The Startup Leap Podcast
Episodes
2025 Wrapped: The Startup Leap Edition
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2025 was the year of resilience. After 27 episodes and hours of deep dives with the world's most innovative founders, we’ve distilled our favourites...
The Truth About Building Startups in Africa | Miishe Addy’s Jetstream
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Misha Adi, co-founder, and CEO of JetStream Africa, shares her journey from working at Bain to raising over $21 million for JetStream...
From Music to Billion Dollar Brands: Decoding Rihanna’s Playbook with David Olusegun
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when a former record label founder applies the logic of venture studios to celebrity brand building? In this episode, David Olusegun, fou...
From McKinsey Consultant to $70M in Revenue: How She Built an AI-Powered Pet Insurance Empire
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🐾 Meet Hedda Båverud Olsson, Founder & CEO of Lassie — the startup transforming pet insurance and pet health. From McKinsey & EQT Ventur...
How Student Startups Grew From Dorm Rooms Into Million Dollar Tech Empires
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Startup Leap! In this episode, we dive deep into the journeys of student founders from undergraduates to PhDs who have turned their academi...
How She Built a 7 Million User App to Tackle Food Waste | Tessa Clarke of Olio
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Startup Leap, Maria and Yvonne sit down with Tessa Clarke, co-founder of Olio, the mission-driven app turning surplus food into...
Rejected by YC 5 Times, Now He’s Building Africa’s WISE | 50m+ Raised | Benjamin Fernandez, NALA
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in this riveting episode as we dive into the extraordinary journey of Benjamin, the founder and CEO of NALA, one of the fastest-growing fintec...
How Tyme Built Africa’s First Global Digital Bank | Coenraad Jonker of Tyme Bank
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Startup Leap, we sit down with Coen, the founder of Tyme Bank, to discuss the incredible journey of building a digital bank in ...
Shazam’s $400M Founder Meets the Woman Fixing HR with AI
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode we dive into the journeys of two exceptional entrepreneurs: Riham Satti, an Oxford Neuroscientist turned founder of MeVitae an...
He Quit MTN to Build Africa's Biggest Fintech Empire | $300m+ Raised | Dare Okoudjou, Onafriq
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we hear from Dare Okodjou, founder of Onafriq, Africa’s largest digital payments network, formerly MFS Africa. 500 million wallets ...
3 Startups. 1 Founder. All the Pain, Lessons & Wins (No BS): Josh Sandler | Lori, TruTax
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in this compelling episode as we sit down with Josh Sandler, co-founder of Lori and Founder and CEO of TruTax. Josh shares his transformative ...
From Self-Taught Developer to FinTech Founder: Victor Alade of Raenest
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for an insightful conversation with Victor, the founder and CEO of Raenest, as he shares his inspiring journey from a self-taught software dev...
From Broke & Pregnant to Building a $60B Industry | Ida Tin, Founder of Clue
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in this episode of Startup Leap as we sit down with Ida Tin, co-founder and chairwoman of Clue, a revolutionary women's health app that has em...
The 5-Minute Startup Advice That Could Save You Years (and Millions)
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, experienced entrepreneurs share insightful advice they would give to their younger selves. They emphasize trusting your instincts, as...
From Corporate Executive to Startup Founder: Abu Addae of LifeCheq
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Startup Leap, we dive into the fascinating journey of Abu Addae, the founder and CEO of LifeCheq. Abu transitioned from a senio...
Dilution 101 - How To Keep Control of Your Startup Before It’s Too Late
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Startup Leap, we dive into the critical topic of dilution and how it impacts founders. Learn from the experiences of legends like S...
He Dropped Out of Medical School, Built A HealthTech AI Startup To Help Millions | Ivan Beckley of Suvera
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful episode, Ivan shares his incredible journey from medical school with aspirations of becoming a surgeon, to interning at DeepMind, a...
This Ex-Google PM Is Fixing Addressing for 4 Billion People | Timbo Drayson of OkHi
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Startup Leap, Yvonne and Maria sit down with Timbo, the founder of OkHi, a startup rethinking smart addressing for emerging mar...
3 Costly Mistakes When Giving Equity As A First Time Founder
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Startup Leap, hosts Yvonne and Maria dive deep into critical considerations for startup founders focusing on equity allocation and ...
