In this episode, hear from the CEO of QDot who turned his childhood passion into a successful spin-out company with a mission to enable clean flight for future generations. 

In this episode, hear from the CEO of QDot who turned his childhood passion into a successful spin-out company with a mission to enable clean flight for future generations.

Businesses of the future are going to be based on science and technology, from AI to mRNA and Blockchain to Fusion, science and technology are revolutionising the way we work and being applied to the global challenges of our time. Join Hannah Prevett, a business journalist with The Times, every Thursday, as she meets the scientists who are turning breakthroughs into world changing businesses.  If you’re wondering how to turn your idea into a lab-based discovery, deliver the perfect pitch to secure funding and grow, all whilst avoiding pitfalls along the way, then join us as we help solve the science of business.

Businesses of the future are going to be based on science and technology, from AI to mRNA and Blockchain to Fusion, science and technology are revolutionising the way we work and being applied to the global challenges of our time. Join Hannah Prevett, a business journalist with The Times, every Thursday, as she meets the scientists who are turning breakthroughs into world changing businesses.  If you’re wondering how to turn your idea into a lab-based discovery, deliver the perfect pitch to secure funding and grow, all whilst avoiding pitfalls along the way, then join us as we help solve the science of business.

The Science Of Business

Joining the (Q)dots: Spinning out successfully

From the devastation of the 1995 Kobe earthquake to revolutionising space sustainability and safety, Nobu Okada’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Witnessing the tragic impact of the disaster—where over 6,000 lives were lost and his own family was displaced - ignited Nobu’s drive to make a difference. After a diverse career in government finance, IT consulting and start-ups, he founded Astroscale to address the critical issue of space debris orbiting Earth. In this episode, we dive into Nobu’s inspiring entrepreneurial path, exploring how he transformed his childhood dream into a groundbreaking venture, raised hundreds of millions in funding, and took Astroscale public this year.

GO TO Highlights from this episode (Scroll-to points)
(02:19) - Growing up in Japan and developing a love for science
(03:34) - Space Camp
(05:34) - Life at University and a devastating earthquake
(07:31) - Entrepreneurial culture in the US
(10:46) - Reigniting a passion for space – the birth of Astroscale
(12:44) - Space junk – why we should care
(15:41) - First mover advantage – a help or a hindrance
(19:32) - Self funding and raising capital
(23:21) - All eyes on Astroscale’s first launch
(25:27) - When failure leads to progress
(28:23) - The UK a centre of excellence for space
(31:02) - Recruiting a global diverse team – the challenges and benefits.
(37:03) - Quick fire questions – From proudest moment to aspirational advice

From the devastation of the 1995 Kobe earthquake to revolutionising space sustainability and safety, Nobu Okada’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Witnessing the tragic impact of the disaster—where over 6,000 lives were lost and his own family was displaced - ignited Nobu’s drive to make a difference. After a diverse career in government finance, IT consulting and start-ups, he founded Astroscale to address the critical issue of space debris orbiting Earth. In this episode, we dive into Nobu’s inspiring entrepreneurial path, exploring how he transformed his childhood dream into a groundbreaking venture, raised hundreds of millions in funding, and took Astroscale public this year.
GO TO Highlights from this episode (Scroll-to points) (02:19) - Growing up in Japan and developing a love for science (03:34) - Space Camp (05:34) - Life at University and a devastating earthquake (07:31) - Entrepreneurial culture in the US (10:46) - Reigniting a passion for space – the birth of Astroscale (12:44) - Space junk – why we should care (15:41) - First mover advantage – a help or a hindrance (19:32) - Self funding and raising capital (23:21) - All eyes on Astroscale’s first launch (25:27) - When failure leads to progress (28:23) - The UK a centre of excellence for space (31:02) - Recruiting a global diverse team – the challenges and benefits. (37:03) - Quick fire questions – From proudest moment to aspirational advice

Cleaning Up Space - How Nobu Okada’s childhood dream launched into orbit.

Imagine being able to play a small part in bringing life-changing treatments to patients, giving people hope, and allowing them to spend a little more time with loved ones. Making a positive difference in people's lives is more than just a mission statement for founder and CEO Kuntal Fisher - it's a way of life. Together with her husband Mark, Kuntal has built a hugely successful business, FIECON, that makes life-changing treatments and healthcare more accessible to all. Their work is saving lives every day.  In this episode, we dive into the story behind FIECON and how Kuntal's own battle with illness reignited her passion for science, fuelling her determination to make a difference in the healthcare industry, but her impact doesn't stop there. She’s also on a personal mission to invest in, mentor, and share knowledge with other female founders, helping to level the playing field.

