- 15
- Episodes
- 2025
- First episode
About Open Equity With Thomas Cornwall
Open Equity with Thomas Cornwall takes you inside the world of scaling companies, private equity, exits and wealth creation. Every week, Thomas - founder of Open Equity, who has helped scale companies to $200M+ revenue and exit for up to $1.75BN - shares unfiltered conversations and actionable insights featuring top founders, investors and dealmakers.
- Publisher
- Thomas Cornwall
- Category
- business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 9 Jun 2025
- Latest episode
- 23 Sept 2025
Latest episodes
15 episodes in the feed.
23 Sept 2025
Ronaldo Invested In My Company: The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned About Scaling
Vadim Fedotov, CEO of Bioniq, the leading personalised health supplement brand, learned brutal scaling lessons as Groupon Eastern Europe CEO in the fastest-growing company in history, then applied those insights to build a successful health company that caught Cristiano Ronaldo's attention. We’re diving into how Bioniq went from founder-led hustle to systematic scaling across 73 countries and why Vadim nearly quit multiple times before breakthrough partnerships transformed the business into the global success it is today. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk (https://www.openequity.co.uk) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Joining Groupon at its peak and the Rocket Internet playbook 04:57 Cold calls, sales culture and the IPO rollercoaster 09:01 What intense urgency actually looked like in practice 13:52 The doctor visit that broke his faith in traditional medicine 15:41 Discovering a performance protocol used by Olympic athletes 17:41 Buying the IP and starting Bioniq from scratch 19:23 Going all-in on the Bioniq brand 21:22 Hustling to 1,000 customers without a website 23:34 Why early partnerships mattered more than marketing 25:40 Realising a hustle-only model wouldn’t scale 27:14 Cracking different countries’ go-to-market strategies 28:28 Raising the first funding round with pure conviction 31:46 Almost walking away to take a big corporate job 35:22 How Cristiano Ronaldo became a surprise customer 37:06 Turning Ronaldo from user to investor 38:56 5-10x growth and the risk of over-partnering 40:29 Wasting time chasing logos and too many verticals 43:08 Returning to simplicity with two core products 45:41 Future plans: acquisitions and a Bioniq-powered clinic → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/) → Follow Vadim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vfedotov15/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vfedotov15/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vadim_bioniq/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/vadim_bioniq/?hl=en) Website: https://www.bioniq.com/ (https://www.bioniq.com/)
15 Sept 2025
What It Takes To Win In Business: Trust, Relationships & Discipline | Mohammed F. Mostafa
Actor, entrepreneur and investor Mohammed Mostafa, known for his roles in international productions like Hijack and building Versatile Synergy, has mastered the art of ecosystem development in the UAE. Rather than pursuing traditional business approaches, he leverages his position as a prominent local figure to create partnerships with family businesses, government entities, and entertainment industry leaders through deal-making. You'll hear why he believes doing business with friends strengthens relationships, his honest approach to government support systems in the UAE, and how entertainment industry experience translates into business resilience. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk (https://www.openequity.co.uk) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Starting Versatile Synergy 04:04 Pivoting from high street focus to scaling a full agency 07:00 Joining the family business and finding synergy with Versatile 11:41 Business with friends and when it works (or doesn’t) 12:36 What people get wrong about UAE go-to-market 16:14 Product placement in film as a subtle, lasting brand strategy 19:42 Using AI to mock up film ideas and pitch brands 22:03 Cross-territory filmmaking and building global partnerships 26:08 Lessons from acting and sport in handling rejection 29:22 Almost becoming Aladdin and finding direction in acting 33:40 Acting prep, emotional stamina, and becoming a character 38:04 Impact of Khataf character on Emirati youth 39:15 Journey Flow yoga and poetry as a tool for mental health 42:47 Depression, perspective, and designing a lifestyle that heals 46:27 Sharing struggles and the power of good people around you 49:23 Gratitude, reflection, and staying grounded with self-awareness → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/) → Follow Mohammed LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-mostafa-870745178/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-mostafa-870745178/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohammedfmostafa/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/mohammedfmostafa/?hl=en) Website: https://mohammedfmostafa.com/ (https://mohammedfmostafa.com/)
8 Sept 2025
