Top Podcasts For Aspiring Startup Founders

Starting a business can be an exciting but also challenging journey, especially when it comes to the world of startups.

If you are thinking about starting your own business, you’re probably also shopping around for advice from those that have done it successfully. In days gone by, aspiring founders would have looked to books to help guide them on their journeys, but now – a whole new multimedia platform has emerged: Podcasts.

The UK Podcast industry is currently worth around £37M in the UK, engaging over 21 million listeners (Statista). They are an amazing way to tell stories and stay up to date with trends on the go. Here we take a look at 10 podcasts that we think are worth listening to if you want to learn from the best in the business.

1. The Diary of a CEO

Steven Bartlett, the youngest-ever Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, is also the host of one of the UK’s most successful business podcasts.

Through conversations with some of the country’s best entrepreneurs, Bartlett explores different people’s strategies for success. Whether it’s advice on how to lead a team, how to market a business or how to become a better businessperson, it’s a great listen for anyone looking to start their own company.

2. Secret Leaders

Hosted by Dan Murray-Serter, Secret Leaders interviews some of the biggest founders and experts, exploring their secrets to starting a business.

The podcast covers everything from scaling startups to overcoming challenges. Guests have included founders of companies like Monzo, Shazam, and Lastminute.com, making it a great listen for insider knowledge on the UK startup scene.

3. The Pitch Podcast

A big part of starting your own business is pitching for funding.

If you want an insight into what real-life investment pitches include, The Pitch Podcast is the one for you.

Entrepreneurs with big ideas come on the podcast and pitch to a panel of investors, who then decide whether or not to invest.

It’s a great opportunity to hear the kind of questions that investors ask and understand what makes the perfect pitch.

4. How I Built This

Guy Raz’s How I Built This is a great insight into some of the world’s best-known companies. The podcast explores how some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs built their businesses, talking about the good, the bad and the ugly of startups.

With episodes featuring huge names like Jo Malone and James Dyson, it’s a great source of inspiration and advice for any aspiring business owner.

5. Masters Of Scale

Hosted by Reid Hoffman, Masters of Scale features candid interviews with founders, CEOs and innovators, talking about how they grew some of the world’s biggest companies.

The podcast focuses on how entrepreneurial mindset is the secret to a successful business – and explores everything you need to do to foster it.

6. This Week In Startups

Startup founder interviews are important, but so is staying up to date with the latest news and trends.

Jason Calacanis discusses all the hottest topics in tech and business, whilst also interviewing some of the world’s greatest founders.

7. Founders Unfound

Focused on spotlighting underrepresented founders, this podcast gives a stage for diverse voices who are often overlooked.

The host, Dan Kihanya, interviews a wide range of diverse entrepreneurs, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to hear voices with a new perspective.

8. StartUp Podcast

The StartUp Podcast is all about exploring the highs and lows of starting a business in a way that’s relatable for all entrepreneurs.

With seasons dedicated to different themes from raising capital to dealing with failure, the podcast is a realistic look at what it takes to grow a startup.