Founder Unlocked

DQventures
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Founder Unlocked is the entrepreneurship podcast for experienced professionals dreaming about leaving the corporate world to build their own business. Hosts Ollie Palmer and Sam Middlehurst, both exited founders and venture builders who together with the team at DQventures have invested in over 100 startups, guide aspiring entrepreneurs through DQ Ventures' proven venture building methodology.

Episodes

  1. 11/21/2025

    06: When Should You Raise Money For Your Business?

    When should you raise money for your business? Or do you need to raise money at all? Sam and Ollie give aspiring founders a reality check on startup fundraising: traction, investor expectations, and when raising makes sense. Chapters 00:00 Intro02:00 Should you raise?09:20 Traction signals12:20 TigerSpike raise21:00 Bootstrapping27:00 Dilution Key Insights • Fundraising ≠ validation• Traction wins investor trust• Raise only for step-change growth• Understand dilution early About DQventures: DQventures is a global venture builder run by six exited founders who have invested in 100+ companies. They help experienced professionals validate, build, and scale sustainable businesses

    40 min

  2. 11/21/2025

    05: How Do You Find Your First Real Customers?

    Finding your first few customers is the start, but to acquire the next hundred, you need a repeatable engine.In this episode, Sam and Ollie break down real go‑to‑market strategy, including ICP evolution, channel testing, messaging, funnels, and the metrics that matter. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Early vs ideal customers 03:50 – TigerSpike GTM evolution 08:30 – LinkedIn as a growth engine 14:15 – The ‘everyone is my customer’ trap 16:00 – Funnels (Awareness → Consideration → Action) 20:25 – B2B vs B2C funnel examples 23:00 – Founder-led sales 30:00 – Metrics that matterKey Insights: Early wins come from hustleLater wins come from systemsFunnels create clarityBe disciplined about your ICP About DQventuresDQventures is a global venture builder run by six exited founders who have invested in 100+ companies. They help experienced professionals validate, build, and scale sustainable businesses.

    35 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    04: When Should You Go 'All-In' on Your Business?

    Every founder dreams of the moment they finally ‘go all in’ — but most get the timing wrong. Ollie and Sam unpack what an evidence-based all‑in moment looks like, why older founders face unique pressures, and the signals that show your business is ready for full‑time focus. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:26 – Ollie’s first all-in moment 02:00 – Sam’s early missteps 04:10 – When traction *actually* begins 06:20 – Why founders misread timing 08:05 – The first paying customer 10:00 – The all‑in challenge for older founders 11:30 – The 10‑year rule (founder–problem fit) 13:10 – Economics, runway & risk 16:55 – Personal readiness & partner support 18:30 – Founder psychology Key Insights Go all-in based on evidenceFirst customer = proofOlder founders face unique riskReadiness = traction + timingAbout DQventures DQventures is a global venture builder run by six exited founders who have invested in 100+ companies. They help experienced professionals validate, build, and scale sustainable businesses

    26 min

  4. 10/30/2025

    03: What Is a Minimum Viable Business (MVB) - And Why Does It Matter?

    A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is not enough — you need a Minimum Viable Business (MVB) that proves real customers and repeatable sales. Chapters 00:00 Intro00:25 MVB defined04:40 Launch early06:00 Validation11:00 Pricing13:00 Unit economics21:00 Scaling Key Insights Build a business, not just a prototypeValidate with revenueRepeatable sales motionEarly pricing + economics About DQventures ⁠DQventures⁠ is a global venture builder run by six exited founders who have invested in 100+ companies. They help experienced professionals validate, build, and scale sustainable businesses.

    39 min

  5. 10/30/2025

    02: Why Must Every Great Business Start With a Problem?

    Every great startup begins with a painful, frequent problem. Learn how to identify and validate it. Chapters 00:00 Intro00:20 Problem-first03:20 Expertise advantage05:00 Painkiller problems vs Medicine problems09:30 CLVR Benefits13:00 Mom Test31:00 DealerDocs Key Insights Problem > solutionIdentify hair-on-fire painValidate with real customersWarm → cold network transition About DQventures DQventures is a global venture builder run by six exited founders who have invested in 100+ companies. They help experienced professionals validate, build, and scale sustainable businesses.

    29 min

  6. 10/30/2025

    01: How Can Experienced Professionals Become Startup Founders?

    Why older founders win: experience, networks, and industry insight. Hosts and General Partners at DQventures, Ollie Palmer and Sam Middlehurst break down why 40–55 year olds make some of the most successful founders. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:20 Why older founders win 01:00 TigerSpike story 07:20 Why DQ exists 10:15 Validate → Build → Scale1 9:00 Warm network 23:00 MVB Key Insights Older founders outperformValidation prevents wasted moneyWarm network → cold outreach About DQventures: ⁠DQventures ⁠is a global venture builder run by six exited founders who have invested in 100+ companies. They help experienced professionals validate, build, and scale sustainable businesses

    43 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Founder Unlocked is the entrepreneurship podcast for experienced professionals dreaming about leaving the corporate world to build their own business. Hosts Ollie Palmer and Sam Middlehurst, both exited founders and venture builders who together with the team at DQventures have invested in over 100 startups, guide aspiring entrepreneurs through DQ Ventures' proven venture building methodology.

Information

  • Creator
    DQventures
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © DQventures
  • Show Website
    Founder Unlocked