The Startup Leap Podcast

Maria Rotilu & Yvonne Bajela
  • 4.8 (8)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

🚀 Real Founder Stories. Real Startup Lessons. 🎙 #1 Podcast for early stage founders Hosts: @mariarotilu + @yvonnebajela From idea to first product, first hires, investors and everything in between. Our socials 👇🏽 Instagram: @thestartupleappod Twitter, Youtube, and TikTok: @thestartupleap Learn more on: www.thestartupleap.io Follow TSL and be notified when new episodes drop every Tuesday 🎙️ #thestartupleap #technology #entrepreneurship #business #startup #YvonneBajela #MariaRotilu

  1. From Music to Billion Dollar Brands: Decoding Rihanna’s Playbook with David Olusegun

    21 OCT

    From Music to Billion Dollar Brands: Decoding Rihanna’s Playbook with David Olusegun

    What happens when a former record label founder applies the logic of venture studios to celebrity brand building? In this episode, David Olusegun, founder of Creative Control Ventures, reveals how he’s transforming the way talent and culture converge to create purpose-driven consumer brands. From his early career at Viacom to co-creating ventures with leading celebrities, David unpacks the frameworks behind turning influence into enduring business value. Expect insights on brand defensibility, scaling CPGs in a saturated market, and why authenticity—not virality—defines the next era of brand growth. For founders and investors alike, this conversation redefines what it means to build a “celebrity brand” that lasts. 📍Timestamps: 00:02:00 From Viacom to Ventures 00:06:00 Startup Mindset in Music 00:14:00 The Fenty Effect 00:22:00 Purpose Meets Profitability 00:25:00 The Founder as Influencer 00:33:00 Scaling & Systems 00:35:00 Owning Your IP 00:38:00 Discovery in a Changing World 00:47:00 Global Expansion 00:50:00 Exit Strategy 101 00:56:00 Lessons from the Best Youtube: https://youtu.be/y910TtcSbao 📌 Connect with David and Creative Control Ventures: https://www.creativecontrol.ventures/ 📌 Join The Startup Leap Community: subscribe.thestartupleap.io #TheStartupLeap #Entrepreneurship #CelebrityBrands #ConsumerInnovation #FounderMindset #VentureBuilding #PurposeDrivenBusiness #BrandStrategy #EntrepreneurInsights

    58 min
  2. From McKinsey Consultant to $70M in Revenue: How She Built an AI-Powered Pet Insurance Empire

    7 OCT

    From McKinsey Consultant to $70M in Revenue: How She Built an AI-Powered Pet Insurance Empire

    🐾 Meet Hedda Båverud Olsson, Founder & CEO of Lassie — the startup transforming pet insurance and pet health. From McKinsey & EQT Ventures to raising €50M+ and now also crossing €70M+ in annual revenues , Hedda’s journey is packed with bold moves, big lessons, and surprising insights into the booming pet industry. In this episode: ✅ How Lassie rewards pet owners for keeping their pets healthy ✅ The challenge of disrupting a regulated industry ✅ Finding the right co-founders and building a top-tier team ✅ Using AI to scale and acquire customers creatively ✅ Lessons from raising millions and breaking into competitive markets Whether you’re a founder, pet lover, or just curious how a startup can change an entire industry, this conversation is a must-watch. 📍 Timestamps: 00:00 Sharing Your Idea Early 00:49 Intro to Hedda & Lassie 01:51 From Consulting to Founder 06:37 Navigating Regulation 09:48 Raising the First Angel Round 13:00 Building the Right Team 17:37 Leveraging AI for Growth 19:40 Go-to-Market Strategy 26:34 Brand vs Conversion 30:06 Overcoming Breaking Points 33:42 Scaling & Leadership 38:05 Pet Industry Trends 41:54 Lessons Learned Youtube: https://youtu.be/0fniIhtRqak 📌 Connect with Hedda and Lassie: https://www.lassie.co/en 📌 Join The Startup Leap Community: subscribe.thestartupleap.io #PetTech #StartupStories #LassieApp #Entrepreneurship #AI #PetInsurance #StartupLife #TheStartupLeap

    46 min
  3. How Student Startups Grew From Dorm Rooms Into Million Dollar Tech Empires

