Founder Friday
Founder Friday
Leveraging entrepreneurship as a tool for social mobility.
That's the mission behind Canopy Community and the Founder Friday podcast.
We believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn't.
Too many people never start a business because they never see someone like themselves become a founder. They assume entrepreneurship belongs to people with different backgrounds, different education, different connections or different resources.
We're here to change that.
In each episode, host Stewart Noakes sits down with founders from around the world to uncover the stories that rarely make the headlines. Together they explore the uncertainty, resilience, failures, breakthroughs and defining moments that shape entrepreneurial journeys.
These aren't polished success stories.
They're honest conversations about building something from nothing.
Our hope is simple.
One story at a time, we want every listener to discover someone they can relate to and think:
"If they can do it, maybe I can too."
Because there isn't one route into entrepreneurship.
- Founders come from cities and villages.
- From universities and factories.
- From boardrooms and bedrooms.
- From privilege and from adversity.
Some are parents. Some are students. Some are immigrants. Some start at 18, others at 68.
Every journey is different, yet has similarities regardless of the origin.
Every story matters.
Every conversation helps widen the picture of what a founder looks like.
Whether you're exploring your first idea, validating an MVP, finding customers, raising investment or simply wondering whether entrepreneurship could be part of your future, Founder Friday offers practical insights and authentic stories from people who are actively building.
Produced by Canopy Community, one of Europe's leading startup communities, Founder Friday is part of a bigger mission:
To leverage entrepreneurship as a tool for social mobility by making founders more visible, more relatable and more accessible to the next generation.
Because changing one life doesn't always start with funding.
Sometimes it starts with a story.
And perhaps the next story you hear will be the one that changes yours.
🎙️ Follow Founder Friday for new episodes as they drop.
🌱 Learn more about Canopy Community: https://www.canopy.community/
👋 Connect with Stewart Noakes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartnoakes/
#FounderFriday #FirstTimeFounder #StartupFounder #Entrepreneurship #StartupCommunity #SocialMobility #Innovation #MVP #StartupJourney #FollowYourDreams #IfNotNowThenWhen #Tribe
Founder Friday
Why Your Co-founder Shouldn't Be Your Best Friend
This episode is only available to subscribers.
Founder Friday by Canopy Community +
Get access to our entire back catalogueRob Cousins shares his journey from corporate banking to co-founding Scribe, a data-driven platform helping founders connect with investors and enabling financial institutions to structure private company data. His transition illuminates the realities of startup life and the critical importance of finding the right technical co-founder.
• Moving from a 7-year career at Barclays to founding a startup after identifying automation opportunities in financial data processing
• Finding a technical co-founder through Antler's accelerator program after six months of unsuccessful networking
• Building a complementary co-founder relationship based on different skills rather than friendship
• Balancing startup agility with professional client service as a key differentiator
• Managing founder stress through creative outlets like playing trumpet in jazz bands
• Maintaining mental resilience through the entrepreneurial journey's ups and downs
• Taking the first step is crucial - "just start, test things, put yourself out there"
• Recognising that building a company isn't for everyone despite startup culture romanticising it
The platform has now worked with nearly 600 companies and helped unlock millions in capital for businesses that might otherwise struggle to find investment.
The friends of Canopy membership group
Raise Angel Investment with Scribe
Systematise and automate your fundraising with Angel investors in the UK
City Ventures
the startup ecosystem from City St Georges University of London
Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE
Seedlegals
The go to platform for startup legals in UK and USA
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Canopy Community
The place for founders, start ups and entrepreneurs. For more episodes, or to access coaching, events, advice, networks, education and more, visit…
https://linktr.ee/CanopyCommunity
