Becoming a judge on Ready Set StartUP provided me with an unforgettable experience and the chance to leverage my expertise in a different setting. However, the benefits didn't end there. Sitting on the panel alongside some remarkable individuals in the industry, I had the privilege of being next to Tom Blomfield, the visionary founder of two incredible British companies, GoCardless and Monzo. It was disheartening to learn that Tom decided to move to the US as he believed it offered a better environment for tech businesses mainly for two reasons. Firstly, the UK still lags behind the US in creating an optimal startup ecosystem – there is much room for improvement. The good news is that SEIS 2.0 presents a silver lining for its development (learn more about it here). Secondly, losing such an exceptional talent who could have potentially created yet another successful business in the UK is a missed opportunity.
Thankfully, the UK has numerous accomplished entrepreneurs who serve as an inspiration for the current – and the next – generation of founders. While Richard Branson, Lord Alan Sugar, and Deborah Meaden are well-known figures, I would like to highlight lesser-known entrepreneurs who have impressed me.
Ann Boden
Ann Boden, the founder of Starling Bank, entered the entrepreneurial world later in life, at the age of 54, after a distinguished corporate career in major banks. Her previous experience undoubtedly contributed to her success with Starling Bank. Under her leadership, the bank attracted high-profile investors, achieved rapid scalability, and reached an impressive profitability of £32.1 million for the financial year ending in March 2022. Not bad for a first-time CEO!
Craig Massey
Craig Massey is a respected colleague of mine whom I have known for quite some time. He is an easy-going and immensely entertaining individual who might not quite fit the mould of the stereotypical businessperson, but he has actually successfully exited not once, but twice – in 2014 with Second Last Ticket (acquired by Monitise) and in 2021 with YourKeys (acquired by Zoopla). Currently, he runs an incubator called Trailblazer, where aspiring tech entrepreneurs can learn from his wealth of experience. His infectious energy and unwavering optimism are truly inspiring.
Ying Tan
Thanks to Ready Set StartUP, I had the pleasure of meeting Ying Tan, an entrepreneur and investor who joined the show as a mentor. Recently, he made an impressive exit with his mortgage business Dynamo. Instead of retiring, he acquired a significant stake and took an active role in a prop-tech company called Habito. There is much to learn from him, and I hope he continues to share his expertise and experiences on the set of Ready Set StartUP.
Victoria Beckham
You may wonder why Victoria Beckham is included here. While her celebrity status and Spice Girls background may provide some (arguably unfair) advantages, her entrepreneurial journey has had its fair share of ups and downs. Although she didn't face the financial struggles of starting a business from scratch, she had to work hard to be taken seriously in the fashion industry as a former performer and manage investors' expectations. Her business achieved profitability only last year, showcasing her determination. We eagerly look forward to seeing more high-profile individuals venturing into entrepreneurship.
Can Ready Set StartUP produce entrepreneurs of this calibre? Absolutely! Perhaps one of the show's participants will undergo this incredible competition, gain valuable business insights and visibility, and eventually succeed. Or maybe, the show will inspire someone to start or join a startup business, propelling them to the same level of success as Tom Blomfield and Ann Boden. Who knows, there might even be a "celebrity edition" of Ready Set StartUP in the future? Only time will tell. However, I firmly believe that with each new season, more entrepreneurial stars will be born on and off the screen.