    9 SEPT

    How Student Startups Grew From Dorm Rooms Into Million Dollar Tech Empires

    Welcome to Startup Leap! In this episode, we dive deep into the journeys of student founders from undergraduates to PhDs who have turned their academic projects, wild ideas at university into industry-transforming startups. Join us as Maria and Yvonne bring real stories from founders like the co-founder of Shazam, fintech innovators, and graduates who took the bold step to build their companies even before completing their studies. Hear insights from entrepreneurs across various industries, their experiences during their MBAs, and the critical decisions they faced. Whether you're a curious student or a future founder, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice to help you take the leap. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:17 Diving into Founder Stories 01:08 Shazam: From MBA Project to Apple Acquisition 02:33 Luna: The MBA Entrepreneurship Project 03:34 Finding Your Path in Entrepreneurship 05:19 Gravity Sketch: From Academic Research to Startup 07:58 Josh Sandler: Accidental Entrepreneur to Serial Founder 09:38 Carmelle's Financial Tech Journey 11:12 Ivan Beckley: Medical Student to Health Tech Founder 12:18 Riham Satti: Neuroscientist to Tech Founder 13:12 Founder Dilemma: To Leap or Not to Leap 17:06 Benjamin Fernandez: Young FinTech Visionary 19:58 Dare Okodjou: Raising Capital from Classmates 21:30 Reflections and Closing Thoughts Youtube: https://youtu.be/tALAnfyiZ1M 🎧 Want to get inside scoop? Join our newsletter on subscribe.thestartupleap.io/subscribe 👉 Tell us what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! #StartupLeap #StartupStories #Founders #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #TechStartups #StudentFounders #BusinessSuccess #Innovation #StartupMindset #FounderJourney #BuildTheFuture

    25 min
  4. How She Built a 7 Million User App to Tackle Food Waste

    19 AUG

    How She Built a 7 Million User App to Tackle Food Waste

    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 community sharing. With over 7 million users in 60 countries, OLIO is tackling the global food waste crisis while proving that purpose-driven businesses can scale. Tessa shares: ✅ Her journey from senior leadership at Dyson to startup founder ✅ The “light bulb” moment that sparked OLIO ✅ Navigating brutal fundraising rounds and finding conviction-based investors ✅ Building a thriving consumer marketplace ✅ Balancing profit and purpose while scaling globally ✅ Lessons from becoming a B Corp certified company Whether you’re passionate about sustainability, building marketplaces, or scaling mission-driven startups, this conversation is packed with insights you can use. 📍 Timestamps 00:00 Fundraising Challenges in the Early Days 01:23 The Light Bulb Moment: Birth of OLIO 02:41 From Corporate Career to Startup Life 04:13 The Global Food Waste Problem 07:18 Early Market Research and Validation 10:27 Monetization Strategies and Challenges 14:36 Fundraising Journey and Investor Criteria 18:39 Personal Growth and Resilience 22:42 Building a Consumer Marketplace 34:48 Balancing Profit and Purpose 39:28 Final Reflections and Founder Advice Youtube: https://youtu.be/nw1zCqhm9o0 📧 Join The Startup Leap Newsletter for exclusive founder tips and behind-the-scenes insights: subscribe.thestartupleap.io/subscribe #OlioApp #TessaClarke #FoodWaste #Sustainability #Bcorp #MissionDrivenBusiness #StartupStories #Entrepreneurship #TheStartupLeap #MariaRotilu #YvonneBajela #MarketplaceStartups #ScalingStartups #ImpactBusiness

    43 min
  5. Rejected by YC 5 Times, Now He’s Building Africa’s WISE | 50m+ Raised | Benjamin Fernandez, NALA

    22 JUL

    Rejected by YC 5 Times, Now He’s Building Africa’s WISE | 50m+ Raised | Benjamin Fernandez, NALA

