Connect-Ed Podcast

Pitch and Connect: Building Bridges in Scotland's Innovation System

In this episode Richard Palmer welcomes Ifeanyichukwu Ezinmadu & CEO of SymphoMe, and a professional classical pianist, who has developed his global music education platform from a research topic at the University of Edinburgh School of Music for a fireside chat about his journey. SymphonMe is described as "the Duolingo for music but even better!". This app leverages technology and artificial intelligence in music education to help users learn instruments and prepare for exams from day one. Ifeanyichukwu explains that the app augments the learning experience by addressing the fact that 80% of learning happens independently. It also provides a quality-assured tool for those who cannot afford high instrumental tuition costs (which can be as much as £40 to £80 per hour). Today, SymphonMe has secured partnerships with major bodies like ABRSM, the largest music examination body worldwide, allowing them to offer their product in over 90 countries. Ifeanyichukwu shares essential advice for founders, including the critical lesson of raising enough money—as his first £100k check felt like a fortune but was quickly depleted, leading to constant fundraising. He also discusses the charade of distributing team titles (like CTO/COO) just to tick boxes for a pitch deck, emphasising the importance of securing the right fit of team members rather than titles. Finally, Ifeanyichukwu reveals how a spontaneous five-week trip to San Francisco provided him with a strong sense of validation and taught him the power of genuine collaboration and "paying it forward" within an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Thank you to Ifeanyichukwu for joining us and to Edinburgh University for hosting the event. Search for "The Connect-Ed Network" on LinkedIn to join our community and access this episode when it drops! The Connected Network Podcast is made possible through funding and support from the Scottish Funding Council, The Challenges Group, The Community Lab and Podplistic. Come on in!

Exploring the Landscape for International Founders

The UK government's plans to tighten immigration make this discussion on International Founders more critical than ever! Join me, Prof. Ross Tuffee (Entrepreneurial Residence at Stirling University) as I lead a conversation exploring the landscape, policy barriers, and vast economic opportunities presented by international talent. We start by highlighting the fact that international students make a net positive contribution to the Scottish economy of £4.7 billion pounds a year… I’m joined by a panel of experts: • Dr. David Donaldson (Senior Policy Officer, Universities Scotland) • Bonnie Hacking (Program Manager at St. Andrews Innovations) • Dr. Salisu Uba (Founder and CEO of NatQuest, and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Strathclyde University) • Fash Fasoro (Founder of DataKirk and SyncPlex Lab, and a highly regarded immigration advisor) The panel breaks down complex issues associated with immigration, including the recent changes to the Graduate Route visa, the financial barriers presented by immigration fees, the strategic advantages of the Global Talent Visa, and the inherent drive and "can do attitude" that international founders bring to the ecosystem. Tune in to understand the crucial role international founders play and what must change to help attract and retain this vital talent in Scotland. Note - all comments made on this podcast are made in a personal capacity and should NOT be taken as legal advice in any way. Thank you to the panel for joining me and to Strathclyde University for hosting the event. Search for "The Connect-Ed Network" on LinkedIn to join our community and access this episode when it drops! The Connected Network Podcast is made possible through funding and support from the Scottish Funding Council, The Challenges Group, The Community Lab and Podplistic. Come on in!

Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems - An International Perspective

Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems The term “ecosystem” was first coined by botanist Arthur Tansley in 1935 and describes how interconnected functional units work together for the overall benefit of the group. With this in mind, we explore the foundations of regional economic success by diving into how it is supported by entrepreneurial ecosystems. Hosted by Chris Moule, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Robert Gordon University, we are joined by three experts sharing lessons and insights from diverse geographic areas: Jen Scott - Director of Entrepreneurship at Opportunity North East (sharing insights on Northeast Scotland), Ross Tuffee - Co-author of the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint and Entrepreneur in Residence at University of Stirling (discussing the Estonian ecosystem following a learning journey), and Ian Browne - CEO at Founder Labs (joining via Zoom to discuss his experiences in Northern Ireland). Join the debate as we discuss important topics such as: What can emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems learn from more mature ones Why is it important to adapt those insights to fit our unique regional context rather than simply copying models? We cover the powerful impact of international diaspora networks, the critical role of alumni engagement, and the need to raise ambition within local startup communities. Discover how universities, founders, and investors can better connect to build a system that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

Engaging and Supporting Female Founders

Are you ready to tackle the funding gap for women entrepreneurs? In this in-depth panel discussion hosted by Bonnie Hacking, Programme Manager at St Andrews Entrepreneurship Centre, we confront the unique challenges faced by female founders—where less than 3% of venture capital funding goes to female-founded firms, despite their massive contribution to the economy. Bonnie is joined by: Niki McKenzie, Joint Managing Director of Archangels; Kat Pohorecka, Co-Founder of Mude and Student Enterprise Associate at Edinburgh Innovations; and Simone Korsgaard Jensen, Founder and CEO of an AI company (about to come out of Stealth mode), joining us from Silicon Valley. Simone shares her experience of running a "hyper-competitive process" to raise a $5 million pre-seed round in Silicon Valley, emphasizing the need for ambition and conviction in pitching. Niki provides the investor perspective, noting that “intellectual curiosity” and being presented with truly disruptive technologies are key hooks for angel investors. Kat highlights the crucial need for tailored support and representation, discussing programs like Power Her Up and addressing the logistical difficulties women face, such as balancing care responsibilities with building a business. We also explore the complexities of co-founding, and Simone describes how moving fast and being aggressive in fundraising is often necessary to succeed. Tune in to hear how female founders are navigating this landscape and seizing opportunities! Thank you to the panel for joining me and to St Andrews University for hosting the event. Search for "The Connect-Ed Network" on LinkedIn to join our community and access this episode when it drops! The Connected Network Podcast is made possible through funding and support from the Scottish Funding Council, The Challenges Group, The Community Lab and Podplistic. Come on in!

Social Mobility: Exploring the Role of Universities and Colleges

Birthing a business in a safe and supportive way: We are joined by the inspiring Bayile Adeoti, Founder of Dechomai and Co-founder of the tech startup BobbAI. Drawing on her personal journey—including being told as a 16-year-old that she couldn't start a business because she didn't know any entrepreneurs—Bayile’s work is driven by a passion to enable others. Dechomai acts as a "business midwife," helping to "birth and start businesses in safe and supported environments". We explore why this "nurturing environment" is essential, how they manage to unpick a business and put it back together to reach its full potential, and how they connect with individuals almost entirely through word of mouth. Bayile shares critical insights from the Access Report, which investigated the barriers for ethnic minority social entrepreneurs accessing social investment, and reveals the enormous £75 billion opportunity left untapped globally in diverse communities. Finally, we discuss the development of BobbAI, a tool designed to tackle the "maze" of business support in Scotland and beyond by providing real-time, actionable, and relevant information to entrepreneurs. Tune in to hear how Bayile is working to keep the door open and "create opportunities for them" within the ecosystem. Thank you to Bayile for joining me and to The University of the West of Scotland for hosting the event. Search for "The Connect-Ed Network" on LinkedIn to join our community and access this episode when it drops! The Connected Network Podcast is made possible through funding and support from the Scottish Funding Council, The Challenges Group, The Community Lab and Podplistic. Come on in!