#005 Brent Hoberman, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman - Entrepreneurship - a podcast by Ann Hiatt

This week on the Bet On Yourself Podcast I am talking with Brent Hoberman. Brent is Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Founders Factory (a corporate-backed venture studio and accelerator), as well as The Founders Forum (a global community of founders and tech leaders), and firstminute capital (a $210m seed fund with global remit, backed by Atomico, Tencent and over 70 unicorn founders). Previously, Brent co-founded lastminute.com in 1998, where he was CEO from its inception to sale in 2005 to Sabre for $1.1bn. He is truly one of the internet’s original unicorns.



Technology businesses Brent has co-founded have raised over $800 million. The list is extensive and includes companies which support global entrepreneurs such as PROfounders Capital, Founders Intelligence (an entrepreneur-powered consultancy), accelerateHER (a network taking action to change the underrepresentation of women in technology), Founders Keepers (a technology executive search firm), Founders of the Future (a network that identifies and supports aspiring entrepreneurs), Founders Pledge (a community for entrepreneurs committed to finding and funding solutions to global challenges), Grip (AI powered event networking solution) and most recently Founders Academy (a new type of business school for a changing world).



Brent is Chairman of the Karakuri board and sits on the advisory boards of The Royal Academy, the UK Government Digital Service, the WEF Digital Europe Group and the Imperial College Innovation Fund. He is also a Male Champion of Change for The Global Tech Group, and in 2015 was awarded a CBE for services to entrepreneurship.



Brent is truly a remarkable entrepreneur and this episode is full of wisdom for anyone looking to make an informed bet on themselves. I have a feeling you’re going to want to listen to this one twice! Buckle up!

Minute by minute summary

03:00: Brent’s foundation

14:00: How did you get lastminute.com off the ground? Brent talks us through the stages and recognizing the need for a co-founder

16:40: The importance of identifying your strengths when hiring

18:40: have you dissected a formula for scaling?

21:05: How did you survive the dot com bust and end up as one of Europes most successful internet companies?

26:25: Building consumer trust

28:30: Much of your focus is on supporting entrepreneurs through Founders Forum, what was your original vision?

32:30: How to pivot? Where to double down?

35:15: Optimistic entrepreneurs

36:20: In 2019 Brent became a male champion of change, he walks us through what this means.

39:40: What is giving you hope for the future?

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