In this episode, Mark Shepherd, founder of London Tech Drinks and Gathr, shares his unconventional path from selling boat photos at 14 to building one of London's most influential tech communities. Mark challenges the startup orthodoxy of chasing unicorn valuations, making a compelling case for bootstrap-first strategies and sustainable growth.

Key insights include why founders should validate with Figma prototypes before building expensive tech, how the fundraising treadmill forces unicorn aspirations, and why Mark targets £20-30M exits over billion-dollar dreams. He also discusses the formulaic nature of business building, the importance of patience in finding the right growth channels, and how expanding to new markets like the US requires starting from "day dot" again.

Whether you're debating your first fundraise or questioning the bigger-is-better mentality, Mark's perspective offers a refreshing alternative to Silicon Valley's growth-at-all-costs culture.

Former PwC executive and Aspire to Lead founder Maureen shares essential skills for cross-cultural leadership and building culture from the top down. From managing international teams to avoiding cultural missteps, discover practical insights for leading effectively across borders. Perfect for founders expanding globally and leaders managing international teams.

In this illuminating episode of US Expansion Mini-Pod, Joanne Farquharson sits down with Geraldine McBride, a visionary leader who transitioned from SAP North America President to pioneering entrepreneur in the agentic AI space. Discover McBride's invaluable insights on navigating the American tech landscape, leveraging strategic partnerships for growth, and the cultural nuances that impact business expansion across borders. Learn how her 12-year journey building cutting-edge AI technology prepared her company for successful US market entry and global scaling.