Now We Build

Sam Marchant

Practical guidance for founders, operators and anyone obsessed with startups. Hosted by entrepreneur-turned-investor Sam Marchant, Now We Build brings you candid conversations with the people who've actually done it - seasoned founders and operators sharing hard-won insights and actionable advice you need to build a successful startup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4d ago

    From HelloFresh to Head of Product: Why retention always beats acquisition - with Valentin Klein

    What does it take to build great products across DTC subscriptions, quick commerce, and omnichannel retail - all while navigating corporate structures, IPOs and the unique demands of MENA markets? In this episode of Now We Build, Sam Marchant sits down with Valentin Klein, Head of Product for Customer Experience at Eyewa, to unpack his career journey from Berlin startups to HelloFresh's new ventures team, to Talabat's IPO, and now into omnichannel retail across the GCC. Valentin shares the frameworks, hard-won lessons and honest failures behind building products that actually grow businesses - and why most people are looking for a silver bullet that doesn't exist. Sam and Valentin also discuss: Validation of new ventures in corporate settingsBuilding customer-centric products in diverse marketsLocalization strategies for GCC and MENA regionsThe role of data in entrepreneurship and growthBalancing offline and online customer experiences Now We Build has partnered with CapQuest, an equity and investor relations management platform built for founders who need to track SAFEs, manage their cap table, and keep investors updated without the spreadsheet chaos. If you're raising capital or managing equity, CapQuest helps you stay organised from day one. Now We Build listeners can now get 20% off an entire annual subscription with the code nowwebuild20. Use the link here to claim the discount: https://capquest.io/book-demo  Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction  01:45 Background 04:26 Startup Ecosystem: Dubai vs Berlin 07:30 Building New Ventures at HelloFresh 10:12 Challenges in Testing New Ventures 13:02 FactorForm: Validation and Challenges 15:45 Transition to Talabat: IPO and Growth 18:31 Vendor Growth and Monetization at Talabat 21:22 Connecting Online and Offline Experiences at IOWA 23:56 Cultural Nuances in MENA Markets 26:41 Advice for Founders Expanding in MENA 29:23 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow Valentin: LinkedIn: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/valentinklein  Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min

  2. Jun 17

    From zero to millions: The growth secrets of Lovable - with Stephane Boghossian

    How do you scale a startup from zero to $80M ARR without a playbook? In this episode, Sam sits down with Stephane Boghossian, former growth lead at Lovable, to break down the exact strategies behind one of AI's fastest-growing products, and what he's building next in legal tech. Stephane shares what it was really like inside Lovable during hyper-growth: handling 1,000 support tickets per minute, writing pull requests as a non-technical marketer, and turning a GitHub outage into their biggest PR win. He also explains why he left to join HAQQ, and why he believes legal tech is the most underrated AI opportunity right now. In this episode: How Lovable grew from 20 signups a day to 1,000 signups a minuteWhy having no playbook was actually a competitive advantageThe rebranding from GPT Engineer to Lovable - and why it changed everythingHow non-technical team members shipped code directly to productionWhy you should never scale just one growth channelStephane's move into legal tech and closing enterprise deals in 2–3 weeks Now We Build has partnered with CapQuest, an equity and investor relations management platform built for founders who need to track SAFEs, manage their cap table, and keep investors updated without the spreadsheet chaos. If you're raising capital or managing equity, CapQuest helps you stay organised from day one. Now We Build listeners can now get 20% off an entire annual subscription with the code nowwebuild20. Use the link here to claim the discount: https://capquest.io/book-demo  Timestamps: 00:00 Intro  01:45 The Journey to Lovable 06:18 From Zero to Revenue: The Tipping Point 11:57 Building Scalable Systems for Growth 20:24 The Power of Team Dynamics and Culture 27:26 Building a Resilient Team Under Pressure 29:35 The Importance of Product Reliability 31:20 Hiring for Growth and Team Dynamics 32:00 Experimentation in Growth Strategies 35:54 Leveraging Data for Growth 37:53 Transitioning to the Legal Tech Space 43:57 Growth Strategies in a Regulated Industry Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow Stephane: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephane-boghossian/  Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