Lessons From Building StoryGraph: Side Project to Book Tracking Giant with Nadia Odunayo
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Nadia Odunayo, CEO and founder of The StoryGraph, discusses her journey from investment banking to founding a disruptive book trackin...
Lessons From Building Africa's Most Valued Fintech Unicorn with ‘GB’ of Flutterwave
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join hosts Maria and Yvonne on the Startup Leap Podcast as they dive deep into the inspiring journey of Olugbenga Agboola, popularly known as “GB”...
The 5 Biggest Mistakes First Time Startup Founders Make
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Startup Leap Podcast, hosts Yvonne and Maria explore the five critical mistakes first-time founders often make. Drawing from th...
Lessons From Building The World’s Largest Shared Wardrobe | Eshita Kabra-Davies, Founder and CEO, By Rotation
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this exciting episode of the Startup Leap Podcast, Hosts, Maria and Yvonne chat with Eshita Kabra-Davies, the visionary founder of the award-winnin...
Should You Raise VC Funding? 5 Key Questions To Ask
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking about VC funding for your startup? Before you make the leap, ask yourself these 5 crucial questions to see if venture capital is the right mo...
How To Find A Co-founder for Your Startup | Real Tech Startup Stories
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Startup Leap Podcast, hosts Maria and Yvonne discuss one of the most pivotal steps in launching a startup: finding the right co...
10+ G0-To-Market Startup Lessons To Launch Like A Pro
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we share 10+ go-to-market strategies from experienced founders we’ve spoken to on The Startup Leap who have collectively raised ove...
Audience Favs | College Dropout to Startup Success | Sait Cham | Founder of Hutch and Pimento
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You asked, we delivered! Here's a re-run of our mind-blowing chat with Sait Cham. Even if you’ve heard it before, you’ll catch new gems on the sec...
2024 Recap | Lessons, Laughs & Leaps of Faith | Yvonne & Maria
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the final leap of 2024! Reflecting on bold moves and big lessons, Yvonne and Maria take a walk down memory lane. They recall founder stories an...
Startup Stories | Building Tech for Central Banks | Carmelle Cadet | Founder of EmTech
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Startup Leap, meet Carmelle Cadet, the visionary behind EmTech, a company revolutionizing financial systems for central banks w...
Startup Stories | Big ideas start small—Paga is proof | Tayo Oviosu | Co-Founder, Paga
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We know there’s an issue with the sound on this episode, but trust us—it’s worth it! Dive into this epic conversation with Tayo Oviosu, Founder ...
Audience Favs | Three Time Founder | Eight Figure Exit | Timothy Armoo | Fanbytes
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ In this re-run episode, we sit down with three-time founder Timothy Armoo @timarmoo, who shares his inspiring Leap story, starting his company...
"I invested first, then joined as a co-founder", Gabriel Shin, Co-Founder Landscape VC
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🚀 On this episode of The Startup Leap, we chat with Gabriel Shin, Co-founder of Landscape, a data-driven platform helping VCs discover early-stage ...
“People Doubted Us. Two Years Later 100k Teenagers Use Luna” - Jasmine Schembri-Stothart, Co-founder, Luna
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ This week, The Startup Leap shares with you the inspiring journey of Jasmine Schembri-Stothart, co-founder of Luna—a health and wellbeing pl...
"From Farming to Fintech; Tech for Africa’s $780bn Food Market" - Tunde Kara, Co-Founder, Vendease
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ In this episode of The Startup Leap, we speak with Tunde Kara, Co-founder of Vendease, a groundbreaking platform empowering food businesses ac...
“We Put a Bitcoin ATM in a Church" - Elizabeth Rossiello, Founder & CEO at AZA Finance
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🚀 In our latest episode of The Startup Leap, we speak with Elizabeth Rossiello, Founder and CEO of AZA Finance, an innovator in African cross-borde...
“Building a High-Performing Team to Scale a Massive Vision” - Yvonne Bajela and Maria Rotilu, Partners at LocalGlobe and Openseed VC respectively
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🚀 In this episode, Yvonne and Maria dive into essential hiring insights every founder needs. Explore team-building strategies, co-founder compatibi...
