Welcome to Defining the Future, the podcast that celebrates the ideas, innovations, and people making the world a better place.
I’m Claire Rutherford, a patent attorney and founder of Definition IP.
In this podcast series, I sit down with visionary entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers who are driving real, lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
In each episode, we’re unpacking the stories behind the breakthroughs and the passion fueling their work. It’s about the people who are changing the game, and how their unique journeys are transforming the future for the better.
From groundbreaking solutions to inspiring founder stories, Defining the Future is your chance to hear directly from the voices leading the way.
Join us and discover the stories behind the innovations that are shaping tomorrow.
Patience, Perseverance and Persistence with Paul Fitzpatrick
In this episode, Claire Rutherford is joined by Paul Fitzpatrick. Paul is an entrepreneur with a wide range of experience in medical devices, healthcare, consulting, and hospitality. He’s helped start and grow over 10 businesses, taking them from ideas to successful exits, including through mergers, acquisitions, and international expansions. Paul's expertise includes areas like EMS, physical therapy, nurse staffing, breast cancer screening, molecular diagnostics, and drug delivery. He’s raised over $50M in funding and has been involved in more than 20 mergers and acquisition deals worth over $100M.
Together, they discuss Paul’s professional journey from being a paramedic to becoming a successful consultant and entrepreneur, discussing the importance of taking risks, recognising opportunities, and the challenges of navigating the healthcare industry. He emphasises the significance of patience, perseverance and persistence in entrepreneurship, as well as the need for funding and market validation.
This episode is a must listen for anyone involved in running a business, no matter what stage you’re at.
Connect with Paul:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljfitzpatrick/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljfitzpatrick/)
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-rutherford/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-rutherford/)
Definition IP: https://definitionip.com/ (https://definitionip.com/)
26 Jun 2025
Leading with Purpose: Building a Biotech Startup with Joe Hedley
CEO Joe Hedley discusses with Claire Rutherford what it takes to lead a biotech startup, sharing pivotal moments and insights into dedication, resilience, and the importance of well-being for aspiring founders in this interview.
12 Jun 2025
Pioneering Water Tech: Inside Origin Tech’s Innovation with John Marsden
John Marsden discusses Origin Tech's innovative No Dig technology for reducing water wastage and carbon emissions with Claire Rutherford in an interview.
29 May 2025
Changing Cancer Therapy: The LightOx Vision with Carrie Ambler
Professor Carrie Ambler discusses LightOx's innovative approach to targeted phototherapies for oral cancer and wound care with Claire Rutherford in this interview, highlighting the challenges of drug development and the importance of purpose.
15 May 2025
Repurposing Carbon for a Sustainable Future: ViridiCO2 with Daniel Stewart
How can we transform waste CO2 into something valuable?
In this episode of Defining the Future, Claire Rutherford is joined by Dr Daniel Stewart, CEO and co-founder of ViridiCO2. ViridiCO2 technology takes carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and turns it into chemicals that can be used in the production of greener and more sustainable products including; consumer personal products, cosmetics, furniture, and clothing.
The conversation explores the technology behind this innovative process, Daniel’s journey from academia to entrepreneurship, and the challenges and opportunities in commercialising sustainable solutions to combat climate change.
They also unpack the realities of launching a startup; from securing funding and building a mission-driven team to scaling with purpose. The importance of balancing profit with purpose in innovation is emphasised, along with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs to find their purpose and make data-driven decisions.
Find out more about ViridiCO2:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/viridico2/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/viridico2/)
Website: https://viridico2.co.uk/ (https://viridico2.co.uk/)
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-rutherford/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-rutherford/)
Definition IP: https://definitionip.com/ (https://definitionip.com/)
1 May 2025
Revolutionising PCR Diagnostics: The Story of QuantuMDx with Jonathan O’Halloran
What does it take to create a revolutionary PCR device for diagnostics?
In this episode of Defining the Future, Claire Rutherford is joined by Jonathan O'Halloran. Jonathan is the co-founder of QuantuMDx, former Chief Scientific Officer and inventor of many of its proprietary technologies. Jonathan has a specialist interest in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and was a diagnostics advisor for the O’Neill Review. He was awarded European CTO of the Year in 2015.
Together, they discuss the journey of QuantumDx, the development of the Q-POC system, and the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship in the biotech field. Jonathan shares insights on the importance of community support, learning from mistakes, maintaining company culture, and the driving purpose behind their innovations. The conversation also touches on the future of diagnostics, the fight against antimicrobial resistance, and Jonathan's vision for impactful investments.
Tune in to find out the journey Jonathan has been on from setting up in his garage to becoming a global business.
Connect with Jonathan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanohalloran/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanohalloran/)
Website: https://www.quantumdx.com/ (https://www.quantumdx.com/)
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-rutherford/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-rutherford/)
Definition IP: https://definitionip.com/ (https://definitionip.com/)
30 Apr 2025
Defining the Future Trailer
Welcome to Defining the Future, the podcast that celebrates the ideas, innovations, and people making the world a better place.
I’m Claire Rutherford, a patent attorney and founder of Definition IP.
In this podcast series, I sit down with visionary entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers who are driving real, lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
In each episode, we’re unpacking the stories behind the breakthroughs and the passion fueling their work. It’s about the people who are changing the game, and how their unique journeys are transforming the future for the better.
From groundbreaking solutions to inspiring founder stories, Defining the Future is your chance to hear directly from the voices leading the way.
Join us and discover the stories behind the innovations that are shaping tomorrow.
Make sure to rate the podcast and leave a review and subscribe now so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
Who has been a guest on Defining the Future
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Joe Hedley
John Marsden
Carrie Ambler
Podcast Authority Score: 10 / 100
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