  3. Jun 10

    Why your pricing is leaking revenue - with Roee Hartuv

    Most B2B SaaS founders set their pricing at Series A - and never revisit it. In this episode, Sam sits down with Roee Hartuv, Senior Pricing Advisor and Head of GTM Expertise at WillingnessToPay.com, to unpack why broken pricing is quietly leaking revenue across your entire funnel - and what to do about it. Roee shares how 20+ years in B2B SaaS revenue roles, advising over 100 companies, taught him that pricing and packaging is the single highest-ROI lever most founders never pull. From value-based pricing frameworks to AI's impact on SaaS margins, this episode is essential listening for any founder navigating the zero-to-ten growth stage. In this episode, Sam and Roee discuss: How Roee went from computer science to building a 20-year career in B2B SaaS salesWhy sales is a science, not an art - and how to systematise itThe most common pricing mistakes founders make and when to fix themHow to package SaaS features around customer jobs to be done (not feature tiers)Why bad pricing breaks your financial model - not just your sales motionHow AI is disrupting SaaS margins and forcing a new approach to pricing strategyThe system thinking framework behind Roee's upcoming book Now We Build has partnered with CapQuest, an equity and investor relations management platform built for founders who need to track SAFEs, manage their cap table, and keep investors updated without the spreadsheet chaos. If you're raising capital or managing equity, CapQuest helps you stay organised from day one. Now We Build listeners can now get 20% off an entire annual subscription with the code nowwebuild20. Use the link here to claim the discount: https://capquest.io/book-demo  Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:50 From Coding to Sales: A Unique Journey 04:33 Lessons from 20 Years in Revenue Roles 07:16 The Art vs. Science of Sales 10:08 Transitioning to Advisory Roles 12:45 The Power of Pricing and Packaging 18:07 Systemizing Sales Processes 23:35 Navigating Geographical Expansion 25:19 AI's Impact on Pricing Models 28:05 Insights from 'The Modern Go to Market System' 34:01 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow Roee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roeehartuv/  Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  4. Jun 3

    Dinner with strangers: Fighting the loneliness epidemic with Timeleft's Maxime Barbier

    Loneliness is one of the defining crises of our time and Maxime Barbier is building the infrastructure to fight it. In this episode, we sit down with the Co-Founder and CEO of Timeleft, the world's fastest-growing IRL-tech company, to explore how a simple dinner with strangers became a global movement. What you'll learn in this episode: Maxime walks us through his entrepreneurial journey – from founding MinuteBuzz to launching Timeleft in 2023 – and the hard-won lessons in between. We get into what it really takes to scale a community-driven product across 47 countries and 162 cities, why focus is the most underrated startup skill, and how Timeleft's no-profile, no-feed approach is quietly rewriting the rules of social connection. About Timeleft: Timeleft is on a mission to make human connection a weekly habit. Every week, the platform curates real-life social experiences – dinners, runs, coffees, drinks – bringing strangers together in 160+ cities across 45+ countries. With over 3 million users, 1.2 million Instagram followers, and 150,000 people participating every month, it's become one of the world's largest communities built entirely around in-person connection.   Topics covered: The loneliness epidemic and why it's getting worseHow Timeleft works – and why it's nothing like a dating appLessons from MinuteBuzz and what Maxime would do differentlyScaling a community product to 3M+ users in under two yearsProduct design principles for real-life social experiencesThe role of focus and simplicity in building impactful startupsWhat the future of IRL connection looks like Now We Build has partnered with Capquest, an equity and investor relations management platform built for founders who need to track SAFEs, manage their cap table, and keep investors updated without the spreadsheet chaos. If you're raising capital or managing equity, Capquest helps you stay organised from day one. Now We Build listeners can now get 20% off an entire annual subscription with the code nowwebuild20. Use the link here to claim the discount: https://capquest.io/book-demo  Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:45 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 04:25 Lessons from MinuteBuzz to Timeleft 07:27 Navigating the French Startup Ecosystem 10:17 The Power of Persistence 13:10 The Breakthrough Moment 16:09 Scaling and Simplifying the Product 19:09 Paid Ads and Market Expansion 21:58 The Dinner Experience as Technology 24:10 The Power of Shared Experiences 28:59 Unpacking Loneliness and Human Connection 36:46 Navigating the Future of Human Interaction 38:42 Quickfire Insights and Reflections Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow Maxime: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximebarbier/  Timeleft: https://timeleft.com/ Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  5. May 27

    What nobody tells you about building in a regulated industry - with Meri Beckwith

    In this episode, Meri shares his journey from VC to founder, the evolution of Lindus, and the transformative role of AI in clinical trials and drug development. Discover key patterns in team building, fundraising strategies, and the future of AI-powered healthcare innovations.  Meri Beckwith is Co-CEO at Lindus, an Accountable Research Organisation (ARO) designed to give biotech and pharma sponsors confidence and control over their clinical trials. In this episode, Sam and Meri also discuss: Meri's transition from VC to founderLindus' evolution and impact on clinical trialsThe role of AI and machine learning in healthcareFundraising strategies and investor relationshipsTeam building and hiring in a regulated environment Now We Build has partnered with Capquest, an equity and investor relations management platform built for founders who need to track SAFEs, manage their cap table, and keep investors updated without the spreadsheet chaos. If you're raising capital or managing equity, Capquest helps you stay organised from day one. Now We Build listeners can now get 20% off an entire annual subscription with the code nowwebuild20. Use the link here to claim the discount: https://capquest.io/book-demo  Timestamps: 00:00 Introductions & sponsors 01:45 Background 04:31 Transition from VC to Founder 07:16 The Birth of Lindus 10:06 Validating the Idea for Lindus 13:08 The Anti-CRO Model 15:46 Challenges in the Early Days 18:33 Scaling Operations and Hiring 21:33 Reflections on Growth Stages 24:48 Navigating Investor Relationships 26:27 The Evolution of Citrus and AI in Clinical Trials 29:50 AI's Impact on Clinical Trials 30:59 Building a Company with AI 35:03 Quickfire Insights and Reflections Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow Meri: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meri-beckwith/  Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min

  6. May 20

    How to know when to double down - with LOW6 CEO, Jamie Mitchell

    In this episode, Jamie Mitchell shares his entrepreneurial journey from corporate life at BT to founding LOW6, a pioneering sports engagement and gaming platform. Discover how strategic pivots, international expansion, and relentless determination fueled his success, along with practical lessons on scaling, product development, and navigating investor challenges. Sam and Jamie also discuss: Entrepreneurial transition from corporate to startupScaling a sports engagement platform internationallyPivoting business models in response to market opportunitiesChallenges of fundraising and investor relations in gambling techLeadership and team building in high-growth startups Now We Build has partnered with Capquest, an equity and investor relations management platform built for founders who need to track SAFEs, manage their cap table, and keep investors updated without the spreadsheet chaos. If you're raising capital or managing equity, Capquest helps you stay organised from day one. Now We Build listeners can now get 20% off an entire annual subscription with the code nowwebuild20. Use the link here to claim the discount: https://capquest.io/book-demo  Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:50 From Corporate to Entrepreneurship: Jamie's Journey 04:33 The Birth of LOW6: Early Business Ventures 07:25 Navigating Challenges in the Sports Marketing Landscape 10:33 The Evolution of LOW6: From Betting to SaaS 13:01 Scaling the Business: Overcoming COVID and Investor Hurdles 15:44 The Shift to B2B: Lessons from the Gambling Sector 18:36 Global Expansion: Strategies for New Markets 21:22 The Role of AI in Gambling: Enhancements and Opportunities 24:01 Looking Ahead: Exciting Developments for LOW6 Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow Jamie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-mitchell-51a805168/  Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  7. May 13

    From consultant to deep tech founder - scaling additive manufacturing globally with Francesco De Stefano

    In this episode, Francesco De Stefano shares his journey from consultancy to deep tech entrepreneurship, focusing on additive manufacturing, team building, product development, and international expansion. Gain insights into scaling hardware startups, navigating investor relations, and leveraging AI in manufacturing. Sam and Francesco also discuss: Journey from consultancy to entrepreneurshipTeam building and co-founder dynamicsProduct development and market fit in manufacturingFundraising strategies and investor relationsInternational expansion and market entry in US, Middle East, AsiaUse of AI in industrial manufacturing Now We Build has partnered with Capquest, an equity and investor relations management platform built for founders who need to track SAFEs, manage their cap table, and keep investors updated without the spreadsheet chaos. If you're raising capital or managing equity, Capquest helps you stay organised from day one. Now We Build listeners can now get 20% off an entire annual subscription with the code nowwebuild20. Use the link here to claim the discount: https://capquest.io/book-demo Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Francesco's Career Path 02:46 From Consulting to Industrial Passion 04:08 The Birth of Caracol and Technological Vision 05:56 Lessons from Consulting vs Startup World 08:44 Building a Complementary Co-Founding Team 11:16 Hiring and Culture in Scaling Companies 13:57 Identifying Market Gaps in Aerospace Manufacturing 15:29 Service Model as a Commercial Strategy 19:32 Fundraising Journey and Investor Relations 25:48 Lessons from Early Failures and Mistakes 29:09 Global Expansion: Markets in US, Middle East, and Asia 32:35 Commercializing Deep Tech and Hardware Challenges 35:09 Integrating AI into Manufacturing Platforms 38:46 Why Keep HQ in Milan? The Italian Ecosystem 42:45 Closing Remarks and How to Connect Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Follow Francesco: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-de-stefano-8b4b4497/  Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

  8. May 6 ·  Bonus

    How to build in emerging markets | 3 leaders on how to scale businesses in markets that most people overlook

    What does it actually take to build a financial business in a market most people overlook? In this special episode, we've brought together three of the most experienced builders in global fintech to answer exactly that. You'll hear from: Oliver Hughes, who scaled Visa in Russia, built Tinkoff into a $25 billion digital bank, and is now scaling TBC in Uzbekistan. Tommy Mermelshtayn, Chief Strategy Officer at Zip, who took the business from 30 people to nearly 2,000 across 30 markets.  Sammy Ennebt, who has built five banks across two continents - and is doing it all over again in Saudi Arabia. Together they cover: How to identify the right emerging market before everyone else doesWhy localisation is non-negotiable in fintechThe mistakes most companies make when entering new geographiesHow to work with regulators rather than against themWhat the next wave of emerging market opportunities looks like Now We Build has partnered with Capquest, an equity and investor relations management platform built for founders who need to track SAFEs, manage their cap table, and keep investors updated without the spreadsheet chaos. If you're raising capital or managing equity, Capquest helps you stay organised from day one. Now We Build listeners can now get 20% off an entire annual subscription with the code nowwebuild20. Use the link here to claim the discount: https://capquest.io/book-demo Timestamps: 00:00: Intro 01:57: Oliver Hughes: Picking the right market  12:20: Tommy Mermelshtayn: The emerging markets playbook 27:29: Sammy Ennebt: Why the back office makes or breaks a bank Learn more: https://linktr.ee/nowwebuild  Did you enjoy this interview? Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Full interviews: Oliver: here Tommy: here Sammy: here Follow: Oliver: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-hughes-0b5540247/  Sammy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammyennebt/ Follow Sam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marchant/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammrchant  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammrchant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
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About

Practical guidance for founders, operators and anyone obsessed with startups. Hosted by entrepreneur-turned-investor Sam Marchant, Now We Build brings you candid conversations with the people who've actually done it - seasoned founders and operators sharing hard-won insights and actionable advice you need to build a successful startup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Marchant
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sam Marchant
  • Show Website
    Now We Build