GO TO Highlights from this episode (Scroll-to points)
(01:56) - Growing up in Mumbai
(04:19) - Inspired by stories of entrepreneurship
(12:40) - First career – management consultancy culture.
(18:13) - Falling ill and reigniting a love for science
(22:56) - Starting a business, a family and purchasing your first house
(27:06) - Building a business - two years ahead
(29:29) - Building a culture is a simple concept -of working with other human beings 
(33:08) - The philanthropic vision
(34:35) - Supporting female entrepreneurs
(38:39) - Quick fire questions: From podcasts and books to finding out the truth about your leadership style

Imagine being able to play a small part in bringing life-changing treatments to patients, giving people hope, and allowing them to spend a little more time with loved ones. Making a positive difference in people's lives is more than just a mission statement for founder and CEO Kuntal Fisher - it's a way of life. Together with her husband Mark, Kuntal has built a hugely successful business, FIECON, that makes life-changing treatments and healthcare more accessible to all. Their work is saving lives every day.  In this episode, we dive into the story behind FIECON and how Kuntal's own battle with illness reignited her passion for science, fuelling her determination to make a difference in the healthcare industry, but her impact doesn't stop there. She’s also on a personal mission to invest in, mentor, and share knowledge with other female founders, helping to level the playing field.
GO TO Highlights from this episode (Scroll-to points) (01:56) - Growing up in Mumbai (04:19) - Inspired by stories of entrepreneurship (12:40) - First career – management consultancy culture. (18:13) - Falling ill and reigniting a love for science (22:56) - Starting a business, a family and purchasing your first house (27:06) - Building a business - two years ahead (29:29) - Building a culture is a simple concept -of working with other human beings  (33:08) - The philanthropic vision (34:35) - Supporting female entrepreneurs (38:39) - Quick fire questions: From podcasts and books to finding out the truth about your leadership style

Culture-Hacking, Transforming Millions of Lives - The Story of Kuntal Fisher

From selling goldfish to his classmates in Trinidad, to becoming one of the most successful media leaders in the UK, Rob Pierre learnt the art of entrepreneurship from a young age. From growing Jellyfish into a multimillion-pound digital marketing powerhouse with clients including Netflix and Google, to exiting the company to impart his learnings and help guide other businesses to sustainable growth. This episode offers a true masterclass in maintaining a small business mindset whilst achieving commercial success without compromising on your values and personal beliefs. 

GO TO Highlights from this episode (Scroll-to points)
(02:02) - Being brought up and impact on life
(03:20) - Growing up in Trinidad – The hustle is real
(07:47) - Family tragedy and adjusting to life in the UK
(10:31) - Education system in UK vs Trinidad
(13:07) - Failing physics to Intrapreneurial success
(22:34) - Underestimating accountability
(23:55) - The confidence to take the plunge – Jellyfish was born
(27:24) - The technological revolution - Ask Jeeves to the growth of Google
(31:44) - Creating a genuine joined up global proposition
(35:58) - Creating a meritocracy based on value exchange
(41:18) - Investor advice
(44:18) - From CEO, to Chair, to Exit
(52:25) - Quick fire questions, from role models to proudest moment and treasured advice

From selling goldfish to his classmates in Trinidad, to becoming one of the most successful media leaders in the UK, Rob Pierre learnt the art of entrepreneurship from a young age. From growing Jellyfish into a multimillion-pound digital marketing powerhouse with clients including Netflix and Google, to exiting the company to impart his learnings and help guide other businesses to sustainable growth. This episode offers a true masterclass in maintaining a small business mindset whilst achieving commercial success without compromising on your values and personal beliefs. 
GO TO Highlights from this episode (Scroll-to points) (02:02) - Being brought up and impact on life (03:20) - Growing up in Trinidad – The hustle is real (07:47) - Family tragedy and adjusting to life in the UK (10:31) - Education system in UK vs Trinidad (13:07) - Failing physics to Intrapreneurial success (22:34) - Underestimating accountability (23:55) - The confidence to take the plunge – Jellyfish was born (27:24) - The technological revolution - Ask Jeeves to the growth of Google (31:44) - Creating a genuine joined up global proposition (35:58) - Creating a meritocracy based on value exchange (41:18) - Investor advice (44:18) - From CEO, to Chair, to Exit (52:25) - Quick fire questions, from role models to proudest moment and treasured advice

Joining the (Q)dots: Spinning out successfully

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