There’s a million and one different business podcasts out there vying for your attention (I haven’t fact checked that number but I’m pretty sure it’s accurate), but if your time is precious we’re here to help you find the ones that get to the heart of the matter for start-ups.
Here’s a quick rundown of 16 19! (we're always looking for more) of the best, from the UK and the US, that will help you learn and grow your start-up business. They may not all be a mandatory listen each week (some of them are quite long, others release very frequently) but pick and choose as needed, or listen at 1.5x speed...
Masters of Scale
I figured this was as good a recommendation to start with as any, as it’s recommended everywhere as one of the best podcasts for start-up founders. Positively riddled with interviews with founders and leaders of some of the biggest and most profitable companies in the world, Masters or Scale is here to help anyone setting out to develop a high growth business.
Hosted by Reid Hoffman (co-founder of LinkedIn and investor at Greylock), each episode shows how companies “grow from zero to gazillion”.
Released: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Average length: 45 minutes
Riding Unicorns
A podcast from James Pringle (Goldsmith Ventures) and Hector Mason (Episode 1 Ventures) that delves into the details about growth start-ups. Featuring weekly interviews with start-up founders, operators and the venture capitalists that back them, this one comes highly recommended by the Hex team. There’s also a monthly roundup episode every month where the hosts James and Hector discuss all the latest goings on in their roles, and the early stage ecosystem in the UK at large.
Released: Every Wednesday
Average length: 32 minutes
The All-in Podcast
Another direct recommendation from the Hex team, the All-in podcast does a better job of describing itself than I’d be able to do, so here it is in their own words: “Industry veterans, degenerate gamblers & besties Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks & David Friedberg cover all things economic, tech, political, social & poker.”
It’s released a little more sporadically than most of the others on our list, and weighs in at nearly an hour and a half each episode, but the content is well worth your time.
Released: Varies
Average length: 1 hour 24 minutes
As Told By Nomads
As Told By Nomads offers a commentary on the business world as seen through the eyes of a digital marketing specialist. Featuring interviews with changemakers and entrepreneurs, the podcast discusses what it takes to be better and more inclusive global leaders.
The approach taken by As Told by Nomads helps everyone who wants to kick start a marketing campaign that will generate results. It teaches its audience new approaches to digital media and marketing, and how to develop marketing strategies that convert.
Released: Every Wednesday
Average length: 40-50 minutes
Elevating Founders
From London Tech Week, the Elevating Founders podcast gives a platform for change makers and disruptors to share their tech sector stories with early stage founders, as they look to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.
Released: Usually twice per month
Average length: 35 minutes
Entrepreneurs on Fire
The Entrepreneurs On Fire podcast, hosted by John Lee Dumas, offers inspiration and strategies for founders to reach new heights on their entrepreneurial journey. JLD’s goal is to help you move away from spending 90% of your day doing things you don’t enjoy, and to create the life you’ve always dreamed of. Which sounds a bit much sometimes, but the podcast is backed up by interviews with some big names such as Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, Tim Ferriss and many others.
It does have a pretty aggressive release schedule, coming out daily, so it might be one to dip in and out of if time is a little short.
Released: Daily
Average length: 27 minutes
Fintech Insider by 11:FS
Dedicated to all things fintech, banking, technology and financial services, the Fintech Insider podcast by 11:FS, a company who, in their own words “builds next-generation propositions for challengers in the financial services industry: existing firms looking to innovate, start-ups looking to scale, and everyone in between.”
The bi-weekly podcast is hosted by a rotation of 11:FS experts including David Brear, Simon Taylor, Jason Bates, Sarah Kocianski and Ross Gallagher and joined by a range of guests, who discuss the latest news, developments, and trends within the industry.
Released: Every Monday and Friday
Average length: 52 minutes
How I Built This with Guy Raz
The stories of how founders and innovators built some of the most successful, iconic and innovative companies in the world, NPR’s How I Built This dives into the detail through interviews with the people behind the movements and success stories.
If you’re searching for inspiration and want to know how some of the best companies out there got started, Guy Raz will guide you on the journey.
Released: Every Monday
Average length: 58 minutes
The SiteVisibility Internet Marketing Podcast
Boring, but clearly SEO-friendly title aside, the Internet Marketing Podcast is from Brighton based digital Agency, Site Visibility. One of the UK’s most popular internet marketing podcasts, it offers strategic advice to marketers and start-ups alike on what tools are available and how they should be utilised to deliver successful marketing campaigns.
