Founder's Voyage

Spencer Walker-Fooks, Nancy Nash
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Founder’s Voyage is a podcast for the ones building in the dark, the ones failing forward, and the ones figuring it out as they go. We bring you unfiltered conversations with founders who’ve faced the highs, and the lows. Just real lessons from the people in the arena. Whether you're scaling a startup or sketching your first idea on a napkin, these are the stories that remind you you're not alone—and the insights that help you move forward. We are an entrepreneurial community united by a shared mission of shared learning and supporting each other.

  1. 154 - Dual Insight into Founders and Investors - Simon Olson

    2 DAYS AGO

    154 - Dual Insight into Founders and Investors - Simon Olson

    Simon is a serial entrepreneur and investor known for applying cutting-edge AI to real-world problems, with a track record spanning over a decade across diverse verticals. As CEO and founding partner of Togi AI, he leads initiatives to bring autonomous intelligence to manufacturing, building on a legacy of transformative startups, successful exits, and hands-on hardware-software integration. Simon has also co-founded one of the world’s largest AI hackathon platforms and accelerators, and actively manages a venture fund investing in deep tech across Europe. His approach blends rapid prototyping, deep technical expertise, and a unique talent for recognising and capitalising on industry transformation opportunities. 💡 What You’ll Learn from Simon's Journey: 🔸 Embrace the Pain and Keep Moving: Building a startup is never a smooth ride, expect setbacks, frustration, and self-doubt. Simon emphasises developing resilience and learning to love the process of continual challenge and adaptation. 🔸 Build, Iterate, and Validate Fast: Simon stresses the importance of rapid prototyping and relentless iteration. Launch early, get real-world feedback, and use it to guide your product and business decisions rather than waiting for perfection or outside funding. 🔸 Chase Deep Value, Don’t Settle for Surface Solutions: For lasting impact and defensability, look for opportunities where you can integrate deeply into verticals (like manufacturing), control more of the value chain, and solve core, not peripheral, problems. 🔸 Choose Investors Strategically, Not Just for Capital: Simon explains that most investors provide little value beyond money. Seek out partners who offer operational leverage, industry insight, and real networks, especially those who've truly experienced your target sector. You can connect with Simon on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to follow his journey. 🎥 Big thanks to VidOps for supporting Founders Voyage. Use code voyage at ⁠vidops.io⁠ for 10% off expert audio, video, animation, and photography services. 👏 Props to the stellar crew: Nancy Nash, Daniel M. Melo, Carlos Javier Chacón Sánchez, Matthew Ray, and host Spencer Walker-Fooks. You bring this show to life. 🥂 Want to support the journey? Join us on ⁠Patreon⁠ and help amplify more voices like Simon. #FoundersVoyage #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    40 min
  2. 153 - Founder Leverage AI to Transform Local Government Efficiency - Erica Olsen

    28/12/2025

    153 - Founder Leverage AI to Transform Local Government Efficiency - Erica Olsen

    Erica Olsen is an accomplished entrepreneur, strategic planning expert, and the co-founder and CEO of OnStrategy, a strategic planning software and consulting firm. With over 20 years dedicated to helping organizations worldwide execute their vision, Erica recently launched Madison AI, a fast-growing govtech startup spun out of OnStrategy. Under her leadership, Madison AI has rapidly scaled to 40 government clients in just 18 months, pioneering responsible and user-centric AI solutions for cities and counties. Erica is also the author of "Strategic Planning for Dummies" and a popular creator of practical business content on YouTube, known for her approachable, effective strategies and authentic leadership journey. 💡 What You’ll Learn from Erica's Journey: 🔸 Resilience Through Change: Erica’s openness about weathering economic downturns, personal health crises, and the rapid evolution of technology highlights how resilience and adaptability are critical traits for entrepreneurial longevity. 🔸 The Power of Product-Market Fit: Learn why genuine product-market fit is unmistakable, and essential for scalable growth, as Erica contrasts the grind of professional services with the rocket-ship trajectory of Madison AI. 🔸 Responsible Innovation in GovTech: Discover how Erica’s partnership with government clients and focus on responsible, accessible AI is enabling even small jurisdictions to unlock efficiency through technology without being left behind. 🔸 Redefining Success & Leadership: Erica shares the importance of personal wellbeing, team-first leadership, and redefining entrepreneurial success beyond just financial outcomes, offering a holistic and human perspective on building lasting businesses. You can connect with Erica on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to follow her journey. 🎥 Big thanks to VidOps for supporting Founders Voyage. Use code voyage at ⁠vidops.io⁠ for 10% off expert audio, video, animation, and photography services. 👏 Props to the stellar crew: Nancy Nash, Daniel M. Melo, Carlos Javier Chacón Sánchez, Matthew Ray, and host Spencer Walker-Fooks. You bring this show to life. 🥂 Want to support the journey? Join us on ⁠Patreon⁠ and help amplify more voices like Erica. #FoundersVoyage #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    51 min
  3. 152 - Fordje Founder Changing the Game for Clean Tech and Construction - Gillian (Wildfire) Sowray

