VOOM Podcast

Nikki Bedi presents highlights from the 2018 VOOM final, with pitches from the six finalists and words from Richard Branson and his fellow judges Tropic Skincare founder Susie Ma, Innocent Drinks co-founder Richard Reed, entrepreneur and presenter Sophie Morgan and Virgin Media Business MD Peter Kelly.We also hear from previous VOOM winner Toby McCartney (CEO of MacRebur) who gives his top tips for a perfect pitch, plus there’s a surprise appearance from Sir Mo Farah.

In this episode Nikki Bedi is at the 2018 VOOM semi-final event in Manchester to soak up the competition atmosphere as companies get ready to pitch. She is joined by two brilliant entrepreneurs from the North West – Rachel Clacher, co-founder of office-outsourcing pioneers Moneypenny, and Naomi Timperley co-founder of Tech North Advocates, an initiative set up to champion digital businesses in the region. We also hear from Mark Brant, the managing director of Paypal in the UK (a partner in this year's VOOM competition) with top tips for growing a business internationally.

In this episode Nikki Bedi is joined by two entrepreneurs who’ve used personal experiences as catalysts for their businesses. Michelle Kennedy (formerly Board Advisor / Director at the dating app Bumble) explains how a period of loneliness after the birth of her first child inspired her to create an app for mums called Peanut – helping women chat, meet and solve problems together. She is joined by Doctor Sue Black, an entrepreneur whose life-changing journey in computer science became a springboard for her to enable others through the social enterprise #TechMums. Plus we’ve a special guide to investment from VOOM competition partners Grant Thornton, as Sarah Abrahams (Head of Growth Finance) debunks some of the common myths and mistakes companies make whilst raising capital. 

In this episode Nikki Bedi meets three entrepreneurs who’ve built their businesses around social media. She is joined by Jungle Creations founder Jamie Bolding – a company commanding an astounding 5 billion monthly views across its channels on Facebook, Martin Adams from Codec.ai who use artificial intelligence to improve audience impact, and writer and presenter Emma Gannon (Ctrl Alt Delete/ The Multi-Hyphen Method) to discuss the top tips and strategies. VOOM reporter Chris Reed also meets outdoor advertising experts JCDecaux – to find out why the traditional billboard ad is more relevant than ever.

In this episode Nikki Bedi meets two entrepreneurs who’ve brought innovation to existing markets. Emily Brooke describes her journey as the founder of Blaze – a challenger brand in the world of cycling – whose invention, the Laserlight aims to make every bike safer. She’s joined by Jas Bagniewski, who has turned the mattress into a £140million pound valued company, at Eve Sleep. Plus as this years VOOM competition begins, we hear from previous winner Toby McCarney of Macrebur with his top tips for entrants. 

In the first episode of this new series for 2018 Nikki Bedi meets Thomasina Miers, founder of Mexican food chain Wahaca, and Andrew Hunt, founder of African-inspired superfood company Aduna. Together they discuss how they’ve built ‘profit with purpose’ into their business journeys – from scaling sustainability within the restaurant world, to kickstarting a new industry for rural African producers. And with the VOOM competition in full swing, we hear from one of the judges of this year’s Virgin Unite Impact Award, Cemal Ezel (of Change Please) whose own company is fighting homelessness with coffee. 

In the final episode of this series Nikki Bedi is joined by two founders who have placed community at the heart of their mission. Holly Tucker - founder of Not On The High Street and Holly & Co - explains why supporting small businesses has become her obsession, whilst Pip Jamieson shares how she’s built both profit and purpose in her creative network, The Dots.Meanwhile Voom reporter Chris Reed also explores community spirit in the craft beer industry, as he meets Logan Plant from Beavertown Brewery. Plus we go inside Voom Pioneers, our very own small business community.

In this episode Nikki Bedi is joined by Oliver Bridge from Cornerstone, the subscription shaving company, and Ned Corbett-Winder from Not Another Bill, the surprise gift shop. They discuss the advantages of the subscription model in make shopping a more convenient and curated experience, whilst livening up people’s post boxes along the way. VOOM reporter Chris Reed also introduces one of the standout companies from the recent VOOM Tour stop in Winchester, Tamsin Gordon of Glitzbox. 

In this episode Nikki Bedi meets Simon Mottram, founder and chief executive of the Rapha cycling brand - a runaway success in the British apparel market. They are also joined by Avi Lasarow of DNAFit, who explains his pioneering approach to genetics testing to inform nutrition and fitness. While VOOM reporter Chris Reed meets Sylvain Filippi - the CTO at DS Virgin Racing - plus we’ve got the latest from the VOOM Tour, including a very special brunch with Richard Branson.