forget, you get a free strategy session on mennenia.com or get in touch on maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com.

Today's episode is dedicated to the MVP. And in tech, it stands for Minimum Viable Product. I’ll walk you through what it really means and why it’s so important.  We’ll be covering a SIMPLE but POWERFUL exercise you can do to get to the core of your app, because you want to start breaking down the work. An app is a marathon not a sprint, but what does your first 5k run look like? Your first training session? I got you covered. If you are: At the stage that you’re seriously considering working with developers Preparing to raise investment/capital If you’re bootstrapping, at the stage you’re thinking of investing serious money into development yourself. listen up! I am currently offering a done-for-you get started kit on app development — The App Lab — where you get: A coaching consultation where we capture every extent of your idea and goals  A done-for-you roadmap and pitch outline If required, a testing and research strategy for you to validate your app Access to proven research tools and templates, so you can get answers and data straight away This is an opportunity for you to get a bespoke plan outlining exactly where to go next with your app. With it, you can communicate your vision and idea clearly to stakeholders, investors, and other developers, making your app a reality. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about The App Lab, let's chat! You can book some time here. Want to know when we're running our next event? Register on mennenia.com/masterclass. Find the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/s2e5 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on maxim@cuttingthroughtech.com