    21/12/2025

    152 - Fordje Founder Changing the Game for Clean Tech and Construction - Gillian (Wildfire) Sowray

    Gillian (Wildfire) Sowray is the co-founder and CEO of Fordje, the first AI platform designed to truly understand and structure the complex and ever-changing world of city, zoning, and building codes. With a background that spans political campaigns, an MBA from Carnegie Mellon, and product leadership in clean tech and software, Gillian has channeled her expertise into building a transformative tool for construction and clean energy teams. By taking on one of the biggest bottlenecks in construction, navigating thousands of local regulations, she empowers teams to scale confidently and efficiently across the US and beyond. Under her leadership, Fordje is not only solving a technical challenge but also helping cities and companies bring their values and ambitions for sustainable growth to life. 💡 What You’ll Learn from Gillian's Journey: 🔸 The Power of Customer-Centric Product Development: Gillian’s story highlights the importance of deep customer research, listening to feedback, and focusing on pain points that are both highly niche and broadly impactful. 🔸 Trust-Building in Emerging Markets: Learn how building credibility, especially in industries that are slow to adopt new tech, is crucial, and how leveraging relationships and transparency accelerates early traction. 🔸 Scale and Focus: Gillian demonstrates the discipline required to say “no” to distractions, stay focused on core markets, and design a business model that adapts as technology and customer needs evolve. 🔸 Founders, Teams, and Community: Discover how cultivating open communication in founding teams, surrounding yourself with supportive advisors, and building community is vital for surviving, and thriving, on the entrepreneurial journey. You can connect with Gillian on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to follow her journey. 🎥 Big thanks to VidOps for supporting Founders Voyage. Use code voyage at ⁠vidops.io⁠ for 10% off expert audio, video, animation, and photography services. 👏 Props to the stellar crew: Nancy Nash, Daniel M. Melo, Carlos Javier Chacón Sánchez, Matthew Ray, and host Spencer Walker-Fooks. You bring this show to life. 🥂 Want to support the journey? Join us on ⁠Patreon⁠ and help amplify more voices like Gillian. #FoundersVoyage #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    51 min
  4. 151 - Founder After Space Industry Opportunities - Spencer In Space

    19/12/2025

    151 - Founder After Space Industry Opportunities - Spencer In Space

    Spencer is a senior R&D Robotics Systems engineer at Magnet Medical Robotics, a co-founder of the Founder's Voyage Discord Community, and an MIT Entrepreneurship Bootcamp alumnus. With a deep passion for robotics, household automation, and IoT, Spencer focuses on leveraging technology to improve daily life. Recently, he has delved into developing deployable parabolic dish technology for space communications, pitching innovative ideas to organizations like NATO and seeking to address the infrastructure challenges of modern space exploration. Spencer’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a steadfast commitment to advancing humanity’s reach into space. 💡 What You’ll Learn from Spencer's Journey: 🔸 Turning Inspiration into Action: Discover how early fascination and exposure to sci-fi sparked a tangible pursuit of solving real-world problems in space communication. 🔸 Navigating High-Stakes Grant Applications: Learn Spencer’s approach to writing compelling grant proposals, leveraging AI tools wisely, and refining ideas through collaboration and constructive feedback. 🔸 Building Complementary Teams: Explore the importance of finding co-founders with complementary skills, broad mindsets, and the ability to balance vision with practical considerations in early-stage startups. 🔸 Iterating in Uncharted Markets: Understand how to creatively identify new markets for emerging technology, persist through challenges, and plan multiple paths to funding and viability in the face of uncertainty. You can connect with Spencer on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to follow his journey. 🎥 Big thanks to VidOps for supporting Founders Voyage. Use code voyage at ⁠vidops.io⁠ for 10% off expert audio, video, animation, and photography services. 👏 Props to the stellar crew: Nancy Nash, Daniel M. Melo, Carlos Javier Chacón Sánchez, Matthew Ray, and host Spencer Walker-Fooks. You bring this show to life. 🥂 Want to support the journey? Join us on ⁠Patreon⁠ and help amplify more voices like Spencer. #FoundersVoyage #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    39 min
  5. 150 - The Role of Technology and Ethical Considerations in Modern Logistics - Pavithra Gopal