My Biggest Lessons From Taking 100+ Companies Public | Callum Laing
Callum Laing co-founded Unity Group along with Jeremy Harbour after discovering that most entrepreneurs are terrible at fundraising because they think like operators instead of investors – focusing on client value while ignoring shareholder value entirely. Most capital raising advice hasn't evolved in decades: build a deck and knock on a thousand doors. Callum's approach reverses this by building networks first, adding value through introductions, and creating five-year lockup structures that control supply and demand in public markets. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk (https://www.openequity.co.uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 00:00 Introduction 04:31 Shifting mindset from client value to shareholder value 07:46 How advisory boards can 10x your company valuation 08:46 The Elon Musk text that explains real investing dynamics 11:57 Add value before pitching and build investor circles 14:24 Using introductions to build trust and accelerate deals 17:15 Partnership strategy built from being bad at sales 19:32 How low-stakes partnerships lead to high-value deals 21:15 Why board members should avoid solving problems themselves 24:43 The upside of launching companies in unfamiliar industries 26:22 Why public markets clash with entrepreneurial instincts 30:13 Building the investor-friendly IPO by rewiring supply and demand 34:02 Constrained stock model and creating long-term upside 37:19 Why public stock is a powerful tool for acquisitions 40:13 How the agglomeration model de-risks acquisition roll-ups 44:23 Reverse engineering private equity deals with guaranteed buyers 48:37 Taking chips off the table and building freedom 52:59 Most first-time founders get outplayed at the exit stage 57:17 How low expectations make long-term partnerships thrive → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) → Follow Callum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callumlaing/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/callumlaing/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Website: https://callumlaing.com/ (https://callumlaing.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
1 Sept 2025
How To Ride The $1TN+ AI Wave For Business Success
The difference between founders who build hundred-million-dollar companies and those who plateau isn't luck or timing - it's having a systematic approach to reverse engineering exactly what success looks like. This week on Open Equity, we're going over the four-step framework for reverse engineering success for building companies that buyers actually want to acquire. You'll hear why great companies are bought not sold, the specific valuation mechanics most founders get wrong, and how to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be using 100-day sprint plans. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter → Follow Thomas & Open EquityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equityWebsite: https://www.openequity.co.uk/
25 Aug 2025
Marketing Expert Reveals His Playbook To Scale Your Company | Raoul Plickat
Raoul Plickat scaled multiple companies by solving the creator economy's biggest problem , talented creators with massive reach who couldn't convert audiences into profitable businesses. Most digital brands plateau around $1 million because they're doing what everyone else does. Raoul's methodology starts with deep customer research to find the specific metaphors and language patterns that create instant emotional connection. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk (https://www.openequity.co.uk) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Launching in the creator economy after early agency success 04:57 Why creators struggle to monetise their massive reach 08:32 Performance marketing meets brand storytelling to drive growth 12:42 Most brands plateau because they stop thinking creatively 16:12 Building teams that complement your strengths, not clone them 18:22 Letting go and hiring CEOs without losing company culture 21:20 Scaling a business from $10M to $100M with insights 25:30 Real examples of turning customer research into strategy 29:31 What great copywriting really looks and feels like 31:32 How personal frustration led to launching CopeCard 33:47 Scaling SaaS by eliminating friction from day one 35:20 What Whoop got right about gamification and product education 38:27 Next moves in software, advertising and building with AI 42:26 Trying to clone himself through AI to scale expertise 46:30 Why asymmetric leverage beats following the hype → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/) → Follow Raoul LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raoulplickat/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/raoulplickat/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raoulplickat/ (https://www.instagram.com/raoulplickat/)
11 Aug 2025
Building A $100k/mo Business Plan For A Founder In 24 Minutes
