Startup Builders & Backers

About Startup Builders & Backers

Startup Builders & Backers is a podcast that takes you inside the minds of the people shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Part of the Tech Talks Network, this series goes beyond headlines and hype to bring you real conversations with startup founders, angel investors, VCs, and seasoned operators who are building, backing, and scaling the next generation of companies. You might know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a broad spectrum of business technology. But here, the focus narrows to the pulse of the startup ecosystem. From the spark of an idea to the complexities of funding, go-to-market strategies, team building, and exits, this series unpacks what it really takes to create a successful venture in today’s fast-moving environment. In each episode, we uncover what motivates founders to leave stability behind in pursuit of something bigger. We explore how investors identify promise amid uncertainty, what they’re looking for right now, and how early-stage bets evolve into long-term partnerships. Along the way, we look at the less polished moments—the pivots, the pressures, and the personal lessons that shape both people and products. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor looking for your next big bet, or a startup operator navigating growth, these conversations offer insight, connection, and an honest look at the reality behind the pitch decks. So what does it take to build something from nothing, and who are the people willing to take that risk? Let’s find out together. And if you’ve got a story to tell or a venture to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Publisher

Neil C. Hughes

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Apr 2025

Latest episode

18 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

13 of 28 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   18 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Moving Retail CRM Beyond Segments With Replenit

   Host Alex interviews Ilyas Kurklu, CEO of Replenit, about revolutionizing retail CRM with AI-driven individual customer decisions for increased incremental margin.

2. 

   23 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Making Complex Healthcare Systems Feel Simple With VITL

   Host Alex Lieberman interviews Charlie Jordan, founder and CEO of VITL, about simplifying complex healthcare systems and building technology for legacy markets.

3. 

   12 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Building Through AI Uncertainty With ChurnZero

   Host Alex Lieberman interviews YouMon Tsang, founder and CEO of ChurnZero, about navigating AI uncertainty and market timing in building successful companies.

Inside a recent episode

Moving Retail CRM Beyond Segments With Replenit

Published 18 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] So we... get this return, and then our decisioning done nonstop, 724. So retailers shouldn't think of whether we execute the communication. No, they need to control whether those decisions were right and the consumers get what they needed by engaging with this communication layer of the retailer. […]

Who has been a guest on Startup Builders & Backers

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ilyas Kurklu
• Charlie Jordan
• YouMon Tsang
• Connor
• Daren Hornig

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

602,988

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

54

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

0

Contact Startup Builders & Backers

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Startup Builders & Backers