    11/12/2025

    150 - The Role of Technology and Ethical Considerations in Modern Logistics - Pavithra Gopal

    Pavithra Gopal is an accomplished corporate innovator specializing in supply chain management and logistics. With roots in eastern India and a background as the daughter of an entrepreneur, Pavithra’s journey has taken her from engineering studies to a master’s from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a MicroMasters from MIT with distinction, and impactful roles at Textron and Sonos. Now a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, she is at the forefront of warehouse and transportation automation, integrating cutting-edge technology and best practices in her field. Pavithra stands out for her passion for streamlining complex systems and empowering emerging innovators in the logistics space. 💡 What You’ll Learn from Pavithra's Journey: 🔸 Embracing Calculated Risk & Failing Fast: Pavithra emphasizes the importance of informed risk-taking, doing due diligence but not staying stuck in analysis paralysis. Taking swift, calculated action is critical for growth and innovation. 🔸 Leveraging Technology for Scale: She shows how automation and visibility are game-changers for startups transitioning to larger operations in logistics, underlining that even young companies should invest early in tech solutions to stay competitive. 🔸 Innovate Everywhere, Corporate or Startup: Pavi demonstrates that entrepreneurial skills are vital not just for founders, but also for intrapreneurs within large organisations. You can drive impactful change by simplifying processes and championing user-centric innovations wherever you work. 🔸 The Vital Role of Ethics and Collaboration: She encourages big players to support, not stifle, startup innovation, citing issues of intellectual property and corporate acquisitions as crucial areas for preserving a healthy, evolving industry. You can connect with Pavi on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to follow her journey. 🎥 Big thanks to VidOps for supporting Founders Voyage. Use code voyage at ⁠vidops.io⁠ for 10% off expert audio, video, animation, and photography services. 👏 Props to the stellar crew: Nancy Nash, Daniel M. Melo, Carlos Javier Chacón Sánchez, Matthew Ray, and host Spencer Walker-Fooks. You bring this show to life. 🥂 Want to support the journey? Join us on ⁠Patreon⁠ and help amplify more voices like Pavi. #FoundersVoyage #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    46 min
  6. 149 - The Secret Weapon for Feeding the World and Saving the Planet - Mollie Langdon

    09/12/2025

    149 - The Secret Weapon for Feeding the World and Saving the Planet - Mollie Langdon

    Mollie Langdon is a postdoctoral seed development biologist at Rothamsted Research in the UK, where she focuses on increasing crop yields through advanced gene editing techniques such as CRISPR. With a PhD and undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Bath, Mollie has become a key voice in the field of plant biotechnology, recently representing the Association of Applied Biologists at the Royal Society of Biology’s “Voice of the Future 2025” event. Her expertise spans the intricacies of genetic modification and editing, and she is committed to clear science communication, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and public understanding. 💡 What You’ll Learn from Mollie's Journey: 🔸 Science Communication Matters: Mollie demonstrates how demystifying complex scientific concepts for the public builds trust and enables informed decision-making, a crucial skillset for entrepreneurs in any tech-driven space. 🔸 Ethical Innovation & Regulation: Navigating new technology requires ethical awareness and adherence to (and even advocacy for) smart regulatory frameworks, as seen in Mollie’s discussion of gene editing laws in the UK and globally. 🔸 Leveraging Precision for Impact: Mollie highlights the value of precise technological advancement, whether in biotechnology or business, showing how aiming for incremental, targeted improvements can drive outsized change. 🔸 The Power of Critical Thinking: Her advice to always check information sources and maintain a questioning mindset is a crucial habit for founders navigating hype cycles, media narratives, and new trends. You can connect with Mollie on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to follow her journey. 🎥 Big thanks to VidOps for supporting Founders Voyage. Use code voyage at ⁠vidops.io⁠ for 10% off expert audio, video, animation, and photography services. 👏 Props to the stellar crew: Nancy Nash, Daniel M. Melo, Carlos Javier Chacón Sánchez, Matthew Ray, and host Spencer Walker-Fooks. You bring this show to life. 🥂 Want to support the journey? Join us on ⁠Patreon⁠ and help amplify more voices like Mollie. #FoundersVoyage #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    59 min
  7. 148 - How this Founder is Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment - Sharon Cunningham

    07/12/2025

    148 - How this Founder is Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment - Sharon Cunningham

