Henry Joseph-Grant: Does VC stand for Venture Colonialism? | Episode 60 6h1o67

In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah interviews entrepreneur and mentor Henry Joseph Grant, who shares insights from his extensive experience in scaling startups and driving innovation. The discussion delves into the transformative impact of the iPhone on business, particularly in launching Just Eat, a brand that grew from startup to a $2.44 billion IPO. Henry emphasises the importance of comfort, convenience, and choice in technology, while also highlighting the delicate balance of asking for money versus advice. The conversation explores themes of product-led growth, strategic decision-making in times of cuts, and the unique cross-pollination opportunities at the Web Summit, connecting startups with Fortune 500 companies and investors. Additionally, Henry reflects on the challenges faced by the West in venture capital and economic growth. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion filled with practical advice for entrepreneurs and innovators alike. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Henry Joseph Grant 00:00:32 - Leveraging the iPhone for Just Eat's Success 00:01:36 - The Cost of Comfort, Convenience, and Choice in Tech 00:02:01 - Host Introduction and Podcast Promotion 00:02:50 - Henry's Return to Podcasting 00:03:43 - Early Days at Just Eat 00:05:17 - Funding Just Eat Through Restaurant Fees 00:05:57 - Guerrilla Marketing at Freshers' Fairs 00:08:22 - The Importance of Doing Things That Don't Scale 00:09:57 - Educating the Market and Overcoming Challenges 00:12:07 - Internal Politics and Leadership at Just Eat 00:14:02 - Owning the Marketplace and Handling Competitors 00:16:42 - Evolution of the Food Delivery Industry 00:18:41 - The Future of Food Delivery: Dark Kitchens and Innovation 00:19:47 - Henry's Diverse Career and Industry Adaptability 00:21:21 - The Impact of Marketplaces and Adding Value 00:23:32 - Legacy and Impact Beyond Monetary Value 00:26:11 - ing Talixo and Relocating to Berlin 00:28:57 - Overhauling Sales and Partnerships at Talixo 00:30:24 - Achieving Near Profitability and the Impact of COVID-19 00:33:11 - The Importance of Making Cuts the Right Way 00:35:05 - Different Approaches to Handling Cuts During the Pandemic 00:37:43 - Founding Sendoff After a Personal Tragedy Find Henry Joseph Grant online at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryjosephgrant/ Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryjosephgrant/ Company: https://www.henryjosephgrant.com/ This episode is sponsored by EmergeOne, fractional CFOs for venture backed tech startups from Seed to Series B. Get in touch at https://emergeone.co.uk/-us/ or the CFO team at https://emergeone.co.uk/-the-cfo-team/ Sign up for EmergeOne’s weekly newsletter, Off Balance at https://off-balance.beehiiv.com/subscribe 1a5b69