Ideas to Impact

Connections, Not Contacts with Craig and Geoff from WITR

In this episode of Ideas to Impact, Charlotte sits down with Craig and Geoff, the co-founders of WITR (WITR – “Who’s In The Room”), a simple but powerful networking tool designed to make in-person events less awkward and more intentional. They talk about how an introvert’s frustration at traditional networking sparked the idea, how WITR helps attendees see who’s in the room and why they’re there, and how the product has evolved with live events, GDPR and AI in mind. The conversation also dives into the realities of being a founder, the importance of community and encouragement, and how a trip to Silicon Valley reshaped their mindset around scale, failure, and ambition.

Consuming Consciously with Olivia Parkes

In this episode of Ideas to Impact, host Hannah speaks with Olivia Parkes, founder and CEO of Persi, a B2B personalisation tool for e-commerce retailers. Olivia shares how Persi is redefining the online shopping experience by recommending products based on what customers already own — not just what they’ve clicked. Together, they discuss the journey of turning an idea into a funded business, tackling imposter syndrome in tech, and the future of personalised and sustainable fashion.

Creating ‘Fitbit for Your Brain’ With Maxwell Scott-Slade

In this episode of Ideas to Impact, Ruth speaks with Maxwell Scott-Slade, founder of GLITCHERS, a games studio building health-focused games in partnership with scientists. Maxwell shares how his journey from entertainment games to neuroscience collaborations shaped Glitchers’ mission to become the “Fitbit for your brain.” He discusses projects on Alzheimer’s, mental health, and environmental issues, alongside the challenges of scaling, securing funding, and growing internationally.

Dancing Through Innovation with Natalie Garry

In this inspiring episode of Ideas to Impact, Sally chats with Natalie Garry, founder of DanceSing, a digital wellness platform transforming care for older adults through music and movement. From ballet beginnings to Silicon Valley breakthroughs, Natalie shares her remarkable journey as a founder, mother, and wellness advocate scaling an award-winning business across the UK and US. DanceSing works in partnership with the University of Stirling, the Scottish Government, and NHS healthcare professionals to co-create programs that directly support the wellbeing of older adults and care staff alike.

Phone a Founder with Andrew McGinley

In this episode of the Ideas to Impact podcast, host Shona sits down with Andrew McGinley, an Entrepreneur in Residence at CodeBase and former founder of Care Sourcer. They explore Andrew’s journey from building a family-run care business to launching a tech-enabled care marketplace, scaling with millions in investment, navigating acquisition, and now helping other Scottish startups grow globally. They also dive into Scotland’s startup ecosystem, the evolving landscape with AI, and Andrew’s upcoming venture in the golf space.