This week on the Open Equity show, we’re doing something a little different. I’m joined by Jasper the founder of Nalu, our podcast production partner, and we’re breaking down the exact three-step plan to take his agency from $20K to $100K monthly and potentially position for exit within 12-24 months. You'll hear why moving from small business to enterprise clients unlocks scale, the specific hiring and onboarding framework that removes founder dependency, and how to identify your five most likely acquirers before you're ready to sell. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and scale: https://www.openequity.co.uk Join the Open Equity newsletter: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter → Follow Thomas & Open EquityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equityWebsite: https://www.openequity.co.uk/
4 Aug 2025
Learn These 7 Lessons To Become A Great Leader | Shada ElBorno
Shada Elborno has built a 29-year career at Standard Chartered, rising to Managing Director while maintaining a value-based leadership approach in an industry known for aggressive cultures. Join us this week on the Open Equity show, as we're discussing how she defied stereotypes as an Emirati female in investment banking, why kindness became her leadership superpower rather than a weakness, and her framework for staying grounded in values while navigating the pressures of scaling responsibility across billion-dollar transactions. Do you want to scale? (https://www.openequity.co.uk) We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow. Join the Open Equity newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) for weekly insights. 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Leading with soul and staying aligned to core values 05:18 Embracing self-awareness and defying cultural stereotypes 09:07 Evolving leadership through decades of purposeful work 13:38 Learning confidence through discomfort and public speaking 16:56 Staying rooted while adapting to constant change 19:43 Value-based investing and creating long-term impact 23:06 Personal responsibility as transaction scale multiplies 26:34 Shifting investment flows and future-focused sectors in MENA 29:06 Being a visible example without chasing titles 31:24 Loyalty to one organisation and learning through hard seasons 35:23 Staying steady as a leader in uncertain times 39:34 Navigating digital noise and social media 41:30 Founders approaching investment banks with new ideas 44:46 Mentorship, legacy, and staying open to reinvention 48:16 Seven lessons from a career rooted in kindness and grit → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website (https://www.openequity.co.uk/) → Follow Shada LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadaelborno)
28 Jul 2025
The 5-Step Plan To Grow Your Business To $100M+ (Acquisition Method)
Building through acquisition seems intimidating, but it's often faster and less risky than organic growth. In today's video, we'll go over five simple steps to scale through acquisition. You'll hear how to structure deals with minimal upfront capital, the sourcing strategies that work better than traditional sales outreach, and why most founders already know their first acquisition targets but haven't approached them yet. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and scale: https://www.openequity.co.uk (https://www.openequity.co.uk) Join the Open Equity newsletter: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/)
21 Jul 2025
I Bought 13 Years Of Business Growth In One Afternoon | Jeremy Harbour
Jeremy Harbour has built and exited dozens of companies, taken multiple businesses public, and now trains thousands of dealmakers worldwide – all without using traditional investment banking or requiring massive upfront capital. This week on the Open Equity show, we're discussing his unconventional approach to M&A that bypasses banks and advisors, why most owner-operators get stuck at the bottom of the entrepreneurship ladder, and the specific deal structures that let you acquire profitable companies with little or no money down. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk/book-a-call (https://www.openequity.co.uk/book-a-call) What’s your scale score? Take the free test: https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard (https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard) Join the newsletter: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Falling into dealmaking during the telecoms boom 05:00 Realising growth is easier through acquisition than sales 08:48 Breaking free from the owner-operator mindset 10:21 Why most people fail at structuring smart business deals 13:49 Public markets aren’t for raising money or selling companies 16:56 Long-term thinking vs short-term exit fantasies 18:08 Building lifestyle freedom through dealmaking 27:44 What makes a company IPO-worthy today 30:29 The importance of equity and fragmented markets 33:18 Avoiding the trap of reinventing the wheel 36:53 Overcoming procrastination through routine 39:03 Action and repetition as the real success drivers 41:12 When to sell, roll up, or go public with your business 43:20 Where to start if you want to become a dealmaker → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/) → Follow Jeremy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyharbour/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyharbour/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harbour.jeremy/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/harbour.jeremy/?hl=en) Website: https://www.jeremyharbour.com/ (https://www.jeremyharbour.com/)