    Sharon Cunningham is the CEO and co-founder of Shorla Oncology, an innovative specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing oncology drugs for women’s and pediatric cancers. Recognized as Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur of 2019 and EY Entrepreneur of the year 2024, Sharon brings deep expertise at the intersection of finance and biotech. With a chartered accountancy background, an executive MBA, and experience scaling and exiting a previous pharma startup, Sharon is leading Shorla Oncology’s push for accessible, life-changing therapies in areas often overlooked by larger firms. 💡 What You’ll Learn from Sharon's Journey:🔸 The Power of Mentorship: Sharon credits key mentors as fundamental to her personal growth and resilience, emphasizing the importance of seeking diverse advisors at every career stage.🔸 Building in Overlooked Markets: By focusing on women’s and pediatric cancers, areas often ignored due to lower commercial appeal, Sharon demonstrates how passion, expertise, and mission-driven strategies can uncover meaningful entrepreneurial opportunities.🔸 Team and Culture Matter: She highlights that skillsets alone aren’t enough; attitude, adaptability, and a shared mission underpin her team’s rapid progress and innovative culture.🔸 Navigating Growth and Change: Sharon offers candid insights on fundraising, pivots, and the vital role of being in love with solving the problem, not being wedded to one solution, even in the face of regulatory and logistical setbacks. You can connect with Sharon on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to follow her journey. 🎥 Big thanks to VidOps for supporting Founders Voyage. Use code voyage at ⁠vidops.io⁠ for 10% off expert audio, video, animation, and photography services. 👏 Props to the stellar crew: Nancy Nash, Daniel M. Melo, Carlos Javier Chacón Sánchez, Matthew Ray, and host Spencer Walker-Fooks. You bring this show to life. 🥂 Want to support the journey? Join us on ⁠Patreon⁠ and help amplify more voices like Sharon. #FoundersVoyage #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    38 min
  8. 147 - How Founder's Adapt in Times of Crisis - Miranda Phua

    01/12/2025

    147 - How Founder's Adapt in Times of Crisis - Miranda Phua

    Miranda is an accomplished social entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of ZigWay, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting low-income families in Myanmar. An MIT Bootcamp alumna, Miranda has mentored multiple bootcamp cohorts and brings a unique perspective as a first-generation immigrant, seasoned finance professional, and global development leader. Her achievements include spearheading innovative fintech and food security solutions for underserved communities, leading emergency food distribution during Myanmar’s upheaval, and navigating dynamic, politically volatile markets with resilience and deep compassion. 💡 What You’ll Learn from Miranda's Journey: 🔸 Resilience in Crisis Leadership: Miranda’s experience steering a mission-driven venture through Myanmar’s military coup and civil unrest reveals how leaders can rapidly adapt, pivot operations, and keep teams motivated in times of deep uncertainty. 🔸 Building Solutions with (and for) Your Community: Her journey demonstrates the importance of deep user research and co-designing solutions directly with those you seek to help, pivoting from financial to food interventions when local feedback pointed to new priorities. 🔸 Purposeful Adaptation & “Loving the Problem”: Miranda’s story highlights why entrepreneurs should fall in love with the problem, not the solution, enabling creative pivots, from launching nano-loans to delivering humanitarian aid, while staying grounded in purpose. 🔸 Operating Safely in High-Risk Environments: Drawing from her frontline work in Myanmar, Miranda shares detailed best practices for organizational security, discreet supply chain operation, and supporting team wellbeing in conflict zones. You can connect with Miranda on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to follow her journey. 🎥 Big thanks to VidOps for supporting Founders Voyage. Use code voyage at ⁠vidops.io⁠ for 10% off expert audio, video, animation, and photography services. 👏 Props to the stellar crew: Nancy Nash, Daniel M. Melo, Carlos Javier Chacón Sánchez, Matthew Ray, and host Spencer Walker-Fooks. You bring this show to life. 🥂 Want to support the journey? Join us on ⁠Patreon⁠ and help amplify more voices like Miranda. #FoundersVoyage #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Founder’s Voyage is a podcast for the ones building in the dark, the ones failing forward, and the ones figuring it out as they go. We bring you unfiltered conversations with founders who’ve faced the highs, and the lows. Just real lessons from the people in the arena. Whether you're scaling a startup or sketching your first idea on a napkin, these are the stories that remind you you're not alone—and the insights that help you move forward. We are an entrepreneurial community united by a shared mission of shared learning and supporting each other.

Information

  • Creator
    Spencer Walker-Fooks, Nancy Nash
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Spencer Walker-Fooks, Nancy Nash
  • Show Website
    Founder's Voyage