Released: Every Thursday
Average length: 52 minutes
London Fintech Podcast
Billing itself as “Insights, stories & inspiration from a Golden Age of Creativity, Opportunity and Innovation”, the London Fintech Podcast poses the question “is this the largest wave of innovation in fintech?” and asks who will be the Financial Services equivalents of Amazon, Google or Facebook? Pretty big questions with thoughtful answers from the podcast team. If Fintech is your scene, this one is worth a listen.
Released: Twice a month
Average length: 45 minutes
Start-up Stories - Mixergy
Business tips for startups by proven entrepreneurs, the Start-up Stories podcast from Mixergy has conducted over 2,100 interviews to date. In each interview with founders and thought leaders in business, the host, Andrew Warner, digs deep into their successes and failures and offers key learnings for all start-ups out there.
With such a huge back catalogue of interviews, and a rapid release schedule, this is another one to possibly pick and choose episodes that feature interviews of interest to you, rather than trying to catch up on several thousand hours...
Released: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Average length: 59 minutes
Pitch Deck Podcast
Hosted by angel investor, mentor and startup studio founder Nick Telson, each episode of the Pitch Deck podcast gives startup founders 3 minutes to pitch their business to Nick and a guest Angel Investor or Mentor. Once the pitch is complete, Nick and his guests discuss the pitch and the business itself, all while asking the questions an investor would ask during a real pitch. Then Nick and his guest discuss in detail what they make of the business and the investment opportunity.
Released: Every Monday
Average length: 48 minutes
Rocketship.fm
Rocketship.fm breaks down the concepts anyone working in the tech industry needs to know, from product management to growth, from sales to funding. Essential listening for entrepreneurs and product managers, the podcast delivers stories that inspire growth and offers insights that will affect the way you think about your product and your business.
Released: Every Thursday
Average length: 30 minutes
TEDTalks Business
Covering just about any and every aspect of business, the TEDTalks Business podcast isn’t strictly for start-ups, but it does often delve into relevant topics. From setting SMART goals to unlocking the next big innovation, the podcast presents powerful and often surprising ideas to help you succeed. And after each talk there’s a mini-lesson from host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School on how to apply that episode's topic to your situation.
Released: Every Monday
Average length: 23 minutes
The HealthTech Podcast
Covering the latest in health and technology, The HealthTech Podcast conducts interviews with disruptive health-tech startups and leaders.
Released: Every Thursday and Sunday
Average length: 26 minutes
HealthTech Hour with Steve Roest
While on the topic of healthtech, this rapidly-growing live radio show (available on demand) features founders, leaders, clinicians and investors who are driving the HealthTech revolution.
Hosted by Steve Roest -a formidable founder himself and CEO of PocDoc - it provides a rare glimpse under the bonnet of the most exciting tech and inspiring individuals in the sector. Get involved!
Released: Every Tuesday
Average length: 1 hour
The Tim Ferriss Show
With well over 600 million downloads under it’s belt, The Tim Ferriss show is often the number 1 business podcast on Apple Podcasts. Each episode, Tim Ferriss interviews world class performers from a range of disciplines and decodes the tactics, tools and routines you can use and apply in your life and business.
Released: Every Wednesday
Average length: 2 hours
Lead to Win
Michael Hyatt and CEO Megan Hyatt Miller explore how current research joins learned and timeless wisdom to create lasting success in leadership roles. Exploring personal productivity and development, to all aspects of leadership, the Lead to Win podcast looks to help you build sustained achievement in your business, rather than a series of short-term wins.
Released: Every Tuesday
Average length: 35 minutes
This Week in Startups
Joined by a rotating group of guests, This Week in Startups host Jason Calacanis delves into the best, worst and most outrageous stories emerging from the world of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re looking to start your own company, are in need of strategies for improving your business, or searching for the best approach to motivating your team, This Week in Startups has you covered.
Released: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Average length: 1 hour 5 minutes
Missed your favourite start-up related podcast? Let us know and we'll have a listen.
Hex have worked with numerous start-ups to help them establish their vision and forge a brand and digital presence. Get in touch with our team today for help with your new business.