14 Jul 2025
Proven Ways To 10X Your Company Value (Private Equity Playbooks)
Private equity firms routinely build billion-dollar companies with playbooks most business owners overlook. In today’s video, we’ll be going over three strategies to take your business to the next level. You'll hear the exact framework behind a $1.75 billion business exit, how to build value in the public markets, and the surprising way to 2-5x your enterprise value. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and scale: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/) What’s your scale score? Take the free test: https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard/) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter/) → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/)
7 Jul 2025
How To Build A Billion-Dollar Network | Obediah Ayton
Obediah Ayton built the region's leading family office summit from scratch, creating a platform where multi-million dollar deals get done and emerging fund managers raise capital – all while running a growing accounting practice across the UK and UAE. This week on the Open Equity show, we’re discussing his framework for building authentic networks through giving rather than taking, why he moderates every panel personally to protect speaker privacy, and the specific mistakes that kill most fundraising approaches to family offices. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: What’s your scale score? Take the free test: Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Building around family values and the roots of family offices 11:05 Common mistakes people make when approaching family businesses 13:57 Why long-term commitment is critical to doing business in the Gulf 16:38 Emotional weight of family legacy in Middle Eastern business deals 19:35 Moving from UK to US to Dubai and starting from zero 22:31 Launching a VAT business in the UAE without a clear roadmap 25:28 Pivoting from deal brokering to community building through events 28:33 Giving vs chasing short-term wins 34:46 Starting from zero and trusting the process 37:52 Tactical tips for launching meaningful, high-quality events 43:46 Managing speakers, structure and momentum at scale 49:50 Choosing long-term brand value over short-term ticket sales 52:53 Moderating your own panels to protect flow and trust 55:51 Thinking ahead to investment and small-scale private equity 01:01:47 Why the Middle East is a tough but motivating place to grow → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: Instagram: TikTok: Website: → Follow Obediah LinkedIn: Instagram: Website:
28 Jun 2025
Scaling To $30M+ In 24 Months: CASE STUDY
We scaled a technology company from zero to $30 million revenue in 24 months while maintaining profitability and strong margins. Many founders assume rapid scaling requires perfect products, unlimited capital, or complex strategies. This episode of Open Equity breaks down the exact three-step system that delivered these results: picking markets with high demand and low competition, building standardised teams and operational playbooks, and buying market share through strategic acquisitions. You'll hear the specific decisions, operational challenges, and systematic approaches that compressed what typically takes 10 years into 2, with principles you can apply regardless of your current business stage. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and scale: https://www.openequity.co.uk (https://www.openequity.co.uk) What’s your scale score? Take the free test: https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard (https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/)
20 Jun 2025
The Mindset Shift It Takes To Build A Dubai Market Leader | Tarik Chebib
Tarik Chebib took Capital.com from startup to regional leader in the UAE, scaling to 70 people in six months while cracking organic social growth in a way that established competitors still can't replicate. Rather than continuing to hire, Tarik paused to rebuild how the business operated. He's focused on creating processes that don't require constant human intervention – a mindset shift that's changing how he allocates resources. In episode 3 of Open Equity, we’re diving into how he hires top talent in competitive markets, why he still jumps on sales calls with his team, and the cultural mistakes that kill most scaling efforts in the Middle East. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk (https://www.openequity.co.uk) What’s your scale score? Take the free test: https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard (https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Building Capital.com from scratch in the UAE post-COVID 04:00 Scaling from a small team to 70 people quickly 06:49 Why recruiting top talent in emerging markets is so hard 09:21 Dubai’s startup ecosystem and regulatory evolution 12:52 The potential (and limits) of private markets for retail investors 16:01 Cracking short-form Arabic content to reach new audiences 18:00 Building organic reach with 100M+ social media views 20:46 Experimenting with non-traditional hires to create breakout content 22:50 How elite sports shaped his leadership style and mindset 27:55 Cultivating trust, motivation, and ownership in young teams 28:58 Advice for founders scaling serious, not lifestyle businesses in Dubai 30:47 The cultural nuances of trust and relationship-building in MENA 31:09 Emergence of M&A and family offices in the GCC 37:40 Expanding Capital.com across verticals and social-driven communities 40:52 The strategic impact of AI on content and operations 42:45 How to empower the team as a CEO → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website (https://www.openequity.co.uk/) → Follow Tarik LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarikchebib/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tc2111/) Website (https://capital.com/en-ae)
16 Jun 2025
If I Wanted To Scale Your Business To $100M+, This Is What I'd Do [Full Breakdown]
Less than 1% of companies break through $100M revenue. The majority of scaling companies stay stuck because they assume they need more capital, better products, or additional resources to reach this milestone. In Episode 2 of Open Equity, I’m breaking down the three critical levers that consistently drive breakthrough results: – Building genuine demand – Buying market share through strategic M&A – Leveraging technology for sustainable competitive advantage This isn't theory or fluff — it's a hard-won framework for turning what you already have into something significantly more valuable, without adding operational chaos. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk/book-a-call (https://www.openequity.co.uk/book-a-call) What’s your scale score? Take the free test: https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard (https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website (https://www.openequity.co.uk/)
9 Jun 2025
I’ve Built 24 Startups & a $400M Fund: Here’s What I Learned | Jamil Shinawi
Jamil Shinawi has built 24 companies over the last two decades, achieving multiple nine-figure exits and co-founding both deep-tech company AHOY and venture fund Actual VC. Most people assume that successful fundraising requires prestigious degrees and corporate credentials. This episode challenges that misconception head-on, as Jamil shares how he's repeatedly built valuable companies without traditional “pedigree” and why the venture capital industry's obsession with "safe" founders is actually stifling real innovation. You'll hear his unconventional approach to scaling teams, why he believes IPOs kill startups, and the unique equity structure that keeps his companies nimble and entrepreneurial. Do you want to scale? We’re looking for more great companies to invest in and help grow: https://www.openequity.co.uk/book-a-call (https://www.openequity.co.uk/book-a-call) What’s your scale score? Take the free test: https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard (https://www.openequity.co.uk/the-scale-scorecard) Join the Open Equity newsletter for weekly insights: https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.openequity.co.uk/newsletter) 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Running two companies and gaps in Middle East VC thinking 05:16 What it really means to be a hands-on investor 09:30 Why Jamil prefers private liquidity over IPOs 12:55 Scaling by spinning off teams into micro-startups 16:04 Forcing turnover with 4–6 year employee lifespans 18:15 The origin of Ahoy and a tech stack for developers 21:52 Pivoting into logistics and cold chain during COVID 25:06 Getting rejected by VCs for not fitting in 28:48 Cultural differences in how failure is seen 30:51 Building emotional resilience over 24 startups 37:46 Solving extreme problems out of raw curiosity 41:47 How to turn breakthrough science into real companies 44:50 Why universities are failing science-based startups 47:12 What “deep tech” really means at Actual VC 50:10 Building a value stack across the tech chain 52:05 Merging failing companies to unlock their value 56:03 Why taking early exits can be the wiser move 58:59 Key advice for founders scaling beyond product-market fit 1:01:42 A vision for the Gulf as a global innovation hub → Follow Thomas & Open Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascornwall/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/ (https://www.instagram.com/open.equity/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity (https://www.tiktok.com/@open.equity) Website: https://www.openequity.co.uk/ (https://www.openequity.co.uk/) → Follow Jamil LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamilshinawi/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamilshinawi/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamilshinawi/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/jamilshinawi/?hl=en) Website: https://www.ahoyholding.com/ (https://www.ahoyholding.com/)
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