“Tale of Two Startups, Building a Logistic Tech With or Without VC” - Sait Cham, Founder & CEO, Hutch & Pimento
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️Today on The Startup Leap, we feature Sait Cham, the Founder and CEO behind Hutch and Pimento. Learn how Sait built Hutch into a leading 3PL (T...
"From Working with David Beckham to Founder of Marketing Talent Marketplace" - Raffi Salama, CEO & Co-Founder, Passionfruit
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️On this episode of The Startup Leap, we sit down with Raffi Salama, CEO & Co-Founder of Passionfruit, a B2B marketplace connecting top-tier...
"Built Fintech Startup Serving 120m People With Zero VC Funding" - Sabrina Del Prete, Founder KORE Labs
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️This week on The Startup Leap, we sit down with Sabrina Del Prete, Founder of KORE Labs—a pioneering company transforming how financial insti...
"Ex-Googler Building Tech For the $1 Trillion Climate Challenge" - Marta Krupinska, Co-Founder Cur8
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In our latest The Startup Leap episode, we talk with Marta Krupinska, Co-founder of CUR8—a groundbreaking climate tech company focused on carbon rem...
"Investment Banker Turned Founder of Billion-Dollar Fintech Startup with 6m+ Users!"- Ed Robinson, Co-Founder Stash
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Startup Leap, we have a conversation with with Ed Robinson, Co-Founder of Stash—a fintech platform valued at over $1bn empowe...
"Designer Turned Founder of Virtual Reality Startup Raising Over $40m+” - Oluwaseyi Sosanya, Gravity Sketch
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ In this week's episode of The Startup Leap, we have a conversation with Oluwaseyi Sosanya, Co-founder and CEO of @GravitySketch – a groundbr...
"Founder of Fintech Startup Teaching over 2 million+ Children Money Skills" with Louise Hill of GoHenry
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ This week we’re excited to bring you the incredible story of Louise Hill, Co-founder of GoHenry a European fintech startup helping over 2M+ ...
"Founder Building for the $15bn African Electric Vehicle Market" with Tayo Bamiduro, Co-Founder of Max
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ This week we’re excited to bring you the incredible story of Co-Founder of Max, Tayo Bamiduro building for the $15bn Electric Vehicle Market...
"Four-Time Entrepreneur, now Founder of Climate Tech Startup" with Julia Collins of Planet FWD
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is the startup leap story of the amazing Julia Collins, a four-time founder, one of which was a unicorn. Julia's current startup has raised a $16...
"From Ex-Lawyer to Founder of Legal AI Startup that Raised $36m" - Richard Robinson of RobinAI
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ This week we’re excited to bring you the incredible story of Richard Robinson, an ex-lawyer turned Founder of Legal -Tech startup RobinAI.Ro...
"Founder of acquired dating app, now Fintech founder" with Sameh Saleh, Co-Founder MNZL
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ This week we’re excited to bring you the incredible story of Sameh Saleh, a three-time founder who’s taken his passion for building busine...
"From Lawyer to Tech Founder of App with 3 million+ users" with Michelle Kennedy of Peanut
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ This week Yvonne and Maria bring you the unstoppable Michelle Kennedy, the powerhouse founder behind Peanut—the app that’s transforming ho...
"Three Time Founder, Eight Figure Exit" with Timothy Armoo of Fanbytes
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ In our first guest episode, we sit down with three-time founder Timothy Armoo @timarmoo, who shares his inspiring Leap story, starting his com...
"From South London to Global Unicorn Investor" with Yvonne Bajela, Partner at LocalGlobe
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ In our second "Meet the Host" episode, we sit down with the amazing @YvonneBajela who shares her inspiring journey from working at Goldman Sac...
"Ex-Uber to Founder of $10m VC Fund" with Maria Rotilu, Founder Openseed VC
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ In our first "Meet the Host" episode, we sit down with the incredible Maria Rotilu, who shares her inspiring Leap story, transitioning from Op...
Welcome to The Startup Leap (Trailer)
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your Hosts; Yvonne and Maria share what to expect as you listen to The Startup Leap (TSL)It promises to be packed with insights, real-life stories of ...