Darkest before the Dawn: A Tech Startup Journey with First Concepts
In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Polina Sali, co-founder and CPO of First Concepts, about building a product at the intersection of creativity, design, and artificial intelligence.
Polina shares her non-linear journey from architecture to startups, shaped by global disruption, experimentation across disciplines, and a deep curiosity about how creative and technical thinking can work together. The conversation explores how First Concepts is addressing the fragmentation of creative workflows by providing a centralised space for ideas, references, and execution.
The episode also examines how AI is being applied in a more intentional way, supporting rather than replacing creative work, and how founders can navigate uncertainty, financial pressure, and pivotal moments that redefine their path.
For founders, designers, and product builders, this episode offers valuable insight into building in emerging spaces, creating tools for creatives, and developing products that align with how people actually think and work.
Learning What Works: A Tech Startup Journey with Demand Genius
In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns reconnects with Tom Rudnai, co-founder of Demand Genius, to explore how the business has evolved over the past 12 months following its early-stage growth and pre-seed funding round.
Tom shares an honest perspective on what really changes after raising investment, from increased external credibility to the internal pressures of delivering on expectations. The conversation dives into how Demand Genius has navigated a highly competitive and rapidly evolving AI search market, shifting its focus from content marketing to helping B2B brands influence how they appear in AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT.
The episode also explores the realities of experimentation in startup growth, why many traditional sales and marketing approaches are becoming less effective, and how original research has become a key differentiator in cutting through market noise.
For founders, marketers, and SaaS leaders, this episode offers practical insight into scaling a startup, hiring for early-stage environments, and building a go-to-market strategy in an increasingly crowded landscape.
No Clear Path: A Tech Startup Journey with Mantis Biotech
In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Georgia Witchel, founder and CEO of Mantis Biotech, about building a biotech infrastructure startup from the ground up and navigating the realities of early-stage growth.
Georgia shares how her early exposure to programming shaped her path into technology, and how her experience working in startups led her to identify a critical gap in the biotech space. Mantis Biotech was created to provide foundational software infrastructure for biomedical companies, an area often overlooked compared to more established industries.
The conversation explores the importance of early customer engagement, why cold outreach remains a powerful growth tool, and how Georgia balanced selling and building simultaneously to gain traction. She also reflects on the non-linear nature of startup growth, the challenges of execution, and the lessons learned from her journey through Y Combinator.
For founders, operators, and anyone interested in biotech startups or SaaS infrastructure, this episode offers practical insight into building a company from idea to early scale.
From Scrappy to Scalable: A Tech Startup Journey with AdLib
In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Mike Hauptman, founder of AdLib, about building a programmatic advertising platform in one of the most complex and fragmented areas of marketing.
Mike shares how AdLib evolved from an early-stage idea into a powerful solution that helps agencies and brands consolidate multiple ad platforms into one streamlined workflow. From navigating disconnected systems to improving campaign performance, this conversation explores the real challenges marketers face today and how technology can simplify them.
The episode also dives into Mike’s unconventional founder journey, including years of bootstrapping, multiple product pivots, and a defining moment when his entire infrastructure disappeared overnight. Rather than folding, the team rebuilt stronger, more focused, and fully in control of their future.
If you’re interested in programmatic advertising, ad tech innovation, or building a startup without venture capital, this episode offers practical insights grounded in real experience.
12 Months Stronger: A Tech Startup Journey with Bright Evolve
A year after his first appearance, Tom Bright returns to Tech Startup Stories to share what happens beyond early traction, including scaling Bright Evolve, stepping back from founder-led delivery, building a team, and bringing product development back into focus.