Keeping up with the Speed of AI: A Tech Startup Journey with BackEngine
In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns reconnects with Eli Portnoy, founder and CEO of BackEngine, to explore how the company has evolved over the past year while navigating the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence and enterprise software.
BackEngine helps organisations integrate AI into existing business workflows, enabling teams to automate processes, improve productivity, and unlock greater value from emerging AI technologies. Eli shares how advances in generative AI have reshaped both customer expectations and software development, requiring startups to adapt faster than ever before while remaining focused on solving meaningful business problems.
The conversation explores AI adoption, enterprise software, startup growth, product strategy, customer experience, change management, and the future of AI-powered business tools. Eli also reflects on why successful AI implementation depends as much on people and organisational change as it does on technology itself.
This episode is ideal for startup founders, SaaS leaders, product managers, AI professionals, and anyone interested in the future of enterprise software and artificial intelligence.
Doing Good: A Tech Startup Journey with GoodBreach
In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Richa Gupta, founder and CEO of GoodBreach, a behavioural fintech startup helping young adults reduce impulse spending and build healthier saving habits.
Drawing from her background in engineering, enterprise sales, and fintech, Richa shares how a personal experience with her younger sister inspired the creation of GoodBreach, a platform designed to intervene before unnecessary purchases happen. Rather than focusing on budgeting after the fact, the app uses behavioural insights, spending analysis, and real-time nudges to help users redirect money towards meaningful financial goals.
The conversation explores the realities of building a fintech startup from scratch, including conducting user research, finding the right developers, navigating FCA compliance, and balancing product iteration with long-term vision. Richa also discusses the wider ambition behind GoodBreach, including the future of “Save Now, Buy Later” technology and how behavioural finance could reshape consumer spending.
This episode is ideal for founders, fintech professionals, behavioural product designers, and anyone interested in startup building, financial wellbeing, and AI-driven consumer technology.
Don't Underestimate the Power of Time: A Tech Startup Journey with GAIO Tech
In this episode of Tech Startup Stories, Natalie Binns speaks with Sophie Carr, founder and CEO of GAIO Tech, about building a startup in the rapidly evolving world of generative AI.
Sophie shares her journey from early-stage failures and pivoting away from an EdTech startup, to identifying a new opportunity in Generative AI Optimisation (GAIO). Drawing on her background in SEO and content strategy, she explains how brands can influence AI-generated responses and why this represents a fundamental shift in digital visibility.
The conversation explores the realities of startup building, including the importance of resilience, finding the right co-founder, and learning when to pivot based on market signals. Sophie also breaks down her approach to scaling, why focusing on fewer, high-quality clients can outperform rapid growth, and how building a product-led business requires a different mindset from service-based work.
This episode is ideal for founders, marketers, and operators interested in AI, SEO, and the practical challenges of building a tech startup from the ground up.