    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 fintech companies focused on building infrastructure for emerging markets. From humorous encounters with the police to the hustle of raising funds after a major co-founder setback, Benjamin's story is one of resilience, innovation, and faith. Discover how he transitioned from being a TV host in Tanzania to creating a fintech powerhouse through sheer determination and a vision to make financial services more equitable across Africa and beyond. Don't miss Benjamin's inspiring insights on building a personal brand, navigating regulatory challenges, and the critical role of customer focus in scaling a startup. This is an episode packed with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and founders alike. 00:00 Introduction and Unexpected Encounter 00:14 Journey to YCombinator and Co-Founder Crisis 00:28 Building NALA: Overcoming Doubts and Challenges 00:38 Navigating Emerging Markets and Africa's Perception 01:08 Faith and Founding NALA 01:55 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights 05:01 Customer Stories and Early Struggles 06:48 From TV Personality to FinTech Founder 09:45 Business School Hustle and Early NALA Days 14:35 Pivots and Persistence: The Road to Success 28:02 The Turning Point: From Angel Checks to VC Rejections 28:24 Building the Dream Team: Key Hires and Strategic Moves 30:00 Navigating the Pandemic: Pivots and Challenges 32:56 Facing Doubts: Investor Skepticism and Self-Belief 34:25 Dilemmas and Decisions: Expansion vs. Depth 38:20 The Evolution of RAFIKI: From Consumer to Infrastructure 44:16 Compliance and Scaling: Navigating Global Regulations 46:48 Talent and Team Building: Finding the Right People 49:41 Positioning and Perception: Building a Global Business from Africa 56:55 Reflections and Advice: Bold Moves and Key Resources 🎧 Want to get inside scoop? Join our newsletter on subscribe.thestartupleap.io/subscribe Youtube: https://youtu.be/b6NGIGCT-Tk 👉 Tell us what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! #StartupPodcast #FounderJourney #FintechInnovation #Nala #EmergingMarkets #AfricaTech #StartupStories #FounderInsights #ZeroToOne #MissionDriven #StartupJourney #ResilientLeadership #VentureStories #FintechForTheFuture

    59 min
  6. How Tyme Built Africa’s First Global Digital Bank | 17m Users, $250M Raised

    24 JUN

    How Tyme Built Africa’s First Global Digital Bank | 17m Users, $250M Raised

    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 Africa and expanding into Southeast Asia. Coen shares the challenges of creating a bank without traditional elements like paper, cash, or ATMs, and how they achieved profitability in just five years despite raising initial capital from over 250 potential investors. We delve into the importance of partnerships, customer trust, and innovative distribution strategies that have led to serving 17 million customers and onboarding half a million new users every month. Coen also provides insights into navigating regulatory landscapes, making tough decisions in capital-constrained markets, and the role of personal growth in effective leadership. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of digital banking, financial inclusion, and future expansion plans. 00:00 The Vision of a Paperless Bank 00:19 Overcoming Funding Challenges 00:55 Rapid Growth and Expansion 01:23 The Importance of Local Partnerships 01:51 Introduction to the Interview 02:13 Describing Coen's Leadership Style 03:28 The Story of Sisyphus and Startup Life 05:46 The Origin of Tyme Bank 07:30 Building a Digital Bank from Scratch 17:57 The Role of Humility in Customer Understanding 19:04 Challenges in Retail Partnerships 25:46 Expanding into Southeast Asia 29:06 Market Expansion Strategies 29:38 Balancing Growth and Profitability 30:33 Navigating Financial Challenges 33:36 Founder Dilemma: Push or Step Back? 37:46 Leadership and Ethical Frameworks 39:54 Evolving Business Vision 45:26 Regulatory Navigation in FinTech 49:02 Distribution vs. Product Focus 53:27 Future of Finance: Crypto and Blockchain 54:49 Time Bank's Future Plans 56:10 Quickfire Questions and Wrap-Up 🎧 Want to get inside scoop? Join our newsletter on subscribe.thestartupleap.io/subscribe Youtube: https://youtu.be/mjJkn-1bzDk 👉 Tell us what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! #DigitalBanking #Fintech #TymeBank #StartupJourney #AfricaTech #Entrepreneurship #FinancialInclusion #AfricanStartups #GlobalExpansion #SouthAfricaTech #StartupLeadership #VCFunding #ScalingStartups #CustomerCentricity #StartupStories

    58 min
  7. Shazam’s $400M Founder Meets the Woman Fixing HR with AI

    10 JUN

    Shazam’s $400M Founder Meets the Woman Fixing HR with AI

    In this special episode we dive into the journeys of two exceptional entrepreneurs: Riham Satti, an Oxford Neuroscientist turned founder of MeVitae an AI startup bringing fairness to the workplace, and Dhiraj Mukherjee, co-founder of Shazam, one of the world's first music recognition apps, 2billion downloads, acquired by Apple for $400m+ in 2018. Hosted by Maria and Yvonne, this episode explores the trials, triumphs, and learnings of these founders. Discover Riham's accidental plunge into entrepreneurship and the strategic decisions that fueled her company's growth. Hear Dhiraj's insights on fundraising during tumultuous times and the importance of relentless drive and vision in successful founders. We also delve into dilemmas faced by founders, such as handling risky partnerships and co-founder challenges. Tune in for valuable advice on balancing personal and professional life, the significance of storytelling, and the power of tech for good. 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:17 Meet the Founders: Riham and Dhiraj 04:33 Riham's (MeVitae) Journey to Entrepreneurship 08:19 Dhiraj's (Shazam) Entrepreneurial Path 13:22 Fundraising Insights and Strategies 16:56 Partnerships and Business Models 20:09 Listener Dilemma: Navigating Partnerships 21:25 Shazam's Early Days and Apple's Acquisition for $400m+ 22:59 Co-Founder Dilemma: Trust and Progress 24:09 Navigating Co-Founder Relationships 26:08 Lessons Learned from Entrepreneurial Journeys 29:12 Tech for Good and Identifying Potential 32:22 Lightning Round: Misconceptions and Admired Figures 34:43 Forming Early Stage Teams and Acquisition Strategies 37:41 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 40:05 Future Plans and Closing Remarks 46:25 Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs 🎧 Want to get inside scoop? Join our newsletter on subscribe.thestartupleap.io/subscribe Youtube: https://youtu.be/PjBimaAuiEM 👉 Tell us what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! #StartupLeap #Shazam #MeVittae #Entrepreneurship #TechForGood #AIStartup #FounderLessons #RihamSatti #DhirajMukherjee #StartupAdvice #CoFounderTips #FundraisingTips #StartupJourney #SiliconValley #AppleAcquisition #MariaAndYvonne

    42 min
  8. He Quit MTN to Build Africa's Biggest Fintech Empire | $300m+ Raised | Dare Okoudjou, Onafriq 

    27 MAY

    He Quit MTN to Build Africa's Biggest Fintech Empire | $300m+ Raised | Dare Okoudjou, Onafriq 

    In this episode, we hear from Dare Okodjou, founder of Onafriq, Africa’s largest digital payments network, formerly MFS Africa. 500 million wallets across 42 countries, over $300m raised in funding. This episode is drenched in depth of experience. Perfect for founders whether early or later in their journey. Dare shares his entrepreneurial journey from working at MTN Group, leading mobile money innovations, to founding Onafriq in 2009 with the vision of making cross-border payments seamless. The conversation delves into the challenges faced in the early days, including navigating work permits and bond loan issues, assembling a team, and raising initial funds. Dare discusses the strategic moves behind the rebranding to Onafriq, key partnerships, the role of culture and people in scaling operations across Africa, and the significance of maintaining focus. He also talks about future opportunities in the mobile money payment space, the role of stable coins, and his personal strategies for managing stress and maintaining work-life balance. 00:00 Introduction to Startup Challenges 00:40 Meet Dare Okodjou: FinTech Pioneer 01:24 The Birth of Onafriq 01:42 The Meaning Behind the Name 04:16 Early Challenges and Decisions 09:35 Building the Team and Raising Capital 15:34 Strategic Partnerships and Growth 20:46 Defining Moments and Lessons Learned 26:39 Scaling Across Diverse Markets 27:47 The Importance of Pan-African Coverage 29:52 Future of Mobile Money Payments 37:05 Acquisitions and Expansion Strategy 42:59 Managing a Diverse Team 46:25 Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs 🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation share with any early stage founder or builder Youtube: https://youtu.be/m3fdWDT7Nxk 👉 Tell us what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! #DareOkoudjou #Onafriq #FinTechAfrica #MobileMoneyInnovation #PanAfricanPayments #StartupScaling #AfricanEntrepreneurs #DigitalFinanceAfrica #FromMTNtoOnafriq #FinTechLeadership

    54 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

🚀 Real Founder Stories. Real Startup Lessons. 🎙 #1 Podcast for early stage founders Hosts: @mariarotilu + @yvonnebajela From idea to first product, first hires, investors and everything in between. Our socials 👇🏽 Instagram: @thestartupleappod Twitter, Youtube, and TikTok: @thestartupleap Learn more on: www.thestartupleap.io Follow TSL and be notified when new episodes drop every Tuesday 🎙️ #thestartupleap #technology #entrepreneurship #business #startup #YvonneBajela #MariaRotilu

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Rotilu & Yvonne Bajela
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © TheStartupLeap 2025
  • Show Website
    The Startup